British Phil Is Never Amused

British Phil and I work together and share disdain for all but the best television commercials.  Last week I went to his cubicle and asked, “You know which commercial I like even though they’ve shown it a million times?”  And British Phil said, “The Nextel one?” 

He was right!  So I started humming the funky tune from the commercial, loudly, and working my hips.  I do this type of thing to try and evoke a reaction from Phil — any reaction — but his country survived The Blitz.  So he just sat and stared.   

Surely you know the commercial I’m talking about; three guys in an office, one holding a boombox while the others gyrate to the groovy tune it’s playing?  Well, I was imitating the dark-haired guy who steps into a kung fu like stance.  I got into it, which I thought was amusing, especially when combined with my way-too-loud-for-the-corporate-office humming.  British Phil did not. 

But then he surprised me. As I worked my hips into a frolicking fish frenzy, I said, “We should get that Nextel song on tape and have it in your cube.”

And he said, "I can do that."

"You know that song?"

"Of course. Push It, by Salt-N-Pepa."

My hips stopped cold.  "Whaaaaat?  Salt-N-Pepa?  And you know this?  You been spending a lot of time down at Da Club?"

"Come on, you remember.  It was their first big hit."

"Wow.  What was I doing at the time?”  I gave it some thought.  “Oh yeah.  Probably something heterosexual."

Again, British Phil just sat and stared.  The cubicles nearby, all full of people, remained silent. 

This is my office.  The only way to get a reaction from someone is to ask them to write documentation. 

Oh, and by calling Phil British.  He likes to point out, at every opportunity, that he’s English.

So British Phil, this post is for you!