The man at the bar, deep in private thoughts of his own, turned to a womanjust passing and said, „Pardon me, miss, do you happen to have the time?“In a strident voice she responded, „How dare you make such a proposition tome?“The man snapped to attention in surprise and was uncomfortable aware thatevery pair of eyes in the place had turned in their direction. He mumbled,“I just asked the time, miss.“In a voice even louder, the woman shrieked, „I will call the police if yousay another word!“Grabbing his drink, and embarrassed very nearly to death, the man hastenedto the far end of the room and huddled at a table, holding his breath andwondering how soon he could sneak out the door.Not more than half a minute had passed when the woman joined him. In aquiet voice, she said, „I am terribly sorry, sir, to have embarrassed you,but I am a psychology student at the university and I am writing a thesison the reaction of human beings to sudden shocking statements.“The man stared at her for three seconds, then he leaned back and bellowed,“You’ll do all that for me all night for just ten dollars?“
