The man explained the type of haircut he wanted, and showed the barber the reference image. As he is about to pay, he pulls out $20 worth of steak out of his jacket. He then says “I’ll be paying with this today.” The barber replies with “sir, that’s a steak.” “Yes I know.” “sir that’s not legal tender, that’s a steak.” The man then replies “it is legal tender, It’s as tender as $20 can get you!”
Joke Poo: The IT Support Call
An elderly woman called into an old, dusty IT support center. She patiently waited for a technician to answer.
She explained her computer problem in detail, and even read out the exact error message from the screen. As the technician was about to quote a price, she pulled out a bag of used tea bags from her purse. She then says, “I’ll be paying with these today.” The technician replies with, “Ma’am, those are tea bags.” “Yes, I know.” “Ma’am, we don’t accept tea bags, those are tea bags.” The woman replies, “Of course you do, they’re the latest upgrades!”
Alright, let’s break down this meaty situation!
Joke Analysis:
- Setup: An elderly man enters a barbershop, setting the stage for a classic “old-timer being quirky” scenario. He provides a haircut reference, establishing normalcy before the comedic curveball.
- Punchline Trigger: The introduction of steak as payment is the absurdity that breaks the conventional scene.
- Punchline: The wordplay with “tender” is the actual payoff. It relies on the double meaning of “tender” (legal currency vs. soft/easily chewed) to create the humorous twist. The old man’s deliberate misinterpretation is what lands the joke.
- Humor Source: The humor comes from the incongruity of the situation, the unexpected substitution of steak for money, and the pun. It also touches on the stereotypical (though potentially ageist) view of elderly people as being a bit eccentric or out of touch.
Elements for Enrichment:
- Barbershops: Symbol of tradition, male bonding, and (historically) even minor surgery.
- Steak: Associated with luxury, masculinity, and…well, being food.
- Legal Tender: The concept of currency and what constitutes acceptable payment.
- Elderly Man: Stereotypically, someone with quirks, wisdom (or lack thereof), and potentially a different perspective on things.
- Wordplay/Puns: The key element carrying the humor.
Comedic Enrichment Options:
Here are a few options playing off the original joke:
1. A New “Did You Know” Fact:
“Did you know that in some historical economies, goods like livestock or even salt were actually forms of legal tender? So, in theory, the old man with the steak wasn’t completely crazy. He was just a few centuries behind…and confused about which animals were worth more than a haircut.”
2. A Related Joke:
“Why did the steak go to the barbershop?
Because it needed a rare trim!
…I’ll get my coat. Though, truth be told, a steak wearing a tiny top hat would be way more amusing than me trying to explain the intricacies of meat grooming.”
3. Witty Observation:
“I wonder if the barber tried to argue that his services are more ‘medium-rare’ than ‘well-done’ in terms of value. Maybe they could have negotiated a trade: a haircut for a perfectly grilled ribeye. Talk about a cut above the rest!”
4. An Amplified Pun:
Barber leans in conspiratorially: “Sir, I appreciate the tender gesture. But frankly, this steak’s a bit rough around the edges. If it was a prime cut, maybe we could talk. I do have a family to feed after all, and let’s face it, a haircut for a steak…that’s not how you raise the stakes!”
The most promising approach, I believe, is the amplified pun. Adding more layers of wordplay relating to steak and barbering would really lean into the humor and create an even richer, more memorable comedic experience.