Imagine finding your true love at a fancy gala

Let's be honest. If I was alive back then, I would have been married off in exchange for a plow, 3 pigs, and 12 sacks of potatoes, if I was lucky.
- Hey, don't sell yourself short. You're worth at least twice that many sacks of potatoes.
- Hmm 3goats take it or leave it
  
  I'm sorry, I don't know what to say. Literally, I don't have any say in the matter.

Back in the day we poor people would have had all night ho downs and tore the barn down, or had naked drunk parties in the forest. We should get back to that
- Those still exist, you are just not invited to them 😛
  
  I’ve heard you gotta go to Ren fairs to meet all the freaky swingers
  
  (..)

Fun fact, my SO and I met at a dance (poor person gala). It still happens.

It's funny, I got into my current relationship around the time the apps started coming out so I've never really used them, but I remember people were praising it as a lot safer for everyone involved.
And tbh I can see that being the case compared to the older school approach of nightclubs being majority populated with people actively trying to find someone to sleep with
- I feel like dating apps are a lot more predatory than they were when they were first introduced. I mean predatory towards the users. Enshittified, if you will.
  
  How? You get pictures and words from people you might like to date, same as it ever was. You can pay for bells and whistles, if you're an idiot.
- The apps were good. But their very nature meant that a successful pairing would result in loss customers. Capitalism no likey

This is not strictly true. In many places, even in rural areas, there are still dancing events. They are not galas, they're an analogue for peasants, but everyone's invited if they care to look for the events, just like it always was. I'm sorry to those who don't have this possibility in their respective area.
- Look up "contra dancing" in your area
- When my dad was stationed in South Carolina the town we lived in for a while had one of these. Shout out to Lugoff-Elgin, Home of the Catfish Stomp.
- Are those events usually advertised on Craig’s list and have the password “Orgy”?
- Swing dance, blues dance, etc. They all have awesome clubs in downtown areas, often with live bands.
- What country do you live in?

How so? They still need people to open the doors and do the catering.
Oooh they mean as an invited person? Pwffft na mate, everyone wants to be the princess but there's not as many openings as they think.

You didn't go to galas unless you owned successful businesses or people.

My favorite gala was the one in Dishonored where I could kill people and they rolled with it.

I had tickets to a fancy gala to support one of the museums and I forgot to go, so I don't see that happening for me.
- They were there, waiting for you!
  
  Probably, but due to my complete inability to remember anything that's not in my phone calendar, we'll never meet. Tragic.

Yeah but we also still have tavern wenches like your mother.
- Uncool dude... Mother deserve to be treated nicely on the fediverse.
  
  If she's into "nice guys," I guess I could role play.
  
  You know their mother won’t see this right?

I want this, but men dress up in their favorite version of "formal". Classic black tux? Yes. A 19th century get-up complete with cravat? Absolutely. A tee with a tux printed on it & black jeans? Sure. Medieval finery? Bring it.
I want to see them trying to attract partners like they're peacocks. I'd be curious to see who/what draws a crowd!
Women should do the same. I'd love to attend something like that!
- You'll just be swarmed exclusively by other men asking about your setup. But maybe that's what you're into!
  (also blue jeans are not allowed at this event unless they are a part of the Canadian Tuxedo)
  
  You’re gonna need a mop with a fit like that.
- This exists at colleges and senior centers, surely we can get something in between...

Such people only "love" you for your status, as an exquisite piece of their collection. You are merely a luxury for them.

I never go dancing in bals populaires whether for the forteen of July or for the fête de la musique but where do this person live not to have a place to go, dance and meet people?
I mean, if you want to go the capitalist way, nightclub are quite spread around the world...
- Yes, there are all kinds of dance events from the formal to the casual. It depends where you live, I guess what's on offer.
  Vienna has a fantastic ball culture for example.
  
  I've always heared that LATAM would do the siesta cause they go dancing at night. I even meet people that move there for a few years just to enjoy the dancing culture.

Imagine missing out on nightclubs and all the other places a normal person can enjoy a night out...

They sure still exist here in France, they are called "ralleys" and yeah, you're not invited (must be of a "good old family" or invited by one of them, they do that sometimes so the blood does not get too thick).
Sort of horror show if you ask me.

Hey, that's what I think when I walk past a local party for all the people that suck the dicks of the local political party.

Downside: Ticket fees and potentially clothes shopping.
I'm looking at attending one next month, proceeds are going to local LGBT youth programs, but goddamn. Minimum $35 to get in, $50 if you want VIP, and looking through my wardrobe, I have nothing to wear that qualifies for a black tie event. I'm currently maxing out at "high-middle class restaurant" attire.
- I'm currently maxing out at "high-middle class restaurant" attire.
  New-ish jeans/khakis and a collared shirt are the best anyone's getting out of me. I last wore a suit in 2011, to a job interview. I'm done with the wardrobe games.
  
  You're the guy I always low-key feel sorry for at formal events and other dress ups.
  "Poor feller looks so out of place. Must not have had a father to teach him how to dress. Maybe he thinks it's expensive? I could outfit him for $100 and he'd look like a million bucks."
  If you wish your fashion to express, "don't give two fucks", you do you. I actually enjoy looking nice. (That was a Halloween party, couldn't think of anything to go as but Tony Stark.)
  Still, better than the guy who's obviously uncomfortable in his ill-fitting, never worn suit. I feel for them as well.
- Every man should own a tux. I got 2 off Amazon for $100ea. or less. Dress shoes were $35, white shirts are a couple of bucks at the thrift. Second-hand ties might as well be free.
  
  I haven't owned a tux in 20 years, and haven't been a man for 3.

they're called nightclubs now 😌
- We should make nightgalas. Dark rooms, flashing lights, modern music, but traditional dancing and elegant dress

This is correct, my company hosts a Gayla every year and I'm not invited to that either. It's for donors and essential folks only
- Do they spell it like that?
  
  Probably not

I don't think I would get along well with people who liked adolescent me.

Bring back Masquerades!
- Fuck you, Sabbat rules!
- You mean, Mardi Gras balls? We still have those where I live. They’re expensive and some exclusive.

.... the met gala

I was invited to something like a gala in grad school. I have not felt so alone and ugly since middle school. I'm not ugly, I just felt that way there.

I used to go to formal events pretty often, while living in a trailer park. You don't have to be rich.
Was working downtown and had a couple of hundred regular customers in construction related fields. Always got wind of something going on and I'll take any excuse to strap on a tux.
Around here there are Halloween, Mardi Gras, Christmas, etc. events going on fall to spring. Summer? Hell no, get inside or get underwater.
- You had connections, that's not the norm...

There's a new tactic folks are using to get back to the old school way where you meet potential partners in person:
They stop using dating apps. Taadaaaaaaa!

I mean… Paris is Burning (Wish You Were Here).