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Please give guidelines about arriving promptly for dinner/social hours/receptions. How are these guidelines different if you are one of the hosts?
First of all, as a host you are to arrive before your guests unless a co-host has been designated. Being completely prepared for guests to arrive is sometimes challenging. Organization is the key. A suggestion is to hire extra help or have friends assist.
As the guest, NEVER arrive earlier than the designated time of any party unless you are a good friend or your help has been requested. It is important to understand that the hour before the party is critical for preparation, including getting dressed. That is why it is important to refrain from calling host unless it is an emergency.
Arrival times for brunch, lunch or dinner should be promptly at the requested time because these parties have a schedule. It would be very bad to show up 30 minutes late for a dinner party., whereas receptions and social hours have more flexibility. Arriving 10 minutes late is cutely called "fashionably late."
When accepting invitations, it is good manners to let your host know if there is a conflict. RSVP means "please reply" at which time your acknowledgement of attendance becomes a commitment. The responsibility of the guest is to show up on time, well groomed, and festive in spirit. If the invitation designates a cut-off time (e.g. 7-9 p.m.) a guest is to depart accordingly.
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