Do you know why I love you guys?

[wordplay]

Because you never invite me to irritating events like jewelry parties. And I really think I might have to go to this one, because I LIKE this woman, and I don't want to snub her invitation. But, god, a jewelry party? REALLY?!

Tell me it's not going to be as ridiculous and insipid as I think it's going to be. Tell me I do not have to spend a ridiculous amount of money on mass-produced sterling silver in order to be a good friend.

(And why the hell are people paying this much for sterling silver? Jesus, doesn't anybody just go to Mexico any more?)

Comments

[omphale]

It'll probably be MORE ridiculous. But at least it's not tupperware? Or avon?

[wordplay.livejournal.com]

See, Tupperware I could actually live with, because Tupperware is useful shit. I just...wtf am I supposed to do at a jewelry party, sit around and drape things on myself? Don't get me wrong, I LIKE jewelry, I just prefer to buy from the artists themselves. And besides, I can go to a Tupperware party and drop $30 and at least get SOMETHING. I didn't see a single piece in that catalog that I would wear that was under $150.

Now, if it were Mary Kay, that might be enough to end a friendship over. *laughs*

[omphale]

My aunt is a tupperware sales distributor, I shit you not. And my parents used to sell Amway, which is a terror I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy.

I am well-versed in the experience of sales parties. I hate them all equally.

(No, not true. I like Pampered Chef because there's food, and sex toy parties because I find them amusing. But the rest are made of woe and angst. Where are the CD exchange parties, where we all bring our favorite new band stuff and trade it around before ordering stuff from Amazon?

That's the sort of sales party I could get into.)

[wordplay.livejournal.com]

*ponders the technical issues*

No, really, see - we could do this. I SHOULD do this. I WILL DO THIS.

Um, sometime. Soon. Ish.

How fun would that BE, though? SO MUCH FUN, IS HOW MUCH FUN!

[omphale]

It would totally be SO MUCH FUN. And, you know. Profitable for the bands. Or something.

Better than jewelry, at least. It would have to be, right?

[longtimegone]

God, I hate that shit. Seriously. I'll never invite you to anything like that, I promise.

[wordplay.livejournal.com]

*clings* When we were living in Houston, I expected invitations like this - we were living in that uber-suburb and it was just that kind of place, you know? And I went, and I did the Southern Living thing and the Pampered Chef thing and the Tupperware thing and the scrapbooking thing and the candles and the sex toys (oh, wait, I technically hosted that one, didn't I? BUT THAT WAS FANGIRLS ONLY AND SO TOTALLY DID NOT COUNT!) and that one that was food and the toys and the kids' books and *deep breath* god, I thought I was done with all of that!

Fucking Silpada, man.

[hermorrine.livejournal.com]

LOLOL I'll never live that one down, will I?

But seriously, I don't mind Tupperware, candles, or Pampered Chef because like you, that stuff I will USE. But I'm really not THAT into jewelry and honestly, if it was me, that's what I would tell the person inviting me. I don't know how much jewelry you wear on a daily basis (since really I've mostly seen you on special occasions!), so no idea if that reason would wash...

[wordplay.livejournal.com]

I had forgotten about that, to be honest, although now I'm glad to remember it. It's the only one of those things I ever hosted. *winz at life*

I could actually stand to hit a Pampered Chef party right about now - I have stuff I need. I have never really felt a need for random sterling silver jewelry purchases, though. I must not be living right.

[hermorrine.livejournal.com]

*grins* Good times, good times.

I must not be living right either, then. I do like sterling silver jewelry, but I don't need a party for that since my purchases happen perhaps twice a year and are usually under $50 - really not enough for a party person to be bothered with!

[automaticdoor]

That shit is the worst. I just know I'll end up living in the suburbs and be invited to it constantly.

[wordplay.livejournal.com]

A few weeks ago we got an invitation from a friend/neighbor to go to a faith healing talk+drinks, which we got out of but which is more along the lines of what I expect from the neighborhood where we're living - we're in the suburbs, but inside the Beltway and just urban enough that this wasn't something I was expecting. *cries on your shoulder*

[automaticdoor]

Heh, one of my best friends is from the Houston suburbs, and from his descriptions I can just see the Tupperware parties.

Faith healing? That is crazy stuff, and definitely out of range of standard suburbia. At home (Orlando fringe suburb) you'd be stared at, but no one there bats an eyelash at candle parties, Avon, what have you, and my mom is constantly dodging those invites. You just get the worst of the special living in combo suburb/almost urban, don't you?

[wordplay.livejournal.com]

We are special that way, the "urban suburbs". And the character of the place we live stands to change an awful lot if the Purple Line ever moves forward, except that I really can't get a bead on which way it'll change. I suspect the Purple Line will never actually be built, though, which saves on worrying. :D

[elements.livejournal.com]

That's just... weird.
Buy a ring for under $20, if you feel ou have to buy something at all? Then sell it on ebay?

[wordplay.livejournal.com]

This is a most excellent idea, you reasonable person, you.

But I can still whine about it, right? Because, dude, a party where you have to bring your checkbook isn't really a PARTY, is it?

[elements.livejournal.com]

Oh totally! Whine away. I think it's a bit declasse, to be honest :D. I mean, it's one thing if you do a pampered chef party or something and make it clear to your friends that it's mostly about hey, this is a pleasant way to buy excellent kitchen products which are incidentally not exorbitantly priced, feel free to attend and not buy, etc. It's another to have something where it's nothing anyone needs, and in an area where there are likely to be strong personal style preferences.

[zorb]

Ugh, my mom got roped into going to one of those (have to be friendly with the neighbors, yadda). Fortunately, we're an easy excuse for her to buy four of one necklace and be done with it.

I wish you strength.

[ceilidh]

It seems like everyone at work BUT me sells some of that shit and I am constantly getting invited to them. I never go. :|

[misscake]

*puts hand on heart*

I solemnly swear that I will never invited you to a jewelry party.

Mostly, because I cannot stand them myself.

[evil-erato.livejournal.com]

Be a rebel - don't take your checkbook. ;) Or fake an illness and just don't go at all. I've done both in the past, and while it is a bit rude I'd rather be rude than poor(er) for no damned good reason. I have limited patience for a lot of things, and these parties are one of them. But then I suppose you knew that. ;)

[quintus-marcius.livejournal.com]

It was when you mentioned the catalogue that I became concerned, because it's at that point that it blatantly becomes a business opportunity masquerading as a social occasion. What this should be is a group of people turning up and all saying, "I have brought along a load of jewellery I never wear any more - do you want any of it?"

I'm not saying the real version can't be fun, with the right group of people and the right attitude (i.e. that noone should feel obliged to buy anything). Although being a male urbanite I have no direct experience.

[shakespearechic.livejournal.com]

I go with buying the cheapest thing you can stand too - and, sure, either sell it or if it's not your style maybe it's a friend's and you can use it as a gift?