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In the Mix Jason Genegabus |
Navigating
the seas of VIPsAS YOUR FAITHFUL columnist, it's pretty common for me to be out and about at least four or five times a week.
And like many other nightcrawlers out there, I've spent my share of time in line, wondering how long it would take for me to get into my party of choice. What I've seen is that there are three types of "important people" who try to squeeze past the masses -- SIPs, PIPs and VIPs.
A SIP, or Somewhat Important Person, is that friend-of-a-friend-of-a-friend who doesn't really know anyone themselves. Since they lack the juice to get in alone, most times you'll spot a SIP trying to slide through with someone higher up on the nightlife food chain.
The PIP, or Pretty Important Person, on the other hand, knows more people and probably has a couple of promoters' numbers in their cell phone. They're the ones who walk to the front of the line "just to say hello" to the door staff, hoping someone will wave them into the promised land.
That leaves us with the Very Important Person. Lines don't exist for VIPs -- these folks never have to wait (or pay a cover charge). More often than not, they're also friends with management, the security and bar staff, the DJs and maybe even that old guy handing out paper towels in the bathroom.
EVERY ONCE IN a while, however, it doesn't matter who you are or who you know. This was the case Sunday night at the Sheraton Waikiki during the kickoff to "Twilight," the Pussycat Projects/ Doorman Productions/Komo Low monthly party that had the Hanohano Room at full capacity by 11:30 p.m.
From my perch on a wall facing the elevator servicing the restaurant, I could see SIPs making runs past the front of the line, desperately looking for someone they knew. One PIP stormed by on her cell phone, yelling, "We're downstairs -- come get us!" before hanging up and telling her friend one of the promoters would be coming by to personally escort them shortly.
And there was no VIP line -- it was a VIP mob, people all trying to flex their way onto the next elevator trip. Even after an announcement was made that nobody else could get in until others decided to leave, a number of hopefuls stuck around and were still there when I called it quits a half-hour later.
Anyone know how I can find that second elevator that goes to the Hanohano Room?
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In the Mix drops Tuesdays and Thursdays in the Star-Bulletin.
Contact Jason Genegabus at jason@starbulletin.com.