Man is a social animal. Often times, our actions tend to place the emphasis on the "animal" part rather than the "social" aspect. But hey, we are what we are! The degree of sophistication that we display when in a social gathering, goes miles in leaving a lasting impression on our guests. We may never know or often times, we least expect every
insignificant action or gesture that we make to be noticed and thereby be judged on what kind of person we are. That doesn't mean we have to be conscious of every little thing that we do, we'll tend to end up looking like Mr. Bean. Bad image, huh!
Now then, what makes us good party people? I see those hands raised up saying "dance", "alcohol control", "conversation skills" and all. And yes, you all are right. However, The mother of all party rules and easily the most important thing to be while at a party is, sauve and sophisticated. The mantra is to be cool and relaxed and display your best behavior. When I say cool, I do not mean that you go dressed like P.Diddy or Chris Brown and flaunt a fake "wannabe" attitude. Nope! nada! You score a Big O, daddyio!
Being cool means, being yourself. Don't get flustered, don't get worked up, be yourself and the world will lap it up. From personal experience, and more from passive observations, allow me to present to you a list of common faux pas!
1. Feel the pulse of the party. Not just the music, but the crowd. Its good to be noticed, but its BAD to stand out! Dress appropriately. Colors are your choice, but the style that you wear should not make people assume that you are the resident clown from the circus in town
2. You may be in Gangster's Paradise, but if your comm skills are not on the same page as the majority of the guest list, you best beat a hasty retreat sonny! The chics are not gonna dig it, if you're in your best Versace or Diesel and don't know how to pronounce hors d'oeuvres.
3. If you're nervous about walking up to talk to the cute girl sitting across the room, don't be hasty. Calm down, have a sip of your drink, and please.. for god's sake, do NOT put on a swagger. Seek permission before your intrude on their solitude.
4. Remember, a party is not your excuse to get drunk for free. It is a showcase; a pedestal where you present yourself to all and sundry. Nurse your drink, don't gulp. Do not freak when someone asks you, "What's your poison?" they just want to know what you drink.
5. Cocktail parties are black-tie events. You are expected to order a cocktail that doesn't get you worked up. Being sober at these events is the mantra. When in doubt, please order Orange Juice.
6. Do not overload your plate with starters. They are just that - starters. The meal will follow soon. Oh yes, please, do not speak with your mouth full of food. Nobody wants to be on the receiving end of a grub-storm.
7. Chivalry may no longer be appreciated by some independant women. Nevertheless, be the gentleman and open the door for the ladies, pull out the chairs for them, and never ask them their age. You will walk away with an invisible scar.
8. Be kind to the service staff. They are being paid to serve you, agreed. But, they are still human and have their own dignity. Being rude and abusive with them will not accomplish anything except to make you look like an obnoxious moron.
9. If you can't dance, don't experiment, no matter how enticing the dance floor is. The smart man is the one who enjoys without making an ass of himself. Stay away and sway.
10. If you are courting a woman, be her escort. She is your responsibility, not your ticket to a party that says "Stags Not Allowed". Meet the people she wants to meet, introduce her to the people you want to meet. Acknowledge each other's preferences and never put them on the back foot. Except, of course, if you're doing the Tango!
Hope these pointers help you hold your stead in a glitzy function. Your "showcase" is your free pass to more parties and richer networking. People love being associated with a person who can sway but not get overwhelmed!
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