Postman with a sense of humour !!

[Teresa]

Yesterday I made a start demolishing my old stone fireplace to make way for a woodburning stove , I was using my heavy duty breaker so never heard the postman . This morning I was just returning from walking the dog when I met him in my driveway , he commented that I sounded busy yesterday and I explained what I was doing he then turned with a smile and said , " I thought the sound of that drill was you removing your makeup !! " I called him a cheeky ****** and sent him on his way !

[Macey]

See? Now that's a great relationship :)

[abbiedrake]

Yeah but was he right, Teresa?!

[Helen_Highwater]

Just goes to show just how little those outside our community know. Makeup removal as we all know is done with a power washer and a belt sander!

[Teresa]

Helen,
So right , I keep the big breaker for the tougher parts of shaving !

[Majella St Gerard]

Sounds insulting to me.

[rhoda]

Just goes to show just how little those outside our community know. Makeup removal as we all know is done with a power washer and a belt sander!

Sometimes you just have to resort to explosives.

[abbiedrake]

Majella, I would chalk this one up to British humour. We're fine with self-deprecation, and with ribbing and piss-taking. It's in our national character, I'd go as far as to say.
Teresa's postman was no more insulting than myself, Helen, and Rhoda.
Think about it, that would akin to a SA laughing in your face. Had he actually meant it as insult, he'd find himself quickly fired.

I'll double down in fact. I'll wager it's indicative of a level.of acceptance deeper than political correctness. Teresa's posty trusted that the joke would land.

[Macey]

Abbie has the right of it. It's a bit of sarcasm, something we breathe in the air here in NJ, if you are warmly familiar with a person, and they say something dreadful like that, but with a smile, it is genuine affection.

[Teresa]

Majella,
He's a really nice guy , he took the trouble to knock on my door a few days after I moved into my new home and introduce himself. The first time he knew about my TG situation was when he saw me from a distance coming out my front door as Teresa . The next time we met face to face so he asked politely what she he called me know , so we have built up a good relationship . I feel it's great he could find some humour in the situation , his way of accpeting me, it could be far worse .

[Patience]

Please, Mr. Postman!

Majella is right. That comment wouldn’t be taken kindly in the States. Wouldn’t be meant kindly either.

I can see the humor in it, though.

[natalie edwards]

I probably would have said next time you hear it it'll be removing my foot from your a.....

[Bobbi46]

You can't beat a bit of good natured banter, our british humour can be based like this, its a bit like somebody saying something a bit naughty and i might reply up your's but all meant harmlessly.
In my job if you could not give and take on this scale one was doomed!

[abbiedrake]

And yet it's us Brits that are uptight? Isn't that the stereotype?! 🤔

Trust me, as well as self-deprecating humour and making fun of our friends, we have a vast palette of deeply offensive language we can deploy. Not to mention that Teresa could doubtless have withered someone ignorant enough to intend harm.

Ask Wifeling GG about these matters, she's an expert now. Both on the differences in attitude, and humour as well as swearing, thanks to potty mouth here.

- - - Updated - - -


You can't beat a bit of good natured banter, our british humour can be based like this, its a bit like somebody saying something a bit naughty and i might reply up your's but all meant harmlessly.
In my job if you could not give and take on this scale one was doomed!

'I've raised my standards. So up yours too!' Mr. B The Gentleman Rhymer.

🤣

And thank you. Banter is exactly the word.

[Bobbi46]

There should be more humourous times like this! life would be so much better.

[abbiedrake]

Hey Macey, thanks.
That explains Kevin Smith. Love it.
I love that he picketed his own movie (Dogma) and was even featured on the local news.
I'm still calling my mates effing clownshoe because of Jay and Silent Bob.

[Macey]

Kevin Smith's a bit of a jerk though ;) still … he's probably a lot closer to NJ 'culture' than the awful "Jersey Shore" or Real Housewives of NJ" lol.

[abbiedrake]

I think even those unfamiliar with the Garden State know those are outliers, Macey.
What fantastic specimens of humanity they manage to shoehorn into those shows! 🤦*♀️

[Eemz]

> warmly familiar with a person, and they say something dreadful like that, but with a smile, it is genuine affection.

We have that too :) If I said something like that to a stranger they'd probably punch me, it has to be someone who knows you would never say that and be done tongue in cheek so it's clearly a joke. I work in a multinational company so have to be careful of that because it doesn't go down well if it's not part of your culture. And Macey yes I work with a guy from NJ who is totally tuned in as well. We used to ask him if he knew the Sopranos personally but had to stop when he discovered a series called Irish Gypsy Brides ;)

[Macey]

Eemz, being Irish American myself, and having run into some travelers in the states as well, I tuned into an episode of Irish Gypsy Brides, what a train wreck!

[Helena]

Abbies first comment has it spot on. As I read the OP it said to me the post man likes you enough to rib you, and it made me smile. We have a lady at work who often says she only insults the people she likes.

[abbiedrake]

Helena, what's that you say, knobhead?

- - - Updated - - -

Hey Eemz would that be a multinational hiding in your fine nation for tax purposes? 😜

[Helena]

Abbie, you heard the first time you spawny eyed wazzock. I typed that in tribute to the late great Tony Capstick, but both not sure I have spelled it right and thinking surely there is only one way to spell it?

[alwayshave]

Teresa, maybe I don't get your relationship with the postman, but sounds like an attack on your makeup skills.

[Eemz]

@jamie no it's an English humor thing, outrageous insults as a sign of friendship & familiarity with someone. You only use it with people who definitely know you well enough to know you don't mean it and therefore it means exactly the opposite. If that makes any sense :)

[abbiedrake]

I'll say again, in love and honesty, ask Wifeling GG. She lived in the US her first 35 years and the last 20 here in the UK.
It's a cultural thing, trust me.

And Helena, yeah I'd have thought it'd be spelled with a 'W' too. Well done. 😜

- - - Updated - - -

It is as Eemz says: irony.
Either that or my mates who call me something rhyming with runt are hinting at something. 🤔

[Jaylyn]

Eemz you are 100% correct. I have a friend and we are always ribbing each other about any and everything. In reality we bath are the best of friends. We grew up together and it's a wonder our parents didn't beat us to near extinction some of the pranks we've pulled on each other and other friends. I really believe either one of us would lay our life down for the other. He doesn't know anything about my CDing but I would bet he'd have something smart Alec to say about it. We are perfect and have fun in every thing we do. Life too short to be up tight and not have fun.
I understand what the postman meant and it was all in a jest of fun I would bet. We would all be better off if we'd just loosen up and not worry about, or try and make something of everything some one says to us. I laugh at myself a lot lately and the older I get the more I have too.

[Bobbi46]

Political corrctness knocked a lot of humour right out of the window, but used in fun with somebody why not. One lovely expression is calling someone a "right plonker" it just rolls of the tongue.

[abbiedrake]

@jaylyn I came out to a gamer buddy in London. We had a good talk. He's a good friend.
Next day I get a ping...
304020

I wouldn't mind but her beard's better than mine!
I just told him I'd lost weight since then and replied with this...
304021

- - - Updated - - -

I also made him feel bad because months before I came out to him he'd photoshopped my head onto Frank n Furter's body. :lol2:

[Gillian Gigs]

From a Nation that gave us Monty Python, Benny Hill, Are you being Served, Black Adder, and so on, we must see that the Brits have a wonderful, but different sense of humour! Cheeky word play is in the midst of crossdressing, insane rants, and you can add pussy (cat) washing to make it quite a mad cap bit of entertainment. If only I could see Sid James and the carry on gang again, their antics would have you almost peeing yourself from the laughter.
Teresa, I totally get it, we tease, and nudge because we like that person. If they never said anything, then we know that they don't care for, or about us. Remember a wink is as good as a nudge to a blind man!

[Teresa]

Many thanks for all your replies I'm glad you've had some fun with it .

I do get my own back on the postman . He remarked that when it's a lovely sunny day no one on his round really mentions it but when it's wet and miserable everyone says , " David , what have you done to the weather ?" So when the weather is not too good and I see him I call out , " Oh David what have you done to the weather ? " His reply isn't one I could repeat here but he says it with a smile !

[BLUE ORCHID]

Hi Teresa :hugs:, That gave me a good laugh. >Orchid..+:hugs:+..

[Rogina B]

I feel it's great he could find some humour in the situation , his way of accpeting me, it could be far worse .

Such as ??? "coming out my front door as Teresa".... Supports my comment on another post...

[ShelbyDawn]

We often hear what we want to hear.

[DMichele]

Teresa,
Lovely OP! It appears that you and the postman can freely exchange banter, which is far better than bullying, etc. I strive to not to take myself to seriously, and believe light hearted humor is a way to connect with people.

BTW, half English myself.

Cheers!

[Majella St Gerard]

Sarcastic or not, it's still insulting. I'm from Jersey too and I'm on a first name basis with Sarcasm, nice guy or not, quirky English humor? I'm a huge British comedy fan. It still smells like a slight. What kind of man says that to a lady? It's an insult. Take it anyway you want, that's your prerogative.
Someone called me a Drag Queen, I was extremely insulted and he meant it to be, he was a smug asshole, and I gave him an earful.

[abbiedrake]

Sarcastic or not, it's still insulting. I'm from Jersey too and I'm on a first name basis with Sarcasm, nice guy or not, quirky English humor? I'm a huge British comedy fan. It still smells like a slight. What kind of man says that to a lady? It's an insult. Take it anyway you want, that's your prerogative.
Someone called me a Drag Queen, I was extremely insulted and he meant it to be, he was a smug asshole, and I gave him an earful.

It's emphatically not sarcasm.
Macey may have called it sarcasm but she read it as harmless comedic irony.
Sarcasm is irony with malice. You're impugning the postman with ill intent that simply was not there.
For the record though many Brits couldn't tell you the difference in definition between irony and sarcasm. Ironically. 😉

We definitely have plenty of smug insulting arseholes over here too though. They tend towards directness, irony not being their strong suit.

[Teresa]

Rogina,
Why is this so much of a problem to you , I tell a fun story about my postman and you turn it into a " More trans than you !" issue . From your own admission you state you're still having problems with the fishing and boat owning fraternity .

My postman has also met me in the local supermarket , if he chose he could be difficult with me , this is his way of coming to terms with and accepting me as TG . We mustn't lose sight of the fact some people have never met a TG person before , we do have to be prepared to cut them a little slack . Surely it's better to deal with it through inocent humour rather than telling you to **** off .

We've have had this debate before the conclusion is my World is totally different to yours , why don't you just accept it .

DMichele,
The whole point of my thread , I couldn't get through without humour , we have to be prepared to laugh at ourselves sometimes .

[Shelly Preston]

Sounds like a fun postman Teresa :)

Here in the UK we can use insulting words but sometimes, but if its said in the correct way you will know the person is joking.

This happens with people you know, never a stranger.

[Majella St Gerard]

Banter like that between friends is one thing, but from a Postman, no that's Very unprofessional and extremely rude and improper. Say that to the wrong person, well intended or not, and you will be brought into HR for a little discussion on proper customer relations. I am a Security Officer and I wouldn't dream of saying anything like that to anyone.

[Helena]

Any professional who makes such a comment cold (i.e. With no prior knowledge of the customer) does indeed run the risk of running into someone that won't see the joke and will complain, but in this case Teresa and her postman have built up a relationship. Teresa has been truthful with him and once met you know she has an impish sense of humour. In a simple way it speaks volumes about acceptance.

[Majella St Gerard]

Banter like that between friends is one thing, but from a Postman, no that's Very unprofessional and extremely rude and improper. Say that to the wrong person, well intended or not, and you will be brought into HR for a little discussion on proper customer relations. I am a Security Officer and I wouldn't dream of saying anything like that to anyone.

What he says to her out in public and not on duty is one thing but not in uniform. Be professional. I see people I know from work out in public and the banter is WAY different. But NOT ON DUTY.

[abbiedrake]

Any possibility of chalking it up yet, Majella?
The UK is a different culture. Far more different than you may think. You describe yourself as a fan of British humour. OK, but that does not qualify you to have spoken as long on the subject as you have.
I implore you ask my wife, Wifeling GG. Having spent half her life in the US half here, she just shook her head when I told her of this thread.She laughed at the ribbing just like I did.
Helena nailed it just now. I have elsewhere and, dagnabit, the fact that Teresa posted this thread laughingly should speak volumes.
His job was discharged as defined and he did so while engaging a client in a way that left both smiling.
That you would have done differently and that you have been insulted before aren't especially relevant. You can't somehow prove us all wrong by keeping on at it. Because it's a simple matter of fact that those of us who've defended the postman are NOT wrong.
At the beginning of this thread myself, Helen and Rhoda all continued in a similar vein to the posty. As did Bobbi and others later on, trying to have a laugh together, even at one another's expense.
Your continued dissent just drags the mood down and you're still wrong.

[Majella St Gerard]

Banter like that between friends is one thing, but from a Postman, no that's Very unprofessional and extremely rude and improper. Say that to the wrong person, well intended or not, and you will be brought into HR for a little discussion on proper customer relations. I am a Security Officer and I wouldn't dream of saying anything like that to anyone.

Yes it was humorous but at her expense. If she's fine with that, that is her prerogative. But I stand by my comment that his behavior was unprofessional and inappropriate for someone in a uniformed service. And you won't change my mind. Culture smulture it's still unprofessional.

[abbiedrake]

🤦*♀️OK fine. It's perhaps telling that no other British commenter agreed but yeah stick with 'culture, smulture'. 🤷*♀️
Be sure and seek me out for my 'definitive' opinion of certain aspects of US smulture that we might find 'wrong'. 😜
I mean quoting oneself in replies seems odd, but that's just you right, not Americans... 😁

[CONSUELO]

I understand the fun that Teresa and her postman had. It was an innocent and not a hurtful remark but one which can only be used between people who already know one another and in certain circumstances. As the old joke states IT IS NOT WHAT YOU SAY BUT HOW YOU SAY IT.

Teresa and her postman have a good relationship which involves taking little "digs" at one another but no harm is done and no harm is intended.
With different people in different circumstances it would not work.

Keep on trucking Teresa. You are a very positive advertisement for our community.

[Majella St Gerard]

Abbie, thank you soooooooo much for setting me straight, I just don't know how I made it this far in my life without your sage advice. I can't wait to be schooled by you on the proper way to crossdress and navigate this site.

And, thank you again.

[Helen_Highwater]

I feel the barometer here is that as far as I can see, non of the Brits who've replied find anything other than humour in the encounter. What you see by way of TV shows is an indicator, a taste of what Brit humour practiced at "grass roots level" is like.

[abbiedrake]

You're very welcome!

[Tracii G]

I have spent lots of time in NJ Macey and so glad I didn't live there just because of the way people treated each other.
Way different where I am.
The people are nice to each other its yes sir yes ma'am.

[Macey]

Tracii, it's not for everyone ;) It is an incredibly densely populated state and with so many people living on top of one another there is a general attitude of "live and let live, but we're gonna say something about it." I think I've written about it before, but a NJ resident will say things affectionately to people whom they figure are 'in the know' with them. If a NJ resident says something mean TO you, it usually means genuine affection with the expectation of being treated in kind. If you get the sense that a NJ resident is saying something mean ABOUT you and trying to be sly, then they think they're smarter than you and they're just an a--h-le. But a NJ friend with whom you trade affectionate barbs is usually a loyal friend for life. Common here is the expression "A friend will help you move. A NJ friend will help you move … a body."

[Leslie Mary S]

I had to stop using vise-grips for plucking my eyebrows because the cost of replacing them, when they broke every month, was too high. Even at Harbor Freight prices.

[Macey]

Way to bring it back, Leslie! Meanwhile, I'm wondering if I should switch to a 220 grit on my belt sander for taking off my foundation

[abbiedrake]

Which reminds me... Is self-levelling concrete available in a variety of skin tones? Or will I need some emulsion?
Asking for a friend.

- - - Updated - - -

Hey Macey here's your funny coincidence. NJ has almost the exact same population density as England (not the UK, mind you). NJ is 467 per square kilometer while England is 470...
I wonder if there's a correlation between that and the humour? 🤔🤣

[t-girlxsophie]

In a lot of cases your postman could have been on that route for a long time and can get to know you well enough to share some banter with you.In my distant past as a postie I indulged in such banter and never once was I pulled up for it

Sophie

[abbiedrake]

It's the difference between irreverence and disrespect. In fact we can't respect those who can't be irreverent about themselves. We'll prick your pomposity if you won't do it to yourself is how I put it to a French friend. But we always admire those who can be self-deprecating.
Maybe it's down to post-Imperialism?
I just know life would be more monochromatic without decent banter.
Thanks Teresa!

[Leslie Mary S]

sanding like this?304054

[Helen_Highwater]

Abbie,

Only use self leveling concret once you've use polyfiller as a base coat.

I also find exfoliating with a grit blaster works wonders for the complexion.

Hair removal on my legs is done with a Flymo, 18" blade if course.

[abbiedrake]

Nice pic, LMS!
Now we need one showing the next step, cordless triangular detail sander for those pesky crevices!

[Bobbi46]

For me I prefer paint stripper, much cheaper and it washes off easily!

[Teresa]

Maybe I should write all this down and show it to my postman and tell him he's a troublemaker !! Actually he's on holiday this week I'm beginning to wonder why ?

Can you believe I've now burnt my wallpaper stripper out so will have to buy a new one tomorrow , without it my makeup looks like a ploughed field , no doubt if Carole reads this she'll say , " So what's new !! "

[Carole]

As if, Teresa............... I did think you used foundation on your face tho' not wallpaper................................

[Wifeling GG]

This is the most normal British conversation I've heard today.

[Teresa]

Wifelong GG,
Dare I ask , do you feel you've been converted ?

[Gillian Gigs]

The best make-up remover for the stylish CD'er is, Janitor in a drum industrial cleaner and a putty knife. Follow this with a liberal dose of vitamin E cream, the putty knife can be used again, as long as it was cleaned between uses. And now for something completely different.........

[abbiedrake]

I've had to resort to magic
'Cosmetix Removus'
https://giphy.com/gifs/funny-harry-potter-8Yyk9RtfERlRu

[KimberlyJean]

We only pick on the people we like, all the others get upset. I've know a few British guys, if you can understand what they are saying they are same as everyone. On a side note I am selling a panty debuncher for only $9.99 and free shipping. After some of the recent threads I think several members here could use one.

[ShelbyDawn]

Late to the party but have to put this out there...
I grew up in a small city in West Texas known for its absolutely awful tasting water.
The Humor writer for the local paper ran a contest; Our water tastes like:....

The winning entry was something along the lines of, "I don't know because I refuse to drink it. I do however know it is the only substance known to man that will remove Tammy Faye Baker's makeup."

[Bobbi46]

I'm also told that good old fashioned Pumice stone works well gets all of the make up off and exfoliates the skin at the same time,cheaper than a belt sander!

[Beverley Sims]

That is great interaction. :-)

[Leslie Mary S]

Anyone try using the Original play dough (Kutol)?