Pass the wine — you #*##&*%!

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Not all dinner parties turn out like you’d hope — that’s the premise of ‘Dinner Party Disasters: True Stories of Culinary Catastrophe,’ a new book from Annaliese (formerly Mrs. George) Soros and contributor Abigail Stokes. According to its publisher, the book includes menus, ‘hilarious’ narratives of disaster and helpful tips (e.g., how to put out fires and mend broken furniture). And it may need a sequel.

At a recent Connecticut dinner party to celebrate the book and its authors, two of the 22 guests were talking politics; one supported Obama, the other McCain. By the time the entrees hit the table, the two decided that words weren’t enough and resorted to fisticuffs. Publisher’s Weekly reports that the ‘kitchen staff came to the rescue and separated the two men.’ (Note to self: If dinner conversation might get heated, make sure to have a kitchen staff.)

You’d think these Connecticut Brahmin would know how to discuss politics without resorting to violence. Maybe it’s just been too long since they have consulted Emily Post’s Etiquette, which says we should look for common ground, try changing the subject to something entirely different and, whatever we do, ‘Don’t battle it out right there in the living room.’

Carolyn Kellogg