Ways to Be the Perfect Guest
We've all seen celebrities behaving badly, but have you ever shown less than model behavior at a cocktail or dinner party? Accepting a dinner party invitation is the first step towards being a gracious guest, however model behavior goes well beyond an R.S.V.P. and bringing a hostess gift (even if it's cockroaches). You need to know what is expected of you. Just because you have amazing dancing skills does not mean you can dance on tables. And even though Charlie Sheen has knocked back all that booze doesn't mean you should, too.
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Ensuring that you'll be welcomed with open arms at your next cocktail or dinner party (and then invited back) is really quite simple if you're familiar with a couple of common social graces. Don't put a damper on the dinner by bringing your bad day at work along with you. And try to be punctual. Don't blame bad traffic for your late arrival (when we both know it was because you couldn't decided what to wear). And even though you are the guest and didn't make that mess in the kitchen, lend your host or hostess a hand when cleaning up.
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Know Your Limits
Everyone loves a merry guest, but no one wants a Charlie Sheen at their party.
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Lend a Hand
Small dinner parties by nature are casual and most hosts will be grateful for a little help clearing the table, put away the bottles of liquor or doing the dishes. So don't just sit there and pick your teeth with a toothpick. But that doesn't give you permission to steal an extra party favor (or three-quarters empty bottle of booze).
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Leave on Time
When the lights dim, the music stops, and the host appears in their pajamas yawning, then you know it's time to go home.
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Follow up with a Thank You
Even if you've failed on following the past nine tips, sending a thank you note after a dinner or cocktail party could be your one redeeming act. Just don't share your play-by-play recap of every mistake your host made (or joke about how funny it was when dinner burst aflame in the oven - or when your host sliced their thumb off).
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-Coryanne Ettiene, The Daily Meal
