The Harmless Catch-22

Dad jokes.

Don't buy flowers from monks. Only you can prevent florist friars.

I'm opening a car repair shop. I'll call it Auto Correct.

And then there's the ones which ensnare young kids in a vicious catch-22. My own Dad's favorite was to ask a kid, "If you have twenty-six sheep and one of them died, how many would have left? " If naive, unsuspecting child answered 25, he's say no, you'd have 19, insisting he said twenty sick sheep. If poor, unfortunate young 'un actually replied 19 me Pops would insist he said 26. It was a vicious, unwinnable cycle.

But no long term psychological damage was done. I don't think.

Cloyce's Catch-22

There was once this guy in the neighborhood, I'll call him Cloyce just to give him a name, who was never satisfied. If he appeared to be struggling and you offered a hand he'd snap, "I'll ask for help when I need it!" Yet if you didn't try to help he'd remark with a sneer, "Can't you see I need help?"

Me Pops finally barked at Cloyce, "Now look, buddy, you can't have it both ways. Either accept or decline help gracefully if offered, or ask for it when you need it. Otherwise shut up!"

I don't know what affect it had on Cloyce overall, but he never bothered the old man again.