This guy came flying down some stairs, trying to shotgun a beer using a plastic knife. Then, he threw the unopened beer across the room while simultaneously passing out. It was his birthday (and we were in our 20s), so no one minded except the guy who got hit in the head with a full beer.
Gentlemen, it’s the holiday season filled with holiday events, gatherings, and parties. And I don't want you acting like Mr. Shotgun Guy. Before I continue with this newsletter, I want to know -- what type of guest are you at parties? How you conduct yourself at these events can truly have a lasting impression on how others view you and relate with you in the future.
Which holiday party-goer are you?
No Show -- Every host's worst nightmare is the one person who commits and then later bails on the party.
Party D-bag -- You know the one. He arrives in a tacky Christmas suit with the mission to get as many sassy senorita's phone numbers as possible.
Drunk Santa -- For the first hour or so, he's spirited, exuberant, and fun. Then he channels his inner Willie T. Soke (aka Billy Bob) when he passes out. By the end of the night, everybody is talking about the crazy things he did during the party.
Grinch -- The Grinch groans when it's time for the Secret Santa exchange and is way too cool to belt out some Christmas carols with the rest of the party-goers. He's a real downer.
Romantic -- This single dude is tenderhearted and hates being alone during the holidays. He brings his despondency, hoping that he will find someone to reenact the lyrics of "Baby It's Cold Outside."
Wallflower -- In some cases, the shy one is only friends with one guest, most likely the host, who he follows around the party. He can attend the whole party without being noticed.
Hog -- This muncher acts like he's never seen food before and makes quick friends with all of the food & beverage available. He makes a pig of himself throughout the party.
So, which one are you? I hope none of them. My hope is you are this party goer-- the Gracious Guest. Part of being a gracious guest starts before the party even begins. You RSVP so the host doesn't think you're blowing them off. And you never bring someone with you unless you are absolutely certain a plus-one is welcome. You don't want to put the host in an
uncomfortable position.
Being a viewer of my videos, you know it's better to dress up than dress down, and in this case, being the great guest you are, you dress slightly better than you plan. So, if the dress code is casual, you go one step up. It's better to be a bit more dressed up than feeling awkward for being the only one in jeans at a dresses & dress shirt party.
You grab a snack before you leave, as you don't want to arrive on an empty stomach (for several reasons). You NEVER arrive early as you may catch the host off-guard (getting dressed, perhaps). Not a good look. Also, being precisely on time is not what you do. You arrive no later than 30-minutes after the party starts.
Regardless of what party-goer type you are, never show up empty-handed to your holiday affair. That's right -- you should ALWAYS bring a host gift. Bring something to show that you appreciate all of the work that went into the event and to thank them for inviting you into their home or to their party.
For me, my go-to host gift is a nice bottle of wine. It's simple, easy, and doesn't cost much-- it's something nice that typically everyone appreciates. Who doesn’t love a good bottle of wine, right? Now, if you want to take it a little bit further than just showing up with a bottle, put it in a cheerful wine gift bag. These bags cost around a dollar, and they're a great way to boost the gift a notch higher by making it just a little
nicer.
After you arrive at the party, you nurse your drink. You don't want to get wasted and make an ass of yourself. Also, you carry your drink in your left hand, so you have your right hand free to shake hands. You make an effort to meet new people by making the first and introducing yourself. As a great party guest, you keep small talk light, having a few stories
planned to share. You don't talk only about yourself, you don't network (it's not the time or place), and you make eye contact.
Sure, you take pictures, but you don't immediately post to social media. You know that the time you would spend posting to social media is better spent with the people at the actual party. After taking a few fun pix, you stick your phone into your pocket and are present. Speaking of being engaged and present, you maintain a 'happy face' even if you aren't thoroughly entertained. You sing and have fun -- and since you're not sloppy drunk, you
aren't judged for your Christmas caroling.
When you say goodbye, you thank the host. You can't believe how many people ghost by leaving without saying 'goodbye' or 'thank you.' Both are easy to do, gestures that can mean so much. You even take it up a notch by sending a 'thank you' note after the party expressing gratitude to the host for their efforts. You are this gracious guest, right? I knew it! Now, go out and have (safe) festive fun this holiday season.
Alpha M. POST of the
WEEK
Traditional
This post came from Alpha M. Consulting Facebook group which features all types of engagement- from fitness and style, to grooming and dating. Want to be part of the action? We'd love to have you. Join in the conversation ALPHA M. FACEBOOK
GROUP
IAmAlphaM Week in Review
We Want to Hear from YOU!
Do you have any input,
suggestions, or ideas for this newsletter? Is there anything else you'd like to see? We'd love to hear. Send an email to info@iamalpham.com
