OT: Why do repair guys do the "We'll be there between 8:00 and 12:00)

[Jem]

Reminds me of a joke I once heard about an electrician in soviet era Russia...

So Yuri is living in moscow is having electrical problems.Everytime he turn on a light a breaker blows. So call around and finds an electrician and explains his problem and says "Can you help me?" The electrician, who's name is Ivan, says, "Sure. No problem."

"Great!" says Yuri, "when can you come?"

Ivan thinks a moment and then says, "The earliest I can get there is July 1st."

Yuri is shocked and says, "Are you kidding me? Today is December 12th, that's more than SIX MONTHS from now! Are you sure you can't get here any earlier?"

Ivan mumbles apologetically but says, "No, that's the best I can do."

There is a silence at the other end of the phone, and then finally Yuri says, "Okay then, will you be coming in the morning or the afternoon?"

Now it is Ivan's turn to be surprised and he he replies "The appointment is six months away. What possible difference could it make if it is in the morning or the afternoon?"

"Well," answers Yuri, "the plumber is coming in the morning."