This city has about as much flava as Fajita Night at Applebee s. The District isn't the most cosmopolitan place in the world. But for those interns who miss their suburban town, Georgetown s safe haven feels like home, even though your hamlet probably doesn't have a bang-up selection of bars. And you will go to these bars, too, swilling suds and bumping greased elbows with your peers. Drinking is the social hub of your D.C. internship, even eclipsing your day job in terms of rigor, ribaldry and rivalry.
Alcohol can bring out the worst kind of hyper-competitive impulses in interns.
You can call me Ernie. He might do it again tonight. Most other interns understand the whole awkward conversation dance, too. Some of the best moments are spent around the water cooler or the keg, getting wistful over catching Trent Lott's eye or ditching the office early for nine holes and a brew. But when these impromptu conversations dismiss, the focus returns to nebulous banter or shameless plugging.