How to survive parties

8. If you already have a boyfriend, you have a double ex factor - yours and his. His are the tricky ones. Again, imagine your worst-case scenario before you get to the party and have your happy face on if the worst happens. Be gracious in victory. Try to avoid saying things like: 'How could you do it with that common midget' or 'My God, she's wearing support stockings', however tempting. It will make him think you're not a nice person and we don't want that, do we?

9. Your exes. It is always best to be a bit vague about who you've been out with, so unless it's a proper old boyfriend (and your current squeeze knows about him) don't let on.

10. Try to avoid standing with a group of your girlfriends and shrieking your heads off. Your boyfriend will think that you're laughing at his sexual prowess (which you probably are) and he will get belligerent.

11. If your boyfriend's behaviour embarrasses you, pretend not to notice unless it involves flirting, in which case you can intervene - preferably gently. If he is the life and soul of the party and you've had enough, go home. There is nothing so provoking to both parties as when one wants to leave and the other wants to stay.

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