A stranger walks into a bar and puts a pound coin on the counter and asks for half a pint of bitter. The barmaid asks him whether he would like Guinness or Worthington. The stranger asks for Guinness. Another complete stranger comes into the bar, puts a pound on the counter and also asks for half a pint of bitter. The barmaid immediately pulls half a pint of Guinness. How did she know what the second man, who was completely unknown to her, wanted?

(think in a crooked way for this one)

Firstly the pedantry - Guinness isn't bitter, it's stout.

Secondly the possibilities:

1. The second stranger has an Irish accent so the barmaid assumes he'll drink Guinness.

2. The second stranger doesn't actually say "Can I have half a pint of bitter", what he says is "I'll have one of those" pointing at the first stranger's drink. So in principle he's asked for half a pint of 'bitter' but the barmaid knew exactly what he wanted.

3. By the time the second stranger comes in all the Worthington has gone so that the only 'bitter' left is Guinness.

4. The second stranger is wearing a Tshirt with "I love Guinness" emblazoned across the front.

5. The second stranger is the first stranger's twin. The barmaid thinks that the second stranger is actually the first one ordering a second drink and serves the same 'bitter' again. The question implies that the two men are both strangers to the bar maid, but not necessarily to each other.

Crooked enough yet?

Posted by fwaff on 2003-02-24 02:40:11