Party trick: eating and drinking while standing

Wednesday, October 17, 2012 · 8:00 am

Does drinking and eating while standing at a business reception or cocktail party leave you feeling just awkward?

A plate of jalapeno poppers, a glass of chardonnay and clever conversation with strangers you want to impress is a lot to manage with just two hands. Throw in the interruption of many mid-bite handshakes and the fear of dropping your food or spilling your drink.

All those distractions can really take the happy out of a happy hour.

Photo: Patra Wroten

Recently, at a cocktail reception in Washington, I saw a man in full command of both the room and his party favors. I asked him if I could steal a photo of how he was managing his food and drink with such ease. As someone who tends to place a full wine glass atop a plate in hopes that it stays balanced while I nibble, I was impressed with how he had single-handedly mastered the art of eat and great networking.

Party Trick: Hold the stem of your glass between your pinky and your ring finger. Use your thumb and index finger to balance your plate.

When she isn't researching policy or planning parties, Patra Wroten is a Washington, DC, lifestyle blogger whose posts have inspired features by the Associated Press and Good Morning America.

News Social Studies

Dennis Boykin

An often – overlooked skill – holding a glass and plate in one hand. Only works with stemmed glasses, by the way. I learned it years ago from a Foreign Service Officer at the American Embassy in Brussels. Turns out they teach it at the Foreign Service Institute in Arlington……………..