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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I keep reading about the "dinner party circuit"Whats it all about?

100 replies

GabbyLoggon · 18/03/2011 14:22

Please dont say its just a dinner which is also a party.

I want the inside story...successes and disasters ...Is it a CLASS phrase?

Someone said it was a phrase created by young professionals....

Not Sloane Rangers? (does anyone on Mumsnet remember them.) It was all the rage . They said YA for yes. Then they seemed to fade away.

We all do eventually.

OP posts:
AtYourCervix · 19/03/2011 14:49

I couldn't have people for dinner. too many dog hairs. i do love fanny cradock though.

cheers "cervix"

UnquietDad · 19/03/2011 15:11

Gooseberry is implying I won't "get ahead" because of not going to the right kind of dinner parties, I find this hilarious. If only she knew.

It summons up an image of The Men all "networking" over cigars and port, and taking about whether they know Bufty Tufton at such-and-such company, and the Ladies "reclining" in the other room, apart from the poor hostess who is slaving away in the kitchen with a pinny on (and no, the man isn't helping).

Gooseberrybushes · 19/03/2011 15:13

Or am I?

SardineQueen · 19/03/2011 15:38
Gooseberrybushes · 19/03/2011 15:42

obviously not sardine why would you think that

SardineQueen · 19/03/2011 15:54

Did you watch the good life, back in the day? I thought it was very funny but I guess probably not your cup of tea! Margot was an excellent character... If you are struggling to understand this thread maybe you could go back and watch a few episodes?

Gooseberrybushes · 19/03/2011 15:57

No, I understand it Hmm

Perhaps you don't understand my posts? I am not Margot. I do not have dinner parties for these or any reasons: I see nothing wrong with having dinner parties for whatever reason: each to their own.

I can't join in the narrowminded slagfest Sardine. That's all.

SardineQueen · 19/03/2011 16:07

Well I guess this thread isn't the one for you then! If you don't find Margot types worthy of ribbing then that's your lookout, many do, to the extent that there have been numerous sitcoms about it.

You seem to keep talking about dinner parties as well - this is not about dinner parties...

Gooseberrybushes · 19/03/2011 16:15

Oh I don't know. I was at a loose end. Thought I'd mention that it was a slagfest in case no one realised.

I don't "seem" to think anything. I think what I wrote. It's not difficult to understand.

SardineQueen · 19/03/2011 16:25

Well you seem to be upset that people are slagging off people who give dinner parties.

Luckily no-one is slagging off people who give dinner parties.

So you can relax, everything is fine Grin

SardineQueen · 19/03/2011 16:26

Oh sorry you are upset that people are slagging off people who give dinner parties, this has definitely riled you. You don't seem to be, you are. My mistake.

Like I say, no-one is doing that, so happy days!

Gooseberrybushes · 19/03/2011 16:31

No, people are slagging off people who give dinner parties to network, and who invite people they don't know and have dinner parties for reasons other than to have a laugh.

I don't see anything wrong with having dinner parties for these different reasons. Each to their own. I've said that. I do know what I'm talking about, though it suits you to pretend I don't. Unless you genuinely don't understand.

SardineQueen · 19/03/2011 16:37

No, it's about people who invite people who they don't like, or feel uncomfortable with, in order to social climb. It's about weaseling up to people who you don't actually want to spend time with, in order to get something out of them. Behaviour like that absolutely needs to have the piss taken out of it IMO. If it doesn't then that's a staple character of many British sitcoms down the plug-hole.

I sense that you are deliberately misunderstanding because you are spoiling for a fight - which is fine but you won't get one from me - it's really not an important topic and I'm going out.

Gooseberrybushes · 19/03/2011 16:41

No, that's what you've decided that's what the dinner party circuit is.
That's called prejudice and it arises out of ignorance.

Gooseberrybushes · 19/03/2011 16:44

It's very possible to invite Dr X, who doesn't know Managing Director Y, but might have something in common with HR executive Z, and enjoy the company or share the political interests of your neighbours and your two closest friends.

It's about mixing things up, and meeting new people, and possibly making new connections, and introducing people.

Why be so sour and negative about it?

I certainly think I'm allowed to be sour and negative about people being irrationally sour and prejudiced over something they confess to knowing nothing about and not being a part of.

beesimo · 19/03/2011 16:49

Next time I have a dinner party I shall invite you Mrs Sardine Queen and you Mrs Goosberrybush and as the entertainment after the meal we can have a all in ladies mud wrestling competition. My money will be on Mrs Goosberry!

beesimo · 19/03/2011 16:51

Cos Mrs Goosberrybush is nobodys fool you tell them pet

Gooseberrybushes · 19/03/2011 17:07

gawd bless yer Grin

I won't slag anyone off I promise

Bunbaker · 19/03/2011 17:18

My experience of eating as a networking exercise is not at dinner parties, but in restaurants. Before DD was born I was often wined and dined by suppliers in nice restaurants.

UnquietDad · 19/03/2011 17:20

The whole idea of people having a "dinner party circuit" so that Managing Director X can meet Management Consultant Y and be all bluff and hearty and handshakey and backslappy while talking business and politics is terribly funny. (I bet the men at these "circuit" diner parties open conversations with "What are you driving these days?" And are all rather florid.)

Anyone who doesn't at least see the humorous side of this really needs to get out more.

Gooseberrybushes · 19/03/2011 17:23

Why would they talk about their cars? Maybe they would talk about politics, or world crises, or literature. I don't know. It's a bit narrow and prejudiced to assume they would be florid and discuss cars.

I have a sense of humour but it doesn't involve slagging people off that I don't know.

UnquietDad · 19/03/2011 17:24

Oh, lighten up, goosgogs. I do love seeing you getting all Angry Grin

moondog · 19/03/2011 17:28

"What are you driving these days?"

Gooseberrybushes · 19/03/2011 17:43

Eh? What are you talking about? When was the last time?

beesimo · 19/03/2011 17:48

UnquietDad you mean you have never played a almost innocent game of footsie with a raaather attractive member of the opposite sex while her rather staid and somewhat florid husband was bithley chatting about the merits of rear heated windows. Pahh Goosegogs we've got us a dinner party VIRGIN here!