Let's say that you recieved a personal invitation from a member of a famous family for a formal and historic event involving that family and our nation's history. Your problem is that while you like the family member who issued the invitation, you don't like the person in their family for whom the event is being held. Would you go?

Sure, I would go. From a buisness standpoint it sounds like this is and important person, so other beneficial people might attend. The can improve your network if you don't already know evryone that this person is associated with. Further they might have and open bar and it beats staying home if you don't have anything to do.

If you like the person who invited you, and it's an historic event, and you were invited, and you WANT to go I say why not?

If you are forced to say kind things in public about someone you dislike then maybe I'd think there was a problem...but going to a celebration even if you think the person doesn't deserve the honor is not really a problem.

Without knowing what kind of event this is it's kind of hard to say for sure.

Sure, why not? To support your friend, if nothing else. Who knows, something might even happen at the event to change your opinion....

Is there an open bar? If so sure, why not? I've gone to weddings of people I've hated b/c they had an open bar and were dumb enough to invite me. Especially if you already have a friend there to drink with. If there isn't an open bar then it depends on the "historic" nature of the occasion. If its a semniar on the blessing of the Bullweavel on the Georgian economy in the 20th century, then no. If its an a presidential innaguration ball, or better yet seats in Steinbrenner's Owners Box at the world series then yes.

Am I the ONLY one who said no?
ok, I am bratty when it comes to doing something I really don't want to do, especially involving someone I can't stand. I'd rather have my teeth ripped out.

time is money! valuable too! if the guest of honor was a person who knew I disliked them then he/she would be wondering why I was there in the first place. I would seem a hypocrite and going just to schmooz.

I would explain to the person who had given the invitation that I was going to be out of the country that day.

If I don't like someone then I generally don't give them a second thought; so I would attend the event to be with my friend, and largely ignore whomever else was there that didn't warrant my attention.

Yes, I would absolutely go! I can't count how many functions I've been (pretty much) required to go to where I didn't like the person for whom the event was held. I always had a good time, and stayed around those I liked.

Considering the general consensus that most would attend regardless of their feelings for the guest of honor per se one has to wonder exactly how many people actually support the politicians for whom they attend major fundraisers.

Is it all an optical illusion of sorts

edit for typo

If the food was good, then who cares?

So Aquilla, did you decide?

It all depends on why I don't like the person.

If it's merely a personality clash then I'd probably go to the party,
and keep a distance from that individual, and try to have a good time.

If the reason I don't like the person has to do with their lack of
itengrity, dishonesty, and so forth, I'd probably forego the party,
so I could keep a sense of integrity.

For example: if George Bush had a relative that I was friends
with, and I was invited to the White House for a 4th of July Celebration,
I wouldn't go because in my mind it would be like condoning
the president and his actions).