Manolo the Columnist
Manolo says, here is the Manolo’s latest column for the Washington Post Express.
0Dear Manolo,
My husband, who is an associate at a white-shoe law firm, says I must accompany him to his firm’s annual holiday party. Things will be especially tense this year as he’s up for partner. What do you suggest?
Ashley
Manolo says, what does the Manolo suggest? Selling your house and cars and vacation home, moving from the city to Tennessee, and taking up goat farming.
Undoubtedly the Manolo’s friend would be happier in the more relaxed setting, where powerful lawyers and their consorts do not do regularly do the stylized and brutal “Dance of Status and Positionâ€.
Yes, this will be the giant expensive holiday party, but no one will be especially cheery, except for the most senior retired partners. These men, well into the second childhood of their dotage, will sit at the tables gumming sugar cookies, oogling hot young associates, and dreaming happily of raccoon coats and rumble seats. Having forgotten all that their profession forced them to learn, they alone will be content.
But, until the deed on Rancho Cabrón Encatado is signed you must make the most of the difficult situation. Go to the party, smile, be gracious, do your spouse credit with your composure and beauty. And wear especially beautiful shoes.
Here are the very elegant, sophisticated, and festive shoes from Christian Lacroix.
Comments
Cat 17 years ago
Hahahahahahahaha! The Manolo’s advice is spot on!
wannabe 17 years ago
Oh Manolo, you have alas got everything right but the shoes. When the associate’s wife shoes up wearing Lacroix shoes, the partner’s wives start complaining about what the associates are getting paid and how it takes money out of their pockets and who does that bitch think she is anyway? Much better to have fabulous shoes which are a little more staid, or fabulous shoes the biddies may think are knockoffs.
Toby Wollin 17 years ago
And, pray tell, what is a “white-shoe law firm”?
White Shoes? Are we talking about white bucks, 23-skidoo, Rudy Vallee?
Manolo the Shoeblogger 17 years ago
Here is the definition…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_shoe_firm
Poochie 17 years ago
Manolo,
Sort of related but not really – I love the “white-shoe” the name comes from. And I have news for you!
http://shoedaydreams.blogspot.com/2007/11/manolos-for-men.html
Luv
Poochie
shoedaydreams.com
daisyj. 17 years ago
Oh, for those lazy days at Rancho Cabron Encantado, sipping basil juleps while the dear little goats gambol and play. Why anyone would give it up for the white-shod rat race is indeed a mystery.
Lilly Munster 17 years ago
Oh I just love these shoes. As pricey as they are, I wouldn’t mind saving the money to buy them. The unpleasant look on the so called “biddies faces” would be worth it. Although it is tacky to overdress, I would never “underdress” just to please someone else. “Go big or go home”
Renée 17 years ago
… also, don’t let social anxiety make you drink too much.Much better to let others make fools of themselves. What use are the fancy shoes if you can’t walk?
Glinda 17 years ago
Why does cussing sound so much more elegant in Spanish?
Perrier-Chick 17 years ago
Since when does cussing in Spanish sound more elegant?