Last night I was invited by my former work colleague to spend a few hours with her and some friends in a trendy nightspot in London.
The reason for the gathering was that she "won" a competition where the prize was a free bottle of champaigne, 8 shots and a platter of food, and although I saw through it immediately for what it really was, a great bit of advertising, but the fact that my friend was going to be there with a bunch of her girlfriends meant that it promised to be a good night anyway.
What I didnt realise what exactly how great the night was going to be and how it typifies why I love the latin culture and think generally us Brits have got it all about face.
You don't believe me. Well, picture it, a young and attractive model with a group of her equally attractive female friends outnumbering me and the other three guys who came along more than 2-1, in a bar with a light snack and two rounds of drinks provided for free.
Now none of the girls got jealous or started acting like they were up their own asses, none of the guys tried to hold a drinking contest to see who could get shit faced the quickest and in the end we were all laughing, joking and playing silly games half cut yet all still under control of our limbs and minds.
I have always had a fond spot for balloons, but the game we played put all other games to shame. Not only was it very amusing and enjoyable to see all these attractive young women trying to play keepie-uppy with a balloon ( without using their hands ), which often meant rolling around on the sofas trying to kick it with their high heels, but the loser had to perform a dare which took the game to a new level.
As most of us were in relationships, regardless of if our partners were present or not, the dares were specifically kept light but could involve trying to get a guys number, having to dirty dance with no music, having to get a barman to buy you a drink, asking a stranger how well endowed he was, having to frisk the doorman and having to pretend to pole dance up against a wall.
It is almost impossible for me now to clearly evoke how much fun it was, but rest assured that if you are a person with a pulse, a happy attitude and good heart you would have loved to have been invited to this party and if you missed it you would have been kicking yourself for weeks to come.
All I can say is that from the moment I arrived I didnt want to leave and only did so because my cash funds were running low and I hate having to take the last train home to Gillingham so whenever possible I catch an earlier one.
