Humor and corruption

Today, a friend of mine told me this joke.  When I re-told it to my wife, she didn't laugh.  When I re-told it to a few co-workers, they cracked up...

A butcher walks into a barber shop and gets a hair cut.  Its a particularly good cut, and when he's done, the butcher asks the barber, "how much for the cut?"  The barber refuses to take any money and says "don't worry, we're both tradesmen, maybe one day I'll be in need of your services."  With that, the butcher thanks the barber and leaves.  The next morning, the barber comes to work to find an assortment of fine cuts of meat on his doorstep - a thank you from the butcher.

A few days later, a florist stops in for a hair cut.  After the barber is done, the florist asks, "how much for the cut?"  The barber, similarly, refuses to take any money.  He tells the florist that the cut is on him, and maybe one day he'll be in need of a florist.  The florist thanks the barber and walks out of the shop.  The next morning, the barber arrives at work to find the entire inside of the barber shop adorned with the most beautiful, fragrant flower arrangements.

A few days later, the barber is giving the policeman a hair cut.  The barber takes his time and makes sure to give the officer a particularly handsome hair cut.  When the policeman gets up to pay, the barber won't take his money.  The barber thanks the officer and says, "I appreciate your profession, and maybe one day I'll need a friend in your business"  The cop smiles and thanks the barber, leaving with a spring in his step. 

The next morning, the barber arrives at work and finds ten cops waiting in line for a free haircut!