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April Fool's Day                                 By: Eric C. Mirzaian @ Foreclosure Express (800) 616-7355

 

Do you know why you lie on April Fool's Day?

Do you know the story behind the April Fool's Day?

If you don't, then read on; and even if you do, still read on because I have an interesting and informative article for you.

 

          Fooling your client on April Fool's Day can get you in trouble.  The law will not excuse you because you fooled your client on April Fool's Day.  So, don't plan on anything that may get you in trouble.

Here is the story of April Fool's Day and I am not fooling you: The history of April Fool's day only goes back to the 16th century.  In sixteenth century France, the start of the New Year was observed on April first. It was celebrated in much the same way, as it is today with parties and dancing into the late hours of the night. Then in 1562, Pope Gregory introduced a new calendar for the Christian world, and the New Year fell on January first. There were some people, however, who hadn't heard or didn't believe the change in the date, so they continued to celebrate New Year's Day on April first. Others played tricks on them and called them "April fools." They sent them on a "fool's errand" or tried to make them believe that something false was true. In France today, April first is called "Poisson d'Avril." French children fool their friends by taping a paper fish to their friends' backs. When the "young fool" discovers this trick, the prankster yells "Poisson d’Avril!" (April Fish!)

The first of April is the day we remember what we are the other 364 days of the year.

Putting salt in the sugar bowl of your real estate office is not a nice trick to play. Real estate agents set their office clock an hour forward, so everyone thinks they are an hour late to the office or everyone leaves to their appointment an hour early. Some practical jokes are kept up the whole day before the victim realizes what day it is. Most April Fool jokes are in good fun and not meant to harm anyone. The most clever April Fool joke is the one where everyone laughs, especially the person upon whom the joke is played.  Real estate agents should try to play small tricks on friends and strangers alike on the first of April. One common trick on April Fool's Day, or All Fool's Day, is pointing down to a friend's shoe and saying, "Your shoelace is untied." Teachers in the nineteenth century used to say to pupils, "Look! A flock of geese!" and point up.  Agents might tell their partner agent that their appointment has been canceled. Whatever the trick, if the innocent victim falls for the joke the prankster yells, "April Fool! "

Anyone who plays a mean trick is just being mean. For the rest of us, April Fool's Day is a challenging game of trickery; a day set aside to play small, clever tricks on people.  A real April Fool's trick takes thought, creativity, timing, and a bit of acting. Your trick must be harmless, your victim must believe you, and your trickery must make your victim smile when you shout "April Fool's!" Otherwise, it does not qualify as an April Fool's Day trick.  April Fools' Day should not be a day to play nasty jokes on unsuspecting victims. One must remember the difference between a good joke and a bad one.  Overall April Fools' Day is a day in which everyone can have a lot of fun pulling pranks.

©Copyright 2000, by: Eric C. Mirzaian

 

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