Pork vs Beef vs Education

compliments of @tokyosteven on Twitter

OK so the other day we had an office picnic. All kinds of food were provided – hot dogs, hamburgers, sides, desserts and they even roasted a pig! When we were in line, the hot dogs were next to the barbecue. Now, being allergic to poultry and knowing that most hot dogs are made with chicken, I asked the girl (who had helped in preparing all the food, even so far as pulling the barbecue off of the pig) if the hot dogs were 100% beef. She looked a bit dumbfounded. “That’s OK. I was just asking because I’m allergic,” I mentioned.

“Well, I don’t know if they’re 100% beef or not, but I know THAT is!” She pointed over at the barbecue.

Oh really? “No, it’s not,” I said calmly.

“Oh yes it is!” She was starting to get upset.

“I can guarantee you it’s not beef,” I suggested.

“I know for a fact it is!” she shot back.

OK, I figured it was time to let her off the hook. I leaned over and half whispered, “Beef comes from a cow. Pork comes from a pig.”

She blushed and made up some excuse about being tired. Everyone had a good laugh.

A few days later, I saw her again and we rode the elevator together. She saw the to-go cup I was carrying and asked about my lunch. I told her that I had been to a local barbecue restaurant and then added, “I had their 100% beef pork barbecue.”

“Mmm, that sounds nice,” she said complacently.

Some folks never learn. Honestly, I was just trying to bust her chops in the elevator. But in the end, I still don’t know if they’re beef chops or pork chops.