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Step 1
Be standing when your guests arrive as a mark of respect and also to show a willingness to please. This is especially important for gentlemen when a lady enters the room or a dignitary or person of important standing. Don't sit down again until all the other guests are seated.
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Step 2
Shake hands and exchange verbal greetings with your guests to formally acknowledge their presence. This is also a good time to offer an aperitif or pre-dinner snack or refreshment and give everyone a few moments of polite conversation before moving on to the next person.
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Step 3
Stand up if another guest joins you or if anyone excuses themselves from the table. This again is especially important if that guest is female, as dining etiquette still demonstrates that you should acknowledge women in this way.
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Step 4
Wait to start dining until all your guests have arrived and everyone has taken off their coats and received a drink. If someone is running very late, make sure that you try to contact them prior to beginning and come to an arrangement that is acceptable for them while at the same time not being a huge inconvenience for the rest of your guests.
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Step 5
Form a receiving line if the event is larger or more formal than a small dinner party. In large-scale gatherings such as a wedding or formal ball, a receiving line is the best way to ensure that you manage to greet every guest on an individual basis and that you don't overlook or miss anybody.
