What Do I Look Like at a Party?

Part 23 in a series by Karen A. Stevenson, President, Studio K Salon

Stores have their Christmas songs playing, the decorations are up, and holiday madness has begun. What about holiday get-togethers? A wide array of people will be invited to at least one Christmas party. Family and friends will be coming and going to open houses, all adorned in their best clothes. Holiday cheer is in the air.

Every once in a while, it is good to ‘check’ yourself. You could practice your holiday behavior by practicing a game called “What Do I Look Like at a Party?”

Here are the Guidelines for “What Do I Look Like at a Party?”

1. Check to see if you dressed appropriately and with respect to the event.

2. See if there is something you can bring to contribute, if food is provided.

3. Be on your best behavior, using manners.

4. Don’t over indulge in the chocolate fudge on the end of the table.

5. Don’t over drink.

6. Be sure you are not the one talking about everyone else at the party.    

7. Watch your body language. 

8. Sulking or hanging in the corner will not win you friends.

9. Arguing, criticizing, and demeaning people in public are not kind behaviors. It makes people uncomfortable.

10. Be careful you are not over opinionated. You may offend someone.

11. Watch your negativity meter. People will stay away from you if you have nothing positive to say.

12. Don’t be the party clown. You may get carried away and do something you’ll regret.

13. Don’t over stay your visit.  Be sensitive to the demeanor of the party and when it’s time to leave, gracefully leave.

14. Don’t ash your cigarette on someone’s carpet or floor. Don’t ash your cigarette in an empty can or bottle.

15. Always take care of your cans, bottles, or cups. Don’t just leave them around for someone else to pick up.

16. Bold behavior will chase people away.  Keep in tune with how aggressive you become.

17. Tell the host or hostess how much you appreciate being invited, and thank them.

18. If there is something served that you don’t like, kindly pass on the dish.  Don’t make a negative comment.

19. Be careful of the jokes you may tell.  There are many subjects that are offensive to people, including political humor, religious humor, sex humor, and financial innuendos.

20. It is impolite to mention how much money someone makes, or how much they have or don’t have.  Keep those comments to yourself.

21. Refrain from looking in the bathroom medicine cabinet, or any other item of personal property.

22. Pursuing the single woman or man in the room (or married for that matter if it’s not your spouse) is obvious to everyone, and embarrassing.

23. Take the initiative to mingle.  Don’t blame others because you are not being socialized with.

24. Don’t be a gossip.

25. Try to not do the room division thing where men are all in the entertainment room, women all in the kitchen.  Break the behavior.

26. Don’t go to the event if you are sick and don’t feel well.  Some people are very sensitive to being around a person that could give them a cold or flu.

27. You never know if an item is precious, or important, or priceless to someone.  Choose wisely things that you may pick up to observe, such as a vase, a clock, or a knick-knack. 

28. Observe, but don’t criticize someone’s décor.

29. Watch your facial expressions.

30. Remember, Actions and Behaviors are louder than words.  If you say one thing, you may be showing another.

31. Don’t become fake, to win friends.

32. Tasteful dress is better than causing people to gawk.  Don’t show too much.

33. Grace and graciousness are lovely assets.

34. Too much energy shown could cost a broken item.  Watch your self-control.

35. Be careful about being judgmental of others. The more you are judgmental, the more you will be judged.

36. Nothing is worse than women acting like cats, or men doing the ugh ugh thing.  Stay confident enough in yourself without going overboard. 

37. Enjoy yourself and be a great guest.  You will be invited again next year, and spoken well of for the year to come!