posted 20 years ago
A bit of background: Barcelona, where I live, is in the part of Spain known as Catalonia. Catalans have the reputation of being cheap, stingy, and overworked. They also speak the Catalan language, which is related to Spanish in the same way Italian or Portuguese are related to Spanish (Jes�s, don't call it a dialect).
Joan Jordi, a very respectable businessman, goes to the local branch of his bank, La Caixa. He demands to see the branch manager, Josep.
"Bon d�a, Josep. I am here in your presence to solicit a loan. It must be today." says Joan Jordi.
"Molt b�, Joan Jordi. It is always a pleasure to be of service. What quantity of money would you be interested in requesting?"
"I would like the loan of one Euro to be repaid in exactly one month."
"Pero Joan Jordi, this is too small a quantity. I will give it to you from my own pocket."
"Absolutely not! You will make out the loan papers as is correct, or I will take my business to another bank!"
"Of course, Joan Jordi."
"And I will be leaving my Mercedes Benz as collatoral."
"Joan Jordi, this is too much! I insist, I give you this loan based on our mutual respect (and the millions you have deposited with us)."
Joan Jordi begins to become angered. "Josep, as my name is Joan Jordi Pujol (and it is), I will close every account I have in this bank if you will not accept my car as collatoral".
"Of course, of course. You may leave it in the parking lot right here."
Joan Jordi signs the papers, leaves the keys, and goes home. When he sees his wife, he says, "Marta, good news. I have found a parking place for the Mercedes during our entire month of vacations!"
[ July 25, 2003: Message edited by: Tim Allen ]