Party Etiquette Do's And Don'ts

We think of parties as a chance to have fun, let loose, and be ourselves. But do you realize that there are certain social rules to follow when we attend parties? Here’s a few of them. See if you’ll remember them at the next party you attend:

Don’t: Ignore an invitation’s request to “RSVP” RSVP stands for “Repondez, si’l vous plait”. In French, this means, “please respond.” This is a tiny footnote in the invitation followed by names and phone numbers to contact to let the hosts know if you are coming or not.

Some RSVP requests will say simply, “RSVP;” some will say, “RSVP—regrets only.” Please respond accordingly. It’s a thoughtful gesture that may mean nothing to you but could make a huge difference to your host. Imagine if ten other guests decide not to RSVP and suddenly show up at the party. This could throw off your host’s food allocation with the caterers; which could spell disaster.

Do: Respond well ahead of time. The earlier you respond, the better. Pencil it in your calendar or enter it in your digital planner so you don’t forget. In case an emergency comes up, call your host immediately, apologize, and explain why you’ve had to cancel.

Don’t: Bring uninvited friends or family. Be a considerate guest; maybe your host is on a tight budget and can only invite a set number of people. If only you were invited, and if you accept the invitation, then please come alone. 

Do: Circulate and make new friends! Going to a party alone is a great way to meet other people. Step out of your comfort zone and make new friends.

Don’t: Hog the host all to yourself. Remember the host is there to see not just you, but other friends also.  Don’t hog the host! Chat with him or her for a little bit, and then allow him or her to mingle with the other guests. Don’t make the host feel guilty either by standing alone in a corner, or right next to the bar. Do yourself and your host a favor by having a good time!

Do: Mix and mingle with the other guests. Make small talk. Approach a small group of two or three and introduce yourself. You never know, you could end up being good friends with some of them. 

Don’t: Get drunk. Some of us turn obnoxious after having a few glasses of alcohol. This is a big turn-off to other guests and could embarrass your host. Watch your alcohol intake. Drink plenty of water to neutralize the effects of alcohol. In short, manage your drinking.

Do: Have a glass or two of wine instead. Red wine, in particular, is good for the heart (just make sure it’s no more than two glasses.) Some of us may need some “liquid courage” before charging into the crowd to mingle. It’s okay, but remember to not to drink too much. After all, you’d want to be sober enough to enjoy the party and the company of new friends.

Don’t: Drink and drive. Statistics show that in the United States someone is killed by a drunk driver every 40 minutes. Don’t be a contributor to these statistics. Don’t drink and drive!

Do: Have a designated driver. This means choosing a driver who has not touched a drop of alcohol. Sadly, a 2005 study reveals that young partygoers choose “the least drunk” of their friends to drive them home. You may not notice it, but even one drink can affect your coordination and reaction time; among other things. In the absence of a sober driver, take a cab home instead.

Remember that guests at a party have a responsibility to their host to act in a respectable manner. You can still have fun, enjoy, and unwind while keeping these tips on party etiquette in mind.