A German salesman is on the road visiting his accounts. Typically German, he’s very precise. Not only does he stay in the same hotel in every town, he always requests the same room number. He never deviates!
One day, he arrives in Frankfurt and goes to the Hotel Montana. That’s his Frankfurt regular, as always. And as he checks in, the staff greets him “Welcome back Herr Zimmer! So good to see you again!!”. Herr Zimmer asks for Room 308 - again, his regular room at the Montana. The desk clerk swallows hard. knowing how Herr Zimmer does not like a break from his “specification”.
“Herr Zimmer”, the clerk says, “I have some unfornunate news. Room 308 is not available.”
“Vas!!!!!!”, shouts Zimmer. “I alvays havf room 308. I havf been since 1988 mit out fail. Ven I madt mine room reservation, you said nothingg about 308 being not available. Undt vy is der reeason?!!!”
The clerk again swallows hard. “Herr Zimmer, we apologize. We could not havf planned this. It was an unfornutate, sudden and delicate circumstance vy we couldn’t offer you your regular room. Undt, because of the delicacy, we’d rather not say vy. But, we’d be glad to offer your the manager’s suite - for no extra charge - which is room 408. The view is the same as 308 undt a much more fitting room for a customer as gudt as you!”
Zimmer starts to settle down a bit. And he has a dinner appointment with one of his best customers in minutes so is not really able to quible. After all, they did up grade him and in the virtual same location as 308. He takes the key, drops off his bags in 408 and rushes off to his dinner.
Later that evening, after a few bottles of Mosel and sausages, he comes staggering into the Montana. It’s late and a junior clerk is on the night desk. Out of habit, and being tipsy, Herr Zimmer asks for the key to 308. The clerk, not knowing about the previous discussion gives him the key to 308.
The next morning, the day manager comes to work and is shocked to find Zimmer in 308. He fires the night cllerk on the spot. When Zimmer comes down for breakfast, he intercepts him and starts apologizing over and over.
“Herr Zimmer, did you sleep in 308 last night?”, asks the manager.
Ja! Undt I had a wonderbar sleep! As always!!”, replies Zimmer.
“But, Herr Zimmer,you obviously discovered vy we asked you to use Room 408 this time. Didn’t you notice there vas undt dead voman in derr 308’s bed? ? We havf the moritician komming dis morning”, says the manager,
“Deadt!!!”, exclaims Zimmer. “Mein Godt! I Sot she vas British!!”