Holiday Get-Together...What to Do?
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| Sun, 12-10-2006 - 3:55pm |
A friend is organizing a holiday get-together at a Japanese restaurant. There are about five of us who routinely hit the town together - two couples and me - about once a month or so. Anyway, my friend Brianne suggested the get-together via e-mail. When doing so she mentioned for the guest list that it would be: her and her guy, the other couple, and me and "whoever else wants to go". I later confirmed her "whoever else wants to go" to be the casual e-mail equivalent of an "& Guest" invitation.
My situation is this. I am single and like being that way, for now. I am not actively seeing anyone or looking for a relationship. My friends are well aware of my situation, and the choices I am making. I know it is polite and generous to give the single person the option of bringing someone along. My problem is this. It is nearly always just the five of us who go out, but this holiday invitation now holds the "& Guest" addendum. Its almost as though this is a function where the single friend is not welcome without a date. I don't think that is the intent, but its how it made me feel. I even tried to explain that scheduling may be a problem due to my job, and that I might have to miss this affair. Brianne insisted it would only happen if and when all of us had the same evening clear for dinner, and asked for specific evenings that I was free between then and Christmas. I still feel as though, for whatever reason, Brianne would prefer that I bring a date to this outing.
So, long story even longer, my question is this. Do I ask one of my platonic, female acquaintances to go, to keep this party boy-girl, boy-girl? Or do I stick to my guns and go it alone? I have my own idea, but I'd like to consider other reasoned opinions, as well, so that I can make a fully informed decision. I know full-well that the reality of a situation can be clouded as much by logic as it can by emotion and feelings.
Thanks, and Merry Christmas!
Michael

I would go it alone. I wouldn't want to have the added burden of having to make sure my date felt included in the conversation with people they didn't know, etc.
I would find the evening much more enjoyable if I could just go and have fun with my friends.
Of course, if one of your platonic female friends KNOWS the rest of the group, then that's another story--then I'd say bring her.
Sheri
Nothing goes together better than Christmas and sushi ; )
I think you are going to have to make this call on your own. If you feel uncomfortable going it alone then take a friend. If you do not feel uncomfortable then I simply wouldn't worry about it. I can't imagine that your friend, Brianne, would have meant anything by the "& guest" portion of her email. She probably just wanted to be sure that you knew you could bring a date if you were so inclined. After all, why would she care if you came with a date or without one?
Regardless of the miscommunication or whatever, have fun! That's what this time of year is all about!