206019 523 Holidays & Celebrations General Holidays & Parties true Mon, 13 Jul 2009 13:03:50 -0700 /system/videos/2/19/60/20/206019.flv DIY, Instructional, tutorial, Do It Yourself, Tips, Essential Skills, Learn to, party, parties, holiday How To Fake Your Way Through a Cocktail Party http://www.howcast.com/videos/206019-How-To-Fake-Your-Way-Through-a-Cocktail-Party http://www.howcast.com/videos/206019-How-To-Fake-Your-Way-Through-a-Cocktail-Party/edit approved 180 640 360 <object width="425" height="273" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" id="howcastplayer"><param name="movie" value="http://www.howcast.com/flash/howcast_player.swf?file=206019"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.howcast.com/flash/howcast_player.swf?file=206019" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="425" height="273" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" ></embed></object> 10 DimitriL http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/206019/fake_way_through_cocktail_party_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg 4943 false false false 77665 0 23 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/206019/23.jpg Go to a show Use the arts section of your local newspaper to find an exhibit or gallery opening to attend. If the chat turns to art, you’ll be prepared to ask if anyone managed to catch the blah blah showing last weekend.

]]> 77666 1 35 Tip If you’re too busy to see an exhibit, just read some reviews online.

]]> 77667 2 40 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/206019/40.jpg Read up Select a half dozen recently released, critically acclaimed books (no, Oprah’s latest selection doesn’t count) and hit the bookstore to read the jackets.

]]> 77668 3 51 Tip Flip through the books until you find a couple of great lines you can later quote, remarking on their “profundity.”

]]> 77669 4 58 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/206019/58.jpg Dress up Find a frock at the toniest secondhand shop in your city. If anyone admires it, say, “This? Oh, my goodness, Posh/J. Lo/Beyoncé gave it to me when she tired of it; I suspect it no longer fit her.”

]]> 77670 5 73 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/206019/73.jpg Sip something sophisticated Once at the party, ask for a classic drink, like a Manhattan, to distinguish yourself from the chardonnay sheep.

]]> 77671 6 82 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/206019/82.jpg Use confusing words Declare the drink “jejune/tentative/chaotic,” then enjoy the looks of partygoers as they struggle to decide if you like it or not. You can also apply these words to any artwork, artist, or art genre you’re asked to give your opinion on.

]]> 77672 7 97 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/206019/97.jpg Use foreign phrases Pepper your speech with foreign phrases like “Quelle surprise!” (“What a surprise!); “C’est parfait!” (“It’s perfect!”); and “Bien sur!” (“Of course!”).

]]> 77673 8 110 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/206019/110.jpg Fake a British accent Make yourself sound like part of the upper class by assuming a pseudo-British accent (think Madonna). Pronounce vitamins, “vit-amins”; again, “A-gain”; and can’t, “cahnt.”

]]> 77674 9 124 Tip Sprinkle British words into your conversation, like, “I”ll ring you on your mobile,” and “Pardon me, whilst I use the loo.”

]]> 77675 10 132 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/206019/132.jpg Name drop Drop the names of famous people (“Bono is so tiny in person”) and exotic locales (“For the best caviar, you really must go to the Caspian”). Notice you haven’t actually said you know Bono or have been to the Caspian.

]]> 77676 11 149 Tip Speak softly. This forces people to lean in close to catch what you’re saying, and gives the impression to outsiders that you’re so fascinating that no one dares miss a word.

]]> 77677 12 160 Step http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/206019/160.jpg Go out strong Leave the party when you’ve just successfully told a joke or had a group mesmerized by one of your stories. Hint that you have another even more fabulous engagement to attend.

]]> 77678 13 171 Fact Jay Leno was the top choice of men asked which celebrity they’d like to invite to a party.

]]> 523 160842 How To Escape From a Bad Party Without Offending the Host AssignmentGuide 6256 Thu, 19 Mar 2009 13:47:13 -0700 13 kevinveselka ]]> 183 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/3/42/08/16/160842.flv DIY, Instructional, tutorial, Do It Yourself, Tips, Essential Skills, Learn to, celebrations, party, parties Holidays & Celebrations General Holidays & Parties 2 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/160842/Picture_2_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.png http://www.howcast.com/videos/160842-How-To-Escape-From-a-Bad-Party-Without-Offending-the-Host 523 163315 How To Get Your Guests To Leave AssignmentGuide 2453 Mon, 16 Mar 2009 13:19:09 -0700 9 davidhe ]]> 98 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/5/15/33/16/163315.flv DIY, Instructional, tutorial, Do It Yourself, Tips, Essential Skills, Learn to, christmas, thanksgiving, holiday Holidays & Celebrations General Holidays & Parties 6 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/163315/Picture_4_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.png http://www.howcast.com/videos/163315-How-To-Get-Your-Guests-To-Leave 523 166189 How To Party With Celebrities AssignmentGuide 493 Thu, 29 Oct 2009 13:32:26 -0700 0 Semore9 ]]> 110 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/5/49/08/27/270849.flv DIY, Instructional, tutorial, Do It Yourself, Tips, Essential Skills, Learn to, holidays, holiday, celebration Holidays & Celebrations General Holidays & Parties 0 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/166189/party_celebrities_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.png http://www.howcast.com/videos/166189-How-To-Party-With-Celebrities 523 180144 How To Mingle AssignmentGuide 4240 Tue, 12 May 2009 08:33:09 -0700 16 Thom_Roholt ]]> 166 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/6/44/01/18/180144.flv DIY, Instructional, tutorial, Do It Yourself, Tips, Essential Skills, Learn to, celebrations, party, parties Holidays & Celebrations General Holidays & Parties 3 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/180144/Picture_9_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.png http://www.howcast.com/videos/180144-How-To-Mingle 523 181188 How To Be a Good Host AssignmentGuide 1003 Wed, 13 May 2009 08:17:26 -0700 6 wbetts01 ]]> 145 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/0/88/11/18/181188.flv DIY, Instructional, tutorial, Do It Yourself, Tips, Essential Skills, Learn to, holidays, holiday, christmas Holidays & Celebrations General Holidays & Parties 2 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/181188/Picture_5_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.png http://www.howcast.com/videos/181188-How-To-Be-a-Good-Host 523 214537 How To Buy Alcohol For a Party AssignmentGuide 10292 Thu, 06 Aug 2009 14:25:33 -0700 2 rsansivero ]]> 115 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/1/37/45/21/214537.flv alcohol, party, beer, vodka, buy, amount, quantity, booze Holidays & Celebrations General Holidays & Parties 0 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/214537/Picture_6_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.png http://www.howcast.com/videos/214537-How-To-Buy-Alcohol-For-a-Party 523 217129 How To Be a Good Party Guest AssignmentGuide 1515 Wed, 02 Sep 2009 20:03:37 -0700 8 heroicarts ]]> 165 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/6/08/58/23/235808.flv DIY, Instructional, tutorial, Do It Yourself, Tips, Essential Skills, Learn to, holidays, holiday, christmas, thanksgiving, party, guest, good, helpful, help, etiquette, manners Holidays & Celebrations General Holidays & Parties 2 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/217129/be_a_good_party_guest_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.jpg http://www.howcast.com/videos/217129-How-To-Be-a-Good-Party-Guest 523 223526 How To Make a Hand-Painted Tie For Father’s Day AssignmentGuide 209 Fri, 25 Sep 2009 11:02:28 -0700 1 theprohouse ]]> 96 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/5/22/71/25/257122.flv father's,day,fathers,crafts,making,tie,painting,children,kids,creative,ideas,presents,gifts Holidays & Celebrations General Holidays & Parties 1 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/223526/Picture_3_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.png http://www.howcast.com/videos/223526-How-To-Make-a-HandPainted-Tie-For-Fathers-Day 525 113750 How To Remember People’s Birthdays AssignmentGuide 1421 Wed, 14 Jan 2009 11:16:57 -0800 8 Equilibrio ]]> 103 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/0/50/37/11/113750.flv DIY, Instructional, tutorial, Do It Yourself, Tips, Essential Skills, Learn to, holidays, celebrations, holiday Holidays & Celebrations Birthdays 2 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/113750/cupcake_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.png http://www.howcast.com/videos/113750-How-To-Remember-Peoples-Birthdays 525 148184 How To Prevent the Waitstaff From Singing “Happy Birthday” To You AssignmentGuide 3083 Wed, 18 Feb 2009 10:19:15 -0800 5 briskimj ]]> 93 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/1/84/81/14/148184.flv happy birthday, DIY, Instructional, tutorial, Do It Yourself, Tips, Essential Skills, Learn to, holidays, celebrations Holidays & Celebrations Birthdays 2 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/148184/Picture_5_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.png http://www.howcast.com/videos/148184-How-To-Prevent-the-Waitstaff-From-Singing-Happy-Birthday-To-You 525 230009 How To Get Free Stuff on Your Birthday AssignmentGuide 940 Mon, 12 Oct 2009 11:33:25 -0700 1 rachybop ]]> 113 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/1/22/39/26/263922.flv free,stuff,birthday,getting,advantage,birth,day,complimentary,drinks,food,scoring Holidays & Celebrations Birthdays 0 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/230009/birthdayfree_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.png http://www.howcast.com/videos/230009-How-To-Get-Free-Stuff-on-Your-Birthday 526 105200 How To Choose an Artificial Christmas Tree AssignmentGuide 911 Sun, 14 Dec 2008 08:16:33 -0800 9 Altius ]]> 114 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/4/00/52/10/105200.flv DIY, Instructional, tutorial, Do It Yourself, Tips, Essential Skills, Learn to, holiday, holidays, christmas Holidays & Celebrations Christmas 3 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/105200/Picture_6_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.png http://www.howcast.com/videos/105200-How-To-Choose-an-Artificial-Christmas-Tree 526 213986 How To Have a Stress-Free Family Christmas AssignmentGuide 486 Fri, 28 Aug 2009 08:06:39 -0700 2 CinemaSlam ]]> 117 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/3/13/47/23/234713.flv DIY, Instructional, tutorial, Do It Yourself, Tips, Essential Skills, Learn to, holidays, holiday, celebration Holidays & Celebrations Christmas 1 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/213986/Picture_3_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.png http://www.howcast.com/videos/213986-How-To-Have-a-Stress-Free-Family-Christmas 526 214740 How To Survive Christmas With Your Family AssignmentGuide 501 Tue, 25 Aug 2009 14:04:11 -0700 1 CinemaSlam ]]> 136 http://media.howcast.com/system/videos/6/86/19/23/231986.flv DIY, Instructional, tutorial, Do It Yourself, Tips, Essential Skills, Learn to, holiday, holidays, season Holidays & Celebrations Christmas 1 http://img.howcast.com/system/thumbnails/214740/Picture_4_xxlarge_maintained_aspect.png http://www.howcast.com/videos/214740-How-To-Survive-Christmas-With-Your-Family