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Jan. 23rd, 2006 03:15 pmI received The Lexicon of Stupidity as a stocking stuffer at Christmas. Today, I stumbled on a quote that stands out from the rest:
"American businessman is beginning his speech with a joke. I am not certain why, but all American businessmen believe it is necessary to start speeches with jokes. [Pause] He is telling the joke now, but, frankly, you wouldn't understand it, so I won't translate it. He thinks I am telling you the joke now. [Pause] The polite thing to do when he finishes is to laugh. [Pause] He is getting close. [Pause] Now! [Audience laughs and give speaker standing ovation.]"
- Japanese translator translating an American businessman's speech in Japan (After the speech, the executive told the translator, "You are the first translator who knows how to tell a good joke."
"American businessman is beginning his speech with a joke. I am not certain why, but all American businessmen believe it is necessary to start speeches with jokes. [Pause] He is telling the joke now, but, frankly, you wouldn't understand it, so I won't translate it. He thinks I am telling you the joke now. [Pause] The polite thing to do when he finishes is to laugh. [Pause] He is getting close. [Pause] Now! [Audience laughs and give speaker standing ovation.]"
- Japanese translator translating an American businessman's speech in Japan (After the speech, the executive told the translator, "You are the first translator who knows how to tell a good joke."
