Forwarded by a french reader of my blog who works in the London City (thanks, Alex), I have to share with you the story of the most stupid birthday party email invite. The email is doing the rounds of City banks with good comments as you can imagine (which makes it even funnier with all the banks disclaimers at the end).
To ensure everybody sees Lucy the princess in a proper way she instructed her friends to arrive in groups every 15 minutes and with a strict rule of who should arrive when, example: ARRIVAL TIMES: [Please stick to these as best as you can, thank you] 9:00pm: Lucy, Sophie Sandner, Kajai, Mandeep, Preet, Sanami, Su, Lisa, Kate.
And a strict code has to be observed upon arrival: “When asked, how can I help you Sir/Madam, you reply, I am here for Lucy’s birthday party at the Rivoli Bar.” Dress smart — “the more upper-class you dress, the less likely you shall be denied entry”.
Any queries should be sent to her PA ! it already made it to the Times, and below the entire email for your pleasure. photo © Douglas Freer – FOTOLIA
Dear Friends,
Thank you for all your replies and I am glad all of you can come this
Friday to celebrate my 21st with me. Please read ALL the following to
ensure your entry into the Ritz.
Lucy’s 21st Birthday Party
at The Ritz Hotel London
Friday, 18th of August
9pm Champagne Reception
10pm Photo Shoots
10:30pm Blowing Candles
Mid-night Pangaea, Mayfair
I have arranged the Ritz to host a Champagne Reception with a selection
of Ritz Champagne for all my guests, this will be on me so please come
and indulge.
A specially made birthday cake has also been ordered and the Ritz
waiters will kindly serve you each a generous slice with Ritz cutleries,
etc…also on me.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR ENTRY:
* When you arrive, take the Hotel entry on the opposite side
of
the Green Park tube station [Please refer to your arrival time at the
end of this email]
* When asked “how can I help you Sir/Madame?”, you reply “I
am
here for Lucy’s Birthday Party at the Rivoli Bar”
* You will be escorted to the lounge area next to the Rivoli
bar,
where you will hopefully see a gorgeous group of ladies.
If you experience any issues getting in or getting to the Ritz, please
call my mobile on 07782 205 450 and my PA Ms Gill will kindly deal with
your queries between 8:30pm to 10pm.
STRICT DRESS CODE:
Gentlemen: Jacket, shirt, and please also bring a tie (no jeans,
trainers, flip-flops, polo-shirts)
Ladies: skirt/top, cocktail dress (no denim, min-skirts, flip-flips, bad
tastes)
Advice 1: It goes without saying that the more upper-class you dress,
the less likely you shall be denied entry. Advice 2: Photos will be
taken between 10pm to 10:30pm, and these will be distributed once
processed, therefore you may want to be well-groomed! 
Finally…
I will be accepting cards and small gifts between 9pm to 11pm…<wink
wink> hehehe
I very much look forward to seeing you all at the Ritz this Friday.
Lucy
ARRIVAL TIMES: [Please stick to these as best as you can, thank you]
9:00pm: Lucy, Sophie Sandner, Kajai, Mandeep, Preet, Sanami, Su, Lisa,
Kate.
9:15pm: Phoebe, Sophie Seugnet, Theo, Dmitry, Ed, Nikolay, Paul, Nick,
Harry.
9:30pm: Marco, Andrea, Jess, Ovi, Yuki, Olga, Kim, Marcelo, Ulyana,
Krystal, Dan.
9:45pm: Sunita, Alan, JingJing, Emma.
10:00pm: Anthony, Rachel, Roger, Uli, Yogi, Gharzi
Lucy Gao