Going Out Style: The Group vs. Just the Girlfriend
Everyone has their own going out style. Some like to make a theatrical production of the night with designer clothes, extras, cameras and mass texts. Others like to sneak out of their apartments at 1 A.M. without telling a soul. Some of us like to pregame profusely. Others nurse one drink the whole night.
This range of styles came sharply into focus for me after an increasing number of party arguments I’d experienced with one of my newer friends. The dilemma every night was essentially this: I wanted to go wherever my friends were going so that we’d have a table, home base, and people to keep an eye on us (safety in numbers). And she wanted to go someplace just her and I.
Apparently, I’m a pack mentality going out person.
She is not.
And I never even realized this about myself!
Maybe I’m an insecure partier, but I like to enjoy a club with all my friends around me (preferably multiple groups of friends around me) and usually with someone who’s acting as leader / entrance aficionado / alcohol provider. I find that this leaves me with less to worry about. Now if I’m going to a locale where I know the doorman and know how to procure free booze, I’m happy to break off into a smaller group. Otherwise, I’m a power in numbers person. Not to mention that I enjoy catching up and creating memories with my gaggle of friends.
My party style nemesis on the other hand continually points out that the large group slows us down, sometimes makes it longer to get in, is inconvenient for cab travel, requires us to keep track of everyone, and makes it our problem when Jenny pukes in the street. Most importantly she notes, it prevents you from meeting new people.
Me: It prevents you from meeting complete strangers. Strangers who are creeps.
Her: It prevents you from meeting new potential men, because we’re always with the guy friends and ex-flames of our group.
Me: I meet new people. I like to use my friends as a base and then branch off to look around.
Her: So you can’t even be in Pink Elephant with out a life raft?
Me: It’s better to meet new friends through friends. People you’re already connected to.
Her: That’s incest. Incest with baggage.
So who’s right?
Tags: clubs, drama, friend stuff, Nightlife, relationships, style
