On Thu, 09 Apr 2009 13:50:27 +0000, James Silverton wrote:

> A punctilious bunch, I see. My personal preference is to arrive a few
> minutes after the stated times and also expect guests to do the same.
> I've practically never brought small gifts or flowers even on a first
> invitation but I almost always bring a bottle of decent wine. I don't
> necessarily expect the hosts to open and serve it then and there tho'
> they usually do so. However, there are places in Europe where bringing
> flowers is traditional and I go along with that.

I like to get to dinner parties I'm invited to on time, I feel it's just
good mannered to do so.

Not that it happens much around here - haven't been to one in years. We
usually get invited to much more casual affairs. But if I got 'all dressed
up' and arrived at the appointed time - only to discover my hosts were
still in the shower and was rudely told that "Oh, yeah. You guys are
always on time." like *I* was at fault, I would not be impressed.

--
Cheers
Chatty Cathy