The uninvited guest.  We all have them or maybe you don’t.  If not, this week’s Etiquette Tuesday will not apply to you.  If you are like me, however, you commonly have guests that give you a buzz when they’re within an hour away and you were just about to eat dinner.  The problem is not their company…it’s their timing.  Your stomach is growling, you brought/thawed out/purchased only two pieces of chicken breast, intending to eat both, and now you will probably have to share.  The sharing is not the problem, unless this is your first meal of the day and you have been salivating over these as the aroma seaps from the oven.  Of course, being the person that I am, I say share…but what if you really don’t want to?? That’s where the tips come in:

1.  There are three possible scenarios of this situation and we start with the most common for single’s…the guest that just drops by:  Since this person most likely stays close by or probably visits often, I find it is “ok” to tell them your sorry, you did not plan on company but they can have a bite.

2. The guests that randomly is in the neighborhood…use the same tactic as in number 1.

3. The guest that never comes to visit.  You should pull out the subtle red carpet on this guest.  By the “subtle red carpet”, I mean just share/split it in half/etc.  This person rarely comes to your domain and by not sharing, you are ensuring this trend continues.  If you want them to feel comfortable in your home so they will return, then just slice that chicken in half and consider this an early diet plan.

Sharing is the first thing they teach you in kindergarten.  It should be used in MOST occasions, if feasible.  There are, however, those times when you have a Newman (Seinfeld), Kimmy Gibbler (Full House) or Bruh Man from the 5th Floor (Martin)…then you might want to rethink those things you learned in your early childhood…

This week will be easy:  do not leave with what you brought.  For some of us, this is the no-brainer etiquette tip…for others not so much.  After venturing to another 30-something b-day party, I made my way around the party just enough to engage in some good ‘ole Etiquette Tuesday talk.  This one particular guest was charming, funny and offered the serenity needed in this 30 and older house party.  This guest, however, thought it would be a good idea to snag that bottle of Jack Daniel’s that they brought to the party as they headed out the door.  Now we laughed and joked at this concept but seriously…this is bad etiquette.

When you go to a party/soiree/kickback/etc. and you bring a bottle/dish/etc., it should not leave with you.  It is at the very least a kind way of saying “Thank You” to the host for opening their home to you and your guests for the event.  If you feel what you brought is worth more than what you got from the party, then consider a cheaper bottle of wine or liquour for the next swaray but for tonight, leave the bottle at the host/hostess house.  When you snag the bottle on the way out the door, there are a few terms that come to mind:  cheap, tacky and hmm, inconsiderate.  I have a friend or two with this terrible habit and they have been coined the “cheapo’s”, which is not a name you want attached to the tact resume.  It’s ok to be cheap, but do this on your own time and maybe stay home when you feel you need to carry the bottle back home with you…