Skip to content

I remember Tallulah (Bankhead) telling of going into a…

“I remember Tallulah (Bankhead) telling of going into a public ladies' room and discovering there was no toilet tissue. She looked underneath the booth and said to the lady in the next stall, 'I beg your pardon, do you happen to have any toilet tissue in there?' The lady said no. So Tallulah said…” quote by Ethel Merman
Download Open image
“I remember Tallulah (Bankhead) telling of going into a public ladies' room and discovering there was no toilet tissue. She looked underneath the booth and said to the lady in the next stall, 'I beg your pardon, do you happen to have any toilet tissue in there?' The lady said no. So Tallulah said, 'Well, then, dahling, do you have two fives for a ten?'”

Ethel Merman

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

A humorous anecdote showing Tallulah's quick wit and improvisational skill when faced with an unexpected lack of toilet paper.

In simple terms: Tallulah used humor to handle an awkward situation.

Key Takeaway

Use humor to defuse awkward moments.

Themes

humor improvisation social etiquette

Mood

lighthearted playful

Type

anecdotal humorous

When to use this quote

  • public restroom
  • travel
  • social gatherings
  • emergency situations

Key Concepts

quick thinking resourcefulness communication

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can humor help in tense moments?
  • When is humor inappropriate?
A Different Perspective

Humor may not solve the underlying problem of inadequate facilities.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Ethel Merman

Explore all 59 Ethel Merman quotes

More Discovering quotes

Browse all 881 Discovering quotes