What you should never do in front of guests: common etiquette violations

Probably, each of us has found ourselves in an awkward situation when the hosts of a party started doing something that caused mixed emotions among the guests. They started a conversation on an uncomfortable and conflicting topic or went about their business.

Knowledge of etiquette helps to avoid such situations. Therefore, Best Life turned to experts in the rules of behaviour to compile a list of things you shouldn't do when you have guests over to avoid embarrassing them.

Do not finish preparing before the guests arrive

By the time guests arrive - especially for more formal gatherings, such as a visit from your partner's parents or a colleague's reception - your preparations should be complete. It's not polite to finish cleaning or cooking, run to the shower, or do your hair and make-up when they're already at the door. Therefore, the house should be clean, you should be dressed and ready to welcome your guests, the food should be at the stage of readiness where it only needs to be served, the table should be set, candles should be lit, and music should be playing. Nothing spoils the mood more than having to take out the rubbish in front of everyone or decorate the dining room table. And, first of all, for the hosts themselves.

Avoid topics about health, money, religion or politics

It's especially important not to touch on sensitive topics if you don't know your guests very well. People often disagree on these issues, and you don't want to make someone who has come to your home have a good time, get upset, blush, or start a heated argument. Etiquette experts say that any hobbies or interests that your guests have, such as books they've read, films they've watched, performances they've attended, travels they've taken, etc., are safe topics to discuss.

Keep pets from behaving crazy

If your dog gets its dirty paws on a guest's light dress and leaves a stain, or your cat pounces on a plate of someone's food or scratches someone else's child, it can seriously ruin everyone's mood. So try your best to avoid such situations. For example, leave your pet in a place where it feels comfortable and visit it from time to time. And introduce your pet to guests only if it knows how to react calmly to such situations. Also, before the party, ask if any of the guests have allergies. If so, do not let the animal out until everyone has left.

Don't start cleaning until the guests have left

Washing dishes or dismantling decorations can signal to guests that you don't want them in your home anymore, which is quite rude. Therefore, taking plates or glasses to the sink is acceptable behaviour, but washing the dishes is too much. Your attention should be focused on socialising, not on household chores. However, if the guests have really stayed up late, you can show that the party is over by doing something to indicate this. But don't remove the tablecloth from the table in front of the people sitting at it and don't start the washing cycle. Think of something more delicate.

Don't make family scenes

One of the most unpleasant situations you can get into is to witness a quarrel between partners or parents with children. Therefore, such situations should be carefully avoided when you have guests. Do not pick on your partner, do not criticise children, do not make toxic jokes about each other. Sort out your relationship when the guests have left.

Earlier, OBOZREVATEL told what to look out for in toxic guests and how to react to it calmly.

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