Eight Ways to Be the Best Dinner Guest

Plus conversation tips

Aug 15, 2024

Hi! Today is the final post in my entertaining series, but it may be the most important one. ☺️ We all get asked to parties, barbecues, potlucks, and dinners at some point, and there is nothing better than being invited into someone’s home to enjoy a meal together.

Whether you’re invited to a new friend’s or one you’ve known for ages, the following eight tips will show the host your appreciation for the invitation. Most of these are obvious, but they serve as a good reminder of how to be the best guest. 🥰

How to Be the Best Dinner Guest:

1. RSVP and let the host(s) know if you can come.

Also, if you can attend, inform the host of any dietary restrictions or food allergies. Hosts would rather know about this than serve something you’re unable to eat. Most people are happy to accommodate their friend’s dietary needs.

2. Please don’t bring an unexpected guest.

Never show up with another person and assume it’s okay. Often, people prepare food and set the table for the exact number of guests coming. If you have a friend in town or a family member and want to bring them along, please ask the host first. They may be able to accommodate another person.

3. Arrive on time.

It may be considered fashionable to arrive 15 minutes late, which is totally fine, but please don’t be 30-60 minutes late. It can throw off the whole meal the host has planned. Sometimes, an emergency arises, so if you’re unexpectedly late, call the host to let them know.

4. Be a good conversationalist.

Talk to the people seated on either side of you. Be interested in what they have to say and ask questions. Try avoiding uncomfortable topics such as politics, health, money, etc. Be prepared to share a little about yourself, too. More on this below. 🙂

5. Don’t eat before the host(s) sit down.

Wait for everyone to be seated at the table and served before you begin eating. Meals are meant to be enjoyed together, so please hold off until you see the host(s) lift their fork before you take your first bite. We want to be polite guests.

6. Don’t show up sick.

This tip should be a no-brainer, but sometimes we don’t consider it. If you have anything contagious, please let the host know you’re unable to come due to illness. You’ll be missed, but the other guests will be grateful you stayed home.

7. Offer to help clean up after dinner.

The host(s) will likely tell you no, but it’s a kind gesture to offer anyway. If they say yes, ask how you can help.

8. Don’t show up empty-handed.

It’s nice to show your host(s) some appreciation for their effort in preparing this meal, so be thoughtful and bring a little gift. It doesn’t need to be expensive or fancy. Your gift should fit your budget, personality, and taste and be personal to the recipient. Your host certainly won’t expect a gift, but they’ll appreciate it nonetheless. 🌟

I’ve put together some gift recommendations (see below) for the hosts, so the next time you receive a dinner invitation, refer to this list, and you’re good to go. 🙂

-Bonus Tip-

Make sure you say thank you to the hosts. You can say it that night and follow up with a text the next day or send a little thank-you note.❤️

What to Bring

Fresh flowers or a plant

You can bring some you’ve cut from your garden or picked up at the grocery store. If possible, stick them in a vase, container, or mason jar so that when you arrive, your host doesn’t have to scramble around trying to figure out what to put them in.

Homemade goodies

You can bring homemade jam, pickles, hot fudge sauce, freshly baked cookies, a spice mix, banana bread, etc.

Something gourmet

This could be fancy olive oil, maple syrup, salts, local honey, lemon curd, or a condiment.

Gifts for the home

The ideas are endless: cute dish towels, your favorite scented candle, cloth napkins, fancy hand soap, taper candles, a box of chocolate, a book, a card game, and so on.

Something to drink

Non-Alcoholic: a bottle of sparkling cider, lemonade, non-alcoholic elixirs, mocktails mixes.

Alcohol: a bottle of wine or champagne, a bottle of their favorite spirit, some bottled beer, seltzers, limoncello, or whatever else they’d enjoy.

Here are some of my favorite things to bring for the host(s):

homemade brownies
beeswax taper candles
fancy cherries (to use with pancakes, ice cream, or cocktails)
lovely hand soap
cocktail infusion kit
scented candle
homemade vanilla extract

This post contains some affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no cost to you. Buying items through my links helps support my writing. Thank you ❤️

As promised, here are some conversation tips.

Sometimes we don’t know what to say or what to talk about; some of us are shy and don’t love starting conversations, and some of us just feel awkward in a group of people. Hopefully, these tips make you feel more comfortable at the next dinner party you attend.

Thanks so much for reading and for hitting ❤️ “Like” after posts, which helps others find Everyday Natalie and this lovely community.

I’m so happy you’re here!

Now, please tell me your tips on how to be a good guest. What did I forget to mention? Also, I would love to hear your favorite things to bring to the host! ☺️