Doing Hostess Duty
ask an expert: party guestscanada
(Nov.09.10)
I throw an annual holiday party for friends and family, but always find it so uncomfortable making sure my guests are OK to drive at the end of the night. How can I make it more comfortable (for me and my guests)?
Hannah L. emailed us at expert@sweetspot.ca, and etiquette expert, Janet Watson answered:
Dealing with an intoxicated party guest can be tricky, especially if that person happens to be your boss, an important client or a dear friend who won’t admit that they’ve had a bit too much to drink. Here are a few suggestions to discreetly deal with the problem:
- Talk to them in a secluded area, such as a quiet room or hallway (away from the rest of the party).
- In a calm, gentle tone of voice, tell them you are concerned that they have had too much to drink and you are calling a cab to take them home (or, a sober friend is driving them home – whatever you have arranged).
- If they are resistant, enlist the help of a spouse or friend.
- Be prepared to take away their car keys.
- You might offer the option of staying overnight in your home. Have extra blankets and pillows on hand, just in case.
- Resist the temptation to gossip about whoever it was that drank too much at your party.
Preventing this scenario is much less stressful so try these party-planning suggestions:
- Serve beer and wine rather than mixed drinks to slow down alcohol consumption.
- If you know one of your guests tends to over-indulge, assign someone (preferably someone who won't be drinking) to keep an eye on them.
- Have food available, especially protein-based snacks such as cold cuts and cheese.
- Offer non-alcoholic beverages as well: tea, coffee, soft drinks, fruit punch and water.
Your party guests will thank you the next day when they wake up safe and sound in their bed or on your comfy couch!
Janet Watson loves showing people how to eat, how to set a beautiful table, how to hand out business cards and what NOT to wear to an interview...in other words, anything to do with social and business etiquette. She is the owner of The Etiquette Class in Calgary, Alberta.
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