The Political System Is A (Blonde) Joke

(The year is 2008. I am an American English teaching assistant in Austria, and the U.S. is holding presidential elections. I am trying to explain the electoral college system to a group of 17 female students. I think I have developed the perfect example:)

Me: “Let’s divide the students into blondes and brunettes.”

(The students divide into two groups: one with 7 blondes and one with 10 brunettes.)

Me: “Now, we’re voting for the president.”

(In my scenario, one of the blondes votes for candidate A, and six vote for candidate B. Seven of the brunettes vote for candidate A, and three vote for candidate B. That means candidate A wins the electoral vote (based on relative population), but the popular vote was for candidate B with nine votes for candidate B vs. eight total for candidate A. I’m very proud of myself for setting up this little demonstration until student #1 chimes in:)

Student: “But… but… don’t they know in America whether you’re blonde or brunette, and couldn’t you just dye your hair for the election?”

(Student was NOT blonde!)