At the Emily Post Institute we insist on looking at Etiquette as the application of the principles of honesty, respect, and consideration to questions of proper conduct. The types of questions that we look at every day here are often problem solved by simply applying these principles to a given situation.
EverydayEthics is a blog on the Beliefnet.com website that examines the relationship between the thousands of small choices that we all make every day and the larger values that inform and guide those decisions.
Today I am part of a guest post over at EverydayEthics about etiquette. I look forward to inviting Hillary and Paddy to return the favor by bringing some of their insite and perspective about larger ethical questions to bear on some of our tougher and less traditional topics.
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Is there ever a number too large to invite to a party? We have not had one in a long time, want to reciprocate and include people we see through our childrens school, our club and church.
When composing a guest list, there are a number of factors to consider:
1. Are the different groups invited likely to get along and enjoy one another and have something other than you in common? You don’t want them congealing in separate corners. Would it be more meaningful to entertain them separately? There is certainly nothing wrong with mixing groups, if you think it will work.
2. Are you, the host, going to be able to spend sufficient time with each group and individual to make them feel welcomed and special?
3. Is your home or venue, conducive to handling the number of people you want to invite? Are traffic patterns open? Are there enough chairs and sofas? Is there enough room to stage food and prep for it?
Is there enough parking without inconveniencing your neighbors?
4. If children are invited, as I gather they would be, you’ll need plenty of room for them to roam. If people from your club and church arrive sans children, you might want to think about this.
We’ve all been on the receiving end of invitations that were evidently one size fits all, and while they are fun, they are not always reciprocal in the fashion of the event they attended in our homes. This is fine a lot of the time, but if it becomes a habit, eventually one party will end up feeling slighted.