A while ago, I was asked in an author interview what made me smile and what made me laugh out loud. What made me smile was instant–a baby’s laughter, a kitten, a beautiful sunset…the list could go on. But as I thought, I couldn’t remember anything that made me laugh out loud. I don’t like what passes for comedy on TV, except for some of the Christian comedians, but then I remembered something I had read in our local paper, and thought I’d pass it on.
The Toilet Facilities in the camp ground
A lady who was rather old fashioned, always quite delicate and elegant, especially in her language. She and her husband were planning a vacation Florida, so she wrote to a particular camp ground asking for a reservation.
She wanted to make sure the camp ground was fully equipped, but didn’t quite know how to ask about the toilet facilities. She just couldn’t bring herself to write the word “toilet” in her letter. After much deliberation, she finally came up with the old fashioned term BATHROOM COMMODE, but when she wrote that down, she thought she was being too forward. So she started all over again, rewrote the entire letter and referred to the bathroom commode merely as the “BC”. “Does the campground have its own BC?” is what she actually wrote.
Well, the campground owner wasn’t old-fashioned at all and when he got the letter he just couldn’t figure out what the woman was talking about. That “BC” business really stumped him. After worrying about it for awhile he showed the letter to several campers, but they couldn’t figure out what the lady meant either. So, the campground owner finally coming to the conclusion that the lady must be asking about the local Baptist Church, sat down and wrote the lady.
Upon reading his letter, and with great shock, the lady quickly decided not to got to that campground…. The letter is as follows…
“Dear Madam, I regret very much the delay in answering your letter, but I now take great pleasure in informing you that a BC is located nine miles north of the campground and is capable of seating 250 people at one time. I admit it is quite a distance away, if you are in the habit of going regularly, but no doubt you will be pleased to know that a great number of people take their lunches along and make a day of it. They usually arrive early and stay late.
“It is such a beautiful facility and the acoustics are marvelous, even the normal delivery sounds can be heard. The last time my wife and I went was six years ago, and it was so crowded we had to stand up the whole time we were there. It may interest you to know that right now there is a supper planned to raise money to buy more seats. They are going to hold it in the basement of the BC.
I would like to say it pains me very much not being able to go more regularly, but it is surely no lack of desire on my part. As we grow older it seems to be more of an effort, particularly in cold weather.
If you decide to come down to our campground, perhaps I could go with you the first time you go, sit with you, and introduce you to all the other folks (remember, this is a friendly community).”
And that’s what makes me laugh. Now, to be entered into a random drawing for a $10 iTunes gift card, leave a comment telling me what makes you laugh out loud by Tuesday night. To be entered in the giveaway, you must be 18 years old.
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Comments 14
Yes, I’ve seen this before & it made me laugh then, too. I’ve also seen it told as her inquiry was re. a W.C. (water closet) for a British twist, and she ended up being informed about something equally ridiculous.
I wouldn’t want to be quoted but I laughed out loud when a well-meaning friend reported the death of a relative she would miss but mentioned that his passing was “the end of an error.” Oops!
I love it, Dee. Once I sat in church with a friend when the pastor talked about a real live missionary that was coming to speak at the church. I looked at my friend and whispered, “Have we ever had a dead missionary speak?” That set us off and every time the pastor talked about the real live missionary coming, I laughed until I cried.
That made me laugh out loud too. Can you imagine sharing a pot with 250 other people in a friendly camp?
Author
Michelle, the first time I read that, I was reading it out loud and I would have to stop because I was laughing so hard. No, I can imagine sharing with 250 others. 🙂
Now Pat, I’ve not heard this story before, and it did make me laugh out loud. The visual image of 250 “seated behinds” could get the best of one, you know. Dee, loved your story as well.
Author
Cheryl, it first appeared in Lorna Huff’s column in the Daily Corinthian, don’t know where she found it. Yes I do, someone sent it to her.
Hi, Pat! This is a funny story! I probably laugh out loud too much (though I’m not sure that’s really possible). But the last thing that made me laugh out loud was a picture my sister took and put up on Facebook. It was a yellow caution road sign (You know, one of the crossing signs) with a picture of a cow on it. Underneath it had a square sign that said “Watch out for Horses”! LOL She was somewhere between MS and AL. Love it!
Author
I love it, Amy. I’ll have to find it. I have a blog about the Shoe Tree on Highway 72 between Corinth and Cherokee at http://www.Stitchesthrutime.blogspot.com I bet you’ve seen it.
That is funny. I’m blessed with a husband and 2 younger children with incredibly quick wits so I find myself often laughing out loud. Admittedly, some of the comments tend to be at my husband’s expense, but my children usually point out that he walked right into it, how could they resist? And of course, the grandkids often make me laugh out loud. Just the other night as our 14 month old grandson was leaving the house he kept scurrying back to give me and his auntie another hug and another and another. But when his uncle kneeled down and said, hey, what about me, our grandson teetered a moment and headed to the door, then looked back and grinned and gave me and his auntie one last hug each. My son commended him on how smart he was–take the hugs from the ladies while you can get them. 😉
Author
Smart grandson! Our kids and grandkids can really make for some wonderful moments, can’t they, Sandra! Thanks for stopping by.
One thing that will always put a smile on my face is an adorable kitten. The antics of a cat can get me laughing as well.
No need to enter me in the drawing–just stopping by to say hello.
Author
Ah, kittens. They will make you laugh out loud! I never knew I was a cat person until I a kitten adopted me. Thanks for stopping by Elaine!
Hee, hee. Great post. Thank you for the chuckle!
Author
Glad you enjoyed it, Cecy!