What is really happening behind those velvet ropes

For those of us who could not make it to the Costume Institute Gala at the Met (and only because the $7,500 a piece event was sold out in 24 hours), there was the next best thing last night.  Granted, it was not at the Rockefeller Wing, but the rest of it was pretty close, including the red carpet walk, all the Beautiful People,  and the wall of red roses. 

Once an army of bouncers and gatekeepers clears you for entrance, you are ushered onto the other side of a velvet rope, and it is as if a magic wand was swept over you: everybody smiles and bows, girls in evening gowns escort you to the red carpet where an army of photographers awaits and starts clicking away, as if you were the biggest star in the world.  It helps to maintain an anthropological interest and a sense of humor, otherwise silly things like why don't I own an $18,000 dress and a $2,500 pair of shoes might go to your head and ruin your evening completely. 

( a totally unbiased report )