Party Etiquette

[Sinergy 3]

I go to these things all the time and i dont buy anything.

i go to mingle and drink socially and have a good time. Just bc your invited, its not mandatory that you buy something.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

If you don't want to buy something then don't go. The alcohol is meant to lower your inhibitions and buy something.

And if the alcohol isn't "free", then (by drinking it) you buy something anyway just being at the party.

[Jenn! 918]

I think if I went there and drank the margaritas, I'd feel morally obliged to buy something, so I wouldn;t go!

Ok, that's what I thought too.

Now my second question is why is my cousin having a party like this? Is she part of some pyramid scheme or something? I don't understand the concept of these things.

"Pyramid-scheme" concept is all-too-simple, also known as "Ponzi" scheme--where one at top makes the big money, ones in middle lesser amounts, at bottom near-nada; also, one can never "exceed" one's sponsor in income.

Thanks. I do understand what a pyramid scheme is though. I just didn't understand whether these sorts of parties worked like that. But as rebecca and others clarified, it's not like that.

[Jenn! 918]

Thanks for the input everyone. It seems like most are saying that I should not feel obliged to make a purchase.

I still haven't decided whether I'll go. In spite of what you're all telling me, I know myself well enough to know that I will probably feel guilty not buying anything, even if it is not expected.

[ya falaha! 0]

My gf hosted one of these types of parties at my apt. a few months back. It was a Pure Romance party. I had rubber sex toys and lotions all over my coffee table. There were about 10 women sitting around giggling like school girls. It was quite the sight.

No one was obliged to buy anything at this party. It was basically a store brought into my apt....cash and carry. I think my gf sold about $700 worth of stuff that night.

[chri'stina 190]

Thanks for the input everyone. It seems like most are saying that I should not feel obliged to make a purchase.

I still haven't decided whether I'll go. In spite of what you're all telling me, I know myself well enough to know that I will probably feel guilty not buying anything, even if it is not expected.

I personally hate these kind of "parties". I have been to pampered chef, candle parties, oh who knows what else. I have vowed to not go to them anymore and I am only 26.

If it's with all of your friends you might have fun. But I have found them VERY boring sitting there watching them show you a million products you don't want, and you do feel a little bad when you don't buy anything. Though I have gone to many, only at the begging request of a friend, without buying anything. I haven't been to one in years though and if I ever meet someone who starts hinting about inviting me to one of these parties, I cringe.

[Jenn! 918]

Thanks for the input everyone. It seems like most are saying that I should not feel obliged to make a purchase.

I still haven't decided whether I'll go. In spite of what you're all telling me, I know myself well enough to know that I will probably feel guilty not buying anything, even if it is not expected.

I personally hate these kind of "parties". I have been to pampered chef, candle parties, oh who knows what else. I have vowed to not go to them anymore and I am only 26.

If it's with all of your friends you might have fun. But I have found them VERY boring sitting there watching them show you a million products you don't want, and you do feel a little bad when you don't buy anything. Though I have gone to many, only at the begging request of a friend, without buying anything. I haven't been to one in years though and if I ever meet someone who starts hinting about inviting me to one of these parties, I cringe.

I'd have to agree with you. I just know I will hate it if it's like a "showing". If I could just laugh and party and drink maragaritas while there was some jewelry unobtrusively in the corner or something that *might* be ok. Not knocking anyone who does these parties, it's just not for me.

[chri'stina 190]

I don't know if it would be like this, but every kind of these parties I have been to, you do have to sit for at least 30 mins to see all the things they sell and how 'remarkable' the products are. Then they pass around the order forms. Awkward! But maybe it's not done like that everywhere though.

[Jenn! 918]

I don't know if it would be like this, but every kind of these parties I have been to, you do have to sit for at least 30 mins to see all the things they sell and how 'remarkable' the products are. Then they pass around the order forms. Awkward! But maybe it's not done like that everywhere though.

Oh gawd, that does sound really awkward. I'm starting to become a bit resentful of my cousin for even asking me to such a thing. She should know me better than that!

It's like the people who come around the office trying to sell their kids candy bars and wrapping paper. I know most people don't mind, and I don't know why, but that sort of stuff really irks me.

[mybackpages 0]

So I was invited to a "jewelry party" by my cousin. I've never gone to one of these types of things before - tupperware, candles, jewelry, etc. I am not interested in buying any jewelry. My instinct is that by attending one of these parties, you basically agree to make a purchase. Should I decline the invitation if I have no intention of buying anything? The invite talked about a girls' night with margaritas, fun, and jewelry, or something like that. So is it a real party or what???

Help me out!

A friend of mine (actually the wife of a friend of Idir's) invited me to one of these. As she was just starting out, she got points or rewards for the number of people who showed up.

I think "etiquette" says you do not have to buy, but I would feel like I would have to spend something.

[rebeccajo 14]

If it 'irks you' you probably shouldn't go, because you wouldn't have a good time - no matter how many margaritas they serve.

[ya falaha! 0]

God I HATE when ppl bring stuff to the office to sell for their kids. I also hate when ppl come into the office to try to sell stuff. If I want candy, I'll go to the store and buy it!

[nane1104 146]

At my old job in Germany, my coworkers were nuts for Tupperware. Sometimes they would host a party just for the heck and the free gifts you can get..lol

You are not obligated to buy anything, but I think it depends a little on how well you know the host.

If it is someone you know well, just tell her you would like to attend, but most likely won't buy anything. Probably she will still want you to come.

[Nessa 23]

It's like the people who come around the office trying to sell their kids candy bars and wrapping paper. I know most people don't mind, and I don't know why, but that sort of stuff really irks me.

I hate that. In Brazil it's very common. And I always felt obligated to buy because they were either co-workers or neighbors, you can't just say no.

Edited July 26, 2007 by Nessa

[chri'stina 190]

If it's a really big group at the party, it's not as awkward b/c it's easier to hide in the back during the presentation and you aren't so obvious if you don't buy something. But a lot of the times I have gone, there were like 6 people there and that's what makes it really awkward during order form time.