Etiquette Tuesday: Leave it.
©JohnnaKnowsGoodFood
I had to revisit the Etiquette rules of what to do when you bring a dish or beverage to another persons home after one of my readers voiced their disdain for some recent house guests. This week’s Etiquette tip is cut and dry: Leave it. My reader told me that they had entertained these house guests for an extended stay and the guests had brought drinks for everyone to enjoy. The guests, however, took the beverages when they left the host home. This is an absolute no-no. You always leave the goodies you brought into another person’s home, no matter how much you love the goodies. There are exceptions of course, i.e. the host insists that you take what you brought with you.
Why would you want to bring a dish/beverage to someones home and then snatch it on the way out the door baffles me. When I purchase something for a party, gathering or simply because I am visiting that person’s home I always leave whatever I brought as sort of a parting gift for hosting me. I do understand not all people feel this way and that is why this is so fitting for Etiquette Tuesday. Why wouldn’t you leave what you brought? Please advise.
Category: Etiquette Tuesday, Food.Fun.Stuff.
About the Author (Author Profile)
Johnna French is a Harlem NY native with deep roots in Panama, Washington, DC and North Carolina. All four places have heavily influenced her life and the foods she loves today. After graduating Howard University School of Law and beginning her life as a young professional in the city she was led to start Johnna Knows Good Food in November 2007 to keep family, friends and colleagues updated on where to go and what to eat while dining in the nation’s capitol. French, who still practices law, leads a team of three writers to cover the ever expanding Washington, DC food scene. French has been featured in print and television, appearing in Washingtonian Magazine and is a regular contributor to various local TV affiliates including WUSA 9, FOX 5 DC and WJLA (ABC Affiliate) News Channel 8. During the 2016-2017 football season, Johnna aired on Comcast Sports Mid-Atlantic (CSN) show, Redskins Life, as the weekly tailgate host. Johnna is currently a regular contributor to the FOX Baltimore Weekend morning show.Subscribe
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I once had a party and my ex’s cheap ass girlfriend brought a bottle of wine. She took it with her when they left. Before the party was even over!!!
Uggh!! I don’t get why you would even want to take it with you. It does not even cross my mind once I enter with whatever I brought.
The only thing that would even pass as acceptable to take with you when you leave a party that you brought something to was the dish you brought it on if it is not disposable! WTH are people thinking?! Even then, make arrangements to get the dish later!
Definitely one of the least classy moves ever. I once had a guy bring a box of Popeye’s fried chicken to a party. When he was getting ready to leave, he asked if we would eat it. My husband said he would, and the guest took it anyways. I was baffled.
My only exception is that sometimes when I make a dish that I can’t cut into before bringing it over, I will ask to take one slice or piece if there are leftovers so that I can photograph it for my blog. I know it’s a weird request, but all of friends seem to understand!
@Johanna, That is nuts! Who does that?!? I agree with your exception, I do that too. People taking their things with them is so classless. smh.