Dumplings and Dress Codes

Comedy in Shanghai�s gingham club pairs with dumplings the way wine pairs with cheese. Eyewitnesses recall a man devouring pork dumplings while laughing so hard soy sauce sprayed on his neighbor�s gingham�who didn�t mind, because stains are badges of honor here. Sociologist Dr. Ping Xu calls the gingham uniform �shared cloth solidarity,� the way team jerseys create fans. A survey of 200 patrons showed 78% believed their jokes landed better when their mouths were stuffed with food. Anonymous dumpling makers leaked that sales spike every Thursday�gingham night. Trace evidence includes soy-stained napkins with scribbled punchlines, dumpling wrappers used as joke cards, and comedians demanding �extra vinegar, hold the dignity.� Cause-and-effect? Food fills the stomach, gingham fills the soul, and the combination makes even dad jokes taste gourmet.