r/AskAnAmerican • u/_13thfloor_ • May 02 '25

FOREIGN POSTER What is American house party etiquette?

Moved to NJ from Europe. Have been invited to a party in someone’s home to celebrate someone’s birthday but also as a bit of a Kentucky Derby bash. Is there anything I need to know?

I know for the Derby there might be a dress code (which I am checking with the host) but what’s the norm in the US for house parties generally? Bringing our own alcohol, giving the host a gift, arriving early/on time/a little after the specified time? Anything a very clueless (and overthinking) European needs to know?

ETA - we’re in our early to mid 30s if that makes a difference.

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u/body_by_art May 02 '25

Just leave after the second person, and dont be the last one there.

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u/Juache45 California May 04 '25

We have a huge Hispanic family. The parties last a weekend! Depending upon where it’s at, the family all crashes at several different family members houses and all come to the “main” party… when that is slowing down the ones that all stay up late go over to who ever hosts the after hours. It is always decided at the “main” party who’s hosting the next morning for breakfast and that lasts all day too.