and have been for many years. Every day they take a walk to the park, sit on a bench, and feed the ducks. They never say much to each other; they just quietly enjoy each other’s company.
Which is why the Chinese man is surprised when one day, as they sit on the bench, the Jewish man suddenly says, “You know, Sam, there’s something I’ve meant to say for a while. I really treasure our friendship, yet there’s a part of me that’s never forgiven your people for Pearl Harbor.”
The Chinese man is taken aback, but when he recovers his calm he says, “Bernie, you know it was the Japanese that bombed Pearl Harbor—not the Chinese.” To which the Jewish man shrugs and replies, “Chinese, Japanese, what’s the difference?”
The Chinese man mulls this over and then says, “Well, Bernie, I’m glad you brought this up, because there’s something I’ve wanted to get off my chest too. I love you as a dear friend, but at the same time, there’s a part of me that’s never forgiven your people for the Titanic.”
“The Titanic?!” the Jewish man replies. “The Titanic was sunk by an iceberg!”
The Chinese man shrugs and says, “Iceberg, Goldberg, what’s the difference?”