How Do You Do?

While I'm out and about, I meet lots of people from all walks of life. Famous, infamous, socially-well connected, politically well-connected and most are very polite. I was at a lunch a while ago and a very famous couple (who are always in the press) were also guests. During the reception said wife (Mrs X) approached me and held out her hand and said, "Hello, I'm Mrs X". Obviously I knew who she was, and I replied, "Hello I'm Mrs P, how do you do?" And the conversation started there. The reason for this example is that Mrs X had the good manners to assume that although she was famous, I would not necessarily know who she was.

Now, this week, while at a fashion reception, the daughter-in-law of the eponymous fashion house for which the party was being held approached me. I should point out that I had never met this woman before, but I've seen her in the society fashion pages. She asked if I was having a good time, to which I replied "Yes". Then I said, "Hello, my name is Mrs P, how do you do?" To which she replied, "Hello..."

So we stood there for what seemed like an age, and I then had to say, "Who are you, what's your name?" The look on her face was that of total amazement - how did I not know who she was? Shock Horror! Finally, she told me just her first name. Well, I say - what ill manners! The arrogance of assumption! Who did she think she was?! As a PR exercise, this failed to impress me. I couldn't see a polite way out of this unless she had actually momentarily forgotten who she was!

What do you think? Answers on a postcard, please...

Back to my Shoe Credit Note. OK - half has been spent on my silver shoes which I was allowed to purchase at early-preview and, you'll be pleased to know, I'm keeping. Weather permitting (the temperature has dropped so much I've put the heating on) I hope to wear them this evening.

My not drinking copious amounts is going very well, thank you. My skin is looking better and my hips are no longer in constant battle with my skirts, which can only be a good thing. The party I went to on Saturday night, I drank sparkling water from a wine glass during the reception - a tumbler is usually too cold to hold with water in it - and one glass of red wine during dinner. This enabled me to go to Zumba at 9:30 on Sunday morning.

One Last Thing. Next time you have to give a birthday gift, let's not be complacent and get chocolates, flowers, perfume etc. Not that there's anything wrong with those, but... Lets' all think outside of the box. Let's give of ourselves. Let's give something that money can't buy. We all have different interpretrations of this, so I'm not telling you what to do but, let's think a bit more about it. How do you do, and do what you do for me?

Happy Shopping.