Black tie embassy gala - what to expect?

[random-adam]

There is a black tie gala taking place at the Austrian Embassy in June: http://www.thingstododc.com/events.php?show=1288 ...Dinner buffet, beer/wine/soft drinks, dessert buffet, a 20-piece orchestra for dancing which later will be replaced by a DJ. Looks marketed toward young professionals; DC might contain more of those per capita than anywhere outside of lower Manhattan. Has anybody attended this sort of thing? Should I anticipate a reasonably classy evening or a lake full of douchecanoes? I'm 32, the wife is 30, we have a little ballroom experience, it could be a good time -- but don't want to waste my money if somebody has experience to the contrary. (Yes, MC folks, I have proper eveningwear.)

 

[Joffrey]

Ha I've been there before. A lot of hot available girls


Edit: just saw you mention your wife. Never mind!

 

[whiteslashasian]



Ha I've been there before. A lot of hot available girls
Edit: just saw you mention your wife. Never mind!

HAHAHA

It sounds like more of a mixer than Black Tie Gala.

 

[Ambulance Chaser]

TTD is a group that is geared toward single professionals, but I think they have quite a few married people who attend their events. The high price of entry should keep out a lot of the riff-raff. Just try it. If it's terrible, you know never to go again.

 

[Fuuma]

"European DJs" playing salsa!!?? Why don't you stay home and slap ********* with a 2X4, you'll save $69.

 

[Manton]

The Austrians do know how to boogie down. Not quite like the Russians though.

DC girls are wretched, so that part will not be fun.

 

[FLMountainMan]



The Austrians do know how to boogie down. Not quite like the Russians though.
DC girls are wretched, so that part will not be fun.

DC girls need to be courted at the right age. Give them two years in the city to get over themselves and realize they are small fish in a big pond. However, you need to get them before they become hardened, bitter, harridans in five years.

 

[curzon]

I've been to several, but never one hosted by the Austrians. Always have a grand time. The attendees have connections w/ the embassy in some manner. Obviously Austrian and other EU state diplomats, local gov't officials, and business leaders. If there is an Austrian-US business council they'll all be invited. If there are some Austrian students, journalists, and/or artists in the area they will be invited too The Austrian gov't runs an excellent intern program for Austrian uni students, so if they've arrived they'll be there.

How are you getting your tickets? The person who has invited you will most likely arrange that you're seated at his/her table. If you don't know it's likely you'll be seated with other unknown stragglers, so some of your enjoyment will come down to how sociable you are.

BTW, the best ones are those hosted by the Aussies and the Latin Americans. Queen's b-day ball is fun too.

American ones are full of Mormons; US diplomatic corps is overrun w/ 'em.

 

[Manton]



American ones are full of Mormons; US diplomatic corps is overrun w/ 'em.

wth?

 

[Joffrey]

I guess he means our embassy hosted parties abroad.

 

[jrd617]



I
American ones are full of Mormons; US diplomatic corps is overrun w/ 'em.

 

[HORNS]



American ones are full of Mormons; US diplomatic corps is overrun w/ 'em.

wth?

That's a good thing - lots of designated drivers.

 

[Michigan Planner]

My best friend is a lawyer at the IRS dealing with international tax treaties and goes to events like these at all different embassies all the time. Everything from wings and beers at the Canadian embassy to watch hockey games to formal black tie events at the Japanese embassy to welcome particular dignitaries.

Whoever it was above who mentioned hot single women seems to have hit it on the nose. My friend claims that these events, besides good food and sometimes good entertainment, have a never ending supply of attractive women in attendance.

In the end, I think the main point to these events is definitely the networking and he seems to enjoy the ones that are aimed more towards the young professionals more so than to diplomats or other government types.

 

[ter1413]

too bad you are married....

 

[eg1]



DC girls need to be courted at the right age. Give them two years in the city to get over themselves and realize they are small fish in a big pond. However, you need to get them before they become hardened, bitter, harridans in five years.

Seems like a rather narrow window of opportunity, then ...