Would this be gauche? (barristers' Chambers related)

[Waytooearly]

I got an invitation from a barristers' chambers to a posh all-day do. I clicked on 'yes' thinking surely there was a charge but no--it's their treat. So wow, nice.

I instruct barristers there all the time through my work, and have friendly working relationships with lots of their barristers, so I am sure it's like a 'thank you and please keep sending us work' gesture.

So that's the not-even-stealth boast: here's my dilemma. I'm not posh. I've never been to an event like this. I sort of know the attendees professionally but not personally. It's an alllllll day thing.

Can I come back to them and ask to bring a plus-one? Like a junior person at my firm maybe? I just don't know whether that would come off as incredibly gauche.

I don't know, but I love the use of the word gauche. And in that fact alone, I think you'll be just fiiine. Enjoy!

If there isn’t an invitation to bring a guest in the invite, then don’t ask. There would be a clear reference to Waytooearly and guest, if they were expecting to cater for extra numbers.

It’s a networking event rather than a social event.

I really wouldn't ask for a +1.

They've invited you because you give them work, not a random who (to be blunt) they don't make any money from.

They have invited you because they want to continue your professional relationship. They need people a lot more than you seem to realise. You shouldn’t even begin to think you are in any way out of place or inferior to these people. They will spend all day buttering you up. Enjoy it!

It depends on the context. Is the colleague someone else that will bring them work? If so, you're essentially offering them another sales opportunity and they'll probably say yes. Because that's what the event is, "thanks for bringing us money and please bring us some more".

If +1 is available it will state it on the invite.

Just to note, please check your company’s policy on corporate entertainment and gifts to ensure that attending this event is compliant with it.

I would say that a daytime event (or all day) is more of a professional networking thing so you wouldn't bring a plus one.

Professional invitations don’t offer a plus one if it’s not in the invite.

I agree with NoBaggyPants. Fine to ask if it's a plus one who might instruct them. Not fine if you want to bring your DH/BFF along who doesn't work in a relevant field.

Have you checked whether anyone else from your firm has been invited too OP? They will usually invite anyone who regularly sends them work (as you say, it’s a thank you and please carry on gesture) so you may find you already know people who are going.

do you know the "inviter" well enough to ask about numbers, and if you could bring a colleague because it might be an excellent introduction for your PlusOne

I might be wary of bringing someone very junior though, it sounds like it is a schmoozey sort of do and folks want to be mixing with the Movers and Shakers, not their juniors.

Definitely don’t ask for a +1. It would be odd.

I'd call the president of chambers & ask if you could bring a junior member of the company.

I suspect this is something sector specific. In my line of work saying ‘great, and can I bring X and Y from the ABC team’ would be v normal.

The president?

I'm a Barrister. It would almost certainly be fine to ask to bring someone else from your firm. Just give the clerks a call and ask.

Even chamber has a president of it.

No it doesn’t! Every chambers has a head of chambers. In any event you would contact the senior clerk to make this sort of enquiry as they would be the organiser.

Pengrin, are you laughing/sneering at someone for using the wrong term?

If so, you've just put anyone else's gauche behaviour, real or perceived, in the shade.

I'll let me president of chambers know then that he doesn't exist

Or should I say 'presumedly "wrong" term'?)

Are you in England or Wales QuaintDuck because president isn’t a term used in chambers usually?

I'm a judge ticketed for SEC & immigration in the UK.

Have you ever been a barrister QuaintDuck because in all honesty that is not the usual word which is used in most chambers.

AndItStillSaidFourOfTwo my grin was for three reasons:

1. Yes it’s an odd term to use.
2. Why would you go to the trouble of contacting the ‘president’ to ask about a +1?
3. It tickled me.