A man sits down

Okay, here’s my attempt at a "Joke Poo" version of the original, titled "The Library Stench":

The Library Stench

A man sits down next to a very studious-looking woman in the quiet section of the library. He leans in and whispers, "Excuse me, can I smell your research?"

She looks horrified and hisses, "Absolutely not! How dare you!"

He shrugs and replies, "Oh, must be the overdue fines, then."

Alright, let’s break down this rather forward joke, and then see if we can wrangle some humor out of it without replicating its… directness.

Joke Dissection:

• Setup: A man initiates conversation with a woman at a bus stop. This establishes a casual, public setting.
• Punchline (attempt 1): The wildly inappropriate and sexually suggestive request, "Can I smell your pussy?" This is the first layer of shock value.
• Follow-up/Twist (punchline 2): The supposed justification/observation that "it must be your feet then." This is where the joke attempts to land the laugh, pivoting from overt sexuality to (relative) absurdity and supposed olfactory deduction.
• Humor Mechanism: The humor relies on a few elements:
  • Shock Value: The initial question is intentionally offensive and unexpected.
  • Incongruity: The vast discrepancy between the socially acceptable conversation starter and the question posed. Also, the attempt to pass off a highly suggestive act as a matter of foot odor.
  • Stereotype (potentially): A subtle (and offensive) jab at the supposed unhygienic habits.

Key Elements for Re-Working:

• Inappropriate Question: A question that is out of place in a polite conversation.
• Misattribution: The false attribution of a negative quality (offensive odor) to a source it wouldn’t normally come from.
• Bus Stop Setting: A public and shared space.
• Olfactory Element: Smell

Humorous Re-imagining (Witty Observation/Did You Know):

Option 1: Did You Know (Playing on Olfactory Oddities and Misattribution)

Did you know that foot odor is caused by bacteria breaking down dead skin cells and oils? Interestingly, the same bacteria that causes Limburger cheese to stink can also be found on your feet. So, next time you’re at a bus stop and someone compliments your… unique aroma, just remember: you might just be walking around smelling like a fermented dairy product! No need to assume anything else. And maybe bring some foot powder.

Why this works:

• It’s informative (genuinely interesting fact about foot odor).
• It’s absurd (the comparison to Limburger cheese).
• It subtly references the original joke without being as directly offensive.
• It offers a humorous (and slightly self-deprecating) ‘out’ for an awkward situation.

Option 2: A New (Safer) Joke:

A man is sitting next to a perfumer at a bus stop. He leans in and says, "I can detect top notes of bergamot, middle notes of jasmine, and a base note of…public transportation funk. Am I right?" The perfumer sighs and says, "Close. It’s actually BO, desperation, and regret."

Why this works:

• It preserves the "deduction" element of the original.
• It replaces the offensive question with a (slightly pompous) observation about perfume.
• The punchline is a more relatable and less offensive kind of humor (the shared experience of public transport and a hint of self-deprecation).

Option 3: A Witty Observation:

Public transport is truly a democratic experience. It’s the only place where you can simultaneously experience the scent of freshly baked cookies, someone’s questionable B.O., and the lingering aroma of what you hope is just spilled soy sauce.

Why this works:

• It acknowledges the often-unpleasant olfactory reality of public spaces.
• It’s relatable.
• It uses humor through juxtaposition and exaggeration.

The key is to take the structure and core elements of the joke (the inappropriate question, the misattribution, the setting) and replace the offensive content with something more absurd, surprising, or relatable.