Designing Social Interfaces

Chapter 3. You’re Invited!

The table was a large one, but the three were all crowded together at one corner of it: “No room! No room!” they cried out when they saw Alice coming. “There’s plenty of room!” said Alice indignantly, and she sat down in a large arm-chair at one end of the table.

“Have some wine,” the March Hare said in an encouraging tone. Alice looked all round the table, but there was nothing on it but tea. “I don’t see any wine,” she remarked.

“There isn’t any,” said the March Hare. “Then it wasn’t very civil of you to offer it,” said Alice angrily.

“It wasn’t very civil of you to sit down without being invited,” said the March Hare.

“I didn’t know it was your table,” said Alice; “it’s laid for a great many more than three.”

“Your hair wants cutting,” said the Hatter. He had been looking at Alice for some time with great curiosity, and this was his first speech.

“You should learn not to make personal remarks,” Alice said with some severity; “it’s very rude.”

—Lewis Carroll, “A Mad Tea Party,” Chapter VII, Alice in Wonderland

Engagement

I recently held a party to celebrate my birthday. In planning the party, I needed to decide who was invited as well as the theme and events of the party itself. I had limited time to plan, and since this was a personal celebration, I wanted it limited to friends and family—I didn’t necessarily want to have a blowout party and invite everyone I have ever known. When I had confirmed the invite list, I sent out invitations. A couple of times between ...