How to deal with a social nightmare?

Question

How do I cope with this? any help would be great!!

I have a formal ball coming up for charity. I am attending with a group of friends, and one person who decided to treat me like dirt after 7 years of friendship is coming. She can be a real nasty person, and holds a grudge - and knows all my secrets. If she decides to start something, do I cave in for social calm, or go one on one in a war of words till she cries (I also know all her secrets) or I storm out.

Also there will be huge amounts of alcohol which will really inflame the situation between us.

How would you handle this??????

Just to clarify, we were friends for seven years - very very close friends. did EVERYTHING together (non intimate)

About 3 weeks ago alot of bad things were said by both parties, mine privately, hers very publicly.

now another friend of ours have invited both of us to this ball - with a three course sit down meal and about 3 hours of being stuck on the same table - her, me and 6 of our shared closest friends.

Answer 1

First, my suggestion would be for you to hold off of the alcohol and let her get toasted that way you have your wits but she doesn't. This will also effect her balance and coordination if you were to mix it up you could easily take her. Secondly, in a formal ball you should ask her to step outside so as not to make a scene and ruin the party for others - this is just polite. I suggest you go and enjoy yourself and if she starts trouble then duck and weave, she'll end up looking bad and you will look like the hero for trying to avoid the situation. Good luck.

Answer 2

if you came up with this scenario and think that this is how it's going to play out, simply change the scenario. first, cave, like a deck of cards for calm. be nice, charming and act like you are glad to see her, since it's been so long. treat her like you use to before things got bad stay in her presents for only a little while and then move around it's a ball dude other people should be there, and if you run across her during the night be nice, and remember it's been seven years maybe she's changed maybe she wants what you want maybe she won't even show up think happy thoughts and don't borrow trouble.