Not on the guest list

Showing up to a party is the easy part. The real challenge is not stinking up the mood or making the evening about yourself

- SEEMA GOSWAMI

Over the years, I have written several times about the trick to being a good host.

It’s really not rocket science. In the end, it boils down to three essentials. First, don’t get stressed, because that stress will inevitably infect your guests as well. Two, don’t get bogged down in elaborate menus and table settings; keeping things simple is good for everyone. And three: Remember that the evening is about connecting with friends, not showing off in front of them.

But I forgot to add one essential point. It is impossible to be a good host unless the people you are entertaining keep up their end of the bargain. In other words, being a good host depends on having good guests. And what does being a ‘good guest’ entail? Well, here are just a few things you might want to keep in mind if you aspire to this status.