By: Arden Clise

Arden Clise — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 23:20:36 +0000

Thank you for your comment Carole. Yes, manners still hold true today that you eat what you can and you don’t complain or make a fuss or judge, criticize or condem or ask for something different. It takes a lot of time and energy to host a party so guests should be as gracious, complimentary and helpful as possible. But, as I said, it is polite as a host to ask his or her guests if they have any dietary restrictions and then to try to accommodate them.

By: Carole

Carole — Thu, 02 Sep 2010 23:02:28 +0000

I’m really glad to find out that guest should only say something if asked! What I did like about party etiquette a couple decades ago was that you ate what you were served, and gladly, and with thanks. Period. These days, guests talk loudly throughout the party about their restrictions or diets or choices and will even reprimand you for your choices. For example, vegetarians will shame you for eating meat (“Don’t you feel guilty?”). We recently accommodated a request for 4 vegetarians, however when the time came no one fessed up to needing the vegetarian option and the 4th person said, “okay, I’ll eat meat, then”. i.e. some people seem to make special requests only when it’s politically correct to do so! I guess the bottom line is, good manners have never gone out of style. Good to know!

Comments on: How Not to Go Mad as a Host or Guest

By: Arden Clise

By: Carole