I'll preface this by saying that I'm aware I could be the Special Snowflake here, but I'd like to hear other people's take on the things that are bothering me about this party that I need to find a way to bow out of. Here's how it went down.
--Received Facebook invite from friend for a housewarming party in a few weeks. Her new abode is about 30 minutes away, potentially much longer drive depending on weather. I viewed the invite but did not RSVP same day.
--A few days later, same friend invited me to brunch, which I declined. I did tell her I received her party invite and stupidly texted "Will be there" with the intention of "formally" RSVPing on the FB invite.
--Signed on to FB a few days later and there was a message attached to the invite stating "BTW, this is a potluck party, please bring a dish to pass." Here's where I start to get prickly. Not only is it a bait and switch to ask people to your party BEFORE telling them they have to provide the food, but poorly organized potlucks are a pain, particularly if it's not close family or friends and you don't know what the kitchen/dining set up is and what anyone else is bringing.
--The next day the FB invite has another addendum. "Hey party people, just a reminder that I don't allow shoes in my house. Maybe we can have a funky sock contest, LOLZ." This is not for cultural reasons nor is she actually serious about said contest, the hostess is diagnosed OCD clean freak who gets really bent out of shape about any perceived disorder. Obviously it's rude to track snow or dirt through someone's house; however, presumably people will be dressed nicely for this party including wearing their dress up shoes etc. and presumably people will use common sense in wiping their shoes appropriately like grownups. Unless you are going to provide said funky socks or slippers for your guests, I think it is unreasonable to ask everyone to take off their shoes. The idea of all that funky foot odor grosses me out in addition to the annoyance of having to put together a nice party outfit that will look stupid if I were to bring my own "funky" socks to wear inside.
--The coup de gras was a few days later. A FB invite addendum stating "BTW, BYOB. All I'm serving is punch."
To summarize, this party involves the attendees providing the food and drink and sitting around in their funky stink socks. I want nothing to do with it. Since it's a housewarming, I would also feel obligated to bring a gift. I would have gladly brought a nice gift and libations without being asked before all these additional mandates came out. I would have declined politely if all this information was forthcoming in the original invite. Although I have not accepted the invite on FB yet, I did text that I was coming before all the party directives were issued. Is there a way to get out of this without being a total cow?
