less is more stuff and fewer things
‘If “less is more”, then why can’t I order less sultanas with my bananas?’, the customer asked. ‘I’d get more of them then, wouldn’t I?’
‘You must be bananas to think that “less is more” equates to having less sultanas, sir’, said the barista behind the café counter. ‘That is quite the category error, for asides from the fact that the saying has no literal meaning, you must know that sultanas are a thing?’
‘No they’re not,’ the customer replied. ‘They’re a stuff. A foodstuff.’
‘Not quite, sir.’ The barista clarified matters. ‘They are simply a food, and food is a thing, and if you ask for less stuff and fewer things you’ll see how less speed leads to more haste, but our sultanas we shall not waste, for in the wrong mouth they will leave a bad taste, so to speak — next customer please!’
The barista rang a bell and a bowl of assorted fruits appeared for the customer to collect, who stepped aside to pick it up, paused for a thoughtful moment, then turned back to the barista and asked, ‘why are you speaking in rhyme?’
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