I know someone who entertained himself working in a Building Society office by having bets with a work colleague as to who could fit the sentence: "I reckon the ducks will fly tonight" into conversations with customers the most times each day, without the customers questioning it. Most of the time, the customers would even agree, "Oh, yes !"

Tricks often used to be played on office juniors. A common one was to leave a note on a new secretary's desk at lunchtime: "Mr.C.Lyon of Lyon & Partners rang. Please call him back urgently at 2 p.m. on 678542." On returning the call, this would turn out to be the phone number of London Zoo. There were lots more like this, and also spoof errands that office juniors were sent on. I wonder if this still happens - or have workplaces become so serious and so fearful that these tricks could be misconstrued as harrassment, so people are less likely to risk it ?

- jeanie