Your host’s invite said to be there at 8 p.m. But being super punctual, you plan to arrive at 7 p.m. (and since traffic was light, you made it by 6:45 p.m.)

Don’t be surprised when your host isn’t thrilled to see you. They’re probably finishing the last steps of their cleaning routine or even might not be done getting dressed. If this is you, and you find yourself arriving excruciatingly early, the least you can do is to try and help out.

Sure, your host says you don’t need to bring anything, but nobody really means to bring nothing. Be respectful and show up with a bottle of wine, some flowers, chocolates or one of these hostess gift ideas. It’s good manners, and demonstrates that you actually appreciate the gesture of receiving the invitation.

When accepting an invitation, it’s only considerate to check with your host about bringing a plus-one. Showing up at the door with a surprise guest (or guests) is not cool, especially if you’ve been invited to a dinner party, where the meal has been planned and prepared in anticipation of a set number of diners. Even if it’s at the last minute, be considerate and check with your host ahead of time before showing up with some friends in tow.

Even if you didn’t test positive for COVID-19, don’t feel the need to drag yourself out of bed in order to uphold your social responsibility. Trust us, the party will be fine without you sniffling and snuffling your way through it.

If you’re invited to a dinner party, it’s importantto be there on time. Otherwise you leave the host in a conundrum of whether keep the other hungry guests waiting until you arrive. Not only are you inconveniencing your host, you’re doing the same for your fellow guests. If you’re one of those people who are chronically late, buy a watch and learn how to use it.

Your host obviously wants you to have a good time, and loosening up with a couple of cocktails is certainly well within the bounds of that. But when the number of drinks hits double digits and you become a slurring, drunken mess, now you’ve become a burden to your host, who has to retain responsibility to making sure you get home safely.

If you’re half of a couple who shows up at the door bickering and then spends the rest of the evening sniping at each other, don’t think those passive-aggressive (or just plain aggressive) comments are going unnoticed. You’re likely making other guests uncomfortable, and your host will certainly not be thrilled about having to play referee. For everybody else’s sake, put a lid on your bickering during the party – you can always start right back up on the drive home.

Circulating at a party with a dour, glum expression on your face isn’t exactly going to make anybody want to come over and chat with you. If you’re one of those people with a resting you-know-what face, make the effort to show some teeth and crack a smile. It’ll make you more approachable, and contribute to everyone – you included – having a better time.

Your host has put a lot of thought into the food being served. Don’t complain about the meal. However, if you have any dietary restrictions that need to be addressed, let your host know about them well in advance. Don’t wait until you arrive at the party.

If you’re lucky enough to be invited to a party, it’s up to you to show some initiative by mingling. Introduce yourself, start a conversation, and mingle with others.

Sitting in one spot alone all night will make you seem unapproachable, ensuring you’ll have a bad time, and your host will feel obligated to try and entertain you.

No matter what you’re smoking, a good rule of thumb is to take it outside unless explicitly stated otherwise.

You may think your stories are a hoot. Still, not everybody is likely to be thrilled if you monopolize the dialogue, demand to be the centre of attention at all times and hijack every conversation by making it all about you. If you think that may be you, try to chill out, lay back and listen – not only will you learn cool things about others, they’re less likely to walk away thinking you’re self-centred.

Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge of wine with the rest of your fellow guests, who are no doubt thrilled (although probably not as much as your host) to learn that the wine they’re drinking is second-rate swill from a mediocre vineyard. Even if you’re the world’s foremost oenophile, keep it to yourself! Nobody likes a know-it-all.

It’s been a great party, full of fun and frolic, and as the last remaining guests leave, you turn to the host and say, “Now, what should we do?” Your host probably wants to start cleaning or maybe get some sleep – not come up with gentle ways to prod you to get the heck out of there. Don’t overstay your welcome.

While there seems to be a movement afoot defending the practice of “ghosting” (a.k.a. the “Irish goodbye,” the “French exit,” the “Dutch leave” or any other descriptive utilizing ethnic stereotypes), sneaking out of a party without saying goodbye is still frowned upon.

According to the authors of the Emily Post Manners Manual, “You definitely want to say goodbye to your host. You never want to just sneak out of a party.”