Jokes by The Number
A new guy in the neighborhood walks into a local bar and orders a drink. The place is full of regulars talking and drinking. Suddenly one fellow at the end of the bar stands up and says, "Hey everybody, 16!" and the room erupts into laughter. Another guy at a table stands up and says, "I've got a better one...22!" Again the whole bar starts laughing. The new guy calls the bartender over and asks, "I'm really confused here. What's with the numbers?" "Well," the bartender answers, "the same guys have been coming in here for years. After telling the same jokes over and over again we finally just numbered them. Now whenever anybody wants to tell a joke all he has to do is call out the number and everyone knows exactly what he's talking about." "Incredible," says the guy. Wanting to seem like a regular Joe he decides to participate in the custom. He stands up, clears his throat and calls out, "12!" Every single person turns to stare at him in complete silence. Much embarrassed he sits down to his beer. The bartender comes over and tsk tsks at him. "What did I do wrong?" he asks. "Nothing," replied the bartender. "Some people just don't know how to tell a joke."
Originally published November 14, 2002.
