Diner en blanc

By Luc Legay from Paris, France - White Diner Paris - Diner en blanc 2012, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=32413506

I realized that I had forgotten to note that on their second night here, Aidan and Joseph had gone to the Eiffel Tower to watch the light show. Because the sun sets late in summer, the show doesn't begin now before 11 p.m., and Kevin and I were too tired to go.

They came back with a report of having seen groups of people dressed in white.  I knew instantly what they were describing, because I had read about it long ago, and I briefly considered taking part.  It was the diner in blanc or "white dinner."  Starting in Paris several years ago, the white dinner has now spread to cities all over the world.  One press account calls it "a culinary flash mob," and that's exactly what it is.  People are informed of the location of the dinner at the last minute through social media.  Technically, this secret dinner is invitation-only, but the word spreads, and no one minds as long as you follow the rules.  For example, you and your party have to be dressed all in white, and you have to bring your own food, white dinner service, and portable table.

This year, the event took place on the bridges of Paris.  I gave up the idea of participating because buying the white clothing, table, and linens, just seemed too expensive. But when Aidan and Joseph told us of seeing the people dressed in white, I felt pangs of regret. With a little planning, we could have put something together from thrift shops. Maybe one day we will.