The Forbidden Laugh

Usually the forbidden laugh will burst out unexpectedly at the most inconvenient time. Perhaps an unidentified 'noise' echoes throughout the pews at your great-grandfather's funeral... or a distant tone-deaf cousin sings the Lord's prayer at a already tacky wedding. However and whenever it comes, the 'victim' is often caught off-guard by this sudden burst of laughter and must then compose his/herself and provide some sort of explanation for this unseeming outburst.
My recent episode was at a bridal shower... it was very touching as each guest offered up a prayer for the bride-to-be, however it would soon turn 'sour'. There's always one in every crowd. You know the kind that manage to squeeze their entire life story into a public prayer? " God, you know that I just got all A's on my mid-terms and I'm in a really tough relationship... bless the bride and groom... AMEN." Is this hysterical or what!?! I've come up with a few coping mechanisms.

1. Stare at the floor!

2. Do not make eye contact. It's too risky, if you were to glance at anyone who is finding this episode equally funny, it's over.

3. Think of something sad. I know it sounds horrible, but when you're desperate, there are no limits!

4. If you're to the point of tears streaming down your bright red face... simply turn it into a good cry. The person offering the prayer would much prefer bringing you to tears than laughter.

5. Bolt! If all else fails, leave the scene. People can reach their own conclusions.

Comments

AmyB said…
Jess, love reading your posts...I just reread all the "things that make you feel fat" comments was already laughing pretty hard. Now I'm really laughing hard, 'cause yeah, we've all been there. Sisters are the worst, I don't dare look at a sister sharing in the humor 'cause yeah, it's all over.
Katherine M. said…
Hey Jessica, I missed seeing you today. I hope you are feeling well. You are a funny girl. Your posts often make me laugh. Love you!
Billie said…
It's really bad sitting next to my crazy brother at church...like the Christmas Eve service and he does something real out of control (but quietly so I am the only one who knows about it) and then I start to giggle to myself and make the HUGE mistake of then looking at him and his shoulders are bouncing up and down and he is laughing even harder at his accomplishments and I am then done. And wouldn't you know, he has himself all under control in time for no one to notice while I am still trying to catch my breath. He (CLAY) is the worst! I am sure some of you have experienced this from him before.
Michelle said…
Similarly, I was at a volunteer training session and this lady KEPT interrupting the girl and asking these SILLY questions and then re-asking them in different ways. It was so over the top. About the 8th time she did this I happened to glance over and make eye contact with a girl sitting near me and we both lost it. hehe.
Michelle said…
I ditto Catherine's request, no, demand that Beka start a blog immediately. I recently sat next to her at a public event and found that she made it quite an enjoyable 20 minutes.
Wendy said…
Jessica,

Where is Bek? What's up with her? I was so glad to see some comments from her. Tell her hi from me!!

Love you too friend...
Anonymous said…
my sister is trying to be ambiguous. I too was it the same Bridal Shower, and well was attacked by the forbidden laugh throughout the event. It was a tea party, a lovely dainty tea party with finger food, overly polite chit chat... and of course... the random 16 yr old daughter of Aunt Mary who has awaited this party for months and spent that time digging through her costume closet for every possible piece of ancient artifact that might remotely qualify for "tea party". We're talking satin, elbow length gloves, tiara, broach, sequined necklace, black and white full length matador skirt (hmmm), with split pea soup colored top (a bit too fitted, she's no small girl) ... hot pink wet and wild lip stick, with a bushy brown bag to match her bushy brown eyebrows. She carried round her gloss... which looked more like a mysterious vile of potion, and proceeded to twist it about and set it on the table only to snatch it up with a snap of the wrist as if she were a grand master Illusionist. Yet the funniest thing was not even her costume... it was her strategically placed "catfish bangs" I like to call them. You know the completely unnatural strands of hair that fall on either side of your face like a catfish... she kept running her gloved fingers down her wisker bangs... hilarious!
Ok so, if at any point reading this comment you snickered or smiled imagine yourself in my predicament... met face to face with "Mitsy" as we called her or better yet "Midieval Times"... I am all too familiar with the forbidden laugh. Lord help me!
Jessica Rockey said…
Billie, I can imagine you getting the giggles and Clay acting like you've lost your mind! Bek used to do that to me when we were getting in trouble. She would stand behind my parents and make me laugh... then keep a straight face the whole time. Of coarse I would get in more trouble for laughing at my parents while being corrected. I still get some sort of nervous laughter whenever serious conversation is involved.
Wendy said…
Bet you weren't looking at your sister during that tea party! Funny girl! It sounds like a scene from ugly betty...maybe there were hidden tv camaras...

How you been Bekka?
Jessica Rockey said…
Bek! I was trying not to be specific! Lord! What if 'mitsy' were to wonder into the world of blogs?!? For heaven sake we have to face midieval maiden at the wedding. EVERYONE... here is a classic example of my anonymous sister calling me out on my own blog! If I get in trouble for this you're coming down with me! Start your own blog! Love you.
Anonymous said…
haha. i like being anonymous... thanks for blowing my cover....i'm not getting a blog til i get some sweet pictures of myself...

Wendy- I'm good! super busy with school, but loving it!

Everyone- I'll get on the blog wagon asap
Lizzy said…
omigosh!!! I was struck with the 'forbidden laugh' just last week at care group...isn't that so bad?! It's like I have a genetic mutation (actually, it runs in our family) that we laugh at the worst times and CANNOT stop! In fact, it gets worse the harder I try to stifle it. Anyway, I started laughing and made the HUGE mistake of making eye contact with my bro-in-law, Clay...and, boy, was THAT a mistake!!! I tried to turn it into a persistent cough, but I don't think it really worked. hmmm, perhaps next time I will try one (or more!) of your great suggestions!!
Lizzy said…
BTW, Bek, you have GOT to start a blog...I promise to visit it every day...for comedy relief!! hee hee (o;
Anonymous said…
Jessica, as Liz has already said, we Korday's can totally relate. One time, we all were eating lunch together and the phone rang, I can't remember what we were talking about before mom picked it up, but she could hardly say hello b/c she was laughing too hard and tried to give the phone to Liz. She too was laughing so hard she couldn't talk and tried handing it to J'nelle or me. The poor lady was probably wondering what in the world was going on and eventually she hung up. I love those times when you laugh so hard. I often find myself so desparate to stop laughing at a serious event that I pray really hard. See you later, Jacquelyn
Kate Thomas. said…
Sean and Beka, I have to sheild my eyes from them in moments like that! Sometime its just not looking at that really awkward person that has absolutely no clue that they are what your about to bust a gut about!

Did you get your fondue pot back? my brother Kris has it now, sory i didn't get it to you before we moved.
Catherine said…
Oh my gosh! I love it! And I am almost crying laughing so hard about the "catfish bangs"!
Jessica Rockey said…
Cath, 'catfish bangs' cracks me up everytime! Also keep a lookout for 'catfish side-burns'!

Katie, We miss seeing you guys already. How was the move? Keep us updated. No prob with the fondu pot, we'll get it from Kris.
Anonymous said…
sis- i think i started to create a blog you gotta help me get it off the ground... so i can steal all your friends, and stop using your blog as a pedestal of gut wrenching glory.. tonight?
Jessica Rockey said…
Hmm. I finish teaching at 6:30. I might go see Ms. Eva May for dinner, but I'm gonna wait n see how I'm feeling. Call me after your drum lessons.
Catherine said…
Wow! Jess giving Bekah advice on computer stuff??? Now that's different! Go Jess!

And go Bek! You already have a group of fans. And if your sis is too busy, come over this weekend :)
Lizzy said…
Yay, Bek!!! Please have Jess post a link to your new blog once it's up and running so we can all check it out!!! I am so excited! (o;
bEka said…
ok, i have no idea what i'm doing... and i don't have pictures or cool stuff YET... but i made a blog... so friend it up yall
bEka said…
my address is h0llabek.blogspot.com the "0" is the number zero as oppose to the letter O yah?
Judy said…
Ok, so I experienced the forbidden laugh last night... At a wedding, during the ceremony!!! A grandparent was reading a scripture & the way he was talking was making me feel silly. I did all I could to stifle the laughter, but to no avail... I broke down, shoulders shaking uncontrollably, gasping, sniffing, unable to breathe... I did what you recommended. I turned it into a good cry. Got a tissue out of my purse to dab my eyes. I guess people just thought the scripture really moved me. Either that, or they probably thought I was really insensitive for breaking out in a fit of laughter during a wedding ceremony. Oh yeah, sitting by other Lyman's during an episode such as this is never helpful.

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