* don't know if this has been posted before.

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Three contractors are bidding to fix the White House fence. One from the
Philippines, another from Mexico and an American. They go with a White
House official to examine the fence.

The American contractor takes out a tape measure and does some measuring,
then works some figures with a pencil. "Well," he says. "I figure the job
will run about $900: $400 for materials, $400 for my crew and $100 profit
for me."

The Mexican contractor also does some measuring and figuring, then says, "I
can do it for $700: $300 for materials, $300 for my crew and $100 profit for
me."

The Filipino contractor doesn't measure or figure, but leans over to the White
House official and whispers: "$2,700." The official, incredulous, says, "
What? You didn't even measure like the other guys! How did you come up with
such a high figure?" "Easy," the Pinoy explains, "$1,000 for you, $1,000 for
me and we hire the guy from Mexico".