Helpfulness (overheard in the post office)
Monday, August 6th, 2007
(… and translated from the original Saarländisch)
Tourist Who Doesn’t Speak Much German: Ticket? Tram ticket? Need tram ticket?
“Helpful” Post Office Official: No, this is a post office. Can’t get tram tickets here.
Tourist: Ticket?
Postie: Nono, no tickets here, we send mail. Post. POST. POST.
Tourist: Post? Ticket?
Postie: Yes, POST! Not ticket. We make mail go Voom. VOOM. *hand waving to illustrate mail going voom*
Tourist: Ticket? *admits defeat and leaves*
At this point the postie turns to the lady at the next counter with a huge grin and a “well, tourists, what can you do” shrug. (She asks him “how did that go again? Voom?”)
…
At no point in this did it occur to anyone present to tell the poor tourist where she might actually obtain tickets.
