"A dinner invitation, once accepted, is a sacred obligation. If you die before the dinner takes place, your executor must attend"

Ward McAllister's quote humorously underscores the gravity of social commitments in the context of supper invitations during the Gilded Age, a period marked by luxurious social gatherings. The line recommends an overstated dedication to rules and appearances that characterized upper class at the time. By mentioning that a supper invite, when accepted, constitutes a "spiritual commitment", McAllister highlights the importance put on social commitments, indicating that when you make such a commitment, it is incumbent upon you to follow through, come what may.

The hyperbolic assertion that a person's administrator should go to in case of one's death before the supper occurs serves to magnify this sense of duty to an almost unreasonable degree. This decoration pokes fun at the rigid social standards and the often shallow nature of social engagements amongst the elite.

McAllister's usage of such a severe example draws attention to the weight people of his age put on maintaining looks and fulfilling social tasks. By the sheer absurdity of recommending that one's estate administrator must action in, McAllister paints a picture of a society that may prioritize formality over genuine human connection. This could be translated as a critique of a culture that rewards social conformity and reputation over genuine interaction.

In addition to its amusing aspects, the quote invites reflection on our own contemporary techniques to social commitments. It prompts the reader to think about how much weight should be given to custom and ritual, and whether these practices sometimes overshadow the true purpose of celebrations: structure relationships and cultivating authentic community. Hence, McAllister's words, while grounded in the context of the late 19th century, offer ageless commentary on the fragile balance between social obligation and personal credibility.