How to Be the Perfect Party Guest

As the new year rolls on, more people are preparing themselves for a new round of celebratory events for life's great moments: job promotions, marriages, baby showers and birthdays. Of course, not everything will go according to plan, because nothing ever does. Adjustments will be made as the event gets closer, such as bad weather and even worse behavior. Sadly on the latter, no one is ever aware when they break the rules until it is too late for them to be taken back.

Here are twelve rules to live by when you get the invites to all the social gatherings. These rules are meant to guide people through some uncomfortable moments and avoiding all potential party blunders that could afflict the social novice. Read them at your risk and decide for yourself what needs to be done before attending the latest party, unless making a spectacle of yourself is your goal. Otherwise, learn from your past mistakes and become the social butterfly of the season.

Make sure you know what the event entails. No one wants to be embarrassed by sticking out like a sore thumb, a diamond in the rough so to speak. Take for instance, Renee Zellweger's character in Bridget Jones's Diary. She is invited to a party that she thought was a costume party, and instead of inquiring about it she decided to go as a Playboy Bunny. As a result of lack of investigations, the character was beyond embarrassed and was made the subject of jokes for the rest of the festivities.

Mark your calendar. Make sure that nothing will conflict with going to the party. It is not a good idea to make plans and have to break them based on another engagement. It's not only rude, but could badly reflect on you in the long run. People usually forgive first time offenses, but repeat offenders might get banned from ever going to social gatherings for a good while. No one wants to "black listed" from all gatherings, because that's just embarrassing.

Keep your promises. When saying you are going to the festivities, please commit to going and stick to it. This one does not relate to scheduling conflicts, but more with people who decide to cancel for no apparent reason. These are the people who commit to bringing food and drinks, but they suddenly get "sick" and shirk their duties to someone else. This is definitely a party no-no. Nobody likes someone who waffles on a commitment at the last minute. It's bad manners and is something that could cause potential drama down the road.

Be on your best behavior. Don't party like a frat boy. People may be fans of the late John Belushi's character from Animal House, but not many would like to the real deal in their living room. These characters may be fun when age and social maturity are not an object when the novelty is still relevant. Sadly, it is not all the rage for people pushing forty and still breaking all socially legal boundaries. That is just an embarrassing footnote no one wants to be remembered for.

Try to go the extra mile. Do offer to help, bring stuff. Even if no one asks for help, you can lend a hand for all types of tasks. Suggest preparing a dish or setting the table. If you are asked to hang up decorations as childish as streamers, or blowing up balloons. Those activities might be juvenile, but there is the added perk of making balloon animals. It might be silly, but it could bring a smile to someone else. Mission accomplished.

Dress accordingly. If there is a dress code, follow it. No one wants to somebody dressed like a strumpet, or a gigolo. Those types are reserved for dimly lit bars and glitzy nightclubs with a two drink minimum. Not at a party full of light, and unavailable people who don't need to be around desperate single people.

Learn to take chances. If that means trying a dish, try it with the blessings of the party gods. Take a risk by doing karaoke, drunk or sober. You might not be able to carry a tune, but the idea of putting yourself out there is all that matters.

Be comfortable with yourself and other guests. Wallflowers are meant for high school dances, not social occasions. Most parties have a smaller setting that allows everyone to be seen, and heard. Opinions will be expressed that do not conform with yours, which is okay. Everyone is meant to disagree with at least a few subject matters, such as alcohol consumption and taste in music. At parties, heavy issues like politics and personal preferences, are never discussed. Those subjects can left for forums that are more formal, or for another setting.

Create a list of boundaries for yourself. Don't overdo it, especially when it comes to passing the drink minimum. A person's body can only take so much alcohol. Once that limit is passed, people should step away from the bar and gather their thoughts before making a complete fool of themselves. Dancing on tables and skinny dipping might be fun at the time, but not so much when the hangover kicks in the next day.

Have a sense of humor. If something embarrassing happens, laugh it off like the moment was planned. For example, if you drop an entire piece of chocolate cake down a flight of stairs and the embarrassment is too much to handle. Instead of crying like a baby, get a new piece and laugh you butt off. Never take yourself too seriously, especially after something embarrassing happens. No one likes a spoilsport, and that can be the ultimate party buzz kill.

Party crashers are not always a plus. Inviting the cops is not something people should remember you for when the night is over. If the noise of the booming stereo goes beyond ten, turn it down at least two notches. Not as many noise ordinances would be broken, and the police will not be called to break up the good times. A buzz kill that would end in handcuffs, a hefty fine, and severe awkward moments in the aftermath.

Leave when the time is appropriate. No one likes someone who overstays their welcome. The host, or hostess, is usually too nice to say anything to make them leave. Instead of giving them the boot, they play a game of chicken with the wayward guest through subtle hints that they need to leave. Of course, the guest can sometimes overtly ignore the hints and want to cause some trouble. That's a sign to lose the pleasantries and tell them the party's over.

In conclusion, parties are only a small part of life. They are simply background noise to frame everything else, a commemorative plate of sorts. Social anxiety is phobia that can be lifted when hanging out with the right crowd. A group of people that accepts who you are, and all your flaws. When that happens, you can conquer the world: one party at a time.