A Sure Sign I’d Spent Too Long Sitting Down! The Hosts Started Tidying Up in the Middle of the Party

When people are friendslike an old married couple, mind yousooner or later a squabble breaks out. The more people, the greater the chances for tiffs and the odd grumble.

A mate once told me about their New Years Eve bash with friends. They usually spent it with three families at one of their houses, but last year, one family pulled out and decided to visit her parents insteadprobably just looking for a free meal.

So, the remaining two families cooked up a plan: split the evening between both houses so no one felt left out. They pooled their money for the foodnever mind that someone always forgets the drinksand sorted out whatever snacks and odd bits were needed.

They all rocked up with their kids in tow, tucked into dinner, and chatted away well past midnight. Suddenly, they noticed the hosts busily collecting plates and popping leftovers in the fridge. At first, no one paid much attention. But when the vacuum cleaner came humming out, the message couldnt have been clearer if it had been written on a neon sign: time to bugger off.

Thats hardly cricket, is it?

Oddly enough, at the other friends house later, there was no mad dash to kick everyone out. They all stayed up until the sun came up, nibbling, drinking, and laughing.

Well, maybe wielding the vacuum worked for my friends mate, but honestly, hes just terribly well-mannered. He probably said please and thank you between each pass.