Comments (15) (Please sign in to comment)

1. 

   thebird55 said, 6 months ago

   When I was young and stupid, I told a border guard (US/Mexico) that all I had was, “This pack of cigarettes and a belly full of beer.”
2. 

   Prof danglais said, 6 months ago

   Customs Officers are renown for having no sense of humour.
3. 

   thebird55 said, 6 months ago

   @Prof danglais

   Right. I got no response at all.
4. 

   Sanchia said, 6 months ago

   US Customs officials used to be the most friendly and welcoming of any I had met. Sadly no longer. One of the reasons I stopped visiting the US.
5. 

   hildigunnur said, 6 months ago

   @Sanchia

   yeah – I really don’t enjoy being treated as a potential criminal and terrorist. Don’t mind the customs officials but the Immigration ppl are pretty bad.
6. 

   nighthawks said, 6 months ago

   rule of thumb:
   humor of any kind is not allowed in airports
7. 

   lightenup said, 6 months ago

   @nighthawks

   True, and that applies all over the world. In fact, when we come back from overseas and an airport worker welcomes us home, I’m always suspicious.
8. 

   Ammi28 said, 6 months ago

   LOL.. although they have no sense of humor
9. 

   hippogriff said, 6 months ago

   It was difficult to get tortillas when I was in Vancouver, so I would cross the Line to Blaine, WA, to stock up on essential ingredients. The following dialog occurred returning at Douglas:
   Customs: Citizen?
   Me: Landed. [landed immigrant, analogous to green card]
   C: How long out of the country?
   M: [look at watch] 20 minutes.
   C: Buy anything?
   M: Yes.
   C: What?
   M: Ten dozen tortillas [clearly visible on front passenger seat]
   C: Get onnn throuuuuuugh!
   Some customs agents do have a sense of humor, especially those interacting with tourists. Trolls dealing with packages were a different matter, and those on the US side were totally arrogant – even (or especially?) to US citizens.
10. 

    katybissell said, 6 months ago

    It must be TSA that has a problem with humor, because I work for the FAA and the people in my office joke all the time.
11. 

    Jon Hra said, 6 months ago

    Well, they may joke with each other….but……
12. 

    Jon Hra said, 6 months ago

    Actually, I’ve heard that if you don’t want the hassle of declaring something while you’re at the airport, ship it home by mail or freight. It’s declared then and if they want to check it out, they can and you don’t have to put up with the bother in person. Win. Win.
13. 

    StoneIndian said, 6 months ago

    Coming home from Toronto one day, The Customs agent asked me what I was bringing back, I answered, “Receipts and pocket lint.” Actually got a laugh.
14. 

    DewSolo said, 6 months ago

    I remember many, many years ago crossing back into Michigan from Sault Ste. Marie with my Mom & Dad and 4 younger siblings. Customs guy runs thru a long lists of things you have to declare ending with “Bacon, cigarettes, or whiskey.” Mom answers “Of course not!” ( the ‘do I look like I smoke or drink?" implied in her tone. ) So we cross the border and I notice my 15 year old brother turning several shades of gray-green in the back seat. ’What’s wrong?" I whispered to him. "I’ve got a pack of Players in my pocket and Mom will kill me if she finds out.. " Yes, some things ARE more frightening than customs agents.
15. 

    38lowell said, 6 months ago

    Cousin stopped by cops on a joy ride in Mass:
    What school are you going to, kid?
    Harvard!
    Harvard, and you’re 16?
    Yeah! I’m a genius!
    We still got the ticket.
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