At a Diner Party

What is proper behavior at a dinner party? When you’re invited to dinner at someone’s home, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, don’t be late! Always be on time for a party. For example, if the invitation says “dinner is at 8 p.m.,” be there by 8 p.m. Second, bring the host a gift. Don’t bring a large or expensive gift. Flowers are always a good idea.

When you take your place at the dinner table, don’t just start eating immediately. When it’s time to eat, put your napkin on your lap. Wait until everyone is ready to eat. Pay attention to the host. When the host begins eating, you can begin eating, too. Try a little bit of everything. Don’t worry if there is something you don’t like very much. It’s usually OK to leave a small amount of food on your plate.

Polite conversation at the dinner table is very important. Make eye contact with people when you speak. Don’t talk about topics that make people uncomfortable. For example, don’t talk about people’s weight or politics. Most people like to talk about sports and entertainment, so you can talk about the recent Olympic games or a movie or a popular TV show you saw recently. That way, you’ll have a lot to talk about.