How to Survive an Adult Dinner Party as an Adolescent

The chances that you will be able to make it through your entire childhood without ever having to attend a dinner party with your parents and their co-workers or friends are very slim. However, before you rate this experience a curse, you should probably consider that good behavior in this scenario well please your parents and most likely lead to a meaningful reward, because they will be so grateful both for your excellent behavior and not embarrassing them. The potential benefits outweigh the liability, so knowing how to survive the night is a good investment. And there’s a nice dinner in the deal, too.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Dress to impress is the operative phrase in this step. If you are going to be associating with grown-ups, you need to dress to their liking. Whether it be grandparents, your parents’ business associates or old family friends, you should be prepared to wear clothes more closely aligned to the ones you would wear to church rather than one of your chill-out outfits. Avoid retro, ripped or revealing articles; these will shock the adults and very likely create a bad impression. Select modest clothing: nice pants or dark jeans and a clean, basic top. A polo shirt usually is a good choice for both guys and girls. Last, girls must make sure they don’t overdo the makeup.
2. Observe the age old rule of not speaking unless you’re spoken to. In most cases this saying is incredibly outdated, except in this scenario. When the adults are speaking, it will be considered incredibly rude for you to interject your opinion or make a request. Simply appear interested, laugh when a joke is made, and if you are asked a question, voice your reply quickly and be done. When responding to a question, make sure you answer with a smile, a warm voice and a smart answer. Also make sure you stick to the point. If you drift off the subject or take too long to respond, it will be obvious that you have not been paying any attention.
3. Manners do matter. During this dinner party, it will be very crucial that you display your best manners, regardless of what you do at home or with your friends. In order to avoid having to speak through a large mouthful of food, or chomping on a world’s record piece of meat, cut your food into very small pieces. If you do this, you will be able to chew elegantly and easily. If you stick to the guideline of chewing bites small enough that they do not create a bulge in your cheek, than you are a winner. Last, don’t gulp your drink. Take only small sips and if possible use a straw.
4. Listen to your parents. If your parents ask for you to do something, no matter how excruciatingly painful it may be, you are going to need to do what they ask. Don’t ask questions. Simply reply politely, making sure you are not sarcastic, then proceed to do whatever task was asked of you. This will serve to create a very good reputation for you and it makes for happy parents. Also, if a suggestion is made to you, even if it is too personal or an embarrassing comment made about you, just go with the flow. Act as if that suggestion is the most important thing you have ever heard and that you will most definitely take the advice into consideration--even if you are never going to give it a second thought ever again. If the baby pictures are taken out and passed around, or another embarrassing memory of you is stirred up, just laugh it off. Never admonish or reprimand your parents or the other adults. Never show any signs of indignity. It will all pass eventually.

Tips & Warnings

• If you follow all of these tips very carefully, you should be able to survive the night and make a good impression while pleasing your parents. Remember, no matter how painful certain moments may be, they would much more painful if you disappointed your parents and the guests. Your good behavior in this situation will pay off better than almost anything you can do.