No Slippers: Etiquette Expert Explained How to Properly Host Guests

It may seem that there is nothing simpler than inviting friends over for a small evening banquet. You buy provisions, tidy up, pick some pleasant music, or even put on an old good movie and welcome dear guests. If it’s about informal gatherings of long-time friends, colleagues, or classmates, then there are no questions. You can do without table setting and unnecessary courtesies.

Well, if you have an important event (housewarming, anniversary, engagement) and you plan to invite older relatives and acquaintances, it’s better to know all the nuances. Etiquette expert Olga Svezhakova listed important rules that will allow you to organize the event without a hitch.

Notify in Advance

Ideally, you should invite guests at least a week before the scheduled date. This way, they will have time to decide whether to accept the invitation, and you will have more time for preparation and can count on a certain number of people attending.

Everything for Guests' Comfort

Provide places where guests can place their clothes and shoes. Otherwise, you risk creating discomfort. What if someone arrives in a luxury brand coat that needs to be hung only on velvet hangers? If you don’t take care of storage, you risk spending the end of the party sorting through a pile of items looking for someone’s scarf or a wallet that fell out of a pocket.

Put hygiene items and hand towels in a visible place in the bathroom. Yes, just like in a fancy hotel.

No Slippers

Under no circumstances should you offer guests to change into slippers. This Soviet habit does not align with modern etiquette rules. "First of all, it’s not hygienic; secondly, no slippers match formal outfits. You can ask guests in advance to bring a change of shoes that matches their outfit. But if friends arrive without spare shoes, you can politely ask them to 'wipe the dirt off their shoes,' providing them with the necessary accessories," the expert explains.

Yes, you heard it right; in many cases, it’s appropriate not to ask guests to take off their shoes at all. You can clean the floors the next day.

Shall We Sit in Silence?

"Good hosts will take care not only of the refreshments but also of the entertainment program — what guests will find interesting to talk about, what games to suggest, what music to dance to. And good guests participate in everything," Olga reminds us.

It's Time for You to Go

Every event eventually comes to an end. It’s good if you discussed in advance until what time guests can 'stay.' Often, when one guest starts to get ready to leave, the others understand that it’s time to leave the hospitable hosts as well. If guests linger, you can start clearing the table, refer to grumpy neighbors with a small child, or offer to help call a taxi.