Seeing Solana mention an upcoming Philly Meet and Greet reminded me of a question I wanted to, but didn't, pose on the board after the last one; so this is an opportune time.

For those who aren't aware of what a Meet and Greet (MnG) is - it's simply a casual gathering of guys and ladies. It’s a great time to have the opportunity to meet on a casual basis, have some food and drink, share a few thoughts and ideas and not have any added pressures. It's a chance to mingle and meet screen names with actual faces and personalities.  The biggest plus, for hobbyists, is a chance to get an up close and a personal impression of providers without an obligation. Equally for providers it's a chance to put a face and a personality to guys' screen names and, maybe best of all, the food and drink are *free* as the guys are paying for it.  

Was rather suprised at the low attendance (less than two dozen) at the last Meet and Greet, and heard the one prior to that also had low attendance, and was curious why that was the case.      

The couple that I have been to (one of which was elsewhere and attendance was almost in the triple figures) have been great for the reasons noted above. Got to meet several providers who I either became more or less interested in (and I'm sure vice versa occurred too, lol) as well as several guys and we stay in touch with each other via email and PMs and the occasional phone call.

So while details for the next one are yet to be announced, let's hear your thoughts on why you did or didn't attend past ones.  Really interested in your thoughts about MnGs, whether they're plus or minus. (But no flames please.) Use an alias if you like or send me a PM if you'd rather not post. Thanks.

I could probably go on and on with a lot of psychobabble but hopefully some flavor will be added by other posters.  I've been an active M&G participant (I think I've only missed one).  Attendance has never been real high but the M&G's have generally been very enjoyable and, in a social sense, intimate.  I've always thought the Philly Board scene relected our interest in getting and sharing useful information, but it's never been a real active social group and there's only a small group of regular posters.  I think the M&G's reflect that same dynamic.

I also have to toss cudo's to Solana, who has been the energy behind the M&G's in the past.

-- Modified on 7/29/2007 6:02:50 PM

Southpaw, you made some good points.

first of all, thank you for description Southpaw. this the first M&G that i've seen advertized.
I'm new to this hobby and the board but, from what I can see this is a great idea exactly for the reasons you say.
also, i've met Solana who informed me about some of this.
I for one will try and attend the M&G coming up. Of course much depends when it occurs.
I believe attendance is probably most influenced by the timing of the M&G. i.e. daytime or nightime or spanning both. I would think the latter option may attract the largest participation, in 2 shifts, if you know what I mean.

I am posting under a aliases.  I was going to the last m & g.  To prove it.... edited by Mod.  I arrived and went into the bar area, I overheard two employees talking to two patrons that the side room was an escort and john's party. That is when i decided to sit out front and have a drink and observe.  I wanted to be in the room but I want to fly UTR... Solana had a real sexy dress on.. If you read this, it worked and the green color looked good on you... The one woman from I believe AZ , the blonde was very hot looking much better than her pics. I would rememebr her name if I saw it again... Anyway, my point is a little more discretion would help as well... $.02

-- Modified on 7/30/2007 11:11:17 AM

Solana has undertaken a monumental task to put these M&G's together.  I give her all the credit in the world considering this is not some ordinary office party.Discretion? well, yes it could be a little more discreet.. however, holding it in a public place, bar, restaurant, its not easy to be totally private.  As for attendance, the last was on thursday night, seems like a good night to have it, providers who want to attend are giving up working hours, and hobbyists can't always get away for the entire evening. .. so I don't think your ever going to see more than 25-50 ppl  in attendance. maybe if it was really promoted way in advance ..that would be up to us to do that.  You can't ask Solana to do more than she already does... which by the way is above and beyond!!
Solana, if you need some help count me in and maybe some others can contribute some time as well..
just my .02

I would hope you mis-heard those two employees??? That would not be a good situation!

No. They clearly stated " ESCORT AND JOHN'S " party.  Then the manager, a woman in glasses, who just passed her real estate test went up to a table of 3 men sitting at a high top table and told them what was going on in the back. The one guy pulled out his cell phone and snapped some pics... I just sat outside and observed and listen to all that was going on... That is why I was a NSNC at the party. This party should have been UTR...  Losse lips sink ships

While George Constanza's post has SOME truth into it, I disagree with some of his comments.  Now, how in the world would they know that we are escorts and johns?  I have always conducted the meet and greets the way I conduct my business - DISCREET!.  While these instances are unavoidable, like the DC M&G, they only had the place until 9pm and afterwards "real people" were mingling with us.  We had to be moved to the private room in the back.  Also, having drinks and dinner with friends is NOT ILLEGAL.  

I also do not appreciate the location being disclosed even in code, because that is confidential, regardless if it were in the past.  Now the hobbying community isn't that dumb!  Please no more outing!!!

I will still hold the M&Gs in September.

Please hobby safe and have fun while doing it!

S

Thank you luvnlife!  I look forward to seeing you at the next M&G.

S

What do you care what strangers say?  You really only need to be ready when someone recognizes you and if you can't explain away mingling with "quite the interesting crowd that I JUST met" then don't venture out.  I can tell you one thing for sure, those waitresses would BEG us to come back.  I guarantee they were very very happy with the tip.

I was unable to attend this past M&G, but attended the previous one.  Solana does a great job with them.  My reason for not attending is that my job required me to come in and work.  Initially, I had planned on attending and indicated as such, but had to reply as a Maybe due to work.  Unfortunately, work prevailed.  However, I really enjoyed the M&G I did attend (my first one at that time) and I've also been trying to meet up with some people I met there since.  The other problem for me is that I'm coming from a bit of a distance into Center City from the western suburbs.  So travel time is an issue sometimes.  Other than those 2 reasons, I loved attending and give Solana all the credit and kudos she deserves!  I had a great time and would love to plan to attend again in the future.

I wanted to think about my reply before dashing of a post.  I was one of the attendees and I found that the event lived up to it's billing.  I can appreciate the fact that, for many, the M&G was rather close to home and with that, the possibility of being recognized by an accidental observer could have been a reason for not attending. It certainly was the reason that I didn't attend the DC M&G.

It was also my impression that everyone there maintained a respectable level of discretion and decorum.  I was also glad to see that the guys were a clean cut, stand up lot and I enjoyed meeting everyone in that sort of social format.  Solana did a fine job organizing the event and it was very tastefully done.  

IMO it was like many of the cocktail parties that I have attended or thrown for work or play.  There wasn't anthing that would indicate a "provider/client" gathering.  If you were looking over your shoulder and perceived the event to be a gathering of hookers and johns, the chances are that it would have come off that way.  Solana, your dress knocked me out but maybe a more convervative cocktail dress or business suit would have worked just as well.  Please understand that this is just an observation and nothing else. Everyone appreciated the effort and energy that you brought to the party.  Just my $.02.