Social Life Etiquette

Hospitality
While Americans are friendly, they keep a small circle of close friends.  A difficulty for people from other countries is that even if Americans include them warmly in their personal everyday lives, they do not spend a great deal of time with them.

In the United States, entertaining at home and at restaurants are both common, but is often considered to be friendlier to invite a person to one's home.

Parties
People usually introduce themselves at parties, so don't be shy in doing so.  Although you will see people sitting at parties, the majority will look for an excuse to stand up and start moving around.  When attending big parties, people are expected to move around the room, spending time with different groups.

Invitations
You should answer any written invitation as soon as possible. Some will have R.S.V.P. written at the bottom, this is a French abbreviation that means please reply. Such invitations require a response, even if you are not planning to attend.

It is not polite to accept an invitation unless you actually plan to attend.

When to arrive and leave

• For meals: You should arrive within five to fifteen minutes after the time indicated in the invitation. Do not arrive early, and if you are running late, make sure that you call your hosts and let them now.
• For Cocktail Parties, Receptions, Teas: Invitation to formal events usually say from X hour to Y hour. This means that you can come at any time that suits you between those hours. It does not mean that you have to leave exactly at the time indicated, but you should leave within half an hour afterwards.
• For a Dance: Most people arrive thirty minutes to an hour after a dance starts.
• For Concerts and the Theater: Most people arrive at least ten minutes before the curtain time.
• For Weddings, Funerals, Public Lectures, and Sport Events: Be there about ten minutes before the event.
• For Business Appointments: Arrive exactly at the moment of the appointment or a few minutes earlier.