| Author | Message | ||
| Abc (Abc)
Moderator Username: Abc Post Number: 330 Registered: 7-2006 |
Phelb is known as a polite and helpful guy, toward friend and stranger alike. Recently, however, when #k approached him (Phelb) on the street, asking for directions to the post office, Phelb just walked past him (#k) without even looking at him, let alone answer his question. Why? | ||
| Balin (Balin)
New member Username: Balin Post Number: 14768 Registered: 4-2010 |
Does Phelb know #k? Phelb: H? A? M? #k: H? A? M? Did Phelb even notice #k? Is it relevant that he wanted to go to the post office? That the meeting was on the street? | ||
| Shez (Shez)
New member Username: Shez Post Number: 1837 Registered: 2-2011 |
is #k a ghost? did #k speak in a language Phelb understood? did Phelb notice him? was it raining? was Phelb in a hurry? | ||
| Ciaobella (Ciaobella)
New member Username: Ciaobella Post Number: 125 Registered: 8-2011 |
Would most people consider Phelb's behavior rude, if they knew the circumstances? Did #k think it was rude? Was he hurt/ offended? | ||
| Abc (Abc)
Moderator Username: Abc Post Number: 332 Registered: 7-2006 |
Does Phelb know #k? No Phelb: H? A? M? #k: H? A? M? All yes Did Phelb even notice #k? Yes Is it relevant that he wanted to go to the post office? Not in particular That the meeting was on the street? Noish is #k a ghost? No did #k speak in a language Phelb understood? Yes did Phelb notice him? Yes was it raining? No was Phelb in a hurry? No Would most people consider Phelb's behavior rude, if they knew the circumstances? Probably Did #k think it was rude? Yes Was he hurt/ offended? Yes | ||
| Ciaobella (Ciaobella)
New member Username: Ciaobella Post Number: 126 Registered: 8-2011 |
Does Phelb usually give directions to people he doesn't know? | ||
| Rbruma (Rbruma)
New member Username: Rbruma Post Number: 1690 Registered: 9-2009 |
Was #k's general appearance (the way he was dressed? something about his hair? did he hold a relevant object in his hand?) what made Phelb to behave in this way? Was something that happened to Phelb earlier? | ||
| Galfisk (Galfisk)
New member Username: Galfisk Post Number: 4357 Registered: 9-2009 |
Did Phelb think he was being rude? Did he mean to be rude? Any other people relevant? Was Phelb: scared? Happy? Distracted? Amnesic? | ||
| Abc (Abc)
Moderator Username: Abc Post Number: 333 Registered: 7-2006 |
Does Phelb usually give directions to people he doesn't know? When they ask, yes Was #k's general appearance (the way he was dressed? something about his hair? did he hold a relevant object in his hand?) what made Phelb to behave in this way? No Was something that happened to Phelb earlier? No Did Phelb think he was being rude? Yes, probably Did he mean to be rude? No Any other people relevant? No Was Phelb: scared? Noish Happy? Distracted? Amnesic? None of these to any relevant degree | ||
| Lynne (Lynne)
New member Username: Lynne Post Number: 5145 Registered: 12-2000 |
Was it something that k (I don't have a hash key on my computer, sorry) unwittingly did or said that made Phelb ignore him? | ||
| Lynne (Lynne)
New member Username: Lynne Post Number: 5146 Registered: 12-2000 |
Does the word shocking in the title have any further relevance to the answer? | ||
| Galfisk (Galfisk)
New member Username: Galfisk Post Number: 4358 Registered: 9-2009 |
If it had been another stranger than #k, would Phelb had reacted in the same way? If Phelb had known #k, would he have done the same then too? | ||
| Shez (Shez)
New member Username: Shez Post Number: 1841 Registered: 2-2011 |
was Phelb worried? nervous? distracted? if he probably knew he was being rude, did he regret it? or did he want to be rude? | ||
| Abc (Abc)
Moderator Username: Abc Post Number: 336 Registered: 7-2006 |
Was it something that k (I don't have a hash key on my computer, sorry Why don't you just cut and paste it from one of the other posts? A lyrical, beautiful name like that deserves always to be spelled out in all its splendour) unwittingly did or said that made Phelb ignore him? Noish | ||
| Abc (Abc)
Moderator Username: Abc Post Number: 337 Registered: 7-2006 |
Does the word shocking in the title have any further relevance to the answer? No If it had been another stranger than #k, would Phelb had reacted in the same way? No If Phelb had known #k, would he have done the same then too? No was Phelb worried? nervous? distracted? Neither if he probably knew he was being rude, did he regret it? Yes or did he want to be rude? No | ||
| Ciaobella (Ciaobella)
New member Username: Ciaobella Post Number: 132 Registered: 8-2011 |
Did Phelb hear him properly? Was anyone in danger? Did Phelb realize at the time that he was being rude? Or later? Did Phelb expect #k to ask for directions? Was any of this staged? If Phelb had stopped to give directions, would something bad have happened? Did Phelb want to keep #k away from the post office? Is Phelb running a marathon? Is Phelb intoxicated or otherwise temporarily impaired? Is #k? Is Phelb physically able to talk? | ||
| Rbruma (Rbruma)
New member Username: Rbruma Post Number: 1695 Registered: 9-2009 |
Is the story set in our times? If not -- more than 10? 100? 1000? 3000? years in the future? In the past? | ||
| Abc (Abc)
Moderator Username: Abc Post Number: 338 Registered: 7-2006 |
Did Phelb hear him properly? Yes Was anyone in danger? No Did Phelb realize at the time that he was being rude? Or later? At the time Did Phelb expect #k to ask for directions? No Was any of this staged? No If Phelb had stopped to give directions, would something bad have happened? Probably Did Phelb want to keep #k away from the post office? No Is Phelb running a marathon? No Is Phelb intoxicated or otherwise temporarily impaired? Is #k? Neither Is Phelb physically able to talk? Yes Is the story set in our times? If not -- more than 10? 100? 1000? 3000? years in the future? In the past? Set in our time | ||
| Bodo (Bodo)
New member Username: Bodo Post Number: 2607 Registered: 2-2001 |
Hi Torgeir Is the location of the post office relative to where the encounter took place relevant? It was just the two of them (no relevant third party/parties)? Noish to on the street - in a public place? Was Phelb: frightened? Angry? Disgusted? Nervous? Embarrassed? | ||
| Abc (Abc)
Moderator Username: Abc Post Number: 340 Registered: 7-2006 |
Hi Torgeir Hi, Tim! Is the location of the post office relative to where the encounter took place relevant? No It was just the two of them (no relevant third party/parties)? In the spoi ler there will be a 3rd person, but he is not relevant to solving the puzzle. So just the two of them, yes Noish to on the street - in a public place? Not noish to on the street - noish to "is it relevant that it was on the street. Was Phelb: frightened? Angry? Disgusted? Nervous? Embarrassed? Embarrassed is probably the closest. Definitely not angry. | ||
| Sibertron (Sibertron)
New member Username: Sibertron Post Number: 1 Registered: 9-2011 |
Sorry This is my first time on this forum. From the puzzle its clear that Phelb did not notice #K because he walked past him this was unintentional because he was trying to approach a third situation that was about to occur which to him seemed more important to attend to because something might have gone wrong if probably he had stopped to speak with #K. being his nature to help other he was embarrassed but at the same point of time he should not because avoid a mishappening. | ||
| Bodo (Bodo)
New member Username: Bodo Post Number: 2609 Registered: 2-2001 |
Was Phelb concerned about any personal hygiene issues (e. g. bad breath)? Was there anything physically preventing Phelb from responding? Any relevant medical conditions? | ||
| Redwine (Redwine)
New member Username: Redwine Post Number: 1090 Registered: 1-2011 |
Did Phelb react in any way for #k? Did Phelb think that his passing by was an answer to #k's question itself? Something bad to happen, would it happen to Phelb? To #k? To someone else? Would someone get physically hurt? Suffer material loss? | ||
| Shez (Shez)
New member Username: Shez Post Number: 1849 Registered: 2-2011 |
was #k naked? did #k genuinely want to ask directions? does Phelb think he's about to be mugged? | ||
| Abc (Abc)
Moderator Username: Abc Post Number: 341 Registered: 7-2006 |
From the puzzle its clear that Phelb did not notice #K because he walked past him Contrariwise, Phelb was well aware of #k and his question, and made a conscious decision to move on without answering Was Phelb concerned about any personal hygiene issues (e. g. bad breath)? No Was there anything physically preventing Phelb from responding? No Any relevant medical conditions? I'm not sure of the exact definition of "medical condition", so I'll have to opt for a "Maybe" Did Phelb react in any way for #k? No, provided I understand your question correctly Did Phelb think that his passing by was an answer to #k's question itself? No Something bad to happen, would it happen to Phelb? To #k? To someone else? To Phelb Would someone get physically hurt? This, if anything Suffer material loss? No was #k naked? No did #k genuinely want to ask directions? Yes does Phelb think he's about to be mugged? No | ||
| Redwine (Redwine)
New member Username: Redwine Post Number: 1091 Registered: 1-2011 |
Did it happen really on the street, on the part where the cars drive? Could Phelb safely stop besides #k? Was #k a car driver? Did Phelb know for sure that #k's question was addressed to him? | ||
| Rbruma (Rbruma)
New member Username: Rbruma Post Number: 1699 Registered: 9-2009 |
Had Phelp stopped, would he have been killed? The danger to Phelp: loss of life? loss of limb? Some other problems, urging for medical care? Is it relevant that Phelp was walking when he received the question? (As opposed to sitting on a bench and reading a newspaper, for example) Did the location where the puzzle is set have a local post office? | ||
| Abc (Abc)
Moderator Username: Abc Post Number: 343 Registered: 7-2006 |
Did it happen really on the street, on the part where the cars drive? On the pavement Could Phelb safely stop besides #k? Yes Was #k a car driver? No Did Phelb know for sure that #k's question was addressed to him? Yes Had Phelp stopped, would he have been killed? No The danger to Phelp: loss of life? loss of limb? Some other problems, urging for medical care? Not this serious Is it relevant that Phelp was walking when he received the question? (As opposed to sitting on a bench and reading a newspaper, for example) Not relevant Did the location where the puzzle is set have a local post office? Yes | ||
| Shez (Shez)
New member Username: Shez Post Number: 1853 Registered: 2-2011 |
did Phelb think he might catch something from #k? did he think he might pass on a disease to #k? has Phelb any sort of phobia? about talking to strangers? coming into contact with other people? is race or caste relevant? | ||
| Abc (Abc)
Moderator Username: Abc Post Number: 345 Registered: 7-2006 |
did Phelb think he might catch something from #k? Heh - not in the sense you are thinking about (: did he think he might pass on a disease to #k? No has Phelb any sort of phobia? about talking to strangers? coming into contact with other people? No to all is race or caste relevant? and...No | ||
| Rbruma (Rbruma)
New member Username: Rbruma Post Number: 1701 Registered: 9-2009 |
Since walking vs sitting down is not relevant, supposing that Phelb was sitting at the moment reading his morning newspaper and receiving the same question from #k, would he: - answer the question? - politely deny that he has that information? - continue reading without looking at the person asking? - look somewhere else? - drop the paper and quietly leave? - start screaming and run? - do something else? | ||
| Abc (Abc)
Moderator Username: Abc Post Number: 347 Registered: 7-2006 |
Since walking vs sitting down is not relevant, supposing that Phelb was sitting at the moment reading his morning newspaper and receiving the same question from #k, would he: - answer the question? No - politely deny that he has that information? No - continue reading without looking at the person asking? Probably this - look somewhere else? Maybe this - drop the paper and quietly leave? Or this - start screaming and run? No - do something else? The most probable scenarios are listed above | ||
| Shez (Shez)
New member Username: Shez Post Number: 1859 Registered: 2-2011 |
was #k wearing distinctive clothing? was Phelb working under cover? | ||
| Redwine (Redwine)
New member Username: Redwine Post Number: 1099 Registered: 1-2011 |
Did #k's question have another meaning besides asking directions? Is it a sort of password? Is time of day relevant? | ||
| Lynne (Lynne)
New member Username: Lynne Post Number: 5148 Registered: 12-2000 |
Hmm, I wondered earlier whether Phelb might be working undercover. So, expanding on Shez's question, was Phelb worried about speaking per se? Would his accent give himself away to a third person? Or his use of the native language? Was he pretending to be a foreigner? Was he pretending to not understand #k? | ||
| Ciaobella (Ciaobella)
New member Username: Ciaobella Post Number: 139 Registered: 8-2011 |
If I had asked Phelb for directions, would he have given them? If someone else had? Was Phelb afraid of #k? Was he bothered by him? Any relevant psychological conditions? Phobias? Tourette's? | ||
| Bodo (Bodo)
New member Username: Bodo Post Number: 2614 Registered: 2-2001 |
Is Phelb's occupation relevant? is #k's? Was anything about Phelb's voice relevant? Was Phelb afraid he'd embarrass #k? That #k would think he was making fun of him? Witness protection relevant? | ||
| Abc (Abc)
Moderator Username: Abc Post Number: 348 Registered: 7-2006 |
was #k wearing distinctive clothing? Irrelevant was Phelb working under cover? No Did #k's question have another meaning besides asking directions? No Is it a sort of password? No Is time of day relevant? No Hmm, I wondered earlier whether Phelb might be working undercover. So, expanding on Shez's question, was Phelb worried about speaking per se? No Would his accent give himself away to a third person? No Or his use of the native language? No Was he pretending to be a foreigner? No Was he pretending to not understand #k? No If I had asked Phelb for directions, would he have given them? With more than 99% probability, yes If someone else had? Same as previous answer Was Phelb afraid of #k? Noish Was he bothered by him? In a way Any relevant psychological conditions? Phobias? Tourette's? No (bear in mind that the answer is given by a layman) Is Phelb's occupation relevant? is #k's? Neither Was anything about Phelb's voice relevant? It's difficult to draw the borders here, but I'll say yes Was Phelb afraid he'd embarrass #k? Yes That #k would think he was making fun of him? YES - good question Witness protection relevant? No | ||
| Bodo (Bodo)
New member Username: Bodo Post Number: 2615 Registered: 2-2001 |
Speech impediment relevant? Particularly high or low voice (for either)? | ||
| Abc (Abc)
Moderator Username: Abc Post Number: 350 Registered: 7-2006 |
Speech impediment relevant? Yes Particularly high or low voice (for either)? But not this | ||
| Galfisk (Galfisk)
New member Username: Galfisk Post Number: 4366 Registered: 9-2009 |
Did #k and Phelb have the same speech impediment? And Phelb was afraid #k would think he was making fun of him when speaking the same way as him? | ||
| Abc (Abc)
Moderator Username: Abc Post Number: 351 Registered: 7-2006 |
Did #k and Phelb have the same speech impediment? And Phelb was afraid #k would think he was making fun of him when speaking the same way as him? Yes ************************ SPOILER ******************** This is probably best summed up by telling the joke that it is based on. Two friends walk along the street, when a man approaches one of them and asks: "E-e-excuse me, c-c-c-could you p-please t-t-tell me how t-t-to get t-to the p-p-postoffice?" The man that was asked just walks on without noticing or answering. His friend says "Now that was rude, why didn't you give him a decent answer?" "D-d-do you think I w-w-want a s-s-sock in the f-f-face eh?" | ||
| Shez (Shez)
New member Username: Shez Post Number: 1864 Registered: 2-2011 |
groan! | ||
| Ixoye724 (Ixoye724)
New member Username: Ixoye724 Post Number: 3457 Registered: 1-2001 |
Funny, and great puzzle idea! Reminds me of the guy who, when asked his name, would reply, "W-w-w-well my n-n-name is T-t-t-t-tom, b-but you c-c-can call m-m-me 'Tom' for sh-sh-short." | ||
| Abc (Abc)
Moderator Username: Abc Post Number: 352 Registered: 7-2006 |
:-D |
