Hey Amy!

Recently I was a guest at a backyard BBQ.  A situation arose that I found hard to believe I was experiencing.  I searched all my ‘manuals’ on etiquette and found nothing.  I am writing from my heart (and my knowledge of proper behavior taught to me by GMB) on this one.

A small collection of friends, old and new, enjoying a nice summer evening of cocktails while our host was busy entertaining with hors d’oeuvres and engaging conversation.  One couple had announced when they arrived that they could only stay for a short while as they had other plans that evening but wanted to stop by.  Great of them to tell the host not to prepare food for for them (or they may have told in advance, I am not certain).  As the cocktail hour ticked on, our departing guests remained.  The host began grilling the meal.  The guests remained.  The host finished grilling.  The guests remained.  Eventually,  I stood and offered my help to the host as I had hoped the guests would figure out that our food was busy burning on the grill and quite frankly, they should go!  They stood as well and finally left but our meal was almost ruined.  I felt terrible for our host as he was trying his best to be gracious towards the couple yet keep the evening on time for the remaining guests.  What a mess our host found himself in!  Our meal was a bit overdone unfortunately but we had a delightful meal because of the company at the table.  My reason for sharing this story today?  Please mind yourself when you are a guest.  If you have said there is no way you can eat please recognize that the remaining guests indeed are going to eat and it is the responsibility of the host to see that the remaining guests have a lovely time.  So again I say, if you aren’t staying please…go!

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