Kind of the opposite. I love hosting and hate restaurants. It pisses me off when other couples just “reciprocate” by making restaurant reservations (they aren’t ordering to pay). Like it’s not equivalent at all and I hate having to spend so much at restaurants for sub par food.

Just be open minded that everyone is different and not everyone likes to host.

The social anxiety on this thread is palpable.

I hate hosting. Amal Clooney can really stink up a bathroom.

I love hosting! I enjoy planning, cooking, decorating, making a playlist, having a theme.

However, it does get old when you invite people who never reciprocate with invitations to do things - they don't have to host at their place but to suggest something to do would be nice on occasion. I had a guest who was the wife of my spouse's work friend complain incessantly to a mutual friend that it was so far to drive to our place from the city but they have never invited us over to their home or to any events out despite years of knowing them so guess what? You are off the list.

Absolutely hate hosting. I’m fine doing a playdate or another family but I’m not going to do a large group. My dh is a non entity- he’s an introvert and also wouldn’t help. And he and dc would lose it over noise if I did Girls night here. Can I just never host???

Anonymous wrote:I like it too. Agree with pp that you don’t host in the hope other people will invite you. Most people hate hosting - too expensive, too messy etc. I am a generous person in other ways too though. I think most people that host are generous.

This. Though I do start to feel used if I host multiple times with no reciprocity

Anonymous wrote:I used to go to bed during my own parties if people didn't leave early enough!

But yes, I love meeting people out at a restaurant. I like that there's a natural time frame for that - 1-2 hours. Perfect amount of time for hanging out.

I think the best solution to get people to leave is to start clearing the table & begin loading up the dishwasher.

If guests still do not leave - then also began yawning 🥱 + mention you need to go to bed soon as you have an early morning tmw.

If after doing all of these things, and your guests still linger then by that time it is entirely up to them for being rude houseguests.

Make note of them and never invite them over again!

Anonymous wrote:Hate hosting and hate being hosted at others house. Rather meet at neutral location.

Same. Always willing to meet or plan something at a neutral location.

Anonymous wrote:I mean this is directly related to women being in the workforce, with time-intensive jobs. Before that, women had more free time to plan gatherings, and more interest in socializing

With today’s conveniences you don’t need much time to plan (unless you want to be barefoot contessa and make everything from scratch.)

The key is to not be a perfectionist. And of course actually want to socialize (which so many ppl don’t want to do anymore).

When my husband and I first got married, we were terrible at hosting. But the more we did it, the better we got at it. It was a skill that needed to be developed. Now we have tweens and they’ve understood from a young age not to be afraid of hosting (or “work” in any form). Maybe a dish won’t come out the way you want. Maybe you’ll be a bit tired afterwards. But the act of hosting has taught our family so many valuable skills.

And best of all, our home is filled with wonderful memories of people sitting around the dining table, sharing lots of laughs and some sometimes tears.

It’s work but it gives you something beautiful.

I mean this is directly related to women being in the workforce, with time-intensive jobs. Before that, women had more free time to plan gatherings, and more interest in socializing

Anonymous wrote:I love hosting smaller gatherings (up to about 12 people), I love cooking and making dinner or brunch or whatever. I also like going to restaurants with friends. I don’t host with the expectation of a return invitation, but I am a little bit disappointed that not everyone does. Reading this I can see that a lot of people hate hosting so I get that, but I wasn’t expecting people to say they also hated being hosted. I hope my guests don’t feel like that.

My DH enjoys hosting and I do not. He doesn’t really like to be hosted and I definitely do not like to be hosted. It seems like such an obligation to go when I would rather be at home or have a timed departure at a neutral site.

Anonymous wrote:I love hosting and do it often.

I’m annoyed that people reciprocate by “hosting” at a restaurant where we all go Dutch. It’s actually a lot of work and expense to host and the non hosters don’t see that.

Don’t you love hosting? Why complain about something you enjoy?

I love hosting smaller gatherings (up to about 12 people), I love cooking and making dinner or brunch or whatever. I also like going to restaurants with friends. I don’t host with the expectation of a return invitation, but I am a little bit disappointed that not everyone does. Reading this I can see that a lot of people hate hosting so I get that, but I wasn’t expecting people to say they also hated being hosted. I hope my guests don’t feel like that.