The Dinner Party

It may become a lost art. The dinner party, whether formal or with friends and family, was an occasion to get people around a dining table for shared conversation and dining.

Even in households the gathering at the dinner table was a time for parents to interrogate their children and state family policies and procedures. This was also the time to teach etiquette lessons, be assigned chores and be paid allowances.

Dinner parties were a wonderful way to gather people for a traditional holiday or social demands. Everyone who enjoyed the banter of ‘Townton Abbey’ or ‘Blue Bloods’ will understand.

A dinner party requires invitations, food preparation, decorations, and agendas. The party planner must have custom invitations printed and mailed requiring R.S.V.P. to the number of seats can be assembled. Coordination with the settings and table decoration including flowers and wait staff must be deadline to insure timely delivery. A good dinner party will also have valet parking, appetizers, live music and limited drinking.

The attendees will be required to bring a gift and dress appropriately. The menu, including alcohol beverages, will be placed at the setting along with assigned seating.

The seating arrangement will be calculated by social or professional position matching people together who should have interesting conversations. Etiquette restrains in emotional outburst and even speaking across the table may be difficult. When those wish to make a statement to all, a slight tap on the side of a glass can bring everyone focus. If a toast is presented, standing increases the importance of the statement. A polite light applause and then back to opinionated conversation with tablemates is the usual rule of thumb.

The person seated to the left and the right is who will dominate the dinner with small talk of the presentation or the drink or particular agendas to persuade the listener.

The head of the table will decide when the party has reached its eventual conclusion, he or she will rise and wish everyone well with a toast.

The dinner party can introduce lovers or business associates or political fundraisers. The host can tout their wealth and position in the community by the guest list.

The more casual dinner party can be a buffet with pick-your-own-seat but is still more formal than the open the pizza box in front of the television. These dinner parties can have fun decorations, be held on outdoor patios, have a B.Y.O.B invite and intermingle at will. Children can join the party without being restricted to the ‘kid’s table’.  Without a formal structure these parties can turn into drunken frat house revelry and massive cleanups.