I am a young shock-worker

May 15, 2009| geek, sketches

Tania Samsonova pointed me to this Russian-English language book because of its amusing stick figures and hilarious dialogue. To wit:

How do loafers live?
At work they steal pencils.
In parks they conduct themselves badly.

I laughed when I saw this dialogue:

– Who are you?
— I am a young shock-worker.
– What does that mean?
— That means that I work with enthusiasm.
– The public wants to know why you work with enthusiasm.
— I like to work with enthusiasm. I am a young shock-worker.

Thanks, Tania!

You can view 4 comments or e-mail me at sacha@sachachua.com.

4 comments

rjh

2009-05-16T00:19:04Z

Thanks for a memory trip. That's not the original dialog. It's the improved more recent dialog. The preliminary edition had \How do hooligans live?\, and other great little dialogs like the one that starts \You stole my pencil!\

It's amazing how those little stories stick even after all this time. I instantly thought, \That's not right.\ when I read it.

Rick Innis

2009-05-16T00:28:33Z

Should you ever feel inclined to learn Russian, the book is available on Amazon. Possibly of limited utility sans tapes, though.

Sacha Chua

2009-05-16T01:53:06Z

rjh: Wow, what a fantastic connection! I had no idea. I can't wait to tell that story to Tania tomorrow!

Rick: Russian? Sure! I'd probably start with the Pimsleur language CD (hooray Toronto Public Library), although I find it quite funny that it's always about some American guy asking some woman out for drinks or dinner... <laugh>

rjh

2009-05-16T02:47:40Z

Yes, it inspired me to dig through the old books from school days. I've got a rather bedraggled 1968 version. That new version seems to have better drawings and equally funny stories.