Where I grew up if the host says that the party starts at 5 p.m. then the guests usually arrive within a half an hour --even if it's just a family and friends bbq type of thing, but where I live now, if you ask people to come at 5 they generally won't show up until closer to 7.
Just curious about answers. I've pretty much just had to accept this of where I live, but I can't believe that there have been times when my best friend has a party for one of her kids, says she wants to start at 6 p.m. and there is ALWAYS a family or two who don't show up until 9:30 or 10!
Not a big deal to me, they're not my guests, but, like I said, where I'm from that's completely unheard of.
2007-10-05 19:07:28 · 11 answers · asked by mamabunny 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
wow thats ridicules if you ask me. i live in a pretty fast paced city so people here are fast paced and really prompt for the most part. i know people that if you told them to be at your house at 4:12 they wouldn't even question it and would be there AT 4:12 haha, I'm a bit like that myself, i think peoples time is valuable and when people make plans it is just flat out rude to mess them up by being late at all. it is good to mention that you would like everyone there by a certain time though, sometimes people just feel like there presence isn't key to a certain function and i guess that makes it cool to show up whenever,but any social gathering is hurt by a slowly arriving crowd, hard to coordinate activitys that way,you have to wait till hours after it begins so everyones there.
2007-10-05 19:16:13 · answer #1 · answered by None 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Less than 20 mins. late - there's a reason the hostess puts a time on an invitation. I've had more than 300 dinner parties at my home and can count, on the fingers of one hand, the times that anyone was 30 mins., or more, late. I would allow someone to be late, twice, and then, never invite them to return! The begin-end time suggested, previously, is okay under some circumstances but I've, always, felt it "tells" the person you're inviting that you wish to be in their company for a limited time so I've, never, done that. When I extend a, verbal, invitation I tell the person that I'll send a written invitation to confirm the date and time and I do it with an R.s.v.p. in the corner. There are ways to, diplomatically, word an invitation, e.g., "We'll expect you as close to 6:00pm as possible so we can have a longer visit"; "Bill is planning to fire up the b-b-q near 5:30 - 5:45 (or prepare his favourite drink, etc.), we don't want you to miss out on being one of the first to try it". If they arrive late, "I'm so sorry you're late as we did/had ....." - be sure to, speak a bit more slowly and clearly, when you get to the "sorry you're late" part and if they are, again, late don't extend another invitation. Life is too short to include rude people as part of it.
2007-10-05 22:54:24 · answer #2 · answered by nmyankee 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would accept anything within the 1/2 mark as acceptable. I have been late myself, but only after clearing that with the host when rsvp'ing.
I always put a begin and end time on my invites to help this from occurring. I usually put a small window of time too, so they can see that it's short and quick so don't be late (even though I know the party will end later, which is fine). So, I will put 12-2 or something like that so they can see they can't be 1-2 hours late or the party will be over!
Bottom line, many people do not have courtesy or manners (not that I'm perfect or anything). :)
2007-10-05 20:56:24 · answer #3 · answered by booboo 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would go through the trouble of having 2 parties when the 1 year old is 2 or older. At this point, I don't think it makes a difference to the 1 year old but it will make a difference to the older one. The day the 1 year olds birthday is you should have a separate cake just for that because your 3 year old will know the difference (with close family maybe). The "party" however I would have on the day of the older ones Bday. He deserves it and since 1 is still so young, the little one will get all the attention she needs anyways. We have 3 Bdays in October and I make a cake for each one! Everyone loves their special day!
2016-05-17 07:54:11 · answer #4 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Where do you live? For heaven sakes...if the invitation is written and it says an event/party is to begin and end at certain times...then by golly that is when you should arrive and leave. The boundaries are set and if anyone forgets...its written down. If the invitation is verbal then its open for debate. However, if you intend to start a party at 5pm then maybe for your sake you should tell your friends its starting at 2pm...perhaps they will be on time then!!! Good luck.
2007-10-05 19:20:21 · answer #5 · answered by SoAZ Gal 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Wow. That is sorta rude... Well I AM famous for being late for things... >.> But I suggest try to make it early as you can and apologize. I'd say... Good: 10 - 15/30 min late
Uh oh - 30 - 1 hr late
2007-10-05 19:10:13 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would say if its on a weekday at 6 then no later then 8 the kid needs to go to bed for school. but still needs to have fun. Weekend PARTY ALL NIGHT LONG!!! :p
2007-10-05 19:10:15 · answer #7 · answered by Blake P 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd say it depends on the expectations of the host, and how long the party is going to last.
2007-10-06 16:58:23 · answer #8 · answered by drshorty 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Not later than 20 minutes.
2007-10-05 22:25:21 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If the kid is another year older, than its probably too late
2007-10-05 19:09:29 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋