Subtleties and basic rules of behavior away
Many people like to visit and have a good time there. However, how much fun the pastime will be depends on both the host of the event and the guest. It is very important to be able to behave properly at a party, as well as to be a good host who will provide interesting leisure time for visiting friends. It is worth considering in more detail the various subtleties and basic rules of behavior at a party.
Peculiarities
We can say that modern etiquette greatly simplifies people's lives. It implies not so many mandatory rules that you need to follow point by point - you can read them briefly. Previously, etiquette even provided for such subtleties as the length of a skirt, women's shoes, and many other rules. All these prescriptions have little in common with today's recommendations on how to behave at a party.
It is especially important to know the rules of good behavior when you are going to visit strangers, because everyone wants to make a good impression on new friends. This is what etiquette was invented for: knowing it will help you feel more confident among new acquaintances, you can avoid unpleasant situations. Etiquette dictates not only the rules of behavior for guests, but also the rules for their reception by the hosts.
Rules of behavior
The culture of inviting and receiving guests is very important. First of all, it is the owner who sets the tone for the holiday in his house.
Invitation
Start with an invitation. It is important to remember that you need to invite guests a week before the appointed date, no later than, so that it would be more convenient for them to make their schedule, as well as prepare for your holiday. If someone cannot come, you cannot ask the person for the reason, as it may be too personal.
It is advisable to invite the same number of girls and guys so that everyone can find an interlocutor.
It turns out very ugly when several girls and only one young man are visiting - and vice versa. Such events put in an uncomfortable position not only the invited person, but also the owner himself. Such a guest has to devote more time than the rest, so that he does not feel lonely.
If you invite friends to a birthday party, in no case do not demand a specific gift from them. Such requests look very ugly and can permanently spoil the impression of you.
How to use?
When you, taking into account the basic rules of etiquette, invite guests, you will need to prepare for the holiday and learn how to properly receive them. When compiling the menu, it is advisable to take into account the preferences of the invitees, which you know about. Remember: if one of your friends is allergic to a particular product, it is advisable to remove it from the list or warn the guest about its presence in a particular dish. However, this should be done in a whisper so that no one around can hear.
The host should receive guests, in no case a housekeeper or guests who have already arrived.It is important to greet friends with a smile and help them undress, and then show new guests to the room with the rest.
In the event that the invited person is familiar with everyone, you can safely go about your business; if not, then you should definitely introduce the newcomer - to prevent an awkward situation.
When more than half of the guests have gathered, it will be possible to offer them drinks or light snacks. In the event that someone is very late, it is worth waiting no more than 15 minutes, and then it will be possible to invite everyone to the table.
Dishes are served strictly in turn: appetizers should already be on the table, the first dish is brought to those who wish, and after that the second (hot) ones are put on the table. Offer food to the oldest guest first: this attitude will show you as a host who respects his friends. It is considered not very nice to ask if someone liked your dish or not. If you like it, you will definitely be informed about it yourself.
Try to maintain a positive attitude among all invitees and offer interesting topics for communication. Make time for each friend and smile more often. Let your friends know that you are happy with them.
Etiquette for guests
When going to an event, it is very important to think over certain details that will show you as a responsible and well-mannered guest. After receiving the invitation, be sure to thank the host and let him know if you are coming or not. In the event that you still cannot come, call a friend in advance and let him know so that he has time to invite someone else. At the same time, it is not at all necessary to talk about the reason for your absence, just apologize.
It is advisable to think over the clothes for the holiday in advance: they should be neat, clean and match the theme of the evening.
Take care of purchasing a gift, because it is very impolite to come to visit empty-handed. If you are going to a birthday party, try to find a gift that will please the birthday person. If you are just invited for lunch or dinner, you can buy a box of chocolates and good wine. These universal gifts will be useful to any host, and you will thereby show your respect and gratitude for the invitation.
They come to visit on time. You can not be late or come too early, as this may put the host in an uncomfortable position, who is not yet quite ready for the reception. If you are late, it is advisable to warn about this by phone and apologize.
Good manners in a strange house
As soon as you cross the threshold of someone else's house, you automatically become a guest. After that, it is necessary to behave according to the rules that are prescribed by etiquette. You have certain requirements.
Entering the apartment, say hello and thank you again for the invitation, give the owner your gift and wait until he takes you to the room with the rest of the guests. Say hello to everyone and try to join the general conversation.
It is important to remember not to talk too much. Do not interrupt others or tell everyone about your problems. Try to be dignified and positive, do not sit silently all evening and wait for the host to entertain you. Treat the other person with respect and listen carefully.
It is advisable not to forget about the time and leave the evening not too late, as the owners will still have a lot to do to put their house in order. Before leaving, be sure to thank them for the warm welcome, and the rest for a pleasant evening.
Behavior at the table
There are a lot of rules of behavior at the festive table. It is not necessary to strictly adhere to everyone, especially when you are at a friendly dinner. However, there are basic norms that must always be considered in order to be a pleasant and polite person.
When you just arrived, you should immediately sit down at the table only if everyone else is already sitting. Otherwise, you run the risk of being considered an ill-mannered person.
You should not reach for the desired dish across the entire table, it is better to ask your neighbor to pass it to you. Never criticize the dish of the hostess, on the contrary, she will be pleased with any praise. During the dialogue, try to turn to face your interlocutor and do not eat at this time.
The cutlery should be held firmly enough. Bring it to your mouth very carefully so that the food does not fall back onto the plate. The fork is held in the left hand and the knife in the right. After you finish your meal, place your cutlery on a plate.
If a call comes in on your cell phone, apologize quietly to your guests and leave the room. It is very indecent to talk loudly while sitting at a table surrounded by guests.
Guest etiquette for schoolchildren
Not only adults, but also children love to visit. As a rule, when visiting relatives, many take their sons and daughters with them. In this case, you should first have a conversation with the child and tell him about the rules of behavior at a party. In that case, if the baby is still naughty, you don’t need to scold him in front of everyone - just make a remark in a whisper.
Another thing is if the child is going to go to the birthday party of one of his classmates. In this case, certain rules of etiquette will apply. Remember that you can not take a child to a holiday if he is not expected there. It is advisable to receive an invitation personally from the parent of the hero of the occasion.
If one child received an invitation, then there is no need to bring the younger or older ones to visit - the table may not be designed for them. Try not to be late, as at children's parties, as a rule, there is a plan that is painted in great detail.
Tell your child that when entering the house, he must greet his friend and his parents, and then give a gift. When approached with any proposal, the answer must be clear and polite. At the table, you should eat carefully and slowly.
You can’t beg the birthday man to open his gifts - and even more so you don’t need to do it yourself. Children should behave well-mannered and decently; it is very ugly to shout loudly or be rude. Jumping on beds, breaking toys and throwing pillows is also not allowed.
When you pick up the children from the holiday, be sure to thank the hosts yourself and teach this to the little guests. Anyone will be pleased to hear gratitude.
Tips and important nuances
There are a number of nuances regarding behavior at the event. Consider the following:
- In no case do not come to visit without an invitation or without a preliminary call the day before the visit - even if the hosts always tell you at the meeting that they are waiting at any time, do not abuse someone else's good manners.
- You cannot enter other rooms without the permission of the owners themselves, as there may be a mess there, and you will put the people who invited you in an awkward position.
- During the meal, you can not put your elbows on the table or wave your arms. At best, you can spill a drink; at worst, you can hit a neighbor.
- You can not slurp loudly, chew with your mouth open and talk until you swallow food.
- Do not drink a lot of alcohol and do not force other guests to join you in drinking such drinks.
- Even if you did not like the dish, do not show your displeasure. Otherwise, you may upset the hostess.
- Do not wait until all the guests have left, do not stay too long. Don't ask for an overnight stay.
The above tips are pretty easy to follow. A decent and well-mannered person who is well acquainted with the rules of etiquette will always be a welcome guest.
You will learn more about the rules of good manners at a party from the following video.