This is the Biggest Mistake to Make as a Guest This Christmas
New research has revealed the worst thing to do if you’re invited to someone’s house – arrive late.
A new study of 2,000 UK adults by furniture retailer DFS, delving into the rising popularity of hosting at home, has found that the number one thing hosts expect from their guests is to arrive on time. This was particularly important to older demographics, with a significant 56% of Brits aged 65 and over expecting their guests to arrive on time.
To shed light on why punctuality is so important to Brits, DFS partnered with body language and behavioural expert Adrianne Carter, who explains: “Hosts often have specific expectations from their guests to ensure the occasion goes well and everyone has a good time, including the host!
“Guests are expected to be on time because late arrivals can disrupt the planned schedule for food and activities. Arriving late without a good reason can be seen as disrespectful to the host and the occasion, suggesting a lack of consideration for the effort put into organising the event.”
To avoid such upset, Adrianne recommends that guests should always be punctual, but warns: “It’s best not to be too early or too late – both can throw the host into a tizzy and start the occasion off on the wrong footing.”
According to the research by DFS, the second most common thing that hosts expect of their guests is for them to bring drinks, followed by taking their shoes off.
Adrianne explains that both these simple gestures can go a long way in showing your appreciation and respect for your host and their home:
“Arriving with drinks, as 41% of hosts expect, is a gesture of contribution and support. It acknowledges the host is providing the majority of the effort and is a token of your appreciation. It also takes the pressure off the host having to provide every drink option.
“Taking off your shoes when you enter a home is a polite gesture for a guest to do, showing respect for the host’s personal space and helping to keep it clean. My top tip is to always offer to take your shoes off as you enter the home because even if the host says to keep them on, they’ll be pleased with your offer.”
Rounding out the top five things that hosts expect when hosting guests in their home, 22% said it was important for their guests to help clean up, while 13% also want them to bring food. The latter attitude was most prevalent among younger demographics, with 20% of Brits aged 18 to 34 expecting food contributions from their guests.
Interestingly, only 11% of hosts expect their guests to dress up for the occasion, which Adrianne shares is due to Brits’ overall more laid back approach to hosting: “The data shows that most hosts want the time to be enjoyable and relaxing for the guests. More formal dress code suggests a more formal atmosphere, which isn’t always conducive to the home environment, it can feel stuffy and rigid.”
But that doesn’t mean you can’t make a good impression with your outfit, as expert Adrianne advises: “Even if the dress code is relaxed, still make some effort with your outfit, as your host will appreciate it and will feel you’ve given the occasion some thought and attention.”
To find out more about the research, as well as the ultimate guide to preparing your home to host, visit the DFS website.