Drinking at Shows: Addressing a Guest's Shy Request for a Party

[wadesgirl]

A guest asked very quietly and shyly at a show if I would allow drinking at her party. To me this seems like a weird request it's their show they can do what they want. I thought I would see what everyone else does.

 

[Tanoi]

I agree that it is more of the host's decision. My last host made margaritas, a guest brought two bottles of wine, and the host's mom specifically made non-alcoholic punch for us preggos there. So yeah, drinking at parties is no biggie to me. Sometimes it actually makes it more fun. I joke around a lot for them to have one for me since I've been pregnant almost the entire time I've been a consultant. Most of them love taking on that challenge.

 

[janetupnorth]

For me, I guess I should say I haven't asked them not to. I've only had 2 hosts serve and it was only a glass of wine at each for some guests and they weren't even 1/4-1/2 done with the glass at the end of the show. Many of my hosts I have just met at the previous show. It is not my place to tell them what to do or impose my morals or standards on their lifestyle. If I ever come across a situation where it is out of hand, I guess I'd probably tell the guests to take their order forms home and also check to see who is the DD!!!!Hopefully that will never happen.

 

[CookingwithMary]

I answered "Depends". Depends on a lot of factors.If I know the group, or Host? DependsLightly "Spiking" the punch is ok, if the plain version is made by me. I never offer to make an alcoholic beverage --will make another plain version and let the HOST or GUEST add booze. Why? Because most people drive to my shows and I don't know their limit.Alcohol may lower sales resistance but might end up with cancelled orders later? Our holiday parties (held at a hotel) were cancelled by my former employer because a guest of co-worker drank too much, had car accident, sued the company. That was a big influence on my decision.

 

[chefann]

It's the host's party. I'm just there selling something. So if they are accustomed to serving adult beverages to their guests, then that's their call. If they have mentioned it already, I'll even make a PC drink that has alcohol. Most of the PC recipes make drinks that aren't super strong (generally), and sometimes I'll even use less liquor than it calls for.

 

[merego]

I like to drink an occasional ****tail or 2 or 3 myself ,so as long as it doesn't turn into "animal house" or "PC guests gone wild", I don't see the problem with alcohol. Most of my hosts are all about having a drink or too by the end of the day.

 

[merego]

I guess I should have said drink

 

[pamperedlinda]

It's their party and their friends so I don't care what they serve. I've never had it get out of hand - and after the demo I've even joined them for a glass of wine if it was offered. As a matter of fact, my last 3 $1000 shows all served wine or margaritas.

 

[cvaccaro]

I personally enjoy a glass of wine and being Italian alchoholic beverages in moderation has always been offered at all social gatherings. I think as responsible adults a glass or two during the course of the evening does not pose a problem.
Cathy

 

[KellyTheChef]

I would never make an alcoholic drink as a demo....but I do offer Mexican Margarita parties as a theme! I just have the HOST make whatever margarita's she wants to!

I don't drink (ever. Personal choice with two alcoholic parents, and generations of grandparent alcoholics...why chance it?) but I do feel it's their choice. *I* just wouldn't be the one making it, as I don't want to feel responsible if anything (God forbid!) would ever happen!

 

[redsoxgirl]

I don't care at all! I haven't really had people drink more than a glass of wine, but I'm looking forward to my first big drinking party where the purse strings are super loose!

 

[Chefstover2]

I think it's up to the host...it's their party after all.

Funny thing happened to me in December during a Bites & Bevs show...I made the Cran Raspberry Fizz (it is YUMMY with raspberry vodka) without alcohol b/c the hostess was pregnant. I was talking about the QS Pitcher and how great it is to make Sangria, margaritas, adding vodka to the recipe we're making, etc. (I also mention how great it is for making powdered formula!)

Come to find out at checkout every single guest is a Mormon...and don't drink. They were all good sports, but I felt like such a fool! They had a grand time laughing at me (and I got 5 bookings from it...so not too bad, just funny!)

 

[jrb0328]

I think it depends. in the end it is the hosts decision, it is his/her house and his/her guests afterall. i would not ask them not to. i think if there were going to be a kids there with their parents, i would personally expect them not to because that would mean they are driving home with their kids after they have been drinking, but i would never ask them not to just because its not my place to do so.

 

[ChefBeckyD]

It's up to the host if they want to serve alcohol - but I don't make it part of my demo.

I'm not sure why people think free flowing alcohol equals higher sales though. I've had several shows where there was plenty of alcohol, and people were there for the party - and none of them have been high sales, OR good bookings. In fact, I had 2 like that last month, and both had probably 20 in attendance, but only 8 orders each. A glass of wine is one thing, but when they are spilling beer (I hate the smell of beer!) all over my demo table, and completely ignoring what is going on - I'd rather not do shows where drinking is going to be the main focus for the evening.

 

[chefann]

Too free-flowing can be a problem. But if guests have one drink each, then chances are good that they'll have fun. Which in turn translates to better sales.But I agree with you, Becky, that when there's too much alcohol then it's easy to lose control and actually have a bad show.

 

[vwpamperedchef]

Drink More=Spend More!

 

[buckeyefan08]

It's not my house, not my decision!

 

[elizabethfox]

It is the hostesses house, so I think it is HER decidion on whether she serves drinks or not. I have had two shows so far where drinks were served, and only ONE started to get a little too wacky. But that was at the END of the show, and I ended up with over $700 in orders!

I personally don't drink, and when I have hostesses offer me something I always decline. It ALWAYS raises questions, but I just say I don't drink and even if I did, I wouldn't want to drink and then have to drive home.

 

[jrstephens]

I do not care for it at all. The ones that I have had do this did not ask up front about it. If I was asked, I would say it is my preference no but that it is her house and her decision and that I would prefer it to not start until AFTER my demo if she so decides. The ones that drinks have been served at have had low sales b/c they don't really care what I am doing at that point, ha!

It just makes me uncomfortable.

 

[lkprescott]

I tell hosts to have available beverages she knows her guests will enjoy. Mostly this has been soda and juice. Once it also included some imbibing in a beer. It's her party and she knows her guests way more than me. I wouldn't make an alcoholic recipe either unless it was host requested.

 

[ChefBeckyD]

This reminds me of the time I had a show where the host was making her "special coffee" for all of the guests. They kept talking about how good it was - and so when I was taking orders, she asked if she could bring me a cup of coffee, and I said "Sure! - I'd like to see what everyone is raving about!" Well, it was REALLY good! She made me a big mug of it, and I drank it all - it wasn't until after I drank it that she told me her secret ingredient....it was some kind of extra smooth Irish Cream (not Baileys) - and I swear, I never tasted the alcohol in it - and I am usually good at doing that.

Did I mention that I had a terrible cold, and was on some pretty strong medicine - you know, the prescription kind that says to not drink or operate machinery....I was a little woozy, and actually thought about calling DH to come and get me - but I did make it home okay!

I learned my lesson though - always ask for ingredients first!

 

[MaddyandOwensMom]

Just about every show I have had, the host serves alcohol. It has never been a problem. I am always offered wine as well, but I don't drink so I decline. I would even if did drink. For me, it would be if I had a drink at an office job. While I'm working, I need to be professional. After the show, is different though.

I did have a host two weeks ago (a very good friend) who told me flat out that she had recieved bad news and fully intended to get drunk. But she wanted to have her show anyway because it would be fun. Only two guests, but she was really fine and it didn't bother me.
Jessica

 

[pampered.chris]

I host parties all of the time for other companies at my home and I ALWAYS have some alcohol. I am hosting a party tomorrow night for another ds company and am serving margaritas and wine. I don't ever mind having hostess's serve alcohol, but I will not drink there.

 

[BethCooks4U]

I have had several hosts ask me if it would be okay with me if they served alcohol. I always say it's their party and they should serve what they want. I always refuse if they offer me a drink and they usually don't until after the demo if at all.

 

[aPamperedBride]

If my host tells me ahead of time that she plans to serve wine, I make sure to bring our Wine Bottle Opener! Hey, it's in the catalog, you might as well sell it to the people that will use it!I've had crowds that drink and crowds that don't. If offered a glass, I tell the host I'll try it when I'm done with the party but I need to wait until my part is done so the food is ready before midnight!

 

[pampermejolene]

So, do any of you DRINK at your shows?
I don't really think its appropriate, but what do you all think?

 

[chefann]

For me, it totally depends on the crowd. If it's a multiple-time repeat group (like the gal who hosts every 6 months), then I'll have a very small glass, but I sip it very slowly - and am usually not done with it even when I'm done taking orders and packing up. (And those are also the shows when I'll have something to eat, so I'm not drinking on an empty stomach.) If it's a new crowd, never. I'll jokingly use some line about wanting the demo to be right. But that really boils down to how I think the 2 groups perceive me. To a new group, I'm a professional. To the repeat group, I'm one of the gang.

 

[wadesgirl]

So, do any of you DRINK at your shows?
I don't really think its appropriate, but what do you all think?

I wouldn't. Unless it's family or something like Ann said, a group that you've been doing parties with over and over again.

 

[ChefBeckyD]

For me, it totally depends on the crowd. If it's a multiple-time repeat group (like the gal who hosts every 6 months), then I'll have a very small glass, but I sip it very slowly - and am usually not done with it even when I'm done taking orders and packing up. (And those are also the shows when I'll have something to eat, so I'm not drinking on an empty stomach.)

If it's a new crowd, never. I'll jokingly use some line about wanting the demo to be right.

But that really boils down to how I think the 2 groups perceive me. To a new group, I'm a professional. To the repeat group, I'm one of the gang.

I think this is a key point. I try to be friendly, approachable, but also professional for my shows. It's my job. But I have one group who has 4-6 shows a year, between all of their bookings - and I've grown to value them as friends. We hug when we bump into each other in public places, and I have been invited to birthday parties, and camping trips with them - so it has evolved from a business relationship to a true friendship. So yes, in that instance, if I am offered something to eat or drink (I usually don't eat or drink anything but water at my shows), I'm much more likely to accept - and sit and have fun with them.

 

[Tanoi]

I never drink alcohol at my parties. And no it's not just because I'm pregnant. I think it would be unprofessional of me. If I wasn't pregnant, I may have a glass of wine with the host after the party is over if it was a close friend of mine, but that would probably be the only way I'd ever do it.

I do however bring my own bottle of water and I do drink it while I'm there, but I try to be discreet about it. But people understand that I drink water like a fish right now anyway.