Embarrassing Moments

If you've never had an embarrassing moment it's pretty likely you've had a very dull life.

If you've had far too many then maybe there is a real problem.

But if you've had enough to tell your friends and family or enough to generate some laughs and giggles during a social event, then you likely are a regular pholk. And you should be proud of it.

Recently a group of Lindsay's Washington School teachers attended a fellow teacher's wedding and reception. As a result each now has a new embarrassing moment to recall and retell for lots of years to come.

Here's the story as I heard it:

After going to the wedding in Exeter this group of men and women went to the reception at the Tulare County Fairgrounds.

One member of the group, Alicia, noticed the colors used for the decorations were a little different from those at the wedding but didn't give it a second thought. She and her friends had chipped in with a gift card which they placed on the gift table. Another of the group handed over a large wrapped gift. Together they selected a table they liked and picked out various bottles of “their' favorite drinks from surrounding tables. Soon they were served their meals and were having a good time, despite finding no jalapenos, as anticipated, on the table. The newlyweds hadn't shown up right away but the guests of the bride figured photos had delayed their arrival. One of the teacher group suddenly noticed a woman wearing a nice wedding-type dress and whispered how inappropriate for her to steal the spotlight from the bride on her special day.

All at once Alicia and her friends realized their mistake. They were at the wrong reception. They had crashed a wedding reception, eaten the meal and consumed lots of the soft drinks they had “selected” from surrounding tables.

The “reception crashers” immediately and discreetly as possible started to plan their escape. One of the intruders, however, said he wasn't finished eating. The rest of the party decided to split up and use separate exits. Alicia, (I'm not using her last name 'cause I promised) recalls walking with her head down in an attempt to avoid eye contact with any of the unknown reception guests, especially the wedding party. It seemed like a good plan. It was. Until a female security guard noticed a couple of “guests” attempting to pick through the wedding gifts and sneak out. Although she did not shout out “back away from the gift table,” the security person spoke in a non-whispered voice that the “intruders” should not take any gifts.

It took a moment, which seemed like 10 minutes I'm sure, for the uninvited guests to explain their mistake and beat a hasty retreat.

A few moments later the red-faced group found the right reception at another fair grounds arbor where tables lined with soft drinks were waiting. The decorations were a match to those at the wedding. They were safe, although embarrassed and a little late on arrival. Although the food looked good and inviting, most of the now “invited reception guests” group politely sampled refreshments, including jalapenos, and mingled with friends, other co-workers and, of course, the honored couple. The wedding gifts also made it to the right newlyweds.

This embarrassing moment is sure to be retold many times and at numerous other wedding receptions.

I, for one, can relate to the wedding reception embarrassment. This one also involved an attempt to retrieve a present from the gift table. But pholks, that will involve another story. All I will say for now is be very careful about including a gag gift along with a real gift, especially if you don't know both the bride and the groom.

Miles can be reached at mshuper@valleyvoicenewspaper.com