AmCham Christmas Party
The party crashing continued last week with the annual American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) Christmas party at the Hilton Hotel. They way I see it; I’m an American, I’ve read Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, and as an MBA grad I am keenly interested in Commerce. Therefore, I feel I am fully qualified to attend a Christmas Party put on by the American Chamber of Commerce. At least that’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
I showed up a couple hours late to the party because, a) no one checks invitations after a couple hours and b) I was meeting several embassy friends who weren’t going to be there until later. I made sure to wear my “Christmas Party Crashing Outfit” – slacks, blazer, dress shoes and a nice button-down shirt – so as to fit in with the other snappy dressers. Not everyone subscribes to my “blend in with the crowd” attire, however. As I walked in the Hilton I met an embassy friend’s husband who was also meeting all of us there. He was disguised in a baseball hat, Sweden football shirt and jeans. The great thing about Bulgaria is that no one cared. Later in the night I saw a guy wearing tight leather pants. In fact, tight leather pants are quite popular for parties where you want to impress. They sure do impress me, but mainly for having the guts to wear something like that at a semi-formal party.
Not five minutes after arriving at the party I run into the DCM (Deputy Chief of Mission) of the US Embassy. The DCM gets high marks from me. I’ve met him several times at various Embassy parties and he is always interested in the work I’m doing with the MBA Enterprise Corps. Anyway, he takes one look at me and says, “I know a party crasher when I see one. Do you have an invitation to this event?” Doh, I was caught!
“Ummmmm ….. maybe.”
“Here take mine.”
What a great guy.
With my borrowed invitation in hand (even though it wasn’t necessary) I headed straight to the open bar. I meet up with my Embassy friends and did a bit of schmoozing with some other people I knew. They had a band which wasn’t particularly exciting, although the singer was a clone of Pamela Anderson. Perhaps Pamela is trying to start a new life in Bulgaria. After a couple drinks the party was winding down so I took off with my friends. All-in-all, another successful Christmas Party.
