The Slice: Stereotype doesn’t always add up

You do the math.

It should be easy. You just have to estimate.

What percentage of seemingly odd things that happen here and are subsequently characterized as “only in Spokane” could, in reality, have taken place in any one of 100 other cities?

I’m not saying Spokane doesn’t have its moments of uniqueness. But it seems like a mistake to assume we have a monopoly on bewildering behavior.

It says here: If you don’t park in a garage, almost any sound you hear coming from outside after dark has the potential to be someone messing with your car.

Though I suppose that is less true in rural areas.

Today’s letterman: “My husband (Dick) is 84 years old,” wrote Mary Skinner. “He still has his (Ritzville High) letter jacket. He played on the football team as a running back in high school. On one occasion the Ritzville Journal-Times, in reporting a game, gave him the title of ‘swivel-hip Skinner.’

“We sometimes call him that, and it always brings a big laugh in our family.”

Slice answer: “It is more than OK to give someone a gift of tickets to a show when it’s rather obvious that I want to see it more,” wrote Amy McGarry. “It’s a duty! It also solves the problem of thinking and thinking what to buy those certain family members. It supports local theater. It allows for quality time with family members I don’t spend much time with. It forces culture on certain members of my family so it’s for their own good. Furthermore, maybe they just don’t know that they want to see it.”

Warm-up question: What will be the theme of your outdoor holiday lights display? A) “Garish Night.” B) “Full Griswold.” C) “Wattage Wonderland.” D) “Hey Avista, I’ve Got Your Energy Audit Right Here.” E) “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Backup Generator.” F) “More Cowbell.” G) “On the Grid.” H) “Less is More.” I) “O Little Town of Viva Las Vegas.” J) Other.

Today’s Slice question: Could your marriage survive another holiday crafts bazaar?