GUEST Responsibilities

Isn’t it great to be invited to a party, go, enjoy yourself and go home – no preparation and no cleanup.  However, there are some responsibilities that go with being a “guest”.  Some of these are:

• Be sure to RSVP – it’s the proper thing to do and helps the hostess plan the amount of food to prepare, seating arrangements, parking facilities etc.
• Unless it is an open house, plan to arrive on time – especially if it is a sit-down meal.
• Don’t bring an additional guest without asking the hostess first, then its best to bring only one.  I remember hosting a party for our employees and their “immediate” family members.  What a surprise it was when, in their minds, immediate family included aunts, uncles, cousins, brothers, sisters and their children.  It was a good thing I had prepared extra food, otherwise there wouldn’t have been enough to go around.  Of course this was in a foreign country where the people lived differently than we did.  Although it was a surprise to have such a “house full” of guests, it turned out well.
• Bring a small gift of appreciation, but don’t expect the host to open it then and there.
• If a meal is to be served, notify the host a week before if you have any allergies or aversions to certain foods so the host has time to shop or make any alterations needed.  An example that comes to mind is, lets say you are highly allergic to anything with peanuts in it.  If the main dish has peanuts in it you couldn’t partake and that could be an embarrassment to you and your host.  Another example might be if you are highly allergic to anything with shellfish in it – an unexpected trip to the hospital is not a fun way to end an evening.
• Don’t make out with your date – it makes everyone uncomfortable.  Much more interesting for everyone is lively conversations.  You can make out when you leave.
• Don’t ask the host if you can watch “the BIG game”, unless it is a party for the world’s series or the Super Bowl.  If you just can’t miss the game, tape it for later or stay home.
• Meet other guests.  Other people might also be shy, may not know anyone at the party or event, and they would be so thankful that you made the effort to initiate a conversation with them.  When I have found myself in that situation, I try to forget that I know no one there and reach out – how fascinating it can be to meet people with different experiences and knowledge .  You never know who may be there that has traveled the world, has adventures to share or has a hobby that is the same as yours.
• Be careful not to “over imbibe” so as to make yourself a nuisance to others.  Also, if you smoke please ask the hostess BEFORE you light up, she may have a particular area where you can smoke without interfering with the other guests enjoyment of the gathering.
• And finally, send a thank you note, even if it is just an email.  Sending “thank you” seems to be a lost art these days.  If you have a photo or two of the event, you can send a picture to the host (or email one), they would appreciate the gesture.