That's Life 5-8-09

Issue of May 8, 2009 / 14 Iyar 5769

Dear That’s Life,

I was standing at the packaged fish case at Gourmet Glatt last week talking to a friend when we both distinctly heard music, and it seemed to be coming from the fish itself.

Strangely, I was not surprised since the store does have a sound and light show near the produce — sounds of thunder, flashing lights and mist to keep the vegetables moist and fresh go on intermittently. I also vaguely recalled stories of a talking fish, but as I leaned closer, I pulled out a cell phone from beneath a package of salmon. Flipping it open and scrolling through the address book to find the owner, I dialed the number listed under “home.” The appreciative owner asked me to leave it at the customer service desk.

A Five Towns fish story or a case of being in the right place at the right time?

Woodmere

Dear That’s Life,

My father, the king of trivia and useless knowledge, likes to challenge my children with different questions. Often, the topic is American history, as it was in this case.

Hoping to elicit the answer ‘Abraham Lincoln,’ my dad asked my children, “Who freed the slaves?” But being the sharp yeshiva student he is, my son Reuvi exclaimed, “Moshe did!”

West Hempstead

Dear That’s Life,

You weren’t the one with the problem at the “luxury item” store. It was ridiculous for them to do that to you, and then expect you to pay for delivery. So don’t listen when people tell you that you were the wrong one!

Here’s my story — one that could only happen in the Five Towns:

Whenever I get my nails done, go out to dinner at Cho-Sen, or even when speaking to the custodians at school, I’m used to non-Jewish people saying Jewish things like “Shabbat Shalom” and even telling me what time is candle lighting. Last year at Cho-Sen Island, Eunice, the hostess even reminded us, “Don’t forget to count sefira!” But this latest experience was a shocker and different from the rest.

My mother needed some things from Costco so I decided I would accompany her. It was Chol Hamoed Pesach and all of my friends were away and I had nothing better to do. We finished shopping, and on our way out the friendly African-American security guard who checks the receipts checked ours and exclaimed, “Have a good yontif!” This comment made my day. Not only do workers in Kosher restaurants and the nail stores, and the custodians in our Jewish schools, learn some Hebrew catch phrases, but even the workers at Costco! After we packed the groceries into the car I looked at my mother and said, “Mom, that would only happen in the Five Towns!”

Anonymous

Woodsburgh

If something happened to you “that could only happen around here,” you’ve got to share! Was it funny? Outrageous? Hopefully, it wasn’t too painful. No matter what, if you type it up and sent it to

Submissions should include your name, your town, and your daytime and evening phone numbers. Sorry, but anonymous submissions cannot be

In case you were wondering, Burgers Bar is under the supervision of the Vaad Hakashrus of the Five Towns and Far Rockaway, and plays music you can find on MLW’s iPod.