Tourist Had to Get It Off Her Chest: ‘Dalai Lama’ Was Sgt. Bilko
A Chinese soldier in Tibet who tried to tear off a British woman’s “Sergeant Bilko” T-shirt has become the first known case of someone mistaking Phil Silvers for the Dalai Lama.
As Kris Tait, 25, described the scene to British newspapers today, a large crowd of Tibetans apparently agreed with him about a likeness between the late American comedian and Tibet’s exiled god-king.
Tait said she was in the town of Gyangste when a soldier noticed the shirt. She said that as he tried to rip it off, a crowd of Tibetans gathered, pointing at the portrait and chanting “Dalai Lama!”
The tourist said she wrenched free and fled to find a change of clothes.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
