Because our comics make us laugh, we hold them in high esteem and are willing to pay them well. Indeed they play an important role in our lives. Humor is so important, comedians, like Bob Hope and Phylis Diller, are in great demand. An experiment was made to see how well people reacted to Bob Hope. He walked out on stage and said nothing but "Hello". The crowd roared!
Why do we need to laugh? Have you noticed that after a time of somber activity, we will burst out in laughter at the slightest provocation? Sometimes there is really no humor in what we are laughing about. We just have to laugh. It is one of many way to build endorphins, which give one a feeling of exhilaration.
I would like to share some of the humor of mine and my husband's travel adventures -- to laugh at ourselves. Many of these happened while on cruises, our favorite vacation.
Once, we had almost finished breakfast, when I asked my husband to excuse me as I needed to hurry back to our cabin. I scurried to the deck below, down the corridor, unlocked the door and hurried to the bathroom. On the way I noticed a stack of brochures which I assumed the cabin steward had left. Taking them to the bathroom to read, I thought, "Thank God, I remembered to bring my glasses." As I undressed and seated myself, I looked at the brochures which I planned to read while in the bathroom. Then, I caught something out of the corner of my eye, that seemed not quite right. Lou doesn't have a stripped shaving kit and I know he didn't bring his blow dryer. Then my eye caught another unfamiliar sight. The brochure said Cabin E-47. Oh, my God, this is not our cabin. Our cabin number is E-45. Obviously the key fits all cabins! In a frenzy, I jerked on my clothes, darted out the door, peering this way and that, hoping no one had seen me come in. The coast was clear. but oh, I left my glasses in the bathroom! I stood there wondering if I dare to take the chance of going back for them. If I didn't, whoever was assigned that cabin would know someone had intruded. I hurriedly ran back inside and retrieved my glasses from the bathroom, not stopping to lock the door. I rang the bell to our cabin. My surprised husband gasped, "I thought you were in the bathroom. I had to get the cabin steward to let me in. I assumed you did not hear me knock. Where have you been?" By this time I am in utter hysteria, shaking with laughter and embarrassment as I recounted my experience. We hoped that the untidy condition of the invaded cabin did not diminish the cabin steward's tip.
As if we had not laughed enough for one day, later as we were playing cards just outside the tea room where the waiters were preparing the midnight buffet, a line was forming to partake of the delectable cuisine. One gentleman with a barrel-like tummy ballooning out over his waist band turned to his obese companion and said, "Look at all them turkeys in this line, waiting to gobble up all the food."
Another incident involved a Caribbean Cruise. We settled into our cabin and searched for the ice bucket. There was none that we could see. I phoned the cabin steward and asked where it might be. While unpacking I called out to Lou, "The cabin steward says it is directly under the lavatory." Rather than to ring for the cabin steward a second time, Lou proceeded to the coffee shop to have them fill the ice bucket. As he took his place in line for service, he noticed several men snickering as they stared at him. As he handed the container to the waiter, he asked what might be so funny. Reaching over and taking the utensil while trying hard to hide his own need to laugh, the waiter blurted out, "This is a sanitary napkin receptacle, sir."
The following incident happened on the French island of Martinique. We decided to take a taxi to the rain forest. As we passed a bus stop, on our way, three men waiting for a bus, turned and waved to us with their one free hand as they relieved themselves by the side of the highway. It was quite a long drive to the rain forest and my husband asked the driver to please stop at the next rest room. Smiling amiably the driver retorted, "Where do you think you are, America? We have no such luxuries here. You will have to take care of nature's call just the same as those men by the side of the highway at the bus stop." My husband who wouldn't be caught dead exposing himself in public, even if that is the price one pays for privacy on Martinique, protested, "No way. I must have privacy." Pulling to the curb, the driver motioned to the dense forested area on our right. Reluctantly, Lou headed for the most dense spot he could find. We were horrified when my husband returned to the cab, as our driver watching in his rear view mirror, announced, "I hope you didn't encounter any snakes up there. This area is noted for them."
Sharing our adventures, reminds me of a story I heard recently. While in the car, Hilda and her husband, Carl were having one of their usual tiffs. "Pull over and let me out. I will not ride one block further with a lunkhead like you," Hilda ordered. Carl pulled over to the curb and motioned to her to get out. Hilda opened the door and quickly jumped back in before Carl could take off. "Take me to a better part of town!" she demanded. They laughed so hard, it ended the dispute.
I hope the sharing of some humor in our lives has helped to make you laugh and possibly boost your endorphins.
Audrey Craft Davis lives with her husband in Seminole. She is author of a new book, "Metaphysical Techniques That Really Work". She also holds workshops and seminars, and has appeared on TV. (813) 391-6836