Double Trouble
As the summer approaches, we see a definite increase in the number of invitations and dates we will receive. People seem to live more lustily and more lively in June, July and August.
One guarantee I can give my readers is that there will be one or more scheduling conflicts. Two appointments listed for the same time and same day are an abundance of riches. However, a decision must be made. Sometimes in a marriage it is the wife’s family versus the husband’s family. This requires delicacy.
Go to one and forget the other is one solution. Go to neither and read a good book is another way to handle the situation. Having to choose between a June wedding and two free tickets to Citi Field (Mets) is a puzzlement.
How should we grade each choice on a one-to-ten scale? Should a Bar or Bat Mitzvah be given more credence than a school reunion (50 years)? Recently my NYU Dental School of 1959 notified me of a date for the 50th year class reunion. The date, after much bouncing around and at least two date changes, is to be October 16, 2009. Plans went from a sit-down dinner to a buffet affair and from a private room for cocktails to an open room for everyone.
Next we received a tentative October date from an old army buddy for a Bat Mitzvah sometime in that month. Since it will be in London it takes special planning to come and go. A slight predicament!
When the tentative date for the London affair was set, we find that it will be Oct. 24, 2009, one week after the reunion. We can now attend both – Hallelujah!
The Greenberg philosophy of the past is to try to attend both affairs. Sometimes this is possible. I remember once going to two weddings on Long Island, three hours apart. We missed the sit down meal at both. After giving two generous gifts we wound up eating at the Empire Diner.
This column is written as a preparation for the likely event of double trouble, two parties at the same time. Do the best you can, but try to make both.
