Anticipating some valuable testimonials, the publicity department of the airline sent out letters to all the wives of businessmen who used the special rates, asking how they enjoyed their trip.
Responses are still pouring in from angry wives asking, "What trip?"
Joke Poo: Corporate Expense
One of the new tech companies, “Synergy Solutions,” recently introduced a “Team Building Retreat” half-price deal for employees who brought their dogs. They claimed it fostered a more collaborative and relaxed work environment.
Anticipating a flood of positive media coverage, the marketing department sent out surveys to all the employees who took advantage of the deal, asking how they enjoyed their dog-inclusive retreat.
Responses are still pouring in, mostly from HR, asking, “What expense codes did you use to justify the pooper-scooper purchase?!”
Okay, let’s break down this joke:
Elements:
- Premise: Airlines offer a discount for wives accompanying husbands on business trips.
- Setup: The airline expects positive testimonials and seeks feedback.
- Punchline: The wives are angry and unaware of any trip, implying infidelity on the husband’s part.
- Underlying Theme: Marital trust, infidelity, communication breakdowns, and the potential for unintended consequences of promotional schemes.
Factual/Interesting Tidbits Related to Elements:
- Business Travel: In the “Mad Men” era (likely the context this joke originates from), business trips were often depicted as opportunities for affairs, fueled by expense accounts and time away from home.
- Airline Marketing: Airlines have a long history of using various promotions to attract different customer segments. In the 50s and 60s, targeting the wife of the businessman to sway him was fairly common.
- Spousal Discounts (Historically): While a half-fare rate for wives on business trips sounds specific, airlines have used family fares and companion discounts over the years to incentivize travel. There may have been a precursor for the author to write this joke.
New Humor Based on the Analysis:
Option 1: A Witty Observation
“That airline promotion for wives? Genius, really. It bypassed the inconvenient truth that most business trips are fueled by a ‘need’ to be unencumbered by wives. It’s like offering a discount on a leash for a cat convention.”
Option 2: A “Did You Know?” Amusing Anecdote:
“Did you know that in the golden age of airline travel, some airlines quietly added ‘Discreet Affairs Insurance’ to their frequent flyer programs? It covered the cost of flowers, apologetic notes, and even a lawyer, should a ‘business trip’ take an unexpected turn. The promotional tagline was, ‘Fly High, but Land Softly.'”
Option 3: A New Joke:
An airline executive is panicking. “The ‘Wives Fly Half-Price’ promotion is a disaster! We’re getting more divorce lawyers signed up for our loyalty program than business travelers!” His assistant replies, “Well, sir, on the bright side, our ‘Divorce is on Us’ package, which offers a 10% off coupon if two frequent flyers get divorced, is doing even worse!” The executive asks, “Why?!” The assistant says, “The husbands are upgrading to first class on the way to the divorce proceedings, claiming a ‘business class’ trip to separate better.”