A young man about to go on his first date asks his father for advice.
"What should I talk about?"
"Son, there are three subjects that always work: food, family, and philosophy."
The boy picks up his date and they go to a soda fountain. Ice cream sodas in front of them, they stare at each other for a long time, as the boy's nervousness builds. Recalling his father's advice he says, "Do you like potato pancakes?"
His date replies, "No" and the silence returns.
"Uhhhh ... do you have a brother?"
"No." More silence.
"Well, then ... if you had a brother, would he like potato pancakes?"