“CRASHERS”

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 83, 29 June 1927, Page 1

“CRASHERS”

LONDON SOCIETY PARASITES UNINVITED GUESTS LONDON, June 19. ENGLISH hostesses are beginning a campaign against “crashers” debonair, immaculate men and daintily-dressed women, who, uninvited, crowd into society balls and.other functions. The Duchess of Sutherland has fl:*ed the flrßt shot in a new campaign against the “crashers,” namely, niiinvited guests, who make a practice of walking in calmly to society balls and functions. They consist chiefly of young men and women on the fringes of society, the men polite, debonair, immaculate, witty, and excellent dancers, and the women pretty and daintily dressed. They sometimes flood popular hostesses and functions to such au extent that they elbow the real guests out of the ballrooms and supper tables, causing an undignified search tor further provisions. Recently supper dainties, including itrawbsrries and caviare, at one popular house vanished magically, and many of the guests went supperless. The hostess counted up her guests the next morning, and found that she had unwittingly entertained 250 “yashers.” “CROOKS,” TOO? j These uninvited guests cleverly wait until the dance is in full swing and the hostess is busy. Then they wander in without hats or top coats, as if they bad just been smoking a cigarette outside. I Frequently they are helped by the I custom of holding joint dances. If they are challenged by one hostess they calmly say that they were invited by the other. It is also believed that crooks are included among "crashers” for the liurpose of spying out the land before attempting a burglary. Hostesses, however, under the lead rt the Duchess of Sutherland, have sow decided that guests must show Uieir invitation cards. The move coincides with the climax | of the season, when balls at several of the famous houses are nightly making Mayfair the gayest place in the world. —Sun.