The Slice True Nonconformist Has A Certain Suitable Style

This couple walked past a men’s clothing store in downtown Spokane.

They were in their late teens or early 20s. Their punkish hair, garish makeup and “I’m alienated” attire suggested that they were a young man and woman trying hard to avoid looking even remotely mainstream.

As they walked, she said something about a stylishly conservative suit jacket on display in the store window.

He snorted and sarcastically added, “Yeah, I can see me in a suit.”

Speaking quietly, she said he would look good in it.

He didn’t say anything, but his face gave him away. He was pleased.

When you really need traction: Coulee City’s Flora Weimerskirch is pretty sure she heard a TV reporter standing in deep Spokane snow say, “The cars that are getting stuck are those with rear wheels.”

Said Weimerskirch, “I assumed he meant ‘rear-wheel drive,’ but just in case, maybe removing the rear wheels should be given a test.”

The ideal airliner seatmate: “Is one who knows when to shut up.” - Donna McDonell

Yes, that’s true. But if we had to choose between a talker and a person in the seat directly ahead who feels free to recline his or her seat-back all the way despite the sound of knees crunching, well, we’d say the talker is easier to take.

Seasonal attraction: Keri Yirak suggested that, if they were smart, Spokane area real estate agents trying to sell a house in the winter would include in advertisements the number of people in the neighborhood who own snowthrowers.

If there are a lot, that is.

A reader in Pullman overheard this recently in a bank line:

Teller: “Thank you. Now have a nice day.”

Woman: “I will. First thing I’m going to do today is file for divorce.”

Next time you find yourself getting impatient with an elderly stranger who can’t hear well or can’t walk fast enough to suit you: Remember that, for all you know, the individual in question could have been a tailgunner on a B-17 or worked as a riveter in a 1940s defense plant.

What’s on your life’s resume?

Today’s Slice questions: Who will be the one Inland Northwest resident to make it through the winter without getting the flu or a killer cold? What will be that person’s secret to staying well?

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Drawing

MEMO: The Slice appears Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday. Write The Slice at P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210; call (509) 459-5470; fax (509) 459-5098. Don’t make recommendations about movie rentals unless you are willing to have your film tastes viciously mocked.