So, this April, what is your party quotient?
Lloyds Bank in London. The bleakness in the poem, no doubt, stems much from the state of the western world in those inter-war years. But I suspect, with no evidence in hand, that he was especially inspired to write that opening line after attending too many dinner parties and luncheons in London's banking and financial circles that spring.
I say this because I can confirm after a week packed with dinners and lunches — one pretty much liquid — that it is indeed the cruellest month on the calendar. But one upshot of giving networking a shot has been that I have gained knowledge about the kind of people a fashionable host invites to such HNI — High Networking Individuals — gatherings. Some of the same guests I saw across the dozen gatherings over the last six days clearly ranked high in PQ — Party Quotient. Anyone below 5 on the PQI shouldn't really be there.
Locked & Loaded Being wealthy, especially wealthier than the other gathered wealthies, always gives a premium entry. Subtle (sic) expositions on the short holiday in Mallorca — 'We watched the sea food swimming right next to us' — adds to one's net worth. (PQI 6)
Looks, Who's Here Turning heads is one prime requirement in an HNI gathering. But being a headturner by one's sheer good looks — the hours at the salon can't hurt — gets easy, valuable PQ points, especially as faces start to blur. (5)
Arm Candyman A corollary to the high PQ goodlooker is the guest who comes with a plus-1 who is a vision. This category is gender neutral, although chances of a bumptious
