Etiquette Cheat Sheet for Dinner Parties

Whether we’re going to a co-worker’s house for a corporate event or to the local country club for a rehearsal dinner, it’s important to follow the proper etiquette when attending a dinner party. Doing so sends the message that we respect our host and the other guests and makes it more likely that hosts will invite us back next time. Follow these etiquette rules for a fancy dinner party and you’ll be sure to have a wonderful time.

RSVPs Are Not Optional

We’ve all forgotten to respond to an RSVP at one point or another, but it does send a negative message that we should try to avoid. It takes a lot of time and energy to plan, organize, and host a dinner party, and responding to the invitation promptly is the least we can do to help things go smoothly.

Arrive On Time

While it’s okay to be fashionably late to many events, dinner parties are the exception. Typically, dinner won’t begin until all the guests arrive, so being late can throw off the host’s schedule. We can all do our part to avoid tardiness by setting alarms on our phones to help us to stay on track.

Bring A Gift

While it’s not mandatory, it is traditional to bring the host a small token of appreciation. Flowers make a wonderful choice of gift, as do wine, infused olive oils, and boxed candies. You can’t go wrong with a culinary gift; it is a dinner party after all.

Offer Interesting Conversation

One of the often-overlooked etiquette rules for a fancy dinner party is to be an interesting party guest. If you don’t know someone, introduce yourself and ask how they know the host. We like to keep the conversation light by avoiding sensitive topics like religion, politics, money, sex, or detailed health information.

Carry An Emergency Kit

We’ve all seen a wardrobe malfunction, and though no one wants to be the next victim, it’s a good idea to prepare for the worst. Carry a few safety pins in your purse, along with clear nail polish (for stocking runs) and a lightweight scarf. If a wardrobe malfunction should occur, stay gracious and excuse yourself to the nearest restroom.

We hope these tips for following dinner party etiquette are useful and enable you to focus on the food, wine, and company at your next event.