Comments on: Modern Etiquette

By: Johnny K – Party Etiquette

Johnny K – Party Etiquette — Thu, 09 Feb 2006 03:19:02 +0000

[...] Sarah was recently looking for people’s opinions about whether bringing pre-chilled drink to a party is bad form? As you can see from the comment thread, the general opinion is that it is perfectly fine to do so, and people would be very surprised if the host was offended. [...]

By: Tom McEnaney

Tom McEnaney — Thu, 02 Feb 2006 15:56:01 +0000

Hi S,

Just for the record the story about Michael Smurfit giving one wine to his guests and keeping the petrus for himself is largely an urban myth.

regards,

Tom

By: Mark Dowling

Mark Dowling — Thu, 26 Jan 2006 01:52:58 +0000

The nice thing about living in Ontario is that if someone brings you a crap bottle of wine/case of beer then you can take it back to the LCBO (www.lcbo.ca) and exchange it for something nicer! In Ireland you’re pretty much stuck with it – unless you have to visit an enemy in which case you can be a bollix and re-gift

By: Sarah

Sarah — Wed, 25 Jan 2006 15:12:34 +0000

If any of these guests are readers of this blog I insist upon an immediate confession. I could guess but the potential to offend is so enormous I dare not risk it. Altho, I invite others to do so. PLEASE!

By: tom

tom — Wed, 25 Jan 2006 15:06:59 +0000

couples bringing only one bottle is an irritant.

that said I hosted a dinner party over christmas.

one singleton (not actually single but attended without his other half) brought a good quality bottle of wine.

one couple brought six cans of cheap lager from the off license.

another couple brought nothing whatsoever.

I will leave you to guess who these people were. you know all of them.

By: SinÃƒÂ©ad

SinÃƒÂ©ad — Wed, 25 Jan 2006 14:05:09 +0000

Given the price of decent champagne, I would have said it was a thoughtful gesture to bring a bottle, as well as the wine you mentioned. Too many people think you need an occasion to pop open the champers (not me).

I’m going for dinner in a friend’s house on Saturday so I’m in now in a quandary. Two bottles? Red or white? I tend to bring flowers too.

By: Sarah

Sarah — Wed, 25 Jan 2006 13:37:09 +0000

well now that is interesting. I knew a metrosexual/suspected latent who entertained on a regular basis and bitched heartily about couples arriving with one bottle even tho’ he had a case of his preferred vintage in. The point was that singles brought one bottle too so the couple were being scabby. To be honest, we would bring one bottle (champagne was a special that night) but something else like flowers, chocolate, farm produce (my dad’s blackcurrants or something). My goodness, to bring one bottle of inferior wine at the wrong temperature but two! How would one live with the shame.

By: Luke Mc

Luke Mc — Wed, 25 Jan 2006 13:27:45 +0000

Dinner parties are great. In my experience they are extremely drunken. I must confess, I never feel particularly oppressed by what temperature the white wine I bring is at. Is bringing it chilled not better than room temperature?

My only real quandary is how much booze to bring. One bottle per couple is traditional but seems scabby, so we’ve typically settled on two bottles. Some couples I know bring three – they’re well hard.

Gerry is suspect of any social activity that doesn’t involve pints of Guinness. I kinda see his point.

By: Sarah

Sarah — Wed, 25 Jan 2006 12:19:16 +0000

LOL. You see boys, what you have to remember is that while I complain bitterly about your sloth and freedom, these crimes lend themselves to making you the most enjoyable company. I never seem to strike up quite the same rapport with women but that’s because I know they are burdened by such matters as thank-you note writing and planning laundering schedules and taking offence where it was never intended. You lot have time to mess online cos your brains are free from such stresses.

By: Pete

Pete — Wed, 25 Jan 2006 12:11:07 +0000

>Tell me, have you RSVPed to an invitation (in writing) since you were married and have you sent a thank you note after a social occasion?

Never done that, ever, apart from weddings. What’s wrong with email?

> men lost the ability to perform certain tasks upon marrying

Of course. No point in doing something, only to be rewarded with the “that’s not how I do it” lecture.

> pete, for a metrosexual

Ouch, that hurt. I’ve never had a manicure, and most of my clothes come from out-door-pursuits shops. Does that get me off the hook?

> She claimed she left

Only because she accidentally picked the Skoda keys from the pile.