How to Be the Best Guest in a Dinner Party

Let’s face it – dining out has become more and more expensive in light of the rise in the prices of food, parking and even gasoline. Lots of people now prefer to dine in their own homes or even to host dinner parties showcasing their unique dinnerware or even the latest interior design update to their homes.

Whether you’re dining at your own home or someone else’s or even in a restaurant – do you know how to be a good guest?

Here are a few pointers to consider when dining with other people:

1. Consider responding to an RSVP or confirming your attendance well before the night of the dinner party. Always make sure to advise the host on who you’re bringing. Are you just attending by yourself or with a plus one? Are any kids coming? Make sure to also clarify if kids are allowed to the party. A lot of people usually don’t count in kids and want an all-adults dinner.

2. Gifts are always nice! No host will decline a simple gift of wine or cake or even a homemade salad. Small gifts in the form of food are a great way to say “thank you” for the invitation to dinner.

3. Don’t just go directly to the food! A lot of dinner parties are set up buffet style where the food is laid out in a long table for everyone’s consumption. During setups like this, make sure that the host has given the go-signal for you to get your food. Don’t assume that the buffet table is open once you arrive!

4. A lot of people get confused by the order of the utensil setup. The general rule of thumb is always to start with the utensils that are the farthest from the plate. Always start from the outside then work your way in.

5. If you can’t reach the condiments in the center of the table, politely ask the person closest to the item you need to pass this to you. If there are dishes available in the center of the table, make sure to always use serving utensils when getting food. Never use your own utensils when getting food from a serving dish.

6. Finally, don’t talk when your mouth is full and keep the mobile phone down. No one likes a guest who’s constantly on their phone throughout the entire meal. Socialize and talk to others, but of course, only when your mouth is empty.

Keep this in mind so that you can be the best guest in a dinner party. But always remember, proper dining etiquette should always be observed as it is a basic yet one of the most important things on presenting yourself to other people.

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