The Slice: Boom lacking in holiday get-togethers

Baby boomers were not the first to discover this.

But it’s a widely accepted truth that the holiday partygoing experience tends to change over the years. When you are single and in your early 20s, your hopes for and expectations of a social gathering can be quite different from when you are married and let’s just say considerably older.

Let me count the ways.

Then: Will I meet Miss/Mr. Right?

Now: I wonder if the food will be decent.

Then: Well my heart went boom as I crossed that room

Now: Are there any napkins?

Then: You are still finding out who you are.

Now: You know who you are and anyone who doesn’t like that can lump it.

Then: Was that meaningful eye contact or am I imagining it?

Now: Any more of that black bean dip?

Then: Young and stupid can sound like a bold, confident vision of the future.

Now: You realize it’s not the end of the world if you simply say “Excuse me” and walk away from someone giving off fumes of mendacity.

Then: Why is she smiling at that guy? Can’t she see right through him?

Now: Kids, remodels and surgeries.

Then: “You smell good.”

Now: “Any more of those canapes?”

Then: Discussions of movies and literature that are actually conversations about sex.

Now: Discussions of movies and literature that are actually conversations about movies and literature.

Then: Shop talk focused on how top management just doesn’t get it.

Now: Shop talk focused on how top management just doesn’t get it.

Then: “No, I would remember if we had met.”

Now: Is there cilantro in this?

Then: Beer snobs.

Now: Beer snobs.

Then: People who think they will still see just as much of one another even though members of the group are getting married and having children.

Now: People who know better.

Then: Laughing about mistletoe.

Now: “This pie is unbelievable.”

Then: That was definitely a meaningful glance.

Now: “It looks like that salad we brought was a hit.”

Then: “Can I give you a ride?”

Now: Time to collect your forever Miss/Mr. Right and review the party on the way home.

Today’s Slice question: Do you have a favorite movie kiss?