The “come as you are” party is a surprise party for the guests. The idea is to catch people unaware and persuade them to come enjoy a casual party on the spur of the moment. No dressing up or preparing, just drop everything and join in the fun.
Washing hair? Wrap your head in a towel and come along. Napping? Rub the sleep from your eyes and put on some slippers. It was great hoots forty years ago when life had more rigid social conventions.
When I tried this for a birthday party in the 1970s, it failed. There wasn’t much difference between school clothes, play clothes, and dress-up. Nobody turned up in their bathrobe or pajamas. No embarrassing outfits. Well, it was the 70s. Everyone wore an embarrassing outfit.
The 2003 Tokyo lifestyle is a little bit more formal. People dress to go out and rarely drop in on one another unannounced. Maybe a “come as you are” party would be successful now.
Let’s imagine what would happen if I rang people for brunch on a Sunday morning:
Tod - stumbles from the bedroom bleary eyed and wearing his yukata.
MJ - has been up all night but can’t tear herself away from work.
UltraBob - attempts to change the venue to Zushi because he has a deadline.
Mike G - arrives neatly dressed with an interesting CD to share.
Mike R - sets up a webcam from Erie.
Terri - needs a break, but has too much work to get done.
Peter - comes in his car with the whole family “as they are”. Yes!
Kristen - arrives fashionably late in a gorgeous peignoir and lipstick.
Kristin - is teaching a painting class and can’t make it
Sayaka - hops a train from Oita, arrives in time for leftovers.
Tracey - is sleepy but not in pajamas as she dressed right after waking up.
John - turns up for brunch on Tuesday—it’s a long flight.
Kris - arrives with John and looks absolutely fabulous.
Dave - comes with John and Kris; brings a suitcase full of toys.
Jenn - wears nice travel clothes; spends her flight writing Ode to a Brunch
Helen - sports pale blue with glittery accents; thinks my food is weird.
Dan - dons green sweatpants with holes. Joins me in the kitchen on Tuesday.
The guest list goes on, but you get the idea. Lots of my friends are busy or not in Tokyo. And I wonder why I don’t have many parties…
Posted by kuri at July 15, 2003 09:44 AMYou make us sound like a sad bunch of workaholics… (; ;)
Posted by: MJ on July 15, 2003 10:19 AMNot sad. Empowered! Kicking web ass in the wee hours; fighting for survival in the cruel world; battling deadlines and rush jobs to defeat the landlord’s demands. No time for wimpy brunches…
Posted by: kristen on July 15, 2003 10:31 AMAs sunday is the day of rest - or usually in recovery from the night before.. I am usually a scarey sight.. but yes I will be fully dressed.. (^o^)
Posted by: Tracey on July 15, 2003 03:14 PMOh sausages, how you are so meaty…
I love your casings…
Strike that. *scribbles*
Puff, cheese omelette against the light…
I had to laugh at your line about everyone wearing embarassing outfits in the 70’s. I remember that party. Didn’t Heidi come in a robe or something? We were wild partiers back then.
Posted by: Jenn on July 18, 2003 08:24 PM