When Laughter Is The Cultural Divide

America often boasts as being the melting pot, yet there cultural differences when it comes to humor. On Saturday August 22, 2015, a book club group made up of eleven African American women purchased tickets for a food and wine excursion on the luxurious Napa wine train. Like the other passengers, the women were served wine and cheese, laughed and chatted in between while enjoying good companionship amongst the group; that was until the train arrived in St. Helena You see where this is going, right? So apparently, passengers complained (as far as they know it was one or more) to the staff that the women were excessively loud with laughter and the other passengers found it disturbing. The women, whose ages ranged from thirty- something to eighty-three years of age, were confronted by a staff person to keep their levels down but when their laughter continued they were confronted by a female passenger aboard the train who scoffed stating, “This is not a bar.” Okay? After the second warning, when the train arrived in St. Helen, when the women were met by the local police who escorted them from the train. We are a diverse culture too often divided by class, culture and community. But now and then we will find ourselves in a blended situation coming together for a common experience; in this case it was for wine, cheese and a wonderful 18 mile scenic ride on the Wine train through Napa. What they did not have in common was a motivation of joy, fellowship and welcoming. But what was unique about this story, is that the Sisters of Reading Edge book club stepped off that train with dignity and continued to laugh. They did not let a woman with her britches in a bundle (if you can just imagine that they were way up her crotch) spoil their mood. What is fun and humorous to one culture or class may not be to another, but that should not prevent others the right to enjoy themselves and get a little bit loosey- goosey after a couple of glasses of wine. Just check out the smiling faces of the faces of the Sisters of Reading Edge. Keeping with the humorous mood, they continued to laugh about the situation not allowing the miserable Ms. Snooty Booty spoil the day. No guessing that this group consisted of women with healthy attitudes; why else would the eldest be eight-three years young? That’s what good living and a good sense of humor will do for you.