THERE'S something about being in an ambassador's house that makes you want to whisper in an oddly dubbed voice to any tall man in a tux that with these Ferrero Rocher you are really spoiling us.
Mercifully nobody else at the very pleasant party at the American ambassador's house on Tuesday night seemed overcome with such giddiness it being a party for the American Chamber of Commerce there was more card than quip swopping.
Curious to see that even at a very festive gathering, some business people came over all Japanese and were spied frantically exchanging business cards. One extremely bored wife left standing behind a wall of navy suits muttered sourly to her friend that really this was the last year she was going to get all dressed up and come out only to be ignored while her husband did business. The ambassador herself couldn't make it. Jean Kennedy Smith was with John Bruton in Washington but her very affable assistant Larry Butler was in charge for the evening, He's only been here since August but already he and his wife Linda arc enjoying what he describes as one of the most covetable posts in the US diplomatic service.
Party organiser Mary Ainscough cancelled the usual band of sedate chamber musicians in favour of a more Jazzy group and that combined with the splendid location the ambassador's residence seemed to be built for partying with its four interconnected rooms made for a good party.
All the US business heavyweights were there enjoying themselves including Frank and Breda McCabe, Philip van Houtte, Peter Kearns, Martin Swarbrigg, Martina Kelly, and David Young. One of the most popular men in the room was Price Waterhouse partner Tadhg O'Donoghue who managed to talk all evening in his usual relaxed and witty way without, unfortunately, giving anything away.