1 post tagged “gilbert and sullivan”

One of the many reasons I love my job is that my coworkers are better-read and more familiar with certain types of music than some of my former coworkers.  Ergo, we have some common ground and reference points and lots and lots and lots of interesting discussions.

Case in point: I'm working at the cashwrap (line of cash registers).  There are two other coworkers with me, also working registers.  We have a small line, but are merrily and briskly working through it, while sending customers on their way with smiles on their faces. Only one customer of this group was cranky.  Actually, he was just plain rude, but my coworker still rang him through and told him to have a nice day.  His response was some sort of grunt, but earlier in the transaction he had had a brief discussion with the cashier about his book.  It was apparent, from his very strong accent, that he was British.  The customer following him (female) made some remarkably inane comment about how the British customer was a bit rude, but "who cares, what a sexy accent."  She was the last customer of the line.  Evidentally his utter rudeness is excusable due to his manner of speech (erm, oooookay.)

That remark was overheard by all three cashiers.  As soon as she left the store, our eyes met.  And we broke into a chorus of

"He is an Englishman!"

(head cashier solo) "He IS an Englishman!"

"For he himself hath said it,

And it's greatly to his credit,

That he is an Englishman!"

(all) "'That he is an Englishman!"

"For he might have been a Roosian,

A French, a Turk, or Proosian,

"Or perhaps Eye-tal-i-an!"

(all, much louder) "Or perhaps Eye-tal-i-an!"

"But in spite of all temptations,

To belong to other nations,

He remains an Englishman!

(head cashier, who, incidentally, has an excellent baritone voice, solo) "He remains an E-e-e-e-e-englishman!"

At which point a manager walked up, took one look, shook his head and walked away.  (giggle)

A few hours later, we had a brief meeting at the customer service desk.  We were informed that we'd been hit rather hard LP-wise over the last week, and were polled for suggestions for ways to deal with shoplifters.

Me, looking thoughtful and stroking an imaginary beard: "Something lingering.  With boiling oil, I fancy."

(howls of laughter from those who had been at the cashwrap earlier, as well as a few others.  One of the three managers got it.)

Yes, I do love my job.

***if you aren't a Gilbert and Sullivan fan, you a) should be, and b) won't get any of this.  Let me give you a visual.

HMS Pinafore is unquestionably one of my favorite G&S operettas, though it is rather hard to choose.  Pirates of Penzance, Mikado, and Iolanthe would all rank up there, too.  Of course, I've never seen a G&S I didn't like. :P