A MISTAKEN IMPRESSIONA young couple about to be married were looking for a country house. The owner of the house was very hospitable and showed them round, and the couple were very impressed, saying they would consider buying it. On the way home the young lady, recalling she had not seen a Water Closet anywhere, very thoughtfully asked her fiancee, ''Edward, did you notice any WC.?"
"No", said Edward, and so he wrote to the house owner enquiring as to the whereabouts of the WC. Being a country gentleman the house owner was ignorant of the term WC which he understood it to be the Wesleyan Church, and so he wrote back :-
Dear Sir,
Thank you for your letter.
I take great pleasure in informing you that the WC is situated nine miles from the house in the center of a beautiful grove of pine trees, surrounded by lovely grounds.
It is capable of accommodating 229 people, and it is open on Sundays and Thursdays only. As there are great numbers of people expected there during the summer months, I suggest that you come early, although usually there is plenty of standing room. The fact there is often nowhere to sit is always an unfortunate situation, especially if one is in the habit of going regularly. The committee are striving to address this problem and during their last meeting it was suggested that whenever insufficient seats available then ready made stools might be made available to sit on.
It may be of some interest to know that my daughter was married in the WC and in fact it was there she had first met her husband and then frequently every Sunday for several years.
I take great pleasure in informing you that the WC is situated nine miles from the house in the center of a beautiful grove of pine trees, surrounded by lovely grounds.
It is capable of accommodating 229 people, and it is open on Sundays and Thursdays only. As there are great numbers of people expected there during the summer months, I suggest that you come early, although usually there is plenty of standing room. The fact there is often nowhere to sit is always an unfortunate situation, especially if one is in the habit of going regularly. The committee are striving to address this problem and during their last meeting it was suggested that whenever insufficient seats available then ready made stools might be made available to sit on.
It may be of some interest to know that my daughter was married in the WC and in fact it was there she had first met her husband and then frequently every Sunday for several years.
I can remember the rush for seats at Easter and Christmas. Usually there were 10 people to every seat which should usually be occupied by only one. It was always wonderful to see the expressions on their faces.
I have heard great sermons preached from it and everyone who uses it usually sings at the top of their voices.
You will be glad to hear that a good number of people bring their lunch and make a day out of it, while those who can afford to go by car often arrive just in time, expressing considerable relief. Yet my wife and I are constantly surprised at others who miss it entirely.
I would especially recommend your ladyship to go on Thursdays when there is an organ accompaniment. The acoustics are excellent, and even the most delicate of sounds can be heard everywhere. Ocassionally the noise is deafening when everyone participates together.
My brother was always there, too. He had gone regularly since he was christened. A wealthy resident erected a bell over the WC last week to be rung every time a member enters. A bazaar was held last week next door, the proceeds to help to provide plush seats.
My wife and I are getting old, now, and do not go as regularly as we used to. In fact it is four months since we went last, and I can assure you it pains us very much not to be able to take a regular seat. Our flush of youth seems to to have evaporated permanently so we do not feel the need to be there as often as we did.
I shall be delighted to show you round personally and to reserve the best seat for you, where you shall be seen by all.
Hoping to be of some service to you.
Yours faithfully
You will be glad to hear that a good number of people bring their lunch and make a day out of it, while those who can afford to go by car often arrive just in time, expressing considerable relief. Yet my wife and I are constantly surprised at others who miss it entirely.
I would especially recommend your ladyship to go on Thursdays when there is an organ accompaniment. The acoustics are excellent, and even the most delicate of sounds can be heard everywhere. Ocassionally the noise is deafening when everyone participates together.
My brother was always there, too. He had gone regularly since he was christened. A wealthy resident erected a bell over the WC last week to be rung every time a member enters. A bazaar was held last week next door, the proceeds to help to provide plush seats.
My wife and I are getting old, now, and do not go as regularly as we used to. In fact it is four months since we went last, and I can assure you it pains us very much not to be able to take a regular seat. Our flush of youth seems to to have evaporated permanently so we do not feel the need to be there as often as we did.
I shall be delighted to show you round personally and to reserve the best seat for you, where you shall be seen by all.
Hoping to be of some service to you.
Yours faithfully
_______________________________________________
Came across this recently and decided to post it just in case it is new to you. LOL
Maybe not well known States side but very well known in UK.
Wow, that takes me back! I remember that from when I was a kid. My sister came home with it typed out on a scap of paper once. It tickled me to no end. Such fun to read it again!
ReplyDeleteOh yes, I know it well - I have a book called Urban Folklore From the Paperback Empire, and this story is in it. One of the best ever! Thanks for reprinting and reminding me.
ReplyDeleteYes I remember this Eddie, brought back a memory of a good laugh as my late husband brought it home for me to read and his mother had given it to him....love it...Hugs
ReplyDeleteWell this is one that I have never come across before so I was chortling with laughter!
ReplyDeleteI take it they didn't buy the house!
LOL!
Maggie X
Nuts in May
This is new to me and I loved it. Had me chuckling as well!! Good one!
ReplyDeleteThanks
Hugs
SueAnn
What a difference makes when we each use different words for the same thing. Is that the usual way to say it in the UK, WC? Huh. Interesting. This is a funny story especially the last part about how old they are getting and don't go as often.
ReplyDeleteTechno - We call it the toilet, the lavatory, the loo, but still sometimes the WC although that is a little old fashioned these days. I understand you call it "the John" (not sure of the spelling).
ReplyDeleteThis particular piece is as old as the hills but Eddie has added a few bits here and there LOL
I've never heard of a WC.
ReplyDeleteWe call it CR(comfort room).
I remember walking in a dept store and asked the sales associate to direct me to their CR.
She was puzzled, then asked ,..."What do you want to do?"
I WAS PUZZLED. Why does the lady what to know what I want to do in the lavatory?
I left. ;-)
this was very good. i can only imagine the lookf of sheer terror on their faces as that innocent couple read that!
ReplyDeleteand word verification is lyescoop
Hello Eddie! Thanks so much for your lovely comment on my blog and the offer to be part of your 'Sunday roast' feature spot. I'm so sorry it's taken a while to reply - my real life work has taken over and I am unlikely to emerge bleary-eyed until the weekend. But I will be in touch - thank you for the opportunity!
ReplyDeleteAnd I loved this - very funny!
Veddy English fun!
ReplyDeleteWarm Aloha from Waikiki :)
Comfort Spiral
I think that's hilarious! No, I had never seen it before, as "WC" (in either sense) does not mean as much to us on this side of the pond. Wonderful, though.
ReplyDeleteToo funny! Never heard it before.
ReplyDelete