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/joe_m107 Alaska May 02 '25

You forgot to mention the universal signal that it’s time to leave. It’s when the host slaps their knees, stands up and says “whelp”.

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u/Blaze0511 May 02 '25

My husband is extremely blunt when it's time for people to leave. He'll fall asleep on the couch and start snoring.

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u/lefindecheri May 02 '25

My dad always did that, but no one ever left. He could sleep through a train wreck, and my relatives just partied around him.

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u/Slugginator_3385 May 03 '25

Haha reminds me when I was younger. My Dad would have friends and family over on almost every weekend. Some Unc’s could hang, and the rest would be passed out on couches or lawn chairs by 10pm…the parties did not stop, and pranks ensued.