Wocial

The (awkward) combination of working and socializing. [W(ork)+(S)ocial]

Writing in The Telegraph, Kate Weinberg noted the curious social texture of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, held in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland:

Davos is, after all, the highest form of “wocial.” For those who don’t know – or don’t have to go – the wocial is an event that is part work, part social. It is the brunch of the business world. People are casual, but nobody is entirely relaxed. There is drink, but it’s unwise to get drunk. Conversations may be informal, but they are supposed to be important.

Weinberg described the scene thus:

As the congress centre empties and the lights start to twinkle on the main drag, the streets begin to resemble a set of what would surely be two very popular reality TV programmes: Politicians Dancing on Ice and, last year especially, Who wants to be a Billionaire, Get Me Out of Here. This is the time of day that you are as likely to walk into a small, dark restaurant and spot David Cameron pink-faced and fishing around for his bread cube in the cheese fondue as Bono, still in his wrap-around shades, chatting nonchalantly to Queen Rania about Aids.