...and some do not arrive until 45 mins. late? I had an irate, hungry crowd standing around in the kitchen waiting for some of the party, and some arrived while I was still getting dressed. Oh, my.
2007-12-26 13:41:08 · 17 answers · asked by Lady Invisible 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
When people arrive early, simply offer them something to drink and invite them to have a seat. "Oh, I'm not quite ready. May I get you a water while I finish up in the kitchen?"
Feel free to start the meal at a reasonable hour. People who arrive late are taking their chances. The hostess often makes efforts to have the food ready at its peak temperature and presentation at a certain time.
2007-12-27 15:02:06 · answer #1 · answered by drshorty 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's always proper to serve appetizers for the early arrivals. This can be in the form of a veggie plate or other finger foods that people can munch on while exchanging polite conversation. As for the late arrivals, that's just poor manners for a dinner party. When you send invites, you should be very specific as to the time. (I.E. - appetizers and cocktails at 7; dinner at 7:30) Then don't hold dinner for the late arrivals; it's agravating to the ones who are left waiting.
2007-12-26 22:36:26 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
The early people get a drink and a munchie, dinner is served on time and the late comers get what is left over. UNLESS one of the parties is your BOSS then you bend a little to keep the boss and his wife happy. MIL and FIL do not count as Boss and you should not encourage them to treat you badly.
The next party remember who was an early person and tell them the party starts 30 min later, and the ones who were late tell them 30 min early, if you are lucky the time span of early and late will be shorter that 40 early and 40 min late.....
2007-12-26 21:56:09 · answer #3 · answered by Judy 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Let the early arrivals help you get the meal finished. If you're still dressing, share a laugh with them, park them in the living room and finish dressing.
The general rule is that a meal is served 1/2 hour after you said it would be. Therefore, when the late-comers show up, either the host or hostess meets them at the door, and gets them to their place at the table with the least disruption to the people who're already enjoying their meal.
2007-12-26 21:47:50 · answer #4 · answered by noname 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Been there, done that! my wife's family, well half showed up40 min. early,DEEP BREATHS, the other half was already half an hour late for dinner. I started putting food out on the table and said, snooze you lose. My wife was pissed. I responded by informing her that her sister-in-law was the one late, and she is also the one who calls 3-4 times a day from the mall on her cell. If they were stuck in traffic, they should have called. When they showed and saw us eating, they ended up being almost an hour late they were pissed. I said, your late,you should have called, don't like it leave. Of all people, my father-in-law stood up for me over his son and said his son was just plain rude and ignorant for not caling and assuming we would wait. My father- in-law must have beenreally hungry. You have to make that choice and live with it.
2007-12-26 21:52:08 · answer #5 · answered by hockey13 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Offer the early birds a drink & tell them to make themselves at home in the living room. Perhaps they would like the tv on. Excuse yourself, & tell them you have to finish getting dinner ready. When the meal is ready, serve the meal. When the late arrivers decide to show up, tell them you & the others have already started the meal.
2007-12-26 21:54:11 · answer #6 · answered by Shortstuff13 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Start when you say you will start. Those who come early know that they should not expect food for another hour after they get there, and those how come late, well... sucks to be you. Next time keep time. Stick to your plans and don't let others compromise them for any reason. They will appreciate you so much more, and will begin to respect you and show up on time. Especially if you made something really really great and they get there and it's all gone.
2007-12-26 22:24:44 · answer #7 · answered by Haveitlookedat 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Wow, lots of rude folks! For the early folks, I would have had an appetizer prepared ahead of time, and if they showed up THAT early, I'd show 'em to the living room, give 'em a drink, and tell them that I will still getting ready, and that I would join them as soon as I was finished.
For the late folks -- sorry, but you snooze, you lose. I'd wait 15 minutes, max, and then serve dinner. The late folks would have to make do with leftovers. It's not fair to the rest of the company (AND you, who have timed the dinner for a particular time) to have to wait for inconsiderate people.
2007-12-26 21:49:19 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Have them help out in the kitchen... For those who arrive late, start without them. Some of the dinner could be ruined if it sat around waiting and cooling off.
2007-12-26 21:47:02 · answer #9 · answered by James P 2 · 4⤊ 1⤋
Carry on with your dressing and let them wait. Serve dinner at the time stated and keep some for the late comers.
2007-12-27 06:28:39 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋