A gracious party host, fresh cut flowers, a nice bottle of wine, a great conversationalist, and a thank you note

My business partner (Mr. F), my life partner (Matt), and I recently went to a fabulous, grown-up dinner party that was both uplifting, and inspiring, while simultaneously annoying and disturbing.  The hosts were absolutely text book (only not sterile and rigid); they continually and seemlessly made everyone feel welcome, special and interesting (if you ask me, anyone that can constantly show great interest and curiosity in all others’ interests, accomplishments, etc. is not only a good host and a good conversationalist, but a Saint). The catch was that we were also with another couple of whom one half was irritating, rude, and uninteresting (but totally full of herself and her (lack) of accomplishments…last I checked the greater Detroit area is not know for being a Mecca of cutting edge design).

I digress, the lesson here, and I’ll keep it short, is that the hosts were truly some of the most interesting, kind, well-spoken, people I’ve met, and their hospitality should be used as an example to write an etiquette book. So I will list my points of things that don’t go out of style:

Be a gracious host; ask more questions than are asked of you. People like to talk about themselves because it’s comfortable.

Bring something to share if you’re invited to dinner, whether it be flowers for all to look at, or a nice bottle of wine to sip

Last and most importantly…write (hand write, snail mail, etc) a thank you note to share your gratitude with the host.