Who said anything about partying and drinking? The author is talking about social gatherings of various sorts. Some social gatherings aren't about having intere

Who said anything about partying and drinking? The author is talking about social gatherings of various sorts. Some social gatherings aren't about having interesting conversation but cultivating or facilitating social contact for some purpose. I don't like bullshit banter or stupid conversation, but your emphasis on what you find interesting with no regard for other needs is revealing and speaks to the author's point.