I've noticed that guests do not come on time on parties. I'm about to throw one and I don't want this to happen since we have presentations to do. In the invites, I indicated the time an hour earlier but I'm still worried the guests won'tcome on time. Any suggestion on how to convinve them to come early?i can't delay the presentations. and i also want the party to finish early.
2007-04-22 14:16:20 · 10 answers · asked by sweetie 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
it's actually a debut party so the presentations are the 18 candels, 18 roses and 18 candles which are all important to the celebrator..and these guests i'm refering to are the ones involved in the presentations.....whew
2007-04-22 19:18:06 · update #1
Call and remind them before the party. Then create the expectation for them and tell them why it's important to you. Tell each person personally that you will be disappointed if they are not there at the given hour because you don't want them to miss the fun stuff. Then they'll most likely try to be on time for your sake.
2007-04-22 17:48:54 · answer #1 · answered by Christy 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, we can't make people do what we want them to, but you did the right thing. Make the party time plenty early enough so that the presentations [in theory] don't get interupted.
Put some chairs at the very back so people can slip in unseen and unheard, and go right on with what you are doing. The host does not interupt any kind of a ceremony for latecomers. You greet them later, and make no effort to "catch them up" on what they missed during the ceremony/presentations. If you were serving food or drinks before the presentation, if possible, close off that area, or put things away, or close the bar, at least put a sign on the bar that says "closed". That way, newcomers won't be interupting to get a drink or food.
Put the word out to people you are close to that you are worried that people will be late, and interrupt, that will help cut down on the problem.
Sometimes offering food and drink, the cocktail hour, helps get people in the door, but some have learned to skip that, and show up for the party/presentations/meal. They think the cocktail hour is something that can be skipped. Not without making arrangements with the host, in advance, with apology.
Good luck, there seems to be at least one drama seeker in every group, who shows up late, makes loud noises with the chair and their possesions, who asks everyone around what they missed, gets up out of their chair to get food, drink, the bathroom, who's cell phone rings, and pops up to get that, well,you get the idea.
2007-04-22 15:00:52 · answer #2 · answered by riversconfluence 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some invitations make it clear that there is "NO LATE SEATING." Give a time, such as, "Seating will end at... xxx... ther will be NO late seating." If your guests become offended at this, then they're no friends of yours, or they do not understand that dinners often must have a time-table for the caterer/kitchen to serve the food hot/on-time. Same thing goes for presentors... it is out of respect for the presentor that people should be on time, and therefore the doors will be closed after a certain time so as not to interrupt the presentor.
You could put an earlier time on your invitations, too, to aid in getting people there on time. Some plays/theatres/stage productions will not seat people who come in late, simply because it's hard for someone to come into a play in Act 2!
Good Luck!
2007-04-22 14:53:46 · answer #3 · answered by wyomugs 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This all depends. Set a start time of 7:00PM or whatever. Start your presentations at 7:30PM. If you want to lock the doors on people, that is fine. Do realize that they will RSVP from then on in the negative. Warn guests that no late arrivals will be accepted.
Even though I arrive on time, I would NOT go to your party. My question is why are you having a party? This is NOT work where you have to punch in and punch out. Parties are to be fun. You state two things that show you should not be having a party; "I cant' delay the presentations." "I also want the party to finish early." How do you solve this? DON'T HAVE A PARTY!
2007-04-22 14:32:11 · answer #4 · answered by hack_ace 4 · 2⤊ 2⤋
That's okay Scoundy I am sure Hatties twin will be plenty distracted with all of us....you just might be able to sneek away. Besides I think with all the Chippendales (Chippys) on board she will have a feast with them. Do we have enough Cabins for this train? Who's the conductor? Can we fire up this train yet? I think i need a snuggie and another drink. Im so glad I got that standing on my head thing down. Now Maggie and I do look like twins!!! yaaahhhooooo.
2016-05-21 03:46:33 · answer #5 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Make sure that they know that the presentation will begin promptly at a certain time (7:30, 830, etc.) and dinner will be served before hand.
2007-04-22 14:43:28 · answer #6 · answered by Ryan's mom 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Definately stick to an hour earlier to your planned time. Or stress the importance of being on time.
2007-04-22 15:14:18 · answer #7 · answered by throughthebackyards 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Let them miss the presentations, their loss. But I'm curious, what kind of presentation are you speaking of? Perhaps they're trying to miss it?
2007-04-22 16:49:21 · answer #8 · answered by Pandora 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Insist on the invitation that it starts strictly at so n so time. That you have a major event prepared and must be started at that time.
2007-04-22 14:20:59 · answer #9 · answered by Sweetbulbs 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
lock the door after the appointed time...next party the will be punctual or won't show up at all.
2007-04-22 14:22:58 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋