“Oh, crap,” I realized in horror as we walked into the country club––this is a no-kids event. My husband and I decided to drop by his golf club for the holiday sale they were having at the pro-shop on our way out to dinner with our children, thinking we could knock a few gifts off our list.
We had no idea that this “holiday boutique” with appetizers was a full-scale social event. The men and women were all dressed for what looked like the social event of the season. And not a single sulky imp was in sight. Servers were walking around with trays of appetizers and cocktails and silver chafing dishes lined the wall.
As we walked through the giant glassed double doors, my 7-year-old dutifully held the door for a stream of older women. I felt a stab of pride for his good manners. But, some of the women barely glanced at him as if by not acknowledging his presence, he might disappear into the wall (this irritated me because I don’t care who you are or what the social rules of engagement are for a particular occasion, a polite “thank you” will do.)
As the women flocked and twittered together in the foyer, I overheard one glittering old crone whisper loudly to her friend “I can’t believe they brought their kids.”
Now, not only was I embarrassed, I was annoyed. My children weren’t creating a scene or misbehaving in any way. (Okay, I admit I caught my son as we were leaving, getting ready to dig hand-first into the cheese platter.) In truth, we hardly warranted a passing glance from most of the party-goers. Nonetheless, there’s nothing worse than unwittingly committing a social faux pas.
The holiday season, with its many parties and social get-togethers, are ripe for minor social mishaps. But, if you see someone else committing some social faux pas (don’t we all from time to time?), avoid committing your own by loudly pointing out the flaw to your friend.
Have you ever mistakenly taken your children to an adults-only event?
Photo courtesy: Tina Phillips/FreeDigitalPhotos.net
