Partying

The meaning of the term "Partying" has been in a state of change.

Right from childhood the term partying has been in a constant state of evolution.
In school during primary days, partying meant an evening snack at some friends' house with some games like Housie lotto or musical chair hosted by the mother of the party giver. Birthday parties used to come with return gifts. Based on the return gifts, we used to rate the birthday parties. A bulkier return gift meant a better party.

As I evolved, the idea of partying also started changing. Now in my secondary days, parties did not mean celebration at anybody's home. Parties had to happen at a restaurant where the group had to have dinner followed by a desert. It was no longer cool to be hosting party at home.

As days passed and I got out of my junior college, the birthday parties lost a bit of significance. Now, party meant visiting a hill station or another town so as to help friends spend a lot of time together. Still the restaurant pattern did not change.

As I joined my first job, the idea of party remained more or less like a restaurant party but with only one change - The party needs to have booze. Infact, the term 'partying',  in my office and also in my B-school, is now synonymous with booze. The food aspect of the party is forgotten and now the site selection for party involves a place where good booze alongwith a proper ambience is present. As I started interacting with more and more people around, I have now observed a different trend. Now, partying means to spend an evening in a pub (in a huge group) where people get to dance around alongwith beer, wine. etc and then after getting tired, have some food in a restaurant if there stomach is still asking for more.

Thus, partying has evolved significantly - from the innocence of house parties to restaurants to the boldness of drinking at pub. Wonder what will be its meaning in the future.However, for me, one thing remains constant - a party means to spend quality time with friends and colleagues.

PS: The above post represents the view point of most of the people whom I go partying with does not necessarily mean that I drink at parties.