Dear Abby: Group Party Derailed, Centerpieces Destroyed

Dear Abby: I chaired an event with a local service organization. Many hours were spent planning and decorating. During the program, several participants playfully began throwing objects from the central area at the guest speakers. By the end of the program, most of the room’s furnishings had been dismantled and were lying on the floor.

My committee had a cleanup job to do, which was difficult and tedious. We felt like the many hours we had put into planning and hard work were disrespected by these childish antics. It was an end of year program, recruiting new officers and celebrating the wonderful previous year, and there’s always some light-hearted shenanigans. But I’ve never experienced complete chaos before. Should I say something or chalk it up to celebrating a successful end to the year? — stunned in Texas

DEAR AMAZED: Were these carefree participants drunk or simply disorderly? “Carelessly” destroying centerpieces and throwing parts of them at the speakers? How disrespectful to everyone involved, not to mention the potential danger! I don’t think what happened should be ignored. Either way, speak up. You and the other committee members certainly have the right to tell the perpetrators how you felt. You’re not the only person who’s stunned. Me too.

Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jean Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or PO Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.