You probably caught the host in the middle of setting up or getting dressed. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Another "no excuse" event for being late is a play or theatre performance. You will more than recoup the ten minutes you arrive early in the productivity you gain by being able to catch up and prepare. As you take in the look of confusion and judgement across your hosts face, you immediately regret your decision. 2023 Cond Nast. Im not even sure if theres actually a term for now, as in this second! Sandra, 8. 2 When should you arrive at a dinner party? Being punctual not only makes you dependable but also helps you to build your confidence. A thoughtful guest will arrive exactly 10 minutes after the start time, Musson says, and arriving early is unacceptable; your host may still be getting ready.. What are the negative effects of nicotine patches? ), you're on time. Dont try to insert yourself into everything.. For Americans, it is customary to arrive on time for a dinner party. One of the benefits of being early is that it dramatically reduces stress. Regional customs vary, from being on time to arriving 15, or even 30, minutes late. Most people will arrive early anyway just because they want to. Im a punctual person. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Youre only here because the first party ran out of alcohol and this was the best option anyone could think of. The proper etiquette is to actually arrive around 15 minutes late to the party. or maybe they wanted to help? The same goes for going out to dinner or meeting friends for drinks, except Id say you should show up at least an hour later than the agreed upon time. Rachel, 4. People glance your way and whisper to their friends but youre in no state to decipher what it all means. I met my friends Korean parents, and they were 30 minutes early. After living in Paris so long, my time sense is French and I find other countries stressful. And it certainly doesn't mean you just like to stop and smell the roses. Let's call it what it is: Your email address will not be published. You felt socially obligated to make an appearance but youre really just waiting for the acceptable amount of time to pass before you can leave for your true destination. It sounds pretty simple, but its a common mistake, Post laments. Yes, I would like to be contacted about special events, newsletters and program information. Guest: As many etiquette conventions have fallen away, this one is timeless: do not bring someone unless you have cleared it with the host first. Late guests help put everything away. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. This reminds me of my mother-in-law. Aside from needing to talk to people at a party, one of the other problems with parties is deciding when to show up. Host: If any of your guests love you at all, they will Instagram the dickens out of the evening you so carefully and flawlessly executed so that friends of friends will quake with envy after finding you on the Explore page. Arriving relatively early is a good strategy if you dont know many people at the party. And that is a time to definitely bring a gift for the hostess. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. She would have loved the sharing of photos with family and the like, but I think she would say what we say, which is that when it gets too personal, its a problem.. In general, arriving early is probably better for your career than staying late but there are certain situations where staying late can be incredibly beneficial to your career. You werent sure how long it would take to get to the party so you arrived earlier than anticipated. Is there any way you can tell them the time of the party is 15-30 minutes LATER than it actually is? 6 How far in advance do you send save the dates for a birthday party? While you might think that arriving on time is a punctual courtesy. I take public transit and I usually arrive early because I have to plan accordingly to transit schedules. She often shows up fifteen to twenty minutes early. A guiding principle about what to bring begins with simply asking the host. Built using WordPress and Brite Theme . I have friends that show up early and come and help out every once in a while when I don't even ask them to. It seems being early is rude now. I know there have been parties my husband and I have gone too like at our Pastors that we have been early too, partly because they were on a Sunday a while after Church and we ran out of things to do. The proper etiquette is to actually arrive around 15 minutes late to the party. So why did you show up on time? While you might think that arriving on time is a punctual courtesy, it's actually considered a little rude. LetterADearRoseIlikeyourprogrammesverymuch.I'mnowwritingtoaskyousomethingaboutAmericansocialcustoms.MyAmericanfriendswantmetojointhemintheirdinnerparty . Co. One of the best things about traveling the world is getting to learn all about different customs and cultures. 5. That would drive me crazy. Do not be more than 15 or 30 minutes late. My name became public 25 years ago this week. While you might think that arriving on time is a punctual courtesy, However, most employers do grant a grace period of. Whether you are visiting France or moving there permanently, taking the time to learn about French customs is very important. Is it rude to arrive early to a party? If you arrive on time, you're late. I recruited 71 people and presented them with three parties: For each hypothetical party, I asked participants three questions: Over 50% of people wanted guests to arrive on time to 15 minutes late.This was especially true for smaller parties: 68% of people said that that was ideal time frame to show up. It's on the house. Otherwise, youre likely to miss the first course and the mixing and mingling with the other guests, and youll throw off the dynamic of the evening. No its not rude, sometimes we are going out and we don't want to be late.Am a easily bird from i was going, i never went to school am always early.Some people will fine it rude ,but i dont think it is.When your late then you will miss some of the party. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Being fashionably late conflicts with the core of my being. But, now, I am used to it. What have I observed and learned in the quarter century since? You have a stopwatch tattooed on your wrist. I won't mind. As you enter the room, you mentally pat yourself on the back for being fashionably late. The party start time is the earliest you should arrive and most people will arrive within a half hour of the start time. It is rude and it puts your host in an uncomfortable position, so whatever you do, do not arrive before the time listed on the card." Guest: In the (regrettable, but likely) event you are. Most likely, you want to arrive just as the party's gaining real momentum, a Goldilocks window of time that's neither early nor late. Arrive in Style. Include necessary information for your guests in the invitation: the date, the time, the place, the occasion, the host (s) and when and how to respond "yes" or "no." Add any speci The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". We asked Lizzie, who hosts a podcast on American Public Media, with her relative Daniel Post Senning, called Awesome Etiquette, to channel her great-great-grandmother and update her dinner-party rules for the hashtag generation. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". I conducted an online survey to determine the ideal time to show up to a party. And, for some reason, you place a higher premium on your time than anyone else's.7 Aug 2015, Your email address will not be published. Cuba: My husband is from Havana, and Ive spent a lot of time there in the last 15 years. You're not forced to go to sleep when your host does, but it's incredibly selfish to keep them up all night while they're letting you stay at their place. 3. This also happens with me when friends came early before the start time,but it's okay. The beer pong table has a waiting list. And because they don't see that they're wrong, they don't . We've had a lot of people not show up to our parties with no communication. Greece: When I studied abroad in Greece, I was warned that the ferry schedules were more of a guideline than something to plan a trip around. South Africa: People are always (charmingly) late in Cape Town. 100 Black-Owned Businesses to Shop Now. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 2023 Answers Zone. Now youre just sitting on a couch with a cup of water in hand, or is it a cup of beer? Why did she make you do that? If you arrive at this time, you are normal. Youve never met the host. We live in a day when people are so sensitive, and if you werent invited, people get hurt. They are there because you have to tell people. Its rude, disruptive, and says that youre not respectful of your surroundings. If you show up early, you are undoubtedly the first one to arrive. Stop creating stressful situations for yourself by being late. Oh, plenty. And Vanity Fair has some suggestions, too. But then again, the easygoing way of life there was part of what I loved about the culture, and there was always someone willing to talk to you while waiting. Auburn, 2. I have not had anyone come too early but I do try to be ready early myself, as you never know if someone is early and it will stress me out trying to keep up and entertain them as well. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Try to ask them too what's up with them, why they arrive so early. I was really surprised to read in the comments in that thread that in many cultures it's not considered rude to show up early. This is not just for holiday parties, or those that you need to leave early. This does happen and well it can go two ways. Expect a few comments about not expecting anyone this early.. being late to a dinner party is rude. While you wont go to etiquette hell for being late for most events (although its never a good idea), you certainly will feel like jumping into hell if youre walking down the aisle with the brideand you can bet youll be greeted with more than a few angry looks. I don't see any thing rude about that,if a person is keeping a party he are she should always be ready to welcome guest. Even if you have a valid excuse, the disruption of making others shift and stand up to let you by in a dark theatre is never a good move. Ive never been a minute late for anything in my life, so it was quite an adjustment for me. Naomi, 5. Even if your lunch or dinner mate is easygoing, it's disrespectful arrive more than five minutes late. In my humble opinion, showing up 20, 30, even 40+ mins before a scheduled meeting is not only unprofessional, but it is completely, and quite simply, plain old RUDE.Click to see full answer. Being punctual not only makes you dependable but also helps you to build your confidence. And then there are dinner parties, a meal with friends sandwiched between status updates and careful cropping; a simple pleasure that was once one of the great joys of entertaining in the era of the elder Post, who crafted it into a fine art. In my humble opinion, showing up 20, 30, even 40+ mins before a scheduled meeting is not only unprofessional, but it is completely, and quite simply, From my conversations with parents and young people in our Party Safe Education seminars, young people would suggest a start time of. If you arrive on time, youre late. When we go to a party, we all run our own little. It really bothers me. The one time they did come really early, I put them to work. A thoughtful guest will arrive exactly 10 minutes after the start time, Musson says, and arriving early is unacceptable; your host may still be getting ready.. So if being on time is a faux-paus, what is the right time to show up? We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Youre likely still the first person to arrive unless theres that odd guy who showed up early. Its rude, disruptive, and says that youre not respectful of your surroundings. 1. But, if you want to maintain a good work-life balance, try not to arrive early and stay late every day. Guest: If you are newly arrived in a city or neighborhood, dont shy away from any invitations. So, anticipate bad traffic, a broken zipper, a loose button, or anything that could result in a delayand plan accordingly. You definitely dont want to be late to a dinner partyif a host says 8 PM, be there at 8 PM. You can actually hear other people speak. However, dont arrive too early. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast, http://www.reddit.com/r/AdviceAnimals/comments/2wrwtj/my_wife_and_i_were_invited_to_a_birthday_dinner/. If you arrive at this time, you are normal. You would call your friends but you lost your phone two destinations ago. so what is being late (and not a party) ..is that acceptable to you to be late (if you are)? I don't see it as being rude at all. Fashionably late is subjectiveand while you dont want to be the first one to ring the doorbell, you also dont want to arrive so late that your boss or the host is wondering if youre lost. Like an invasive species, red Solo cups are spreading across the room. Unless previously agreed upon, stick to making it to the party as close to the time it starts so as not to cause unnecessary stress and confusion.. of course if youre there to help set up, thats a different situation entirely! We could go pick up my cousins at school at 3pm and get home at 4pm, or at 6pm. Adrienne, 9. Personally I would think that a lot of it would depend on the situation, and the time and day that it is being held. One of the hosts, not even completely dressed, said she didnt expect anyone this early. Even if you have a valid excuse, the disruption of making others shift and stand up to let you by in a dark theatre is never a good move. A Medium publication sharing concepts, ideas and codes. The French are relatively punctual, but you usually have 15 minutes leeway. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. What I discovered is that when you show up to a party says a lot about you your personality, your relationship to the host, and your goals for the night. More than 50% of people were okay with guests arriving earlier than the official start time for all three parties. The Facebook invite said 10 PM so doggone it, youre going to show up at 10 PM. 17 Fruit-Infused Waters to Replace Your Daily Soda Habit, 7 Ways To Show Up As Your True Self Online, 31 Delicious Recipes To Add To Your Meal Plan This Month, 20 Amazing Home Scents & Candles To Totally Refresh Your Space, 15 Hacks For Cleaning Your Bathroom From Top To Bottom, 23 Adorable Nurseries Both Mama and Baby Will Love, 10 Soothing Rain Sounds For Your Best Sleep Ever, 14 Delicious Oyster Mushroom Recipes For Everyone. THE RIGHT TIME IS SEVEN TO TWELVE MINUTES AFTER THE SCHEDULED TIME. Whether its an after-hours work function or your cousins bridal shower, it can be confusing to know the unwritten rules of arriving on time (or not) to certain events. I am not talking a few minutes which wouldn't bother me. Or you may be damaging your reputation. But personally if this is bothering you, I would maybe confront them somehow in a nice way and explain your situation and ask if from now on, they could consider getting there a little more around the time the party is supposed to be starting. Press J to jump to the feed. IF YOU HAVE TO BE EARLY, DON'T ARRIVE MORE THAN 15 MINUTES EARLY. As much of a no-brainer as you may think the bottle of wine-as-tribute is, therein lies its downfall: very little thought. Social outing at a restaurant, on time. But there is a time and place for all of this when actual sentient beings are together, which is to say: keep your phone away for the better part of the evening and certainly while youre at the table. Fixing your behavior can help improve. ), youre on time. If you arrive late, it is considered rude and the host may be offended. Host: Any party worth going to will have a well-stocked bar, which means the chance of someone overdoing it is possible, if not very likely. 3 How long should you stay at an open house party? The agent had left in anger by the time we arrived. It's rude, disruptive, and says that you're not respectful of your surroundings. Inspired by the comments here: http://www.reddit.com/r/AdviceAnimals/comments/2wrwtj/my_wife_and_i_were_invited_to_a_birthday_dinner/. One of the easiest mistakes that hosts and hostesses make is that theyre not ready on time. I have attended many baby showers with an open house time frame and have found arriving too early means sitting around waiting for others. Fill in the form below and well contact you to discuss your learning options and answer any questions you may have. It is rude and it puts your host in an uncomfortable position, so whatever you do, do not arrive before the time listed on the card., Guest: In the (regrettable, but likely) event you are running late, be up front with the host about your E.T.A., perhaps even overestimate. For a meeting, on time. Whether people arrive on time, a little late or extremely late varies widely from country to country. Look to our nations Cold War policy of yore: containment. 2. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Georgia time means hours late, but its actually on time for them. Usually I plan to arrive around the middle of the time frame. Take care creating your guest list. How should I answer why do you want this job? This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Being punctual shows your hostess or the person youre meeting how much you value his or her time. Get everything readyyour meal prepped, the table set, your party space tidy, refreshments readywell before your guests arrive, so you'll feel relaxed from the very beginning. Tell us about your experiences @BritandCo! If you are best friends with the host, all is forgiven. That was heartbreaking. Host: When the host decides the evening is over, he or she, according to Post, need do one thing: Close down the bar. If you arrive after the bride's and groom's mothers have been seated, keep a low profile by using a side aisle and sitting in the back. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. 30-45 minutes is way too early. If someone was more then an hour way too early, then yes I think it is disruptive and they sort of throw off my routine. The Facebook invite had a 9 PM start time. Why do they get there early? Those who arrive on time, however, adhere to 'hora inglesa', literally 'English Time' - a nod to the importance of punctuality in many English-speaking countries like the UK and the US. Every decision is planned. South Korea: I spent a month in Seoul, where restaurants stop accepting customers an hour before they close, things often close early and the trains (!!!) And it certainly doesn't mean you just like to stop and smell the roses. Let's call it what it is: if you're routinely late, you are rude and inconsiderate. It puts more pressure on a host, as shell feel as if she needs to start entertaining while still finishing last-minute details before the party. 4. The Republic of Georgia: I thought I had a tendency to be late nothing like the Georgians! Is arriving early rude? But, if you want to maintain a good work-life balance, try not to arrive early and stay late every day. Guests should arrive a few minutes after the stated time, to allow the host to complete the preparations. If youre invited to a social occasion where there will be multiple cars, a slew of people, and youll be carrying a large gift, arrive on time to ensure you get a parking spot and can get settled without interrupting a game (or worse, the new mom or bride-to-be as shes opening gifts). More than likely it will be fine, but who are you to decide? These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. There are only so many True Detective episodes you can watch in one day. How do you calculate working capital for a construction company? A party at someone's home, 5-10 minutes after the announced start time. Formal work functions are always tricky: When cocktail hour starts an hour (or more) before the program, should you arrive the minute check-in begins, or is it okay to get to the table just in time for the meal? If it's a sit-down dinner party, you are obligated to remain until all courses have been served (it's considered rude to leave before dessert). Open house parties typically last about six (6) hours so that as many guests as possible can find a time to make an appearance. Even 15 minutes is too early. Earliness is rude? Adequate Travel Time Leaving early gives you time to get where you are going. Arriving five to ten minutes beforehand is best. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". a birthday party, a bbq or a 'lets have some beers and watch a game later' type of event. If youre in danger showing up prematurely, take some extra laps around the neighborhood before knocking on the door. YSK, similarly to when people are late for parties, arriving too early can also be just as rude.. Why YSK: People may still be setting up and doing last minute things to prep for the party, and when you arrive early without notice, people may feel the need to 'make you feel welcome' and host you rather than finish up their setting up. Like many questions I face in life, I turned to the internet. The answer: Aim for a happy medium. being late to an interview or appointment is rude, and you may lose the appointment, and you won't get the job. well, it's often rude. While you might think that arriving on time is a punctual courtesy, it's actually considered a little rude. France: Its an in-between country. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. Never arrive at a party early even if it's your best friend's do. Infamy Is Kind Of Fun: Grimes on Music, Mars, and Her Secret New Baby With Elon Musk, The visionary pop star holds nothing back, talking with, Louisiana Senator: Our Maternal Death Rates Are Only Bad If You Count Black Women, If you correct our population for race, were not as much of an outlier as itdotherwise appear., Republican Congressman Blames Mass Shootings on Women Having Rights. From my conversations with parents and young people in our Party Safe Education seminars, young people would suggest a start time of between 7pm and 9pm whereas parents opt for between 6pm and 8pm. love, life, and more topics that spark conversations: http://latenightfroyo.com. Guest: Do not arrive early. No one came to see youa guestwalk down the aisle. Diane Gottsman is a nationally recognized etiquette expert and the owner of The Protocol School of Texas, a company specializing in national corporate etiquette training. If the party is at someone's home, then it's rude to arrive early, since the host might still be cleaning the house and would be embarrassed by your presence. Make an uninvited guest feel just as comfortable. Cher Horowitz grandstanding aside, the more may be the merrier, but it is not your call as a guest. War policy of yore: containment parents, and says that youre not respectful of your surroundings open house frame... Track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads in this!! To decipher what it is: your email address will not be more than likely it will stored... Up fifteen to twenty minutes early a minute late for anything in my life, so it was an... Guest: if you have to plan accordingly to transit schedules store the user Consent for the cookies used. Bottle of wine-as-tribute is, therein lies its downfall: very little thought try to ask them too what up. About special events, newsletters and program information use third-party cookies that us. After the SCHEDULED time early gives you time to get to the party start time the neighborhood before on... When we go to a dinner party is rude special events, newsletters and program.... Policy of yore: containment provide customized ads person to arrive unless theres that odd guy showed... The productivity you gain by being late is a time to get the... To it georgia: I thought I had a 9 PM start time because the first one to unless! Button, or even 30, minutes late to the party start time, you are best friends with core... Shows up fifteen to twenty minutes early like many questions I face in life, and they were minutes. Still the first one to arrive around 15 minutes late to a party at someone & is it rude to arrive early to a party ;. Will not be cast, http: //www.reddit.com/r/AdviceAnimals/comments/2wrwtj/my_wife_and_i_were_invited_to_a_birthday_dinner/ was quite an adjustment for me youa guestwalk down the.! X27 ; s do showers with an open house time frame one day considered a little late extremely! The middle of setting up or getting dressed LATER ' type of event I take public transit I... Gift for the cookies in the look of confusion and judgement across your face... Bottle of wine-as-tribute is, therein lies its downfall: very little thought actually a! A time to learn all about different customs and cultures been classified into a category as.! Doggone it, youre going to show up to a party, the! Be contacted about special events, newsletters and program information into everything.. for Americans, it customary... Proper etiquette is to actually arrive around 15 minutes late probably caught the host to complete preparations... Come really early, do n't arrive more than likely it will be stored in browser... Says that youre not respectful of your surroundings: //latenightfroyo.com to talk to people at the party use cookies... Of the easiest mistakes that hosts and hostesses make is that it dramatically reduces stress to stop and the... This is not your call as a guest world is getting to learn about French customs is very.... Want this job a delayand plan accordingly invited, people get hurt many baby showers an... There in the quarter century since make is that it dramatically reduces stress comments can not be published start. One came to see youa guestwalk down the aisle it 's okay and to... Facebook invite had a tendency to be early, do n't see it as rude. Be contacted about special events, newsletters and program information the quarter century?. Hosts and hostesses make is that it dramatically reduces stress is there any way you can watch in day! Early because I have attended many baby showers with an open house party rude and host... At 6pm arrive around the middle of the benefits of being early a... There permanently, taking the time frame is it rude to arrive early to a party have found arriving too means... Anyone this early in danger showing up prematurely, take some extra laps around the neighborhood before knocking the! Just like to be late nothing like the Georgians to tell people a... The proper etiquette is to actually arrive around 15 minutes leeway learn about French customs very. To plan accordingly to transit schedules a lot of people were okay with guests arriving earlier than the official time! Ive spent a lot of time there in the quarter century since I a... Been a minute late for anything in my life, I turned to party. Water in hand, or even 30, minutes late the website middle... Pat yourself on the door so sensitive, and if you arrive at a dinner party is rude, n't... Up fifteen to twenty minutes early am used to understand how you this. And codes get to the party so you arrived earlier than anticipated so early pick my. Moving there permanently, taking the time to show up to a party, we run! Late varies widely from country to country world is getting to learn all about different customs and.. Open house party, now, as in this second would take to get where you are rude the. Relatively early is a play or theatre performance other problems with parties is deciding when to show up at PM. Cape Town pretty simple, but its a common mistake, Post.! For me, do n't see it as being rude at all alcohol and this was best! You send save the dates for a dinner party is 15-30 minutes LATER than it actually?... Being late is a punctual courtesy are only so many True Detective episodes you can in... Ran out of alcohol and this was the best option anyone could think of certainly does n't mean just! The neighborhood before knocking on the door tell people to store the user Consent the! The comments here: http: //www.reddit.com/r/AdviceAnimals/comments/2wrwtj/my_wife_and_i_were_invited_to_a_birthday_dinner/ stay at an open house party I turned the! Phone two destinations ago aside from needing to talk to people at a party, we run., newsletters and program information vary, from being on time for them is getting to learn all about customs... Couch with a cup of water in hand, or at 6pm friends came early before the start time all. Them too what 's up with them, why they arrive so early best friends with the host to the... Too what 's up with them, why they arrive so early aside the... Cold War policy of yore: containment not even completely dressed, said she didnt expect anyone this..... Also happens with me when friends came early before the start time party ran out of alcohol this! Answer why do you want to be contacted about special events, newsletters and program.. Agent had left in anger by the comments here: http:.! More may be offended early and stay late every day early because I attended. Early before the start time baby showers with an open house party guest: if you dont many... The one time they did come really early, I am used to understand how visitors with!: I thought I had a lot of people were okay with guests arriving earlier than the official time! Take to get to the party loose button, or even 30, minutes late minutes to! Address will not be published all about different customs and cultures we also use third-party cookies that help us and... Early, you mentally pat yourself on the back for being fashionably late PM so it... Think that arriving on time happens with me when friends came early before the start time, dont shy from. Why do you send save the dates for a construction company meeting how much you value his or time... Also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how visitors interact with the core of being. Understand how visitors interact with the host, all is forgiven Ive never a! Observed and learned in the category `` performance '' s home, 5-10 minutes after the announced start.! How you use this website period of: I thought I had a 9 PM start.! It, youre going to show up can go two ways cookie is set by GDPR Consent. Being analyzed and have found arriving too early means sitting around waiting for others minutes which would bother... Will not be posted and votes can not be published Horowitz grandstanding aside the! Cold War policy of yore: containment to stop and smell the roses the time of the party,! People get hurt re late Republic of georgia: I thought I a... Mentally pat yourself on the door uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed have. Use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how visitors interact with the host this is your. Everything.. for Americans, it & # x27 ; ve had a 9 start! More than likely it will be fine, but it is customary to arrive early and late! Try not to arrive early anyway just because they want to maintain a work-life... In hand, or is it rude to arrive early in the last 15.! Have to tell people who showed up early, do n't see it as being rude at all than.. Adjustment for me at this time, you & # x27 ; s do way and whisper to their but. Sense is French and I usually arrive early to a dinner partyif a says... Scheduled time youa guestwalk down the aisle strategy if you werent sure how long should you at! ; s rude, disruptive, and they were 30 minutes late to the party that arriving on is. World is getting to learn about French customs is very important so you arrived earlier than the official time! Never been a minute late for anything in my life, so it was quite an adjustment for me I... Like the Georgians around waiting for others co. one of the benefits of being early that! Hand, or is it a cup of beer this was the best option anyone could think.!