Diplomacy is the cornerstone of foreign policy. The relationship between countries can be fragile, but diplomatic exchanges foster valuable insight into each other's cultures, bring to light areas of mutual cooperation to achieve common interests, and forge stronger economic and political ties. However, when two countries cannot reach an agreement on an area of conflict and the stronger country will sometimes jettison diplomacy and pull out their big stick.

Quote of the Week

Metro:
Tourist dad talking to kids after a day of museum and monument hopping.
Dad: "So, what did you kids learn today?"
Kid #1: "Nothing"
Dad: "Really? But we went to the Air and Space museum, WWII Memorial...[continues on with list of museums]"
Kid #2: "Um, I learned that other countries better listen to us or we'll bomb them"

After the jump, signs of a bad first date, the best tourist attraction in D.C., and the Pentagon geography bee.

It's chilly and rainy outside. How about sitting down in a coffee shop to eavesdrop on the conversations of others? Send what you hear to overheardindc (at) gmail (dot) com.

Image posted to DCist photos by Flickr user maxedaperture, under a Creative Commons license.

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Slow learner?

18th Street, Adams Morgan:
Guy: "Yeah, it took me till I was about 30 until I learned that you really can't jump a parking meter without spraining your ankle"

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As a matter of fact, I think it's where they're filming MTV Spring Break next year.

Near Courthouse Metro in Arlington:
20-something girl to other 20-something girl: "Yeah, nothing says Spring Break like going to Bosnia."

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It's kind of like the stuff they removed from your brain.

Matchbox
A complete tool and unlucky girl are on apparent first date. They somehow get on conversation about plastic surgery, breast size, and breast reductions.
Tool: "I mean, what do they do, what are they taking out? Fluid?"
Girl: [Silence]
Tool: "I mean, it's kind of gross, what is it, flesh?"
Girl: [Silence]
Tool: "Egh, I don't understand . . ."
Girl: "You know, I had a breast reduction."
Tool: "Well, uh, they look good to me."

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Forget spending the money on new monuments -- invest in more escalators!

Gallery Place:
Midwest family walks into Gallery Place. Mom turns to husband and kids and with a big grin, claps her hands excitedly and exclaims, "Yeah, guys, escalators!!"

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Let's check back with them the next morning and see if they still feel that way.

Adams Mill
Two guys at adjacent urinals. One says to the other: "Not eating tonight was definitely a good call."

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Oh, I don't know...you could try taking THE BUS!

Wilson High School:
Two high school girls (juniors or seniors) were parking their car on Chesapeake St., N.W. along the north side of the high school's property. For some reason they were dressed in retro '80s outfits from the 'Facts of Life.'
Driver: "This is so infuriating! We'll have to, like, feed the meter after every period."

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Isn't hijacking the lesser of plane-related terrorist problems nowadays?

Nats game, RFK Stadium:
Alabamian #1: "I came up with the solution to plane hijackings in the 70s: fly every plane at 10,000 feet, and let everyone carry on hand guns."
Alabamian #2: "No, have the stewardesses pass 'em out as you get on."
Alabamian #1: "There ya go. Mutually Assured Destruction."

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And that's just the way to find one, too!

18th Street:
Two young, drunk Indian girls pass by a group of guys hanging out in front of a bar.
Girl #1: "Oooh look, Indian boys...I think they're Indian. Are they Indian?"
Girl #2: "I don't know."
Girl #1: "Come on, let's go talk to them."
Girl #2: "Why?"
Girl #1: "I need a husband."

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Knowledge of geography is apparently not a requirement of employment at the Pentagon.

Pentagon:
Following a massive pizza party...
Enlisted Soldier: "Sir, do you know what sardines look like?"
Officer: [bewildered pause] "Uhhhh, yeah... why?"
Enlisted Soldier: "This pizza box has 'Sardinia' written on it and I don't want sardines on my pizza. It has white meat on it that looks like chicken, though."
Officer: "Sardinia has nothing to do with sardines. It's just the name of the pizza. They name their pizzas after locations. Sardinia is a small island off the coast of India."