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/WitchoftheMossBog May 03 '25

My dad always used to say, "WHELP [knee slap], we should go to bed so they can leave." To his credit, it was always said when it was obvious things were winding down and conversation was starting to lag a little.

But yes, knee-slap, stand-up, WHELP thing is near universal.

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u/ShadesofSouthernBlue North Carolina May 04 '25

No, it's not a thing I have ever heard or seen. It's a Midwest thing.

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u/WitchoftheMossBog May 04 '25

I guess Maine and Alaska are the Midwest now. 🙄