A story from years ago you might not only enjoy, but being of a certain age, might actually know what I’m talking about:
Back in the mid-1950’s, I was introduced to the classic Manhattan coffee shop as a Bronx-born teenager holding my first summer job in Manhattan.
During an especially hot afternoon, I stopped in at one such establishment in need of some cold, liquid refreshment. Sitting at the other end of the counter, another customer was enjoying what appeared to be a malted or thick shake. It looked delicious so I decided to order one. Not knowing exactly what it was called, all I could go by were the words on the outside of the cup. In fancy script, it proclaimed: “It’s a Wing Ding.”
When the counter man asked what I wanted, I replied as nonchalantly as I could because I didn’t want to sound like the rube I was, “Oh, I’ll just have a Wing Ding.”
He: “Whaddya want in it.”
Me: “I’ll just have a plain Wing Ding, thank you.”
He: “I know, but what do you want in it?
Me: “A Wing Ding.”
He: “You just want a plain cup?”
Me: “No, I want a Wing Ding.”
He (spelling it out very carefully now: “Yes. But. What. Do. You. Want. Inside. It?”
Me: “A Wing Ding!”
He (growing exasperated and brandishing the empty cup in my face): “YOU JUST WANT THIS?!!!”
Me (equally frustrated at this idiot who didn’t understand English: “NO, A WING DING!!!!!!”
I’m not sure how long we went back and forth like this—maybe half an eternity— but it finally penetrated my thick skull that “It’s a Wing Ding” was the name of the cup itself, not its contents.
By then, though, I was too embarrassed to order anything more than a root beer.
That’s a good one! It took me a while to get the drill, to know what and how to order, how to cross the street (ignore the lights, watch the cars closely and run), use the subway, and even how to walk on the sidewalks! ;-) I wish I could remember Wing Ding cups, but I remember the coffee cups with the blue greek key design on them – it seems all the delis had those at one point. I guess some still do. Check this out! http://www.nycoffeecup.com/
Pixetera 
This makes me want to know what was going on – a rivulet on the screen?
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You got it!
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And with those three words, I’m instantly transported to a busy NY deli at lunchtime….ahh, I miss that sometimes!
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:)
A story from years ago you might not only enjoy, but being of a certain age, might actually know what I’m talking about:
Back in the mid-1950’s, I was introduced to the classic Manhattan coffee shop as a Bronx-born teenager holding my first summer job in Manhattan.
During an especially hot afternoon, I stopped in at one such establishment in need of some cold, liquid refreshment. Sitting at the other end of the counter, another customer was enjoying what appeared to be a malted or thick shake. It looked delicious so I decided to order one. Not knowing exactly what it was called, all I could go by were the words on the outside of the cup. In fancy script, it proclaimed: “It’s a Wing Ding.”
When the counter man asked what I wanted, I replied as nonchalantly as I could because I didn’t want to sound like the rube I was, “Oh, I’ll just have a Wing Ding.”
He: “Whaddya want in it.”
Me: “I’ll just have a plain Wing Ding, thank you.”
He: “I know, but what do you want in it?
Me: “A Wing Ding.”
He: “You just want a plain cup?”
Me: “No, I want a Wing Ding.”
He (spelling it out very carefully now: “Yes. But. What. Do. You. Want. Inside. It?”
Me: “A Wing Ding!”
He (growing exasperated and brandishing the empty cup in my face): “YOU JUST WANT THIS?!!!”
Me (equally frustrated at this idiot who didn’t understand English: “NO, A WING DING!!!!!!”
I’m not sure how long we went back and forth like this—maybe half an eternity— but it finally penetrated my thick skull that “It’s a Wing Ding” was the name of the cup itself, not its contents.
By then, though, I was too embarrassed to order anything more than a root beer.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s a good one! It took me a while to get the drill, to know what and how to order, how to cross the street (ignore the lights, watch the cars closely and run), use the subway, and even how to walk on the sidewalks! ;-) I wish I could remember Wing Ding cups, but I remember the coffee cups with the blue greek key design on them – it seems all the delis had those at one point. I guess some still do. Check this out!
http://www.nycoffeecup.com/
LikeLiked by 1 person