HOLIDAYS
HOLIDAYS
In Part One of our guide to Party Guest Etiquette we covered when the arrival, good manners and the tricky question of gifts. Read on for details on the art of mingling, the perfect exit and how to say thanks:
Are you always in fear of making awkward conversation with other people? Here's how to make the best of mingling situations.
Smoothly Start a Conversation: An easy way to engage another guest is to discuss how hard the host worked to pull the party together, or how delicious the food is. Small talk should take it from there.
Keep It Light: Cocktail party conversations should be kept light and limited in length. Be sure to avoid controversial or touchy topics like marriage, religion and serious politics.
End Conversations Gracefully: Ending the conversation with a heartfelt "It was so nice talking to you, have a great night" works well.
Or, excuse yourself for a specific reason: grab dessert, find another drink or say hello to a friend. Always be polite!
Double Take: If you see a guest you've spoken with again, simply smile and nod, but don't feel like you have to stop and talk again.
If you happen to make a blunder, don't hesitate to read our article on Verbal Blunders to amerliorate your situation!
Keep It Light: Cocktail party conversations should be kept light and limited in length. Be sure to avoid controversial or touchy topics like marriage, religion and serious politics.
End Conversations Gracefully: Ending the conversation with a heartfelt "It was so nice talking to you, have a great night" works well.
Or, excuse yourself for a specific reason: grab dessert, find another drink or say hello to a friend. Always be polite!
Double Take: If you see a guest you've spoken with again, simply smile and nod, but don't feel like you have to stop and talk again.
If you happen to make a blunder, don't hesitate to read our article on Verbal Blunders to amerliorate your situation!
Should you stay or should you go? Here are a couple of pointers for you to know.
If the invite has an ending time listed, don't linger too much longer. It's rude to overstay your welcome!
If the party doesn't have a specific end time, monitor the other guests to gauge your exit strategy. When about half the guests have left, you should get ready to leave as well.
If the party doesn't have a specific end time, monitor the other guests to gauge your exit strategy. When about half the guests have left, you should get ready to leave as well.
Thank the host for throwing a great party.
- Make sure to send it within a week of the party.
- Mention one or two specific things that you enjoyed at the party.
- Pick a great signature stationary from sites like Tiny Prints or Iomoi. Get more suggestions for pretty paper to the right and in our Guide to the Perfect Invitations.
- If you throw a party in the future, make sure to return the favor by extending an invite to them!
Decoding the Dress
Code: Part 1
Code: Part 1
Ultimate Guide to
Being a Party Guest:
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Being a Party Guest:
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Verbal Blunders
