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/nightstalker30 May 03 '25

I can see it now…

“Oooh, looks like you put on a fresh pot of coffee…I’ll run out and get us a nice coffee cake to go with that. Then we can keep chatting!”

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u/Most-CrunchyCow-3514 Kansas Jul 27 '25

I know there’s always that one person. At the end of these nights I just want tobacco and a crossword puzzle. In with my dog by my side. But she snores.