First of all, I am grateful to all the hostesses and hosts who ever invited me to a cocktail party or other social gathering. I really do wish I could name them all, as well as everyone who has ever given me a mingling tip or a great party story, but that would fill a separate book (or even two). If you are one of these people, please know how much I appreciate it. I am also forever beholden to my gregarious parents; those childhood summer band parties on our lawn and opera soirees in our club basement gave me my first taste for mingling.
Last but not least, a special thanks to everyone at St. Martin’s Press, especially my supremely wonderful editor, Hannah Braaten.