Allow me to hijack this thread even before I've read the rest of the
responses to it and ask:

If you're going to a party given by a non-foodie or someone you know
doesn't have the basics of entertaining down, what can you bring that
will be appreciated and will improve matters? I'm thinking that any
elaborate hot dish won't do the trick. It would have to be something
relatively simple, ample and appealing to people who don't eat well the
rest of the time. Maybe a tray with lots of fresh fruits all cut up
beautifully, or a selection of home made dips? Or skip the food and
bring a guitar if you know how to play?


What, besides food, makes a great party? And what makes a bad one? I
can imagine being in a bad mood too if I'd attended a crowded party with
bad food, a lot of people I didn't know and nothing in the way of
entertainment to help me break the ice.


For me, the problem wouldn't be with the food, it would be with my own
difficulty in starting a conversation. I'm great about introducing
myself and saying something pleasant about the food or asking someone to
dance or asking normal questions about how people like living in the
city we all live in. But if the food is horrible, and it is too noisy
and crowded to talk or dance, I run out of conversation starters and can
never get the volume right. (Do I yell because it is too noisy? That's
hard when I'm meeting someone for the first time. Do I try to run off
to somewhere quieter? That's not exactly easy with a new acquaintance
either.) I find myself standing staring into space with a soggy glass
of lemonade and a potato chip. In other words, what do you do to
improve a bad party once you're there? (That's a serious, non-sarcastic
question. I believe I'm fairly good at improving situations but not great.)


--Lia



BillKirch wrote:
> 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

Julia Altshuler > writes:

>Allow me to hijack this thread even before I've read the rest of the
>responses to it and ask:
>
>If you're going to a party given by a non-foodie or someone you know
>doesn't have the basics of entertaining down, what can you bring that
>will be appreciated and will improve matters? I'm thinking that any
>elaborate hot dish won't do the trick. It would have to be something
>relatively simple, ample and appealing to people who don't eat well the
>rest of the time. Maybe a tray with lots of fresh fruits all cut up
>beautifully, or a selection of home made dips? Or skip the food and
>bring a guitar if you know how to play?
>
>
>What, besides food, makes a great party? And what makes a bad one? I
>can imagine being in a bad mood too if I'd attended a crowded party with
>bad food, a lot of people I didn't know and nothing in the way of
>entertainment to help me break the ice.
>
>
>For me, the problem wouldn't be with the food, it would be with my own
>difficulty in starting a conversation. I'm great about introducing
>myself and saying something pleasant about the food or asking someone to
>dance or asking normal questions about how people like living in the
>city we all live in. But if the food is horrible, and it is too noisy
>and crowded to talk or dance, I run out of conversation starters and can
>never get the volume right. (Do I yell because it is too noisy? That's
>hard when I'm meeting someone for the first time. Do I try to run off
>to somewhere quieter? That's not exactly easy with a new acquaintance
>either.) I find myself standing staring into space with a soggy glass
>of lemonade and a potato chip. In other words, what do you do to
>improve a bad party once you're there? (That's a serious, non-sarcastic
>question. I believe I'm fairly good at improving situations but not great.)


You've reminded me of why I turn down invites to "parties". If there'll be
more than two dozen attendees I tend to decline. An evening of utter
chaos/superficiality is a total waste of my time. I much prefer small/intimate
groups where conversation is meaningful. I refuse to compete with megawatt
sound systems in near total darkness, and mingling meaninglessly with screaming
mimi morons whose stench from chronic BO is inescapable... talk about scanty
provisons... who can eat with the odor of sweaty pits and unwashed crotch
wafting about so thick you can cut it with a knife... the reek of parties is so
reminiscent of those long ago times when I toured Italy.




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

On Mon, 22 Dec 2003 13:43:48 GMT, Julia Altshuler
> wrote:

>Allow me to hijack this thread even before I've read the rest of the
>responses to it and ask:

NO-NO! It's Bills thread, let him dig himself out!! <just kidding>

>If you're going to a party given by a non-foodie or someone you know
>doesn't have the basics of entertaining down, what can you bring that
>will be appreciated and will improve matters?

A sense of humor, A few doobies, and a large bag of stale Doritos.

>What, besides food, makes a great party?

Games that stimulate conversation.

> And what makes a bad one.

Bad food and loud music. A dirty house probably tops the list though.


Gar