A friend of mine just told me about how her Thanksgiving went. She spent the day with a group of extended family and friends and had a wonderful time, but one social faux pas marred the event.
Earlier in the week she ran into a woman she knew from various networking events. Though the two had never really socialized outside these events, my friend decided to invite her over for Thanksgiving dinner when the woman explained that she and her husband were on their own for the holiday. My friend felt like it was the kind thing to do.
Unfortunately, the woman didn’t get back to her until Thanksgiving morning—when, of course, my friend was busy preparing for the meal. She asked if the invitation was still there, so my friend said yes. The woman asked what she could bring, offering to bring over an appetizer.
As it turns out, the woman and her husband arrived 20 minutes late, at which point it was too late to really serve her appetizer. It was merely added to the buffet table.
My friend has yet to receive a call or email thanking her for the invitation, making her feel taken advantage of. I can’t believe how rude that is!
Being a good party guest is as important as being a good party host, in my book. Guests should make a special effort to RSVP promptly, arrive on time, bring something for the host (whether it’s a bottle of wine or a dish, depending on their needs), and thank the host for a lovely evening. As you head off to holiday dinners and cocktail parties, remember these basic rules of civility if you want to secure a return invite.
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