It's all very well (and rather fun) to hear about dreadful social faux pas (translation for the brown types = cOck-ups) that one can commit at such gatherings. But just maybe ..??? ... perhaps Mrs Bloggs is one of the down to earth 'seen it all, done it all' kind of Army wives who aren't fazed by anything and is actually rather fun to know? Albeit that she may stick with formal 'At Home' invitations because she knows no other way?
I well remember a CFS visit to our humble VGS and the wife of the boss trapper (a Wg Cdr IIRC) standing on a rainy windswept threshold and asking if transport could be provided to take her to the loo back in the HQ building.
Answer: "Of course, as soon as the next retrive truck gets back to the caravan. Which will be in 5-7 minutes time."
Her: "Oh sod waiting I'll just go and squat in the bushes as usual." And, IIRC, stood her shout for beers in the bar after close of play. Top lady
CS