Etiquette experts say "fashionably late" was invented to excuse rudeness. Is arriving right on time the polite move, or is turning up a little late still safer?
They also point out that showing up exactly on time can inconvenience a host who isn't ready for guests yet.
What happened
A recent etiquette discussion reignited a familiar debate: whether guests should arrive at the stated time or a little after. Some hosts say arriving early or exactly on time catches them mid-prep, while others argue that showing up significantly late (an hour or more past a stated time) is simply rude dressed up as a social convention.
Why people disagree
People who favor punctuality say a stated time is a commitment, and lateness disrespects the host's planning. People who favor a buffer say hosts genuinely need those extra 10-15 minutes, and that the phrase "fashionably late" exists precisely because everyone quietly agrees on-time is often too early.
What's still unclear
Where the line actually sits between a considerate buffer and genuine rudeness, and whether the right answer changes for a dinner party versus a big group gathering.
Sources
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