The Cocktail Party Defended.

Franklin Times, Volume XXII, Issue 58, 20 May 1932, Page 3 (Supplement)

The Cocktail Party Defended.

Someone asked me recently if I thought that the popularity of cocktail parties was on the wane. My opinion about these delightfully informal gatherings is that they are, if anything, on the increase. To begin with, cocktail party time is the perfect hour for busy men and women to meet. In these days both the sexes are working —■ offices and shops claim a large proportion, others are engaged in one profession or another, while), owing to world conditions, many a married woman has to do her share of the housework. Between tea and dinner there comes a lull in the feverish activity that holds sway from nine to six, and if a party begins at 5.30 the more leisured guests can put in an appearance early and start the party going with the hostess.

THE "KICK" NOT ESSENTIAL. There has been a great deal of, talk about the evils of the cocktail habit,

and I agree that there is harm if an unlimited number of these often . subtly and deliriously mixed drinks ; /are taken; but then intemperance in T . anything is harmful, and people are • too keen on the blessing of good health in these enlightened times to risk it in over-indulgence. To those to whom alcohol is a danger I would say: Don't drink any at all! Every hostess provides squeezed orange and lemlon juice for those who ' prefer it, and this health-giving, golden liquid can be iced to the same temperature as a cocktail. No one expects guests to drink what they do not want. The choice is there, and the individual must choose for herGood sherry is now a popular drink at these parties, and there is a new and delicious cocktail which contains no spirits, but is made of wines. It has a delightful flavour, and for those who fear that it may not be as uplifting as a spirit cocktail I may say that I have tried it on quite a number of my men friends, who enjoyed it immensely and declared that they got quite a " kick " out of it without any bad after-effects. WIHEN PEOPLE LOOK THEIR BEST.

One of the greatest joys of a cocktail party is its informality. People wander in and out, sip a cocktail if they wish with their host or hostess, move about and meet friends, and

make new contacts. The Government, literature;; art, the stage, and the peerage are all to be found in this happy atmlosphere. The old and the young greet each other in passing on

MORE USES THAN ABUSES. (By Catherine Countess of Westmorland.)

to talk with a friend in a far corner, or perch on the arm ofi-a big armchair with perhaps a distinguished actress and • a shining literary light a few feet away. At a recent party the flowers were a dream, arranged to perfection, and I was, happy just to sit and gaze at them; but. a very charming young man, who was a complete stranger, fetched me a cocktail while I talked to a stage star. People on these occasions are so unaffected and friendly, and I always think both men and women look their best. It is too early to be over-tired, and the welcome relaxation after a -busy day gives an ease and sparkle to their conversation that no other hour can hold. NO ELABORATE TOILETTE.

No need to go home and change as for a formal reception, but just smarten up a bit with the aid of a cake of -soap and a good stiff hair-brush for men, and a dusting of face-powder 'and some carefully-applied lip-stick for women, and we feel fresh and gay. Women can easily tuck a new pair of gloves into their bag if they are to be out all day, and pull them on before they arrive at the house. Little details like this give a caredfor look. There is no need to flaunt the signs of toil—even if one does have to catch an early morning train or rehearse in undusted theatres, or, in fact, do anything that leaves one less fresh than the few wealthy ones of this world.

It. needs a clever woman to be smart ! Wealth alone will not achieve this;, and I think that the business and professional women of, to-day have proved this without a doubt. • They know that their job and their personal appearance are linked together, and that brains and beauty do, more than ever before, go hand in hand. EXCELLENT INSTITUTION ?

My opinion is that the cocktail party is an excellent institution. It is an easy and delightful form of entertainment, and I, for one, have never seen cocktails drunk to excess. The people who would do this would use any kind of alcohol to reduce them to a state of intoxication, and certainly not wait for a cocktail party to do it. I hope the cocktail party may long continue! Cocktails are served, and from them the name is taken, but they are only a very small part of the entertainment that has proved over and over again a bright spot in the lives of the busy man and woman of to-day.