I’ll admit it. Like many San Franciscans, I relish in creativity, especially when it comes to dressing up. I love themes. And in the past few years, I love making food to follow a theme. Zombies. Vampires. Ghosts. Scary stuff.

And yet.

Cinco de mayo. And no, it’s not to celebrate Mexican Independence Day (that’s in September). Officially, it’s to celebrate Mexican army’s unlikely victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla.

To be honest, I haven’t been invited to a cinco de mayo party yet. But after thinking about who I want to be, I now detest the theme. A bunch of white people drinking margaritas when there is not a single Mexican present? A reason to have guacamole and chips. Don’t get me wrong, I love avocado and would spring up for any occasion for that food. But there’s something that doesn’t feel right about Cinco de Mayo, if it’s only an excuse to eat Mexcian food and drink “Mexican” bebidas. And if a company is willing to comp me free food for that day, I’ll take the bait. But I’ll feel uncomfortable with the whole thing.

And what about the parties throughout this area with a flimsy theme? Mini party? Sure, that’s cool. Mini hotdogs, mini skirts, and mini cocktails. A white party? Yeah, cool. Ugly sweater party? Yeah! I still have my ugly sweater vest in my closet. Glow in the dark party? Yeah, my roommate and I did that in our early twenties even though it sounds so ridiculous and aimless now. But then when it comes to a Homeless Party, Geishas and Businessmen Party, or Nazi Party…that’s just bad taste.

Now I am not saying, don’t do it. It’s not satire. It’s missing the whole point to get people thinking. Rather it’s a thinly veiled reason to drink. And thinly disguised sexism and racism. Plus it’s not a good idea to have a party theme that involved a lot of people dying.