1936 Shaking in the 60's by Eddie Clarke

Should the weather be cold then there will be a nice warm welcome ready in the shape of additional heating round the room,easily available for switching offwhen the party warms itself up. Also it will be an added amenity when switched on later, to roast out the guests who are overstaying their welcome. There will be a few seats round in which the elderly, sick or social wallflower can rest awhile. The lighting has received careful attention. It is soft, and gives off a mellow and restful effect which will aid the guests to relax. Our hostess knows that bright harsh lighting is hard on make-up,and gloomy lighting will not be in keeping with the gay party spirit. Now comes the problem of where she will serve the drinks. Madame Experience favours a little place tucked awayjust outside the party room. The kitchenette is ideal because the Mixologist has everything he wants round him:running water,ice, clean glasses, etc. Also it rules out any party pest taking up permanent residence at the bar counter—which is the case when the serving is done in the actual room. These particular bodies are oblivious to the comfort or needs of others, their sole ambition in life seeming to be to drink as much, by as few, in as short a space of time as possible They are luckily creatures of greed and whilst they are flicking their cigarette ash all over the array of cocktail cherries and sliced fruit, then stubbing the ends out amongst the olives and nuts, they will drink all that is put before them, which will give an experienced blender a chance to get them to "down" a special. They will then depart for home nice and early. It is always strange how the best mannered person in their own homes will behave when they come to hers for a party. They become careless crushers of cigarettes on carpets, sideboards or even on the grand piano. Thus to try and bring a touch of self-consciousness to these

33