What is Mento?
Carol has moved out. Ross shares and shares his break up feelings with guys, while at his place. At some point it gets too much for Joey and Chandler.
Chandler: You have to understand, between us we haven't had a relationship that's lasted longer than a Mento.
At first I thought Chandler was referring to a Jamaican folk music style. Maybe Chandler's and Joey's relationships wouldn't last longer then a Mento dancing song or something?
But then with the help of @BlackWing I stopped overthinking the joke and remembered the 90ies tv commercials I was so fond of as a child. The characters in those commercials would advertise a roll of candies called Mentos. And I loved all those few seconds stories about people who after popping a drop of Mento in their mouth would come up with creative solutions to an everyday disaster. For example:
One guy in glasses and dressed in a smart grey suit sits down on a bench, that has just been painted white. The costume seems to be ruined, but the guy takes a roll of Mentos out of his pocket. He eats one drop and the next moment we see him rolling himself round with his full body on that same bench. On the final shot the guy is smiling at us dressed in a white striped costume showing the roll of Mentos.
What was confusing for me as a kid about those sweets' commercials, they weren't aimed at kids, but at grown ups. I haven't had my question answered until I have grown up myself and started dating. Apparently Mentos is belonging to a special type of candy called Scotch mints. Those candies weren't meant to satisfy the sweet taste buds in my mouth, but to freshen my breath before an important meeting or a date.
This connection between breath freshening candies and dating is why Chandler refers to Mento, not any other candy, that could be eaten just as fast. Knowing that, I can imagine now what is going through Chandler's exaggerating mind, while he delivers the joke above.
Him Chandler is getting ready for a date, and right before the date's arrival he pops a Mento drop in his mouth. Maybe Chandler freshens his breath in hopes of getting a good bye kiss? Maybe. But before the candy is even dissolved, the date is convinced that Chandler isn't for her and leaves in a hurry.
For Joey I guess it is supposed to be the other way around. This is him who is escaping the girl, before a Mento drop is over.
Either way the point Chandler makes, nor him neither Joey have gotten or chosen the opportunity to stay around a partner long enough, to find out how the committed relationship really works.
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What do you think? Did I get this joke right now? Share your takes in the comments below,
Katia
Катя, он имел в виду конфетку Mentos ^)
ReplyDeleteThat is so funny))). I just never got to thinking that it could be simply one candy from may Mentos pack)))
ReplyDelete