The Color Purple

This is a story about feeling red and seeing blue.

Last night, because the Bo' is the most adorable small liberal arts college in the world, an etiquette dinner was hosted for members of the senior class. About sixty of us were to dress in interview attire and, as the Band Man put it, "increase our social capital," by learning the things to do and avoid at a formal dinner. A great chunk of us, myself included, will never have the opportunity for formal business lunches or interviews, but the free food and chance to hang out with everyone all dressed up, that had all of us sign up in a heartbeat. And oh, etiquette is trickier than you might expect. We were all forced to introduce ourselves and fake networking (though we all pretty much knew everyone else in the room, this being the Bo' and our senior year) during the opening reception. The tricky part was that we had to have something in our left hand during the opening reception (food or drink, not both). I chose the white wine, forgetting that a. I had not had anything to eat for quite awhile (and couldn't, now that I'd committed to the wine), b. the room was quite warm, and c. I look like a lobster when I drink. So there I was, just half a cup in, listening to the President's wife, our hostess, lecture about not drinking too much at these events, and already noticeably red. Very proper indeed. I had to give up my wine at that point, not wanting people to think I was sauced at the reception. Jackie did ask our hostess if all of us afflicted souls should avoid wine at such events and surprisingly, she said for us to just go ahead and drink. Most people, she said, should understand. So please understand, people, I have an enzyme deficiency.

Today, discussing the pretty encouraging election results in our soc seminar, Chris commented on how much he admired the Band Man for just speaking the facts about the election.

Band Man: You mean hiding my absolute joy?
Chris: Yeah.

Band Man then goes into a long discussion about being honest about his beliefs but at the same time, not wanting students to feel intimidated about bringing up dissenting ideas or supporting a different system.

Band Man: ... if you ever have conservative views, feel free to be open about them and speak up... (pause)... before I slap you down.