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Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!dal
From: dal@philabs.UUCP (Dan Lorenzini)
Newsgroups: net.jokes
Subject: Polish jokes
Message-ID: <27355@philabs.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 11-Oct-83 16:12:44 EDT
Article-I.D.: philabs.27355
Posted: Tue Oct 11 16:12:44 1983
Date-Received: Thu, 13-Oct-83 01:51:58 EDT
Organization: Philips Labs, Briarcliff Manor, NY
Lines: 51


I've often wondered why Poland should be the source of so much humor.  Well,
I think that I've found out why, with the help of the (usually unfunny) New
York Times.  I was recycling some old newspapers the other day when I
couldn't help noticing an article on Poland.  (How come you never seem to be
able to read the paper until you're getting rid of it?)  The article was
dated from before martial law was lifted (insofar as going to jail for being
a member of a certain labor union can be considered lifting martial law), but
I think it sheds some light on why living in Poland can be such a gas.

One thing that's funny about Poland is the kind of shortages they have
there.  I've heard of rationing food or gasoline, but in Poland they ration
shoes!  The dry wits at the "Times" put it this way:

	"Shoes, rationed at one pair a year, are one of the items in short
	supply here, with production so limited that one-third of the ration
	coupons are not used."

What a scream!  With only one pair per year, I bet that when someone in
Poland loses a shoe, there's a lot of "sole" searching going on!  Another
humorous item is Poland's lagging economy.  The "Times," in its usual droll
manner, says:

	"The building industry is particularly far behind -- the wait for an
	apartment can take up to 25 years."

Twenty-five years!  I thought finding an apartment in Manhattan was bad, but
this is a riot!

Speaking of riots, Poland has its share of those, too.  Yep, those Poles sure
like to party.  They love to just Gdansk the night away.  Things get so hot
that Geneneral Jaruzelski has to call out the police and the army to shoot
tear gas, swing clubs and aim their fire hoses at them.  Those Poles sure do
know how to get down!

Actually, I would like to see all those who tell Polish jokes go to Poland so
that they could find out first-hand just how funny it is.  I would suggest
they find an apartment and stay at least long enough to wear out a few pairs
of shoes.  I'm sure when they return their humor will be much improved.

This could start a trend.  For instance, people who like to tell amputee
jokes could get dismembered.  Then we could all stand around and have a great
time calling them silly names like "Bob" and "Matt" and watch as they try to
do simple things like opening pop-top cans or writing letters to their
friends in Poland.


Now doesn't that just crack you up?


								Dan