NationStates Jolt Archive

last time I was allowed to go to one of these I got my husband into quite a bit of trouble........for some reason (maybe because we are with a new company) the Smunkee ban has been lifted.

I can no longer fake sick, pretend the kids are contagious, or be "out of town" I absolutely have to go tonight. I am supposed to play the part of "wife" and make nice with everyone.........I am so not good at this.

Anyone got any good dinner tips?

So far I have been told by a C-level type exec. to "try not to talk much" because he actually has met me and lets say he wasn't impressed..........it's really really hard for me to keep my mouth shut.

HELP!

last time I was allowed to go to one of these I got my husband into quite a bit of trouble........for some reason (maybe because we are with a new company) the Smunkee ban has been lifted.

I can no longer fake sick, pretend the kids are contagious, or be "out of town" I absolutely have to go tonight. I am supposed to play the part of "wife" and make nice with everyone.........I am so not good at this.

Anyone got any good dinner tips?

So far I have been told by a C-level type exec. to "try not to talk much" because he actually has met me and lets say he wasn't impressed..........it's really really hard for me to keep my mouth shut.

HELP!

Have you tried eating to avoid having to talk?

Argh I hate that, if they're too up themselves to take you for the nice person that you are then they can go shove it up the bum!

Failing that revolution, just try not to come out with anything too outragious and pick up on conversation that other people are the table have started. You may find that his new company actually employ nice people!

Have you tried eating to avoid having to talk?

okay here comes in the other problem, the restraunt that we are eating at doesn't have any food that I can eat, so I am going to be sitting there with an iced tea and a baked potato while everyone else eats a full meal, I don't want to have to explain why I can't have anything else because it's complicated and also I am just going to feel awkward watching them eat.

Go topless. They'll ignore anything you say.

What is so difficult about these events? Just think of it as a tedious family reunion you would rather have avoided - drink in moderation, eat before you go, say little, take a long "smoking break" even if you don't smoke, if you see an awkward moment approaching.

Sorted.

Just smile and act like a total airhead. Show no intelligence and they'll ignore you. Just don't show impatience with any jackasses and fools who may provoke you. Or do show impatience. That would be more fun. ;)

Go topless. They'll ignore anything you say.

*lol Best advice so far.

Seriously, though, you seemed to be quite happy while banned from those dinners. So why not make sure you'll be banned again?

*lol Best advice so far.

Seriously, though, you seemed to be quite happy while banned from those dinners. So why not make sure you'll be banned again?

That's even better than my advice. Actually the two could be combined, refuse to go unless Mr. Smunkee agrees to let you go topless. Just trying should be enough to get you banned, and even if it's not [see my post]

I would love to be "re-banned" but I am pretty sure that it would adversly affect hubby's employment, this new company is kinda iffy about stuff like that.

I am just going to have to go and suffer through it. :(

I would love to be "re-banned" but I am pretty sure that it would adversly affect hubby's employment, this new company is kinda iffy about stuff like that.

I am just going to have to go and suffer through it. :(

You should start talking to them about NS!

You should start talking to them about NS!

ha! my politics are what got me banned by the other company from these things, I was told by the CEO "just be sure you are 'sick' everytime one of these comes up"

I would love to be "re-banned" but I am pretty sure that it would adversly affect hubby's employment, this new company is kinda iffy about stuff like that.

I am just going to have to go and suffer through it. :(

Did you try really making yourself sick? A slip down the stairs would be very convenient.

or if you have a low pain threshold, mayonaisse+microwave+smunkee=smunkee stays at home

ha! my politics are what got me banned by the other company from these things, I was told by the CEO "just be sure you are 'sick' everytime one of these comes up"

Feck the politics, talk about the pure refined nonsense that is General.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y223/GermanNightmare/GalaUniform.jpg
Put on your best gala uniform, be polite and diplomatic, and just pretend that your behaviour could prevent something bad like a war from happening!

And no Romulan Ale for you!!!

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y223/GermanNightmare/GalaUniform.jpg
Put on your best gala uniform, be polite and diplomatic, and just pretend that your behaviour could prevent something bad like a war from happening!

And no Romulan Ale for you!!!

:eek:
Smunkee is Dr. Crusher?!

:eek:
Smunkee is Dr. Crusher?!

That would be a most illogical conclusion, captain.

okay I got an email from my husband who has been working to try to get me out of going and he found out that we are meeting with a couple, and his boss wants me there to talk to this guy's wife, apparently she doesn't speak much English, so I should be okay.........right?

okay I got an email from my husband who has been working to try to get me out of going and he found out that we are meeting with a couple, and his boss wants me there to talk to this guy's wife, apparently she doesn't speak much English, so I should be okay.........right?

She doesn't speak much English so your husband's boss wants to hand her off to you?

She doesn't speak much English so your husband's boss wants to hand her off to you?

it originally wasn't supposed to be a "bring your wife thing" but the client didn't want to leave his new wife at the hotel since she doesn't speak English, and my husband is the only other person from the company at the dinner who has a wife, so I get used by default.

it originally wasn't supposed to be a "bring your wife thing" but the client didn't want to leave his new wife at the hotel since she doesn't speak English, and my husband is the only other person from the company at the dinner who has a wife, so I get used by default.

Lucky you. Hey, maybe you'll enjoy yourself, just worrying over nothing! That could happen right?

That's not bad a situation, is it?
Just try not to talk about politics, your husband and his boss, and everything should be fine.
If you are nice to her, you could have a big success as you'd be the only one at that dinner she can talk to, and one of the few she can talk to in your city. If she has a favorable impression of you, this will most certainly be transmitted to her husband, who will have a better impression of you husbands company.
And given she doesn't talk much english, it could be rather easy to make a good impression.

Of course, I'm only a male, and occasional macchiavellist at that.

this could still be fun for you.

Figure out how to say something very weird and possibly inappropriate in her native language...something like "You have very nice breasts.". When she gets offended and starts to make a big deal, claim that you were trying to compliment her purse.

Do this for the entire evening.

okay here comes in the other problem, the restraunt that we are eating at doesn't have any food that I can eat, so I am going to be sitting there with an iced tea and a baked potato while everyone else eats a full meal, I don't want to have to explain why I can't have anything else because it's complicated and also I am just going to feel awkward watching them eat.

Simply smile and say, "This is what I prefer to eat." Smile, and if anyone asks a personal question, deflect it by bringing up another, safer subject. Most people will be flattered if you show an interest in them, so if you can redirect to their ideas, their accomplishments, they probably won't notice that you've not said much.

You can always claim to be shy. ;)

You could always try faking laryngitis. That gets you out of the talking bit.

last time I was allowed to go to one of these I got my husband into quite a bit of trouble........for some reason (maybe because we are with a new company) the Smunkee ban has been lifted.

I can no longer fake sick, pretend the kids are contagious, or be "out of town" I absolutely have to go tonight. I am supposed to play the part of "wife" and make nice with everyone.........I am so not good at this.

Anyone got any good dinner tips?

So far I have been told by a C-level type exec. to "try not to talk much" because he actually has met me and lets say he wasn't impressed..........it's really really hard for me to keep my mouth shut.

HELP!
concentrate on memorizing everything... every detail... so that you can create a thread here and we can all poke fun at them. :D

okay here comes in the other problem, the restraunt that we are eating at doesn't have any food that I can eat, so I am going to be sitting there with an iced tea and a baked potato while everyone else eats a full meal, I don't want to have to explain why I can't have anything else because it's complicated and also I am just going to feel awkward watching them eat.

they should have salads. infact, if you can, on the way to the "ladies room" corner the waitress and explain your dietary limitations... you'll find that MOST resturants worth their price will have alternatives.

If you know where you're going in advance, call ahead and ask for suggestions on dishes.

okay I got an email from my husband who has been working to try to get me out of going and he found out that we are meeting with a couple, and his boss wants me there to talk to this guy's wife, apparently she doesn't speak much English, so I should be okay.........right?

where is she from?

If episodes of Bewitched have taught me anything, and I like to think that they have, it's that the more elaborate and extreme the bind you get your husband in the more brilliant they think he'll be when you fix the problem by coming up with his advertising campaign for him. Or, you know, whatever he does.

Simply smile and say, "This is what I prefer to eat." Smile, and if anyone asks a personal question, deflect it by bringing up another, safer subject. Most people will be flattered if you show an interest in them, so if you can redirect to their ideas, their accomplishments, they probably won't notice that you've not said much.

You can always claim to be shy. ;)

I tried that, it seemed to work. I said "oh, I have just really been craving a good baked potato" (which wasn't really a lie, I like baked potatoes)

they should have salads. infact, if you can, on the way to the "ladies room" corner the waitress and explain your dietary limitations... you'll find that MOST resturants worth their price will have alternatives.

If you know where you're going in advance, call ahead and ask for suggestions on dishes.
that worked too, I had a salad, my baked potato, and even got some ice cream after dinner, they double checked it for me. ;)
where is she from?
Romania. She knew a little more English than I was led to believe, I am going shopping with her tomorrow to help her get some stuff so that her hotel room isn't so uncomfortable (like good shampoo, and some coffee that won't make her puke)

that worked too, I had a salad, my baked potato, and even got some ice cream after dinner, they double checked it for me. ;)

Romania. She knew a little more English than I was led to believe, I am going shopping with her tomorrow to help her get some stuff so that her hotel room isn't so uncomfortable (like good shampoo, and some coffee that won't make her puke)so I take it the dinner was NOW!!!

get a wiffle bat to smack your husband for giving you such advanced warning! http://www.world-of-smilies.com/html/images/smilies/gewalt/nunu.gif

body shampoo instad of those little itty bitty bars of soap.

so I take it the dinner was NOW!!!

get a wiffle bat to smack your husband for giving you such advanced warning! http://www.world-of-smilies.com/html/images/smilies/gewalt/nunu.gif

body shampoo instad of those little itty bitty bars of soap.

yeah, we met at the restraunt at 6:30 and got home about 10-ish.

I have to go shopping with her because she can't drive and her husband is touring the company tomorrow. We had some small talk, she liked my eyes, and was confused with how fat people are in America, but said she didn't mean to imply anything about me (not in those words, but I got the idea of what she meant). She is looking forward to meeting my kids, I showed her a picture, she hasn't been around kids since they got here 2 months ago. They have been stuck in Dallas for a month and a half and she didn't like Texas (but who can blame her) they are moving here and she is thinking of coming to my church Sunday, she hasn't ever been to a protestant church..........yeah, we talked a lot, I bet we were rude, we missed all the "business" talking about fat Americans, Mc Donalds, shampoo and Walmart. haha.

yeah, we met at the restraunt at 6:30 and got home about 10-ish.

I have to go shopping with her because she can't drive and her husband is touring the company tomorrow. We had some small talk, she liked my eyes, and was confused with how fat people are in America, but said she didn't mean to imply anything about me (not in those words, but I got the idea of what she meant). She is looking forward to meeting my kids, I showed her a picture, she hasn't been around kids since they got here 2 months ago. They have been stuck in Dallas for a month and a half and she didn't like Texas (but who can blame her) they are moving here and she is thinking of coming to my church Sunday, she hasn't ever been to a protestant church..........yeah, we talked a lot, I bet we were rude, we missed all the "business" talking about fat Americans, Mc Donalds, shampoo and Walmart. haha.
Moving... hmmm...

Perhaps some fresh Kona Coffee might be a good welcome for her... see if you can get some through Wal-Mart. ;)

Sounds like a friend was made. :D

Moving... hmmm...

Perhaps some fresh Kona Coffee might be a good welcome for her... see if you can get some through Wal-Mart. ;)
;)

Sounds like a friend was made. :D
she says I am the first person she has met that didn't ask her what language they spoke in Romania, apparently a woman at the company branch in Dallas asked her if she was a mail order bride :rolleyes: She could speak English well enough for me to understand, she said my accent was funny, but I hear that a lot from Americans, so I wasn't offended.

she says I am the first person she has met that didn't ask her what language they spoke in Romania, apparently a woman at the company branch in Dallas asked her if she was a mail order bride :rolleyes: She could speak English well enough for me to understand, she said my accent was funny, but I hear that a lot from Americans, so I wasn't offended.

ROFL gotta love the lone star republic....

;)
she says I am the first person she has met that didn't ask her what language they spoke in Romania, apparently a woman at the company branch in Dallas asked her if she was a mail order bride :rolleyes: She could speak English well enough for me to understand, she said my accent was funny, but I hear that a lot from Americans, so I wasn't offended.DOH! :headbang:


and if you can't find any Kona Coffee... let me know. ;)

I have to go shopping with her because she can't drive and her husband is touring the company tomorrow. We had some small talk, she liked my eyes, and was confused with how fat people are in America, ... yeah, we talked a lot, I bet we were rude, we missed all the "business" talking about fat Americans, Mc Donalds, shampoo and Walmart. haha.
she says I am the first person she has met that didn't ask her what language they spoke in Romania, apparently a woman at the company branch in Dallas asked her if she was a mail order bride She could speak English well enough for me to understand, she said my accent was funny, but I hear that a lot from Americans, so I wasn't offended.
To me, that sounds like point, set, match. Congrats http://smileys.ednetz.de/dateien/1030.gif

she says I am the first person she has met that didn't ask her what language they spoke in Romania, apparently a woman at the company branch in Dallas asked her if she was a mail order bride :rolleyes: She could speak English well enough for me to understand, she said my accent was funny, but I hear that a lot from Americans, so I wasn't offended.

I wish I could ask you if you're joking, but I'm afraid you aren't.

Did you try really making yourself sick? A slip down the stairs would be very convenient.

or if you have a low pain threshold, mayonaisse+microwave+smunkee=smunkee stays at home

You're saying we put Smukee in a microwave her and then feed her off mayonaisse?

You dear sir, disgust me!

yeah, we met at the restraunt at 6:30 and got home about 10-ish.

I have to go shopping with her because she can't drive and her husband is touring the company tomorrow. We had some small talk, she liked my eyes, and was confused with how fat people are in America, but said she didn't mean to imply anything about me (not in those words, but I got the idea of what she meant). She is looking forward to meeting my kids, I showed her a picture, she hasn't been around kids since they got here 2 months ago. They have been stuck in Dallas for a month and a half and she didn't like Texas (but who can blame her) they are moving here and she is thinking of coming to my church Sunday, she hasn't ever been to a protestant church..........yeah, we talked a lot, I bet we were rude, we missed all the "business" talking about fat Americans, Mc Donalds, shampoo and Walmart. haha.


It sounds like that was just what was needed. Well done. http://assets.jolt.co.uk/forums/images/icons/icon14.gif

it originally wasn't supposed to be a "bring your wife thing" but the client didn't want to leave his new wife at the hotel since she doesn't speak English, and my husband is the only other person from the company at the dinner who has a wife, so I get used by default.

By this time, you've already made your bed, so to speak, so my advice is probably worth less than you would have paid for it earlier. But, here it is anyway.

Just grow up. Adults do things they don't enjoy all the time. Better yet, treat it as an opportunity to meet someone. People are generally interesting, if you get past the reserve that most of us have. You'll always find something you have in common.

;)


she says I am the first person she has met that didn't ask her what language they spoke in Romania, apparently a woman at the company branch in Dallas asked her if she was a mail order bride :rolleyes: She could speak English well enough for me to understand, she said my accent was funny, but I hear that a lot from Americans, so I wasn't offended.
Once you get to know her, you really should ask about the vampires and whether or not she knows Nadia Comanich.

And you are from Oklahoma, right? Your accent is funny.

Once you get to know her, you really should ask about the vampires and whether or not she knows Nadia Comanich.

And you are from Oklahoma, right? Your accent is funny.

I thought vampires came out of the Ukraine?

Besides she didn't ask any too rude questions, just that lady from Dallas who wondered if she was a mail order bride. :rolleyes: :D

I thought vampires came out of the Ukraine?

Besides she didn't ask any too rude questions, just that lady from Dallas who wondered if she was a mail order bride. :rolleyes: :D

I thought that Dracula, i.e. Vlad the Impaler, hailed from Rumania.

And you are from Oklahoma, right? Your accent is funny.

yeah, my accent is funny.

I took her shopping today, and out to eat Gyro's after, she hadn't had one, this might be fun, I had an excuse to go to the mall......to eat Gyro's........

yeah, my accent is funny.

I took her shopping today, and out to eat Gyro's after, she hadn't had one, this might be fun, I had an excuse to go to the mall......to eat Gyro's........

I'm begging you, stop talking! I'm so hungry, gyros would perfectly hit the spot... with that delicious rottiserie-style lamb and fresh lettuce, and those little tomatoes that make the whole sandwich so... so... perfect. :(

yeah, my accent is funny.

I took her shopping today, and out to eat Gyro's after, she hadn't had one, this might be fun, I had an excuse to go to the mall......to eat Gyro's........

Sounds like a good time. I travel out of the country a lot. It's always nice when our host shows us some of the country. I know I've been places that even the indigent tourists don't always go and plenty of places that most Americans don't even think about going. Sort of a Rick Steves' tour of unpopular destinations.