Pranks that were played in the 20th century could mean the end of a career or land one in court if done in today's world!
Why do people take themselves so seriously and get offended at trivial things said in jest? 'Choose your words carefully' is sage advice today as you have to be politically correct!
As for pranks, don't even think about playing one on 'sensitive' folk and certainly not in the workplace!
I have a friend who, despite living with pain due to severe injuries from a car crash when he was a young man, still has a sense of humour, and keeps everyone entertained with all his anecdotes! B has had multiple unsuccessful hip replacements throughout his life and uses crutches, but he never complains. He is a tonic for everyone!
Subsequent surgical procedures saw him spending much time in hospitals over the years.
Photo by Daniele D'Andreti on Unsplash
The pranks played by nursing staff in the 70s would lead to a warning letter, instant dismissal, or time in a court of law in the twenty-first century!
The Fizz
Does anyone remember hearing of the Eno's bedpan prank in hospitals? If you're a seasoned Silver, you for sure would have heard about that one or experienced it first hand!
Well, B was tricked with that prank when using a urinal; he was so startled that he nearly dropped it on the floor!
A friend and her brother were still in primary school when they played that prank on their Grandma, who liked to have a tipple, or two too many. They waited in the passage till they heard Grandma getting up to use the potty, but were disappointed. The dear old girl must have had one too many that night, as she hardly reacted to the fizz below deck!
The Skin Graft
B was the butt of another prank, something he's only shared with family and some close friends, as it is a rather sensitive subject.
The prank played on him by a nurse had to do with a skin graft needed for his one nostril that was partially destroyed in the accident.
B was a little shy telling me this story; he had shared it with hubby a long while back but I never heard about it. He kept on warning me that it's a sensitive subject, and he's not sure if he should tell me, blah blah blah. The more excuses he made BEFORE telling me the story, the more curious I became, till I eventually told him to get on with it!
When in hospital after the accident, a nurse told him the surgeon was on his way to discuss and explain the skin graft. She asked him if he was Jewish, and he said, 'No, why are you asking?' Well, sir, I have to ask you a rather sensitive question - are you circumcised?
He assured her he did not have that procedure.
'Good,' said the nurse, 'then the skin graft won't be a problem,' and left the ward.
The curtains were drawn, so B thought he'd save the busy doctor's precious time. He lifted the blankets and his hospital gown in readiness for the physical examination. He thought he was being considerate!
Remember, unlike today, we were awestruck back then by any medical specialist. Surgeons were seen as some kind of god; in fact, some of them acted as if they were!
The nurse walked in first, with the surgeon following her. She did not expect to be greeted with this sight and quickly covered him with the blankets.
The surgeon said nothing, went on to examine an unexpected part of B - his ear - and explained that they would be using skin from behind his ear for the graft!
Not the area my friend thought they would use to harvest skin for a nose graft!
B did not explain his inappropriate 'flashing' to the surgeon. After the doctor left, he scolded the nurse, who was laughing uncontrollably by that time!
I'm sure she would not have done it to any of the other patients, but she must have known it would give him many chuckles because of his naturally mischievous nature.
Chocolates or What?
Not a hospital story, but one that concerned my Mom and our friend's Mother. The two old gals went on holiday with B and his late wife, who was one of my best friends. Their son-in-law, who is even more mischievous, left something on top of Aunty B's clothes in her suitcase.
When she and Mom Lily started unpacking, she exclaimed that H must have packed chocolates in as a surprise treat. Aunty B was older than Mom and was battling to open a 'chocolate. ' Mom took one look at this and exclaimed that it wasn't chocolates; it was condoms! The silver foil packaging made it look like chocolates to the 'untrained' eye! B and my friend heard this commotion in their room next door, they did not know anything about this prank.
Mom and Aunty B's consternation turned to laughter, but they vowed to give H a piece of both their minds when they returned home. That, of course, did not happen as H knew how to charm the two old gals, offering each of them a box of chocolates as a peace offering!
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