Yahya Sulaiman
3rd July 2009, 17:03
This is from The Mammoth Book of Humor, edited by Geoff Tibballs.
Four men--a Californian, a Texan, a Bostonian and a New Yorker--were being interviewed for a prestigious job with a multi-national company. There was nothing to choose between them so the company president told them over dinner at a luxurious hotel that he would be conducting the decisive test the following morning. Each candidate would be asked the same question and the one who came up with the best answer would get the job. First in the following morning was the Californian.
“Here is your question,” said the president. “What is the fastest thing in the world?”
Scarcely hesitating, the Californian replied: “A thought, because it takes no time at all. It is in your mind in an instant, then gone again.”
“That’s a very good answer,” said the president.
Next in was the Texan. “What is the fastest thing in the world?” asked the president.
“A blink,” replied the Texan instantaneously, “because you don’t even think about a blink. It’s a reflex.”
“That’s a fine answer,” said the president.
Next in was the Bostonian. “What is the fastest thing in the world?” asked the president.
The Bostonian thought for a second. “I’d say electricity, because you can flip a switch and immediately ten miles away a light will go on.”
“That’s an excellent answer,” said the president.
Finally it was the turn of the New Yorker. “What is the fastest thing in the world?” asked the president.
The New Yorker scratched his head and replied: “Diarrhoea [sic], because last night after dinner I was lying on the bed when I got these terrible stomach cramps and before I could think, blink or turn on the light…”
Four men--a Californian, a Texan, a Bostonian and a New Yorker--were being interviewed for a prestigious job with a multi-national company. There was nothing to choose between them so the company president told them over dinner at a luxurious hotel that he would be conducting the decisive test the following morning. Each candidate would be asked the same question and the one who came up with the best answer would get the job. First in the following morning was the Californian.
“Here is your question,” said the president. “What is the fastest thing in the world?”
Scarcely hesitating, the Californian replied: “A thought, because it takes no time at all. It is in your mind in an instant, then gone again.”
“That’s a very good answer,” said the president.
Next in was the Texan. “What is the fastest thing in the world?” asked the president.
“A blink,” replied the Texan instantaneously, “because you don’t even think about a blink. It’s a reflex.”
“That’s a fine answer,” said the president.
Next in was the Bostonian. “What is the fastest thing in the world?” asked the president.
The Bostonian thought for a second. “I’d say electricity, because you can flip a switch and immediately ten miles away a light will go on.”
“That’s an excellent answer,” said the president.
Finally it was the turn of the New Yorker. “What is the fastest thing in the world?” asked the president.
The New Yorker scratched his head and replied: “Diarrhoea [sic], because last night after dinner I was lying on the bed when I got these terrible stomach cramps and before I could think, blink or turn on the light…”