Why is English misunderstood so humourously
A very interesting anecdote:
In the days when you couldn't count on a public toilet facility, an
Englishwoman was planning a trip to India. She was registered to stay in
a small guest house owned by the local schoolmaster. She was concerned as
to whether the guest house contained a WC. In England, a bathroom is
commonly called a WC which stands for "Water Closet". She wrote to the
schoolmaster inquiring the facilities about the WC.
The school master, not fluent in English, asked the local priest if he
knew the meaning of WC. Together they pondered possible meanings of the
letters and concluded that the lady wanted to know if there was a
"Wayside Chapel" near the house . . a bathroom never entered their minds.
So the schoolmaster, with the help of the priest, got together the
following reply:
*************************************************************
Dear Madam,
I take great pleasure in informing you that the WC is Located 9 miles from the house. It is located in the middle of a grove of pine trees,surrounded by lovely grounds. It is capable of holding 229 people and is open on Sundays and Thursdays. As there are many people expected in the summer months, I suggest you arrive early. There is, however, plenty of standing room. This is an unfortunate situation especially if you are in the habit of going regularly. It may be of some interest to you that my daughter was married in the WC as it was there that she met her husband. - It was a wonderful event. There were ten people in every seat. It was wonderful to see the expressions on their faces. My wife, sadly, has been ill and unable to go recently. It has been almost a year since she went, which pains her greatly.
You will be pleased to know that many people bring their lunch and make a day of it. Others prefer to wait till the last minute
and arrive just in time! - I would recommend your ladyship plan to go on a Thursday as there is an organ accompaniment. The acoustics are excellent and even the most delicate sounds can be heard everywhere. The newest addition is a bell which rings every time a person enters.
We are holding a bazaar to provide plush seats for all since many feel it is long needed. I look forward to escorting you there myself and seating you in a place where you can be seen by all
With Deepest Regards,
The Schoolmaster.
GOT THIS ANECDOTE WAY BACK IN 1990'S DURING ONE OF MY TRIPS TO THE UK.
DO NOT KNOW WHO THE WRITER IS.AT THAT TIME EMAIL HAD JUST STARTED AND
I DIDNOT GET AN EMAIL FORWARDED.
I EMAILED THIS TO A BUSINESS ASSOCIATE IN THE UK IN 2003-4 TO EXPLAIN A LANGUAGE MISCOMUNICATION WHICH HAD ARISEN THEN.
WHEN I CAM ACROSS THIS A FEW DAYS BACK I FELT LIKE SHARING THIS WITH ALL OF YOU.
IF THIS HAS HURT ANYONE'S FEELINGS OR YOU FIND THIS UNETHICAL MY SINCEREST APOLOGIES
Englishwoman was planning a trip to India. She was registered to stay in
a small guest house owned by the local schoolmaster. She was concerned as
to whether the guest house contained a WC. In England, a bathroom is
commonly called a WC which stands for "Water Closet". She wrote to the
schoolmaster inquiring the facilities about the WC.
The school master, not fluent in English, asked the local priest if he
knew the meaning of WC. Together they pondered possible meanings of the
letters and concluded that the lady wanted to know if there was a
"Wayside Chapel" near the house . . a bathroom never entered their minds.
So the schoolmaster, with the help of the priest, got together the
following reply:
*************************************************************
Dear Madam,
I take great pleasure in informing you that the WC is Located 9 miles from the house. It is located in the middle of a grove of pine trees,surrounded by lovely grounds. It is capable of holding 229 people and is open on Sundays and Thursdays. As there are many people expected in the summer months, I suggest you arrive early. There is, however, plenty of standing room. This is an unfortunate situation especially if you are in the habit of going regularly. It may be of some interest to you that my daughter was married in the WC as it was there that she met her husband. - It was a wonderful event. There were ten people in every seat. It was wonderful to see the expressions on their faces. My wife, sadly, has been ill and unable to go recently. It has been almost a year since she went, which pains her greatly.
You will be pleased to know that many people bring their lunch and make a day of it. Others prefer to wait till the last minute
and arrive just in time! - I would recommend your ladyship plan to go on a Thursday as there is an organ accompaniment. The acoustics are excellent and even the most delicate sounds can be heard everywhere. The newest addition is a bell which rings every time a person enters.
We are holding a bazaar to provide plush seats for all since many feel it is long needed. I look forward to escorting you there myself and seating you in a place where you can be seen by all
With Deepest Regards,
The Schoolmaster.
GOT THIS ANECDOTE WAY BACK IN 1990'S DURING ONE OF MY TRIPS TO THE UK.
DO NOT KNOW WHO THE WRITER IS.AT THAT TIME EMAIL HAD JUST STARTED AND
I DIDNOT GET AN EMAIL FORWARDED.
I EMAILED THIS TO A BUSINESS ASSOCIATE IN THE UK IN 2003-4 TO EXPLAIN A LANGUAGE MISCOMUNICATION WHICH HAD ARISEN THEN.
WHEN I CAM ACROSS THIS A FEW DAYS BACK I FELT LIKE SHARING THIS WITH ALL OF YOU.
IF THIS HAS HURT ANYONE'S FEELINGS OR YOU FIND THIS UNETHICAL MY SINCEREST APOLOGIES
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