Dear Blake,
My sister says it’s rude to arrive at a party at the time specified on the invitation. She insists that if the time stated is 8 p.m., you shouldn’t arrive before 8:30. I disagree, and I told her I believe that guests should arrive on time and to be late is disrespectful. Please let me know who is correct.
Signed, Luke
From Detroit, Michigan
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Dear Luke,
It’s neither right or wrong to show up to a party on time or to stroll in late. The decision should be up to the guest, to determine what best serves their selfish needs. For example… If you know the food that going to be served will be awful, you should arrive as late as possible with the hopes that it will be all gone. Thus you won’t have to come up with an excuse on why you don’t want to eat any of that swill. If you believe the food will be pretty good, but you don’t particularly like the guests or the host, come early with some Tupperware. Load the containers up and get out ASAP, so you don’t have to interact with people you can’t stand. Showing up early also gives you the benefit of leaving early, just in case the party is dull. You can tell the host how much you enjoyed the party, as you yawn in their face while you’re walking out the door. If you know ahead of time that one of the guests is someone you’re really attracted to, and you’re trying to get their attention, show up as early as possible, and hopefully they’ll already be there. This gives you time to make your moves before someone more attractive than you are shows up, which will cause the object of your affection to snub you for the rest of the night. I hope this helps.
Blake