Do’s and Don’ts of Socializing

1- Best Arrival Time
You might have heard that it’s better to arrive at the beginning of a party. This way, you can greet people upon arrival and start a conversation by introducing yourself and asking how they know the host. Another advantage is that if you’ve spoken to someone earlier in the party, it’s less awkward to start a conversation with them later. On the other hand, arriving later when the event is in full swing can also work well. You’ll have more people and groups to approach.

Choose the strategy that works best for you, but avoid arriving before the designated time. A good time to arrive at a party is 30 minutes after the scheduled time. If it’s a dinner party where food is served, arriving 15 minutes after the set time is appropriate. For instance, when dinner is being served, don’t arrive too late or directly at the party time. Be punctual; arrive on time but not too early. It’s best to plan your travel in advance, whether you’re going alone or with a group. Try not to be one of those people who are always late to events.

Disclaimer: The isolation of the pandemic gave many of us a newfound appreciation for simple forms of socialization, like getting together at a friend’s home. Although we might be more freely attending house parties, potluck dinners and casual living room gatherings to watch sports on the couch, that doesn’t give people free rein to behave however they’d like in someone else’s space. We asked etiquette experts to share some common rude behaviors when visiting someone else’s home ― and advice for avoiding them.

February 9, 2025 | 4:41 am