[Cz-L] RE: czernowitz-l digest: May 18, 2010

The Bakshish monument needs something far more elaborate in structure and size. Aside from all other religions and Gods, Bakshish, throughout the history of the Middle East and the Balkans, was capo di tutti of Gods. Just hands exchanging the coin don't do this grand tradition justice.

I recall as a child in Romania being told that when trains arriving from Western Europe crossed the Romanian border, they switched from chug-chug-chug to Bakshhhhishhhh-Bakshhhishhh.

At the risk of repeating myself - I have a feeling I've sent this in once before - I'll copy and paste here my tribute to this great cultural tradition. It is the lyric to a novelty song I wrote over 50 years ago for an off-Broadway musical revue that never opened. You might get a chuckle out of it.

BAKSHEESH
Verse:
Some call it boodle or a bribe
If you're refined a tip will jibe
It's shake down loot or filthy dough
And there are few who’ll answer "No"
So if you're looking for results
When up against the wall,
Just give a little BAKSHEESH
It's the daddy of them all…

Chorus:
Glance to your left, over your shoulder
Peek to your right, and all around
Look unconcerned, slip him jack in a folder,
That is Baksheesh, ...shhhhh don't make a sound

Verse:
If you're stuck in Badakhshan
Somewhere in Afghanistan
Or get pinched in old Baghdad
In the Kingdom of Iraq
Baksheesh is ancient custom
And will always work for you
They learn it in their childhood
Here is all you have to do

Chorus:
Extend your hand, grin while you do it
Make sure you hide loot in your palm
Shake hands and transfer,
that's all there's to it
Baksheesh, Baksheesh, simple and calm

Verse:
Doesn't matter where you are
On a train or in a bar
To a cop with tired feet
Or a diplomat replete
They'll happily accept
The current currency in view
Baksheesh, Baksheesh, Baksheesh
Now here is all you have to do

Chorus:
Drop a few bills
right where he's standing
Then pick them up and act surprised
Leer as you say,
"You must have dropped these"
He'll smile a thanks, most civilized.

Verse:
Even in old N.Y.C.
Watch a Maitre-d’ agree
To forget what's been reserved
And to do it unobserved
Baksheesh will do it even if
you cannot spell the word
Ten dollars would suffice
But over Fifty is absurd

 (These numbers were
originally $2 and $5. Things have changed.)

Verse:
Yes, everybody wants Baksheesh
In every language they capeesh
Cabbies always want some more
Though they won't help you with the door
Waiters, doormen, porters and
The cute delivery boy
Will frown if you refuse
But when you dig they'll get so coy...

Chorus:
Glance to your left, over your shoulder
Peek to your right, and all around
Look unconcerned, slip him jack in a folder
That is baksheesh…shhhhh.
(lower) That is baksheesh …shhhhh
(whisper) That is baksheesh…
Shhhhh…..don’t make a sound.

Shalom
Andy Halmay,

> -----Original Message-----
> From: czernowitz-l_at_list.cornell.edu
> Sent: Wed, 19 May 2010 00:40:33 -0400
> To: czernowitz-l_at_list.cornell.edu
> Subject: czernowitz-l digest: May 18, 2010
>
> CZERNOWITZ-L Digest for Tuesday, May 18, 2010.
>
> 1. [Cz-L] The Grand Boulevards
> 2. Re: [Cz-L] The Grand Boulevards
> 3. [Cz-L] New Help Identify post on the Blog
>
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Received on 2010-05-19 11:38:10