TODAY’S POLL

LAST POLL RESULTS

35.5% of you voted Usually OK, but they should ask first in yesterday’s poll: How do you feel about people inviting extra guests to a gathering they didn’t organize?

“I don’t even really need them to ‘ask,’ but a gentle heads-up is appreciated.”

“When I’m not OK with extras, I’m explicit about who the invitation covers.”

“For catered events and seating arrangements, it’s important to RSVP. Otherwise, I usually don’t mind. There’s a big difference between a formal and casual event.”

“It might be OK for a casual get-together but of course not for a more formal sit-down dinner.”

“If it’s something like Thanksgiving, and there’s enough time to make room, then of course they’re welcome. Last-minute situations are less welcome, especially if it’s someone we don’t know.”

“They should ask, so I can prepare to welcome the person — set them a place at the table, etc. Sometimes a hosted event needs the dinner reorganized to some degree.”

“I once paid for a VIP seat at a table. I was late arriving but not worried because I HAD A SEAT. Another guest brought several other people and insisted they sit at the table with her, so when I got there, my seat was taken.”

“THE NERVE OF SOME PEOPLE.”

“It actually depends on the type of gathering. If it’s a dinner party, of course not. If it’s just a regular friends’ gathering with BYOB, that’s more of a ‘the more, the merrier’ situation. But when food is involved, someone should ALWAYS ask first if it’s OK to invite others, even if it’s a covered-dish type of party. I’ve heard examples over the past 20 years of invitees showing up, making plates, and leaving to take food to their family. That’s so wrong and completely unacceptable in my world.”

“Tacky and uncouth.”

“Depends on the gathering and whether it’s Dutch treat, bring-your-own food and booze, or a potluck supper.”

“If it’s just a ‘garage hangout’-type party, I wouldn’t have a problem, but if it’s a sit-down meal, I would not be happy.”

“If people sent in RSVPs, and the host figured out how much food to get but then ran out because of extra guests, that’s not OK.”

“If you’ve been invited for a meal, the host has likely prepared a set amount of food. ALWAYS ASK — unless it was advertised as a rager. ;)”

“Let’s party!”

EXTRA CREDIT

Would you read the news if it only took 4 minutes? Yes / No

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