HK in the party mood

IT seems one didn't have to be born on the Fourth of July or even be from the good old US of A to go on a celebratory spree yesterday.

Everywhere we went it was Stars and Stripes and popcorn, and as our picture (right), taken at one such party at the Grand Hyatt niterie JJ's, shows everyone (over?) dressed for the part.

But how amusing to see one guest from Alabama slap the Grand Hyatt's courtly, German executive chef Joseph Budde on the shoulder and loudly drawl ''Hi, Joe''.

Mr Budde gave him the kind of weary smile indicating that was taking Fourth of July camaraderie a bit too far.