U.S. Marine

[Q3ark]

The train was quite crowded, and a U. S.. Marine walked the entire length looking for a seat, but the only seat left was taken by a well dressed, middle-aged, French woman's poodle.

The war-weary Marine asked, 'Ma'am, may I have that seat?'
The French woman just sniffed and said to no one in particular 'Americans are so rude. My little Fifi is using that seat.'

The Marine walked the entire train again, but the only seat left was under that dog.

'Please, ma'am. May I sit down? I'm very tired.'

She snorted, 'Not only are you Americans rude, you are also arrogant!'

This time the Marine didn't say a word; he just picked up the little dog, tossed it out the train window, and sat down.

The woman shrieked, 'Someone must defend my honour! This American should be put in his place!'

An English gentleman sitting nearby spoke up, 'Sir, you Americans seem to have a penchant for doing the wrong thing.. You hold the fork in the wrong hand. You drive your cars on the wrong side of the road. And now, sir, you seem to have thrown the wrong bitch out the window.

[Skybird]

...

[SteamWake]

[sunvalleyslim]

SEMPER FI MAC..........

[Kazuaki Shimazaki II]

If one takes it seriously, what the Marine did was abhorrent. He has elevated his desire to have a seat to ABOVE the life of a dog (since presumably said dog won't survive the experience). The English gentlemen is arguably worse, in elevating it to above the value of a human.

[UnderseaLcpl]

Originally Posted by Kazuaki Shimazaki II

If one takes it seriously, what the Marine did was abhorrent. He has elevated his desire to have a seat to ABOVE the life of a dog (since presumably said dog won't survive the experience). The English gentlemen is arguably worse, in elevating it to above the value of a human.

Someone has been reading too much Asimov, I think

That being said, there is culture of disturbing humor that permeates the modern U.S. armed services that is hard to understand. Amongst Marines, in particular, jokes about things like killing puppies or babies are considered to be funny. Of course, none of them (except for some sick people) would ever consider doing such horrible things, but it is a satire on the overbearing warrior ethos that the Corps attempts to instill in us. And it get worse as you proceed closer to the combat arms end of the spectrum.

There is also an element of humour in the English gentleman's response. It caters to a disturbingly common lack of concern for human life in English history, as well as an increasing worldwide disdain for the French (and percieved French arrogance)in the 20th century, especially in the U.S.

Pursuant to that, there is the implication that English are either smarter or less humane than even U.S. Marines. You can take it either way, depending on cultural perspective.

And then of course, there is the included pun regarding female dogs, and the implied "backwardness" of colonials, which is itself funny because of its' anachronistic nature.

Where's your sense of humour?

[JALU3]

UnderwaterLCpl,
Spot on analysis if you ask me.
And it goes to show that the USMC's PR is still that much better than my good old Army. I haven't seen a good, as thought out, joke regarding my service in a good long while.
Either way, keep your chin up to those who berate you because of the Corps. It's just because they are jealous or envious.
(someone tell me what is wrong with that Emoticons salute (I know, but I want to know if I am the only one who sees it))

[Jimbuna]

Nice one Q3ark

There was a Frenchman, an Englishman and Claudia Schiffer sitting together in a carriage in a train going through Provence.
Suddenly the train went through a tunnel and as it was an old style train, there were no lights in the carriages and it went completely dark. Then there was a kissing noise and the sound of a really loud slap.
When the train came out of the tunnel, Claudia Schiffer and the Englishman were sitting as if nothing had happened and the Frenchman had his hand against his face as he had been slapped there.
The Frenchman was thinking: 'The English fella must have kissed Claudia Schiffer and she missed him and slapped me instead.'
Claudia Schiffer was thinking: 'The French fella must have tried to kiss me and actually kissed the Englishman and got slapped for it.'
And the Englishman was thinking: 'This is great. The next time the train goes through a tunnel I'll make another kissing noise and slap that French twunt again.'

[UnderseaLcpl]

Originally Posted by JALU3

(someone tell me what is wrong with that Emoticons salute (I know, but I want to know if I am the only one who sees it))

You mean besides the bent wrist and not dropping his hand straight down in a quick, crisp manner?
He's saluting without a cover on and smiling.

edit- and the back of his palm isn't tipped forward at a 45-degree angle

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by UnderseaLcpl

You mean besides the bent wrist and not dropping his hand straight down in a quick, crisp manner?
He's saluting without a cover on and smiling.

edit- and the back of his palm isn't tipped forward at a 45-degree angle

Salutes can come in many shapes and forms