Arriving 10 minutes early to a dinner party

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don't show up early...those 10-15 minutes are important for the host/hostess to unwind from the duty of "house cleaner", "organizer" and "chef."

If you show up early, the host/hostess will still be happy to see you but there's still an element of stress. My guests showed up 20 minutes early last night and I didn't have a chance to freshen up.

Drive around the block, go pick up some wine somewhere...just don't knock on the door till the time matches the invitation! Common courtesy.

I had guests show up while I was still cooking.

The wine and appetizers were out, table was set, and I was dressed.

I don't wait until 6:30 to "freshen up" if guests are to arrive at 7.

poor planning, folks

Do you work? Do you ever spearhead projects? Where's your Plan B?

You are singlehandedly causing people to leave the DC area in droves.

right

b/c being organized and not walking around with a pole up my ass are deterrents . . .

Danger, Will Robinson!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Everybody knows that the proper time is a good 15min late and up to 30. 10 min early? No way!

If I am ever even 1 minute late to anything my mother will beat my ass. I was taught long ago 5 minutes early is on time and being on time is late. I'm not being rude when I show up early I'm living as I was raised and I don't want to get hit.

I'm late to this thread but just want to say. . . If your mother would hit you then, by definition, she was not right about everything.

There is a difference between business and personal interactions. Five minutes early for your hair dresser, doctor, or potential employer is commendable. For a hostess, not so much.

[Anonymous]

Bitch, DON'T!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Ten minutes early used to be the expected norm. Far, far better than being at all late. Any prepared hostess would have everything ready, and have herself ready to greet guests.

If a host/hostess isn't dressed ten minutes before IMO they aren't organized.

I try now to be only a couple of minutes early.

Now, this sounds like you are more interested in patting yourself on the back for being superior to a late-running hostess than you are in being a good guest. It doesn't seem to be in the spirit of good manners, and I wonder if Miss Manners would approve.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don't show up early...those 10-15 minutes are important for the host/hostess to unwind from the duty of "house cleaner", "organizer" and "chef."

If you show up early, the host/hostess will still be happy to see you but there's still an element of stress. My guests showed up 20 minutes early last night and I didn't have a chance to freshen up.

Drive around the block, go pick up some wine somewhere...just don't knock on the door till the time matches the invitation! Common courtesy.

I had guests show up while I was still cooking.

The wine and appetizers were out, table was set, and I was dressed.

I don't wait until 6:30 to "freshen up" if guests are to arrive at 7.

poor planning, folks

Do you work? Do you ever spearhead projects? Where's your Plan B?

Not fair to say, but I plain don't like you.

[Anonymous]

Don't arrive early. Drive around.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don't show up early...those 10-15 minutes are important for the host/hostess to unwind from the duty of "house cleaner", "organizer" and "chef."

If you show up early, the host/hostess will still be happy to see you but there's still an element of stress. My guests showed up 20 minutes early last night and I didn't have a chance to freshen up.

Drive around the block, go pick up some wine somewhere...just don't knock on the door till the time matches the invitation! Common courtesy.

I had guests show up while I was still cooking.

The wine and appetizers were out, table was set, and I was dressed.

I don't wait until 6:30 to "freshen up" if guests are to arrive at 7.

poor planning, folks

Do you work? Do you ever spearhead projects? Where's your Plan B?

Not fair to say, but I plain don't like you.

fine by me
I take it as a compliment.

I have lots of friends who are actually "REAL," Anon Poster does nothing for me . . .

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it ok to arrive 10 minutes early to a dinner party or is it considered gauche/rude?

Yes both gauche and rude. Frequently, hostess is putting herself together during this time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don't show up early...those 10-15 minutes are important for the host/hostess to unwind from the duty of "house cleaner", "organizer" and "chef."

If you show up early, the host/hostess will still be happy to see you but there's still an element of stress. My guests showed up 20 minutes early last night and I didn't have a chance to freshen up.

Drive around the block, go pick up some wine somewhere...just don't knock on the door till the time matches the invitation! Common courtesy.

I had guests show up while I was still cooking.

The wine and appetizers were out, table was set, and I was dressed.

I don't wait until 6:30 to "freshen up" if guests are to arrive at 7.

poor planning, folks

Do you work? Do you ever spearhead projects? Where's your Plan B?

Not fair to say, but I plain don't like you.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ten minutes early used to be the expected norm. Far, far better than being at all late. Any prepared hostess would have everything ready, and have herself ready to greet guests.

If a host/hostess isn't dressed ten minutes before IMO they aren't organized.

I try now to be only a couple of minutes early.

Now, this sounds like you are more interested in patting yourself on the back for being superior to a late-running hostess than you are in being a good guest. It doesn't seem to be in the spirit of good manners, and I wonder if Miss Manners would approve.

I said "used to".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don't show up early...those 10-15 minutes are important for the host/hostess to unwind from the duty of "house cleaner", "organizer" and "chef."

If you show up early, the host/hostess will still be happy to see you but there's still an element of stress. My guests showed up 20 minutes early last night and I didn't have a chance to freshen up.

Drive around the block, go pick up some wine somewhere...just don't knock on the door till the time matches the invitation! Common courtesy.

I had guests show up while I was still cooking.

The wine and appetizers were out, table was set, and I was dressed.

I don't wait until 6:30 to "freshen up" if guests are to arrive at 7.

poor planning, folks

Do you work? Do you ever spearhead projects? Where's your Plan B?

Baha. It's dinner!!! "Spearhead projects" and "plan B"...what does hosting a dinner party have to do with any of this? You're taking this a bit too seriously...read the original post. "Freshen up" means a variety of things.

[Anonymous]

Only if it's one of your best friends who can put you to work and not stress that everything is not yet ready by the time you arrive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Don't show up early...those 10-15 minutes are important for the host/hostess to unwind from the duty of "house cleaner", "organizer" and "chef."

If you show up early, the host/hostess will still be happy to see you but there's still an element of stress. My guests showed up 20 minutes early last night and I didn't have a chance to freshen up.

Drive around the block, go pick up some wine somewhere...just don't knock on the door till the time matches the invitation! Common courtesy.

I had guests show up while I was still cooking.

The wine and appetizers were out, table was set, and I was dressed.

I don't wait until 6:30 to "freshen up" if guests are to arrive at 7.

poor planning, folks

Do you work? Do you ever spearhead projects? Where's your Plan B?

Well, aren't you special and superior.

[Anonymous]

Yes! You can help setup and chat while we're waiting for the other guests to arrive.

[Anonymous]

It totally depends on who the host is. If it's friends I don't mind arriving or receiving 10 minutes early - as many have stated a lot gets done in those last 10 minutes and I neither mind some help setting the table or helping myself. That's for close friends.
If it's more formal, people from work, people you rarely see etc. I would neither be early nor want them to be early...being in the end of prep, things still being messy etc is not something I want to interrupt with people I'm not close to nor something I'd want not so close people walking in on.