Nobody Likes Attending Purchase Parties, Please Stop Having Them
DEAR ARBYS: I bring a hostess gift when I'm invited to someone's home for a dinner or a party. If it's a birthday party or shower, I bring a gift for the honoree. Should I bring one to a "purchase party," where a company rep sells products, kitchen gadgets or clothing? The hostess provides her home and food, and she usually receives thank-you gifts in the form of products from the company rep, based on how much the guests purchase.
Is it OK to show up empty-handed, knowing that I'll be opening my wallet to purchase something at the end of the party? -- UNSURE GUEST
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DEAR UNSURE: It is not rude to show up empty-handed to a “purchase party”, because purchase parties are terrible. If you have a friend who is hosting a “purchase party”, I think you need to really look at trimming your friend list. One of my friends invited me to a “purchase party” once for, um... adult pleasure enhancers. Even though I had no interest in buying anything, I felt like I had to buy something, or else I was not supporting my friend’s business.
Without getting into too many sordid details, I speak to this friend far less often, and I’ve only used that stupid rubber ass like 5 times before the rectum ripped and now it’s useless junk.
If you did want to bring finger foods, perhaps we can recommend our new Jalapeno Hushpuppies, only available for a limited time! It’s a classic deep fried hush-puppy, but with delicious jalapeno bits inside for some REAL pleasure enhancement-- but for your tastebuds.