What is the earliest time to leave a dinner party? Is 8pm, or 9pm a good time?
2007-08-17 21:12:24 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Usually after dinner and desert you should at least sit around and have a drink(coffee, wine, whatever the host is having) and then excuse yourself. So there is no set time, seeing how we do not know when the party started, but if you leave right after dinner, that can be a little rude.
2007-08-17 21:18:39 · answer #1 · answered by manachains69 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, of course it depends on when the dinner started! :)
If you know ahead of time that you need to leave early for another engagement, you should always tell the host or hostess when you accept the invitation, or as soon as possible before the party. That way they will be able to plan properly and will be prepared for you to leave early (and won't think that you are leaving because you're not enjoying yourself). Depending on the other engagement you have planned for the evening, it is usually best to keep it to yourself and just say you have another commitment (or risk offending the other guests and hosts by sounding like their party is your second priority for the evening).
It's never polite to leave a dinner party before dessert & coffee is served, although it is acceptable if you are of a profession that requires you to respond to emergencies (in which case you should also inform the host/hostess that you are on call for the evening).
After dessert & coffee it is common to "retire to" another room for an after-dinner drink. Ideally you will stay for at least one drink or a short conversation, unless you have previously communicated your need to leave early.
My friends and I don't start dinner parties until 7:30, so by 8:00 we are just sitting down to dinner (or still enjoying appetizers) and 9:00 we are still enjoying ourselves at the table! The parties start to break up around 10:30 or so for the people who leave early, with most people often staying until 1:00.
2007-08-18 07:10:24 · answer #2 · answered by Cameron 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It depends on what time the party started, of course. I'd say leaving before others have finished eating is too early, unless there's a pretty good reason. Shoot for finishing dinner and having some good conversation, then excusing yourself.
2007-08-18 16:53:22 · answer #3 · answered by drshorty 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Leave when the food is finished and the conversation is boring. That's what I'd do. But if your in a rush to get somewhere, I think 9 is early enough. 8 is too early
2007-08-18 04:16:55 · answer #4 · answered by Columbiagirl08 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have an exit buddy. Someone not directly connected to you who also wants to leave. You can both leave around the same time, making it less awkward.
Oh, and what they ^ said, too.
2007-08-18 05:16:30 · answer #5 · answered by Deltaman 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You should stay long enough for all to have finished and retired to the living room for coffee and conversation...participate long enough so it doesn't appear you are doing the eat and run thing
2007-08-18 04:22:15 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋