These Are the Unspoken Rules of Being a Thoughtful Party Guest
Want to be invited back? We asked a few of our favorite creators to share their golden rules for showing up with good manners and great vibes.
In the words of Emily Post, an American author famous for writing about social etiquette, "Manners are a sensitive awareness of the feelings of others. If you have that awareness, you have good manners, no matter what fork you use." Times have changed since Emily was penning the rules of being a good houseguest in the early 20th century, and honestly a lot of the guidance from this era is pretty stuffy and archaic, but some foundations of good hospitality never go out of style.
There are still unspoken rules that if you follow, show you really respect and value the home and host who invited you. Naturally, this advice won’t apply to a raging house party where you can rock up at midnight with a plus one (or five), but rather a dinner party or gathering where the guest list is intentional and the atmosphere is intimate and considered.
Alongside style icon Lizzy Hadfield, we hosted a party just like this at her beautiful Hackney terrace to celebrate the launch of our Les Fruits collection. The guests were some of Lizzy’s nearest and dearest from the world of fashion, interiors, and content creation. These women know a thing or two about attending elegant events, so we trust their wisdom. Luckily for us, they each shared their tried-and-true tips for being a thoughtful, memorable guest.
Timing matters
Sarah Halpin – “Never outstay your welcome! Know when it's time to leave.”
Natalie Chassay – “The best tip for being a great guest is don’t arrive early!”
Bring a little something
Hannah Farringdon – “My number one rule for being a great dinner party guest is to bring a bottle of something delicious and one fun bit of gossip.”
Catarina Mira “For me, the number one rule of being a great guest is simple: never arrive empty-handed, even if the host insists you don’t need to bring anything. It’s a small gesture that always goes a long way.”
Lindsey Holland “Don’t turn up empty handed, and always offer to help clear down.”
India Cardona "An edible gift never goes amiss – think chili oil, preserves or a really good loaf of bread."
Be fully present
Emma Hoareau - “My number one rule is to be present. I think these days it’s so easy to physically be somewhere without mentally being present and involved in a dinner. Putting phones away and really being in the moment is the greatest gift as a guest, I know I always appreciate it so much when I’m hosting.”
Moon Bedeaux – “Respect the ritual. Dinner parties are sacred moments. No phones at the table, no rushing. Treat it as a ceremony of connection, nourishment, and joy. Honor the effort your host has poured into every detail – from the playlist to the plating."
Show your appreciation
Kim Turkington – “The next day, it’s always nice to send a follow-up thank you—whether it’s by phone, text, or carrier pigeon – whatever works. Showing appreciation for all the effort they put in never goes unnoticed.”
Moon Bedeaux – “Show up in a spirit of contribution – bring a thoughtful bottle, help chop if needs be, carry plates to the table, or lend a hand tidying up. A true labor of love goes into cooking for guests – so ask yourself: how can I make my host feel supported, and celebrated?”
Have fun!
Patricia Zhou – “The best way to be a great guest is to have a great time! There’s no bigger compliment to the host than a room full of people enjoying each others’ company!”
Set the Scene
Enjoyed This?
More tips for guests and hosts
