A man was getting a haircut prior to a 
trip to Rome. He 
mentioned the trip to the barber who responded, 
''Rome? Why would anyone want 
to go there?
It's crowded & dirty 
and full of Italians. You're crazy to go to 
Rome.
So, how 
are you getting there?''
''We're taking TWA,'' was the reply. ''We 
got a great rate!''
''TWA?'' exclaimed the barber. ''That's a 
terrible airline. Their 
planes are old, their flight attendants are ugly, 
and they're always late.
So, where are you staying in 
Rome?''
''We'll be at the downtown International Marriott.''
''That 
dump! That's the worst hotel in the city. The rooms are small, 
the 
service is surly and they're overpriced. So, whatcha doing when 
you get there?''
''We're going to go to see the Vatican and we hope 
to see the Pope.''
''That's rich,'' laughed the barber. ''You and a 
million other people 
trying to see him. He'll look the size
  of an ant. Boy, good luck on 
this lousy trip of yours. You're 
going to need it.''
A month later, the man again came in for his 
regular haircut. The 
barber asked him about his trip to 
Rome.
''It was wonderful,'' explained the man, ''not only were we on time in 
one of TWA's brand new planes, but it was overbooked and they bumped 
us up to first class. The food and wine were wonderful, and I had a 
beautiful 28 year old stewardess who waited on me hand and 
foot.
And the hotel-it was great! They'd just finished a $25 million 
remodeling job and now it's the finest hotel in the city. They, too, 
were 
overbooked, so they apologized and gave us the presidential 
suite at no 
extra charge!''
''Well,'' muttered the barber, ''I 
know you didn't get to see the 
pope.''
''Actually, we were quite 
lucky, for as we toured the Vatican, a Swiss 
Guard tapped me on the 
shoulder and explained that the pope likes to 
personally me
 et some of the visitors, and if I'd be so kind as to step 
into 
his private room and wait the pope would personally greet me. Sure 
enough, five minutes later the pope walked through the door and shook 
my hand! I knelt down as he spoke a few words to me.''
''Really?'' 
asked the Barber. ''What'd he say?''
He said, ''Where'd you get 
the lousy haircut?