Macro-Economic Policy And Sex Workers
A joke I wrote back in 2016 when the U.K. added Sex Workers to their GDP
A gag I wrote back in 2016 when the UK decided to add sex workers into their GDP formula. At the time, I wrote a friend only about 10 people in the U.S. would understand it. I guess this will tell me if the dismal science is worth writing jokes about. . .
So this economist walks into a pub in the old City of London and takes a seat at the bar.
“Pour me a strong one, barkeep, my mood’s as foul as the weather,” he said.
The economist looked so pitiful that the bartender poured him a double of the best single malt Scotch he had in the house, 25 pounds a glass.
“This one’s on the house, mate. Hope it makes you feel a bit better.” The economist downed the whisky in a one long swallow, placed the glass back on the bar, wiped his mouth, and said, “Damn you, you bastard.”
The bartender was flabbergasted and began to turn red with anger when the bar manager intervened. “Sir, I’m sorry you’re displeased! Here, have another, no charge, no hard feelings.”
The economist downed it like the one before, placed the glass on the bar, wiped his lips, and said, “The two of you are making my life a bloody hell! Why not just shoot me? Put me out of my misery damned misery . . .”
A working girl, whose profession required her to assess a potential client’s state of mind, then intervened. She slid onto the stool next to the economist while silently indicating to the bartender and manager to stay calm.
“Evening’ sir. It would seem my services are required.”
“Eh?” Said the economist, “How’s that?”
“Normally I charge 100 pounds for of bit of a go, but tonight I’m giving you my special 200-pound rate.”
“Really?” the economist said, “You wouldn’t be teasing me?” The bartender and the manager watched in awe as the man’s mood changed abruptly.
“The teasing comes later, lover-boy.” Excited now, the economist stood up. “A trip to the loo and we’ll be on our way.” And off he scooted.
The bartender and the manager could hardly contain themselves, “What the bloody hell?” said one, while the other said “What makes him so ‘appy ‘bout bein’ charged double?”
“Us sex workers are part of the aggregate service sector now, just like you two service workers are. Your kindness of providing a service without renumeration put him in quite a pickle . . . in fact, for a moment there GDP dropped by 50 pounds.
“Now his mind is at ease that he won’t have to spend tomorrow doing the maths to downgrade GDP,” she said as she slid 50 pounds across the bar. “There’s your tip, boys, for setting me up with a 50% wage increase and at the same time increasing GDP by 50 pounds.” She shook her head in wonderment at what she had done, magically increasing the prosperity of the whole of the U.K. by simply doubling her standard rate.
I really need a vote on this one, because it still makes me laugh, and my wife still thinks I’m like Ross on “Friends.”
