DC Decembers
One of the best parts of DC life? The holiday parties.
As soon as Thanksgiving has passed, the receptions begin. Open bars abound, tray of shrimps and skewers of meats are passed, and networking options present themselves aplenty. I, being the world’s worst networker, mostly indulge in the booze and belly-filling parts of the evening.
Last night was the first of the season for me. It pays to have friends employed in various fields across the city; this particular fete was thrown by a thinktank that a friend works for. They’ve had to cut back on the extravagance the past few years due to the lobbying laws (no more lobster on a stick), but it’s still a tasty spread on K Street’s dime.
Tips for attending one of these passed hors d’oeuveres parties?
- Scout around to see if there’s a back or side bar with smaller crowds
- Position yourself near the kitchen exit – encounter the trays before they’re swallowed by the hordes
- Wear a nametag if you want to network; if you want a night off, go incognito
- Heels look hot, yes, but remember that you’ll be on your feet and everyone’s coming from work, so they’re far from required attire
- Don’t gossip about people by name too loudly, you never know who is within earshot!
Good tips! And I did the whole “Position yourself near the kitchen exit” at a party Thudsya night… I got a bite off every single tray of passed hors doeurves!