Come as you are

The “come as you are” party is a surprise party for the guests. The idea is to catch people unaware and persuade them to come enjoy a casual party on the spur of the moment. No dressing up or preparing, just drop everything and join in the fun.
Washing hair? Wrap your head in a towel and come along. Napping? Rub the sleep from your eyes and put on some slippers. It was great hoots forty years ago when life had more rigid social conventions.
When I tried this for a birthday party in the 1970s, it failed. There wasn’t much difference between school clothes, play clothes, and dress-up. Nobody turned up in their bathrobe or pajamas. No embarrassing outfits. Well, it was the 70s. Everyone wore an embarrassing outfit.
The 2003 Tokyo lifestyle is a little bit more formal. People dress to go out and rarely drop in on one another unannounced. Maybe a “come as you are” party would be successful now.
Let’s imagine what would happen if I rang people for brunch on a Sunday morning:
Tod – stumbles from the bedroom bleary eyed and wearing his yukata.
MJ – has been up all night but can’t tear herself away from work.
UltraBob – attempts to change the venue to Zushi because he has a deadline.
Mike G – arrives neatly dressed with an interesting CD to share.
Mike R – sets up a webcam from Erie.
Terri – needs a break, but has too much work to get done.
Peter – comes in his car with the whole family “as they are”. Yes!
Kristen – arrives fashionably late in a gorgeous peignoir and lipstick.
Kristin – is teaching a painting class and can’t make it
Sayaka – hops a train from Oita, arrives in time for leftovers.
Tracey – is sleepy but not in pajamas as she dressed right after waking up.
John – turns up for brunch on Tuesday–it’s a long flight.
Kris – arrives with John and looks absolutely fabulous.
Dave – comes with John and Kris; brings a suitcase full of toys.
Jenn – wears nice travel clothes; spends her flight writing Ode to a Brunch
Helen – sports pale blue with glittery accents; thinks my food is weird.
Dan – dons green sweatpants with holes. Joins me in the kitchen on Tuesday.
The guest list goes on, but you get the idea. Lots of my friends are busy or not in Tokyo. And I wonder why I don’t have many parties…