811. Posted by sheilasprius on Mon, Dec 15, 2008, 9:04 am PST

I'm with Nate............ Life is too short!!!!!!!!!!!!

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812. Posted by Grumpy Girl on Mon, Dec 15, 2008, 8:58 pm PST

I agree totally with #16. You ARE allowed to show up to a party empty handed for a regular social event. You SHOULD, instead, make a polite phone call or note afterward to thank your hosts for a good time (ESPECIALLY if you pee on yourself, smoke, and outstay your welcome)!!! And invite your hosts for a social event!!!

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813. Posted by ciscomadre on Tue, Dec 16, 2008, 11:26 am PST

Instead of bringing a gift which may or may not be appreciated, try sending a thank you note after the party. It's always good manners to show you appreciate being invited to someone's home. If you are a very close friend of the host or hostess, call ahead of time and ask if there is anything they would like you to bring. The whole thing boils down to being thoughtful, respectful and thankful. Common sense goes a long way toward making one a good guest,

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814. Posted by craigojane on Tue, Dec 16, 2008, 11:39 am PST

1 MORE: do you cross examine the host/ess about what kind of food s/he's serving, and go on and on in detail about why you can't or don't or won't eat certain foods? That's the damn worst. Your friend's home is not a restaurant - if you have dietary issues, shut up and either eat before you arrive, or be polite enough to bring a platter of something you CAN eat.

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815. Posted by Ted Coulter on Fri, Dec 19, 2008, 6:20 am PST

Sorry - you cheated. Italians have had this recipe for centuries. Here's Rachael Ray's version that is a duplicate of my Italian grandmother Lena's version: Italian Chicken Soup Silvana NardoneFrom Every Day with Rachael Ray November 2006 SIX SERVINGS Prep Time: 15 min Cook Time: 2 hr Toss your favorite pasta and veggies into an anything-goes pot of hot chicken soup. See the photo how-tos » 4 split chicken breasts, skin on (about 4 pounds) 3 small onions, peeled 4 celery ribs, quartered 3 carrots, peeled and quartered 1 teaspoon salt 6 whole black peppercorns One piece of Parmesan cheese rind, about 2 inches wide (optional) A few handfuls of broken spaghetti (about 1-inch pieces), cooked until al dente Freshly grated Paremsan cheese Flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped (optional) 1. Place the chicken breasts in a soup pot and cover with cold water by 2 inches. Bring to a boil, skimming any froth, then reduce the heat to low. Add the onions, celery, carrots, salt, peppercorns and Parmesan rind, and simmer, partially covered, until the chicken is cooked through, 1 hour. Remove the chicken and set aside. Continue to simmer the soup, uncovered, for 1 hour longer, then remove the carrots and onions and set the vegetables aside. 2. Strain the broth through a sieve into a large bowl. Using the back of a wooden spoon, press the celery to release its juice (and flavor). If planning to eat the soup right away, skim the surface and discard any fat. If not, cool the soup completely and chill, covered, in the refrigerator. Before reheating, skim the fat. Serve the chicken soup with torn pieces of the chicken and the carrots, onions, spaghetti, Parmesan and parsley.

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816. Posted by SCOTT T on Fri, Mar 06, 2009, 6:18 am PST

It's pretty bad when you have to read how to act in front of people, sounds like your parents didn't do their job.

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817. Posted by islandgirl on Fri, Mar 06, 2009, 6:45 am PST

OK I can add one, Don't think of the buffet as the take out for your family. I had a guest who thought it was ok to load up a "to go" platter to take home because her kids "would just love what I cooked"

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818. Posted by hotlikefiredjtnt on Fri, Mar 06, 2009, 8:07 am PST

Now if we could just follow this the world would be on its' way to a better place..........Serenity! ;o)

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819. Posted by jyford@sbcglobal.net on Fri, Mar 06, 2009, 8:47 am PST

I have seen hosts who exercise some of these bad behaviors.

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820. Posted by mommaleisa2000 on Fri, Mar 06, 2009, 9:26 am PST

On the smoking issue: if you decide to allow smoking in a designated area, make sure you provide an acceptable way for your guests to dispose of their butts and they are aware of its purpose. It's amazing to me that many smokers have not learned that finding their butts ground into your yard or littering your sidewalk is just as unacceptable as leaving the smell of smoke permeating your home.

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821. Posted by uvegotmail_ on Mon, May 11, 2009, 11:34 pm PDT

Stationery? I would be insulted. Just say no to "pseudo social graces" -- thanks #24.

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822. Posted by chuck1587 on Mon, May 11, 2009, 11:52 pm PDT

this is all depends on which party you are going, if you really know the host and the rest of the crowd, then you can be yourself and pig out and pee on your pants, but if this is like a company gathering where you are going to be rubbing elbows with your boss i guess you need to have some decency!!

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823. Posted by mayocks@bellsouth.net on Tue, May 12, 2009, 6:07 am PDT

This was depressing. It reminds me why I have to stay awake at night after a party wondering what faux pas I may have committed!!!! Thanks, thanks a lot.

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824. Posted by Ra-mon S on Mon, May 18, 2009, 11:19 am PDT

I admit that I used to possess all 8 of those but then I underwent a transformation thanks to a special experience that occurred in my life. Now I only possess 5 of those bad behaviors.

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825. Posted by Lee on Mon, May 18, 2009, 11:38 am PDT

That why I don't give party any more. People just do not know how to act at other people home. It is comment sence on how to act, I think they forget once they get a couple of drinks in them.

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826. Posted by skalamandar on Sat, Aug 08, 2009, 8:02 pm PDT

Smoking is #1 on my list - if you smoke, do it outside, and don't you dare leave butts in my garden. Texting would be #2. Seriously? You're going to TEXT at my party? Obviously you don't want to be here, so get out. Most of these commenters are extremely rude. They spout this "This is such common sense!" bull and then insult the authors. Wow, such fountains of etiquette, telling the authors what they should and shouldn't write. Don't read if it makes you angry! And definitely don't comment!

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