Investment banks like to hire organized, driven Type-A personalities. But some of these folks take things a little bit far. At Citigroup in London, one young equity analyst has clearly gone over the edge, if the birthday party invitation below is any indication. Not only does she give the precise arrival times for each guest—broken down in 15 minute increments—but she tells them precisely what to wear, exactly what to say to the concierge at the hotel, and the hours during which she will accept “cards and small gifts.”

Below is an excerpt explaining precisely what her guests are to wear to her party at the Ritz.

STRICT DRESS CODE:
Gentlemen: Jacket, shirt, and please also bring a tie (no jeans,
trainers, flip-flops, polo-shirts)
Ladies: skirt/top, cocktail dress (no denim, min-skirts, flip-flips, bad
tastes)
Advice 1: It goes without saying that the more upper-class you dress,
the less likely you shall be denied entry.
Advice 2: Photos will be taken between 10pm to 10:30pm, and these will
be distributed once processed, therefore you may want to be
well-groomed!

Finally...
I will be accepting cards and small gifts between 9pm to 11pm... wink> hehehe

And, because we know you are wondering, we will be accepting cards and small forwarded emails for the rest of the day.

The full invitation, and the reactions of various readers at Citi, after the jump.

Let's start with Lucy's original invitation.

-----Original Message----- - From: Lucy [CIR] Sent: 16 August 2006 12:53 Subject: Details and instructions for Lucy's Ritz Party

Dear Friends,

Thank you for all your replies and I am glad all of you can come this
Friday to celebrate my 21st with me.
Please read ALL the following to ensure your entry into the Ritz.

Lucy's 21st Birthday Party
at The Ritz Hotel London

Friday, 18th of August
9pm Champagne Reception
10pm Photo Shoots
10:30pm Blowing Candles

Mid-night Pangaea, Mayfair

I have arranged the Ritz to host a Champagne Reception with a selection
of Ritz Champagne for all my guests, this will be on me so please come
and indulge.

A specially made birthday cake has also been ordered and the Ritz
waiters will kindly serve you each a generous slice with Ritz cutleries,
etc...also on me .

INSTRUCTIONS FOR ENTRY:
* When you arrive, take the Hotel entry on the opposite side of
the Green Park tube station [Please refer to your arrival time at the
end of this email]
* When asked "how can I help you Sir/Madame?", you reply "I am
here for Lucy's Birthday Party at the Rivoli Bar"
* You will be escorted to the lounge area next to the Rivoli bar,
where you will hopefully see a gorgeous group of ladies.

If you experience any issues getting in or getting to the Ritz, please
call my mobile on xxx xxx xxx and my PA Ms XXXX will kindly deal with
your queries between 8:30pm to 10pm.

STRICT DRESS CODE:
Gentlemen: Jacket, shirt, and please also bring a tie (no jeans,
trainers, flip-flops, polo-shirts)
Ladies: skirt/top, cocktail dress (no denim, min-skirts, flip-flips, bad
tastes)
Advice 1: It goes without saying that the more upper-class you dress,
the less likely you shall be denied entry.
Advice 2: Photos will be taken between 10pm to 10:30pm, and these will
be distributed once processed, therefore you may want to be
well-groomed!

Finally...
I will be accepting cards and small gifts between 9pm to 11pm... wink> hehehe

I very much look forward to seeing you all at the Ritz this Friday.

Lucy

ARRIVAL TIMES: [Please stick to these as best as you can, thank you]
9:00pm: [names nine friends].
9:15pm: [next nine friends].
9:30pm: [eleven friends; clearly the most vulgar arrival slot].
9:45pm: [four more friends; most exclusive arrival time].
10:00pm: [five friends]

Lucy XXX
Citigroup | Real Estate Equity Research
4th Floor, Citigroup Centre (CGC1)
25 Canada Square, London E14 5LB
Direct Line: xx xxx xxx xxxx
Fax: +xx xxx xxx xxxx
Mobile: +xx xxx xxx xxxx
Email: xxx@citigroup.com

Of course, this got forwarded far and wide. Below are the comments of readers, with the names redacted to protect the mirthful.

-----Original Message----- From: XXX [CIB-HR] Sent: 24 August 2006 09:15 To: XXX Subject: FW:

Oh my god! Read from the bottom! Its gone not only to EVERYONE in citi
but i've just been told by my boss its gone all over the banks and
they're all laughing about it.

-----Original Message-----
From: XXX
Sent: Thursday, August 24, 2006 8:56 AM
To: *HR UK Capital Markets
Subject: FW:

Hi all, for your reading pleasure...please start at the bottom, it's
hilarious!!

-----Original Message-----
From: XXX [CIB-HR]
Sent: 23 August 2006 18:13
To: xxx [CIB-HR]; xxx [CIB-HR]; xxx
[CIB-HR]; xxx [CIB-HR]
Subject: FW:

As previously discussed.... maybe we need to revisit the intern
selection criteria, I think the emphasis on control may be too high!

-----Original Message-----
From: XXX [CIR]
To: XXX [CIR]; XXX [CIB-EQTY]; XXX
[CIR]
Sent: Mon Aug 21 18:17:42 2006
Subject: FW:

Please read below when you get 5 mins

______________________________________________
From: XXX [CIR]
Sent: 21 August 2006 18:07
To: XXX [CIR] XXX [CIR]; XXX [CIR];
XXX [CIR]; XXX [CIR]; XXX [CIR]
Subject: RE:

"It goes without saying that the more upper-class you dress, the less
likely you shall be denied entry."...!!

it also goes without saying that the more i read of that, the less
likely i am to contain my mirth

______________________________________________
From: xxx [CIR]
Sent: 21 August 2006 17:51
To: xxx [CIR]; xxx [CIR]
Subject: FW: Details and instructions for Lucy's Ritz Party

______________________________________________
From: xxx [CIR]
Sent: 18 August 2006 11:52
To: xxx [CIR]; xxx [CIR]
Subject: FW: Details and instructions for Lucy's Ritz Party

You have to read this.....from the intern working on the property team -
I can hardly contain myself!

______________________________________________
From: xxx [CIR]
Sent: 18 August 2006 11:48
To: xxx [CIR]
Subject: FW: Details and instructions for Lucy's Ritz Party

.. I don't like to spread things... I feel quite bad really - but you
just HAVE to read this....

______________________________________________
From: xxx [CIB-EQTY]
Sent: 18 August 2006 11:28
To: xxx [CIR]
Subject: FW: Details and instructions for Lucy's Ritz Party

XXX, do you know this girl below...Lucy? Think she is in research.
This is outrageous, read the invite!!!!!!!!!

-----Original Message-----
From: xxx [CIB-EQTY]
Sent: 18 August 2006 11:25
To: xxx [CIB-EQTY]
Subject: FW: Details and instructions for Lucy's Ritz Party

-----Original Message-----
From: XXX [CIB-EQTY]
Sent: 18 August 2006 11:23
To: xxx [CIB-EQTY]
Subject: FW: Details and instructions for Lucy's Ritz Party

-----Original Message-----
From: xxx [CIB-EQTY]
Sent: 18 August 2006 08:42
To: xxx [CIB-EQTY]; xxx, xxx
[CIB-EQTY]; xxx [CIB-EQTY]; xxx
[CIB-EQTY]; xxx [CIB-EQTY]; xxx
[CIB-EQTY]; xxx [CIB-EQTY]; xxx [CIB-EQTY]; xxx
[CIB-EQTY]; xxx [CIB-EQTY]; xxx [CIB-EQTY]; xxx [CIB-EQTY]
Subject: FW: Details and instructions for Lucy's Ritz Party

her best yet...........enjoy

-----Original Message-----
From: xxx [CIB-FI]
Sent: 18 August 2006 08:16
To: xxx [CIB-EQTY]
Subject: FW: Details and instructions for Lucy's Ritz Party

Enjoy

Regardless of the fact that we haven't been invited, pangea still seems
to be the plan for tonight though.

xxx