The annual polo ball in Newport, Rhode Island was a spectacle to behold. It was in honor of the match between the US and India, so the ball’s theme was appropriately “The Taj Ma Ball.” Held at the Rosecliff Mansion, the evening was a wine-soaked swirl of middle-aged Newport-ites hob-knobbing, while devolving into various states of reverie upon the dance floor of the ballroom made famous by Robert Redford in the role of Gatsby, the ultimate pimp. Though I have my reservations about the botched 1970s-interpretation of an iconic piece of American literature, very few male actors could pull off wearing that much white.

The Newport polo ball was a raging success. The gauche “ethnic/India” theme even added to the guests’ ability to let loose—with men donning various forms of silk kurtas (reminiscent of Hugh Hefner’s standard uniform) and the women sporting festive bindis, the crowd seemed free and easy for such a preppy occasion.

An attractive older couple approached me on the dance floor, wanting to know my name and where I was from…they were shocked to discover that I am from Boston—apparently my dance moves seemed more Italian than Puritan in descent.

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