hobkirk

I value the evaluations on DC Rainmaker's site. And I usually enjoy his tips and reports when I decide to read them. I relate to his mindset - how he describes things and what he chooses to describe. I enjoy the diversion, although I rarely go to his site unless I am seeking a review.

I noticed a "Paris Blog" heading on my last foray. Hmmm, he's moved to Paris. That's interesting. I read some posts about the move (finding an apartment, the movers dropping some of his stuff from floor 6, farmers' market, etc.). OK, but I skipped the "dinner" entry. What the H, I should at least see if there's some reason that a dinner would be interesting.

I was transported into another world. A huge flash mob, done in French (I can't imagine this in Boston or New York). Maybe you will also find it interesting.

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Or maybe this fascination is just my peculiarity... I visited Paris at 14 (US Boy Scout trip from Ramstein AFB) and I was an IT consultant working in downtown DC at 31.

StanSeven

Where did you work in DC? You look familar so maybe I know you. If you rather send me a PM

Leinster

I've been to it in San Francisco the last 3 years running, and I believe there is a NY version. SF had Ben Folds as the entertainment last year. It's BYO food and drink, and all very well organised. I go with a group of my wife's cousins and we split up appetiser, main, side and desert duties between us all (one year, there was a couple sitting at a table next to us who didn't get the BYO memo and showed up empty handed, but most groups had enough spare food to treat them).
The "pop-up" aspect of it is that they don't tell you where it's happening until you get an e-mail at lunchtime day-of, but my sister in law was eagle-eyed enough to spot them setting up tables chairs and fences by the Embarcadero last year, so we knew where it was a little in advance.

And it looks like they'll be having it in your neck of the woods this year; Dîner en Blanc - Boston - Le Diner en Blanc returns to Boston with a new team of hosts!
You should check it out and drag some friends along. It's a very French experience, and a lot of fun.

hobkirk

Thank you. I put my name on the list.

My son (29) was very dismissive when I discussed this with him - "it's not anything unusual - there are lots of events like that, many much bigger." What does he know? Obviously my destiny is to be buried by a mountain of my ignorance.

hobkirk

I was a consultant, working for Genasys. I worked at DOE downtown and an office in Bethesda and lived in McLean. The highlight of my 18 months:

1. Seeing Tricky Dick run out of town
2. Drawing 11 clubs in a bridge hand, including the Ace/King (we were all novices - no possible way to find out if 6 or 7 clubs was possible)
3. My bank, the McLean National Bank, IIRC, did NOT USE ACCOUNT NUMBERS! Amazing, even 38 years ago.

Dan515

Seems pretty pretentious. You have to pay to bring your own food and drink, and you have to adhere to their dress code... I'd just do this myself with friends instead of with thousands of others trying to get a nice shot for Instagram or something.

RobertL

It looks like a great time, I'd love to do it!

Leinster

Of course it's pretentious. What's wrong with a bit of pretension now and then?

I've had mixed experiences at it, and a couple of times, like you say, wondered why I was paying money to bring my own food etc. But there is fun in gathering in a large group of strangers in a major public place and taking over. It's not for everybody, but then neither is spending thousands of dollars on a bicycle and riding it up and down hills all day, yet here we all are.

rpenmanparker 

Hi! What is this thread about?

TrojanHorse

Wearing bibs in France

Dan515

Yes very true. I guess the part that bugs me is how lots of people I know treat this like it's some "once in a lifetime must-do event" when it's really just a glorified picnic.

cderalow

they do one in prospect park in brooklyn in June (i think it was last weekend even)