While I was enjoying my after-dinner walk this evening, an ice cream truck passed by, blaring that annoying “Turkey in the Straw” tune. What a great companion to a quiet pre-dusk walk. I’d really like to know, why that tune?
I remember, in the good old days…….the Good Humor Man, dressed in a white uniform, complete with a hat, would slowly drive down the streets, chimming his delightful little bells. “CHINGA-CHINGA…..CHINGA-CHINGA…” would announce the frozen treats, as the truck glided along at a pace no faster than a set of five year old legs could run. He would stop, get out, walk around the the back of his magical freezer on wheels. He’d greet which ever kids were lucky enough to have gotten a few coins from their parents. One at a time, he’d take an order, open the door in the back, and WOW, pull out whatever treat you desired. That’s what Good Humor is was.
How things change! Now, you’ve got some dude, with an ice cream truck, and it does say Good Humor on it. (but it also says, Phillip’s ice cream) Dude usually wears jeans and some old t-shirt, cruises up & down the street, blasting TURKEY IN THE STRAW. If he happens to spot a kid running after him, he’ll stop to make the sale, but he doesn’t have to get out of the truck. He just comes to the side to the makeshift window/counter. Usually, he has to scrunch down cause he’s too tall, or the back of the truck is too short. He leaves the unending turkey tune playing the entire time, hoping some other parents just give up and give their kid two dollars to buy one of his popsicles. Ah yes, let’s hear it for the Good (?) Humor man!
April 24, 2008 at 6:39 am |
I hate to say it, but you’re getting old if you’re complaining about the ice cream man and the good old days.
April 24, 2008 at 6:51 am |
So the youth of today enjoy hearing Turkey in the Straw?
April 26, 2008 at 1:08 pm |
Nobody enjoys Turkey in the Straw.
August 22, 2009 at 2:36 pm |
These days the Ice Cream Man stays in his truck for several reasons. Almost nobody has a Classic jump truck anymore, It’s safer for the driver-less chance of being robbed, Less chance of being charged with inappropreate conduct or touching of anyone improperly. I used to drive one of the old classic Good Humor trucks, but these days in most places it could only be used for special events because of the state of affairs and our easily scared populous. If I were to lead a child across the street as instructed in the GH driver handbook I would be putting my self at risk. Better to stay in my safe isolated van. I only wish we could return to the old ways, but it’s not going to happen.