There were once 4 sailors in the navy who were good friends. They got together often and talked of their many experiences in different ports of call. After awhile the 4 sailors began to feel guilty and one of them decided to make the suggestion of going to church on sunday when they reach port. However, their next port was in Norway, and none of them could speak the native language.One of the 4 sailors got an idea, "When we find a church, we'll sit in the back and do whatever the guy in front of us does. If he stands up, we stand up. If he sits down, we sit down. If he sings a hymn, we'll sing a hymn." The other 3 sailors agreed that it was a good plan.
Arriving in port on sunday, the 4 sailors quickly found a church and entered. Upon entering they saw a man sitting by himself towards the back, and they quickly decided that he was the one they would copy.
As the service progressed their plan began to work quite nicely. Every time the man in front of them stood up, they stood up. Every time he sang a hymn, they sang a hymn. However, at the end of the service, the minister began to make an announcement at the front of the church. And while the minister was talking, there was a young woman also up front holding an infant. Just then, the man in front of them stood up.
Feeling both strange and awkward, they quickly decided to follow suit. One of the 4 sailors quickly said, "Remember, we decided to do whatever the guy in front of us would do." So with little hesitation, the 4 sailors also stood up. As they did this, the whole church burst out in an uproar of laughter. Feeling embarrassed, the 4 sailors quickly sat down.
At the end of the service, as they were leaving the church, the 4 sailors were surprised that the minister could speak english. It was then that one of the 4 sailors asked the minister what they did wrong. The minister replied, "Oh, we were having an infant baptism, and I asked the father of the baby to stand up!"
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