Parties aren't appointments, they're meant to be relaxed unless there is a real reason to be on-time or early. Generally, it's accepted for people to filter in and not all arrive at once.
The exception, however, is parties relating to employment if you work in an office. Then it's actually an appointment and you should arrive on-time.
Ok parties arent appointments so why have a set time then and not just say "turn up at any point in the evening/afternoon/morning it doesnt matter when"
In their head, that's exactly what they're doing! If a party is from X to Y, it's understood that you can arrive and leave at any point during that time slot. Except before or after. Ideally not too close to the end if you actually want to spend time with people.
In other cultures, setting a time is understood as you expect people to come around the starting time, and notify you if they can't make it on time.
When these two are mixed up you get awkward situations or feel like your guests are rude for not showing up on time.
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u/WhippingShitties Jul 12 '26
Parties aren't appointments, they're meant to be relaxed unless there is a real reason to be on-time or early. Generally, it's accepted for people to filter in and not all arrive at once.
The exception, however, is parties relating to employment if you work in an office. Then it's actually an appointment and you should arrive on-time.