Skip to main content

How to Seat Guests for a Dinner Party

 Dinner party etiquette

It may be difficult to believe, but not long ago, those hosting a dinner party, seated couples separately to encourage conversation.  For those of us who feel tethered—in a good way—to our significant other, this made for an uncomfortable evening. 

Thankfully, this is no longer ‘the rule’.  Now the well-mannered host can seat couples next to each other and not fear a dull evening or a slap on the wrist from the etiquette police. 

Who Are Your Guests?

The great host always knows something about his/her guests and attempts to learn more, like food/beverage preferences and restrictions, and if the guest is talkative or shy.  This makes it much easier to seat them across from a couple that may complement them. 

In fact, seating complementary guests across from one another helps liven a gathering.  Seeing others’ faces helps stimulate conversation greatly.

Anyone Want to Know About Crowder Vs. Ling?

It is best to also know about guests’ particular fields.  This helps for those times when we have a couple of guests in the same field.  We would then seat them on different ends of the table so the entire evening wouldn’t dissolve into a dull, droning of ‘shop talk’.  I know if I had to spend an entire evening listening to how a diode works, I would fall asleep in minutes. 

Of course, there’s always more wine.

What About Our Singles?

There’s no firm rule about seating single guests anymore but they could be seated next to each other.  It all depends on the guests. 

Another reason to learn more about those the good host chooses to invite to that special dinner.

Choice is Good!

If all are compatible, allow guests to choose their seats.  This could mix it up a bit.  Most of my guests are long-term friends and family.  So, this is my most frequently used seating method. 

Bottom Line

Don’t take it too seriously and enjoy!  A glass of wine is usually a great idea to help in the process.

More from The Polite One

Etiquette 101: How-to Host an Adult Birthday Party That Will Please Your Guests

Inviting, Planning, and Sending Guests Out the Door

Holiday Dinner Party Etiquette: Minding Your Manners During the Holidays  

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Is Using a Coupon on a Date Appropriate? First Date?

  Good Idea Or Not?    With the state of the economy, coupon clipping is becoming a national sport.  It seems a natural evolution due to our need to purchase items we want at the lowest price point possible.   This need is evident by the rapid popularity of coupons-for-everything websites like  Groupon .  Since coupon usage seems commonplace, using a coupon to pay for dinner appears a smart move.  However, it just may not be such a great idea when it applies to  the date .    Frankly, using a coupon while on a date is not an etiquette faux pas.  Logically, a coupon or gift certificate is as good as cash.  Nevertheless, as we all know, perception is everything.  Moreover, on a first date, and even the first few dates, both parties are sizing each other up.  Who is this person? What are his/her quirks?  Do I even like his/her appearance?  ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Etiquette 101: Top Three Gum Chewing No-No’s

Smacking, Popping, Nauseating Behavior …Oh My! Gum chewing has been around for decades and for the most part, it’s inoffensive.   However, there are those times when gum chewing, especially smacking, is frowned upon.   Sometimes – strangely enough – it can even affect our future and how others view us.    Read on to learn how.   Not at a wedding! The wedding march begins as the bride walks the procession.   Ah, the lovely bride in her flowing gown smiling at her soon-to-be spouse.    All in the crowd stand as she floats down the aisle.   At once, her expression changes, she stops, as her guests’ heads turn toward alien sounds coming from the front row.    Smack, pop…yep, it’s the sounds of the ill-mannered gum chewer.    Unfortunately, this scene is playing out every day somewhere in our lovely US of A.    Why is this of importance?   The simple answer is that the gum chewer’s smacking and popping d...
Post a Comment
Read more

Etiquette 101: How-to Host an Adult Birthday Party That Will Please Your Guests

  Birthday Party Etiquette Hosting an adult birthday party can be tricky since many don't realize it isn't a gift-giving event.  If gifts are expected, the birthday baby could appear greedy.  Imagine an adult birthday party resembling a child's party focusing on gifts--very silly, indeed.  On the positive side, because gifts are not the focus, it opens up the possibility of hosting our own.  This is a plus for those of us who view our friends as the best birthday present.   Now we can have our cake and eat it too! To assist us with hosting a party that will be viewed as positive and polite, here's a bit of birthday party etiquette Q & A. Dear Polite One, I invited 30 people (15 couples) to a birthday party I'm hosting for a 45-year-old male.  I designed the invitations to look like a ticket stub, which includes a door prize stub.  My question is this: What are appropriate door prizes? What should be...
Post a Comment
Read more