More the Merrier in the Authenti-City
My mother made a mean shrimp creole. Whenever she fixed it, even though shrimp were pretty dear, she made about twice as much as our family could eat. She swore that there were a few neighbors on our block who had an antenna for shrimp creole, and if she cooked it, they would come.
She was right. It was eerie. And when these men showed up, on the pretense of dropping in to have a drink, she'd fix them a plate, they'd pull up a chair, and we'd all tuck in. It was a cardinal sin at our house not to have enough food when guests were present. And the guests' responsibility was to be good company. Most of our guest more than lived up to their part of the bargain.
Coming from this perspective, it's been interesting to read about the furor the Party Crashers have created. Mind you, I'm not saying that crashing a party is acceptable--far from it--but it is the second level commentary, the Opinions that have popped up after everyone realized that the First Socializers were safe and had nothing but their protocol violated, that interests me most.
The New York Times published an article explaining in earnestness that the most serious thing that was broached was the Social Code of our nation's capitol. I read it with great curiosity--as a book editor, how people work fascinates me, and anything that promises insight on this Enigma of Enigmas makes good mental cud.
Here's the deal: in Washington, New York and LA--those bastions of culture, if not hospitality--the social currencies are, as you would expect, power, money and beauty. People make their social decisions based on who has the most currency of the realm: in the latter two, they flock to have photo ops with others who will increase their currency, but in D.C., however, real power lies behind the throne, so photo ops--Power Wall decor--have to be carefully curated.
Fascinating. It got me wondering about my own town. What's the driving force behind socializing in Houston? In Texas in general? Texas has its share of power, money and beauty, but somehow it all seems to mix up in a big chili pot of hospitality. Sure there are cronies, selective groups who gather, interest driven affairs, but if you follow Paper City or the star section in the Chronicle very long, one thing starts to jump out: These folks are all mingling.
The art people, the smart people, the philanthropic, the young and the old, conservative people and liberal people are all out their rubbing elbows. From hIgh brow to hoi polloi, you'll find all sorts at the Diverse Works gala, the Orange Show's Art Car Parade and in venues from the streets of Houston to the country clubs supporting the Pink Ribbons Project, or raising big funds for the American Cancer Society in their jeans. And they truly have hearts as big as the Ritz.
So what's the social currency here? Is it a can-do currency? Is it a wildcatter thing? Or is it broad horizons that make drawing-room games seem somewhat effete and lifeless, if amusing on the surface? Big-time socializing here may draw in power, but, like the Grinch realized about Christmas, it seems to be about something more.
What if Mr.and Mrs.Salahi had come to Houston? Would Leon Hale be in a frenzy? Would the Chronicle's newest style watchers analyze them? Or would we just shake their hands, introduce ourselves and offer them a plate of shrimp or roast beast?
What brings you here? What's your story? How can you help? This town has some money, but it's not just a money city; it has some power, but it's not about suits or spooks. And, no doubt it has it's share of beautiful people, but it's not particularly superficial. Houston has it's own unique currency, an H-town flavor, and an energetic spirit that makes it hard to categorize. With an authenticity that's hard to match, it's a great place to hang your hat. Whether you live here, or you're just paying a social call, all are welcome.
It's hard to crash an open house.
Personality is an unbroken series of successful gestures.
~F. Scott Fitzgerald
