The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

IN GERMANY THEY HAVE MANY COFFEE HOUSES, SOMETHING THEY DON'T
HAVE HERE. ANYHOW, ONE DAY A YOUNG MAN WENT INTO THIS COFFEE HOUSE
AND HAPPENED TO SIT DOWN ACROSS FROM A BEAUTIFUL YOUNG GIRL. HE WAS
ASTOUNDED BY HER BEAUTY AND COULDN'T KEEP HIS EYES OFF OF HER. SHE
NOTICED HE KEPT STARING AT HER BUT SHE PAYED NO ATTENTION TO HIM.
ATTEMPTING TO STRIKE UP A CONVERSATION WITH HER, HE SAID: "EXCUSE ME
FOR STARING BUT I HAVE NEVER SEEN A WOMAN AS BEAUTIFUL AND LOVELY AS
YOU IN MY LIFE."
TO THIS SHE REPLIED, "I'M SORRY BUT I CAN'T SAY THE SAME THING
ABOUT YOU."
NOT TO BE OUTDONE, THE YOUNG MAN THEN MADE THIS REPLY: "YOU
SHOULD DO WHAT I DO THEN, SAY THE OPPOSITE OF WHAT YOU THINK."

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

Keyword(s): SURPISE ENDING RETORT

Date learned: 07-00-1964