>From: oads

>I'm tired of going to peoples homes for a party and seeing those stupid
>sausage
>weenies and tiny little cereal bowls of Guacamole enough for 4 people at a
>party for 30, in an apartment that can hold 18. The bad taste people have is
>unbelievable. One bottle of wine. No napkins,or ice, cheap paper plates that
>bend and cups that are either too big or too small..cheap Dip they bought at
>the store. The list is unending. Here's a tip. DON'T throw a party if you
>can't
>afford to throw a party. And if you do, get MORE than enough for everyone. Or
>better yet ....cater it. Merry Xmas

You know what? Some of the complaints you have are shared by myself as well.

It's not that there isn't enough food/drink to go around...there isn't enough
to go around for two people, let alone 30, In my years of wedding
consultation, it didn't matter what one served...be it cake and punch or a 7
course meal....there should always be enough each person to have at least
something to eat/drink.

I'll defend the host's right to serve cocktail weenies and storebought dip as
long as there was enough to go around. Just don't eat it if it's not to your
liking, but who knows, after some Blush Wine out of the Box it might look
tempting.

As another poster suggested, BYOB. Not sure if I agree or disagree with that.
Depends on the host I reckon. Some might not give it a second thought, others
might be highly offended. You could start a trend out there on the left coast,
and wear a stylish water bottle caddy toting your own brand of water. Heh!
Think of the conversation that would ensue. "Distilled?" "No, Reverse Osmosis
with a dash of RNA." "Ah, I prefer the flavor and body of Glacier myself." "Oh
no, far too many minerals for my delicate system. I prefer ionized, purified
and triple oxygenated." ...and so on.

Paper Plates....ah well, not my favorite, but there is an upside to them. If
the food stinks you can casually find a trash bin and discreetly shove the
entire thing in it, without having to go to the trouble of scraping a real
plate and calling attention to oneself. Heh. Can you tell I attend my MIL's
parties and got my system down? If it doesn't come out of a freezer bag, can or
box it doesn't get served at one of her social events. *sigh*

As for inviting more than can be accomodated. Often the best laid plans go
awry. Many holiday parties are to be held like an Open House. You drop by, say
hello, have a glass of cheer and go your Merry Way. Sounds like everyone either
showed up at the same time OR was having so much fun they didn't want to leave.
Bear in mind that the Host may have been as surprised and dismayed as yourself,
had already run out of food/bev/ice before you arrived and was doing the best
he/she could. Extenuating circumstances do have to be taken into consideration.
That being said, don't be the one to open the door to the deck/balcony!

Remember that some people consider a party nothing more than what it was in
College....opening the door to ones abode and letting it "happen" naturally.

Happy Horrordays,
Ellen

>>From: oads
>
>>I'm tired of going to peoples homes for a party and seeing those stupid
>>sausage
>>weenies and tiny little cereal bowls of Guacamole enough for 4 people at a
>>party for 30, in an apartment that can hold 18. The bad taste people have is
>>unbelievable. One bottle of wine. No napkins,or ice, cheap paper plates that
>>bend and cups that are either too big or too small..cheap Dip they bought at
>>the store. The list is unending. Here's a tip. DON'T throw a party if you
>>can't
>>afford to throw a party. And if you do, get MORE than enough for everyone. Or
>>better yet ....cater it. Merry Xmas

Go find a better class of friends. I've *never* been to an event
remotely like what you describe, much less often enough to complain
about a whole class of 'entertaining'. I've been to many where I have
no idea what the host supplied, because others brought stuff. I've
been to BYOB (of hard liquor) where mixers, beer, and soft drinks were
supplied (and ice and glasses and napkins and paper plates).

Teach 'em by throwing your own party with all the features you desire.
There's nothing like competition within a group for upping the tone.

As discussed endlessly here, there is a place (and time and income
level) for elaborate sit-down dinners, and times and places when/where
just gathering out of the cold with a cup of coffee and a store-bought
cookie is appreciated.

A party for 30 in an apt. that can only hold 18 is usually pretty
lively. Better than the reverse. :-)

On Mon, 22 Dec 2003 15:28:49 GMT, Frogleg > wrote:

>Teach 'em by throwing your own party with all the features you desire.
>There's nothing like competition within a group for upping the tone.

That can actually work against you. I've had people tell me they
didn't like to have me over because they were afraid I would critique
the meal. Unfortunately they were right. <EG> Not because of the
money they spend, but the thought they put into the event. I
mentioned my brother and SIL in another post in this thread. I enjoy
them boatloads, and even had them at the midwest cook-in a few months
ago, but they shouldn't entertain. A few years ago they had a
birthday party in early December. Half of the 20+ guests were
smokers. The "Hosts" (along with most people I know) don't smoke in
their house, so due to rain/sleet/snow we went to an unattached
garage. The wood burning stove was not lit. Light bulbs were burnt
out. Lawn equipment was blocking the doors, and the floor was
blessed with dog shit. Am I wrong for judging them? <G>


Gar

On Tue, 23 Dec 2003 16:19:47 -0600, Gar <> wrote:

>On Mon, 22 Dec 2003 15:28:49 GMT, Frogleg > wrote:
>
>>Teach 'em by throwing your own party with all the features you desire.
>>There's nothing like competition within a group for upping the tone.
>
>That can actually work against you. I've had people tell me they
>didn't like to have me over because they were afraid I would critique
>the meal. Unfortunately they were right. <EG>

Well, I wasn't thinking of a full-blown catered buffet and open bar in
response to a small bowl of guacamole and no napkins. More in the line
of enough of whatever he choose to serve, with decent supplies of
napkins, ice, etc. Just upping the ante a bit, although I doubt the
situation can be *quite* as bad as he describes. Best to lead by
example.

A friend well-experienced in (pretty impressive) entertaining cannot
*bear* paper plates and plastic utensils, so she shops Goodwill and
the like for metal flatware, ceramic plates, and cloth napkins.
Doesn't matter if they don't match. And there's *always* plenty of
food. :-)

On Wed, 24 Dec 2003 14:05:17 GMT, Frogleg > wrote:


>A friend well-experienced in (pretty impressive) entertaining cannot
>*bear* paper plates and plastic utensils, so she shops Goodwill and
>the like for metal flatware, ceramic plates, and cloth napkins.
>Doesn't matter if they don't match.

What a great idea!

> And there's *always* plenty of
>food. :-)

I think that's the main point the OP was making. I still don't
understand why he's getting so much shit. I and my circle of friends
would be mortified if we had planned so poorly there wasn't enough
food. Even if it was Domino's pizza. <gasp>

Gar

Gar <fagboy> writes:
>
>What a great idea!

What, Snot's porno videos, to help pay the rent?


---= BOYCOTT FRENCH--GERMAN (belgium) =---
---= Move UNITED NATIONS To Paris =---
Sheldon
````````````
"Life would be devoid of all meaning were it without tribulation."

> I still don't
>understand why he's getting so much shit. I

#############
Because they area bunch of assholes. And thats what you get out of
assholes....shit. And in this case white trash shit. BG

BillKirch > whined in message
...
> > I still don't understand why he's getting so much shit.
>
> Because I'm an asshole. And thats what you get out of an
> asshole....shit. And in this case white trash shit. BG

You were staring at your reflection to long and missed a few keystrokes.
Your entry's more accurate now.

The Ranger

>Paper Plates....ah well, not my favorite, but there is an upside to them.

################
Paper plates are fine. I said "cheap" paper plates the kind that bend and
spill> BG

>Yeah, well, there's a reason why complaining in public about hospitality
>you're
>received is considered bad etiquette and not a good idea.

#############
Weenie server. BG

>Paper plates are fine. I said "cheap" paper plates the kind that bend and
>spill> BG

From your OP I didn't think there was enough food there for that to be a
problem. If you could see that there was not enough food for everyone why did
you pig out?
~Kat


"I think I would like to call myself 'the girl who wanted to be God'. Yet if I
were not in this body, where would I be--perhaps I am destined to be classified
and qualified. But, oh, I cry out aginst it." --Sylvia Plath

> If you could see that there was not enough food for everyone why did
>you pig out?

###############
Who said I pigged out? Some of you people are making up stuff I NEVER said. Why
don't you go back and read the original post again. IF you read it the first
time. BG

>You're obviously way behind in your ingrate training.

############
Ungrateful???? for crackers and TINY pieces of cheese. BG

Jarkat2002 > asked in message
...
> >Paper plates are fine. I said "cheap" paper plates the kind that
> >bend and spill> BG
> >
> From your OP I didn't think there was enough food there for that
> to be a problem. If you could see that there was not enough food
> for everyone why did you pig out?

Don't make him confused; he'll have to fluff up some more fake info and keep
track of that!

The Ranger

I can remember a time
preparing all the snacks and goodies for a party,
when my teen-age son remarked;
"Why don't WE ever get this kind of food"

????
<rj>

"<RJ>" > wrote in message
...
> I can remember a time
> preparing all the snacks and goodies for a party,
> when my teen-age son remarked;
> "Why don't WE ever get this kind of food"
>

That reminds me of the old saying:
"Treat you family like guests and your guests like family."