Excerpt from Pulse of the Planet

[pope11]

Actual broadcast from Jim Metzner's Pulse of the Planet 22-Feb-01, he quotes Barry Ancelet, professor of French and Folklore at the University of Louisiana. Mr. Ancelet is talking about Cajun Mardi Gras and it's connection with tickling. The actual quote from Professor Ancelet: "In a lot of senses, Mardi Gras is a lot like tickling. When you get tickled it makes you laugh, but it makes you feel uncomfortable and you wish that wasn't being done. In a lot of ways Mardi Gras is like tickling society." - end quote. I've never quite heard of Mardi Gras being described in that way, but I'll think about it on my next visit to N'awlins.

[ticklehound]

Of all my years in S. Louisiana, I never really made the connection. I think I know why. Now that I think of it, the post talks about "Cajun Mardi Gras" which is different from the blowout extravaganza in New Orleans and the horribly failed attempts elsewhere. Cajun Mardi Gras takes place in the small towns of south Louisiana. They are more traditional and more closely knit celebrations. I don't know if this is what he means.

I think what the Prof is trying to say is that Mardi Gras evokes great joy and happiness from everyone as they just party their ass off. However, at the same time, at some point, you just want it to end because you've just had enough, for a variety of reasons -- such as exhaustion (from dancing), nausea (from drinking ), disorientation (dude, where's my car?), etc.
But it also could be from the ever-present but thankfully rare incidents of groping and other senseless acts of perversion.

Again, this is just my interpretation from my experiences with Mardi Gras.

Hound