If dinner invitations or invitations of any type send you in to a state of flux and you wish that you were never invited, it could be due to not being conversant about what you should do and how you should go about it. Full of Etiquette has got your back; read on and find out six simple things that would make invitations more inviting.
01. Mark Your Calendar and Respond
One major issue is that people don’t check their calendars as soon as they receive an invitation. Instead, they leave it aside until the host reminds them about the event. It is in rather poor taste to wait until asked and it is worse when you need to decline after being reminded.
Make it a point to check your availability as soon as you receive an invitation and enter it in your calendar (even with an overlap). If there is an overlapping event, inform the host right away that you may not be able to attend. In case the other event gets cancelled, you would know that this fits in to your schedule and you can notify the host of your acceptance of the invitation.
This is not a tall order; all it requires it that you organise your schedule a little bit more.
If there is a date by which you need to confirm attendance, place a reminder for that date and make sure you inform the host based on your calendar’s status as at that date.
02. Buy a Suitable Gift
Is it a birthday, an anniversary or some other special occasion? Is the invitation for you or your entire family? How well do you know the person for whom the dinner is being held? These are some relevant questions to ask yourself to understand the purpose of the dinner, think of the recipient and narrow things down.
To help jog your thoughts on gifting, you might find our article ‘Gift Giving’ useful.
03. Dress for the Occasion
Give yourself ample time to check your wardrobe for a befitting outfit. These maybe events that do not happen often, so some of your chic accessories such as your bag, your shoes or your belt may have started to peel or look worn out. Consider investing in a new one or see how best the old one could be mended in time. Arriving at the dinner in neat, appropriate and clean attire is one way of expressing your respect for the occasion and the host.
Above all, it is your own identity and brand that you would be protecting by confirming that you are aware of how to adapt to the occasion.
04. Arrive on Time
Fashionably late does not mean disastrously late. You don’t need to arrive in time to hang up the decorations, but you should certainly not make a grand entry when the cleaners are about to scrub the floor after the guests depart.
Reflect on the start and end times, think about the possible agenda or the actual published one, find out what special activities are lined up and think of the demographic factors of the other guests when assessing a suitable time for you to arrive. If you would be late due to a specific reason which you know well in advance, keep the host notified and indicate the time you intend to be present.
05. Mingle Amiably
Don’t own all the conversations and don’t act like you wish the earth gulped you up once you get there. Use the opportunity to connect with people, learn things that you don’t know, make friends and enjoy yourself.
At large gatherings, the host would be lost in a sea of heads, but make it a point to say hello as soon as you arrive, try to have a quick chat during the event and definitely bid adieu with a gracious thank you before you exit.
06. Send a Thank You Note
As soon as you reach home, the immediate next day in office or the following day after a good night’s rest, spare a few minutes to type out a warm and charming thank you to the host. It is true that you carried a gift and it is true that you gave them some of your time, but sending this note of appreciation, is really the cherry on top.
Go ahead and accept all the invitations that come your way. Be guided by these tips that would help any guest manoeuvre themselves around a formal or semi formal dinner.
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