Sweet Sixteens: Guest Etiquette

Whether attending a Sweet Sixteen celebration is routine, or this is your first, you’ll want to make a good impression on your host. After all, there's more to attending a Sweet Sixteen than getting dressed up and partying all night long -- you've got responsibilities too! Here's everything you need to know to be a great guest.

Respect Tradition
At every party, there are bound to be family traditions that are important to your host: a special dance with all of the guests, a poem read by a grandmother, etc. If you intend to come to the party, you should plan to participate in all of these customs.

Hold Back a Little
Your Sweet Sixteen host will be under a lot of pressure to attend to every guest, so don’t get offended if you only get five minutes of face time. This is especially important at larger Sweet Sixteen parties, where your host will be responsible for saying gracious hellos and good-byes to longtime friends and family.

Put Your Host First
Chances are your Sweet Sixteen host will be nervous about how the event turns out. She’ll be worrying about the food, the weather, or how to get everyone to dance! Don’t add to the stress by voicing your own concerns about the menu, a hairstyle or outfit that didn't go well, or a foe who's in attendance. No matter what happens, it’s best to keep your complaints to yourself -- put on a brave face and keep dancing.

Mind Your Manners
At the Sweet Sixteen, say hello to your host (don’t wait for her to come to you) and try to comment on a specific aspect of the party that's especially interesting. "Wow, I can tell a lot of work went into those decorations!" sounds a lot more personal than "Uh, this is nice." And extend that politeness to the venue’s staff if the Sweet Sixteen is being held outside the home. Always use “please” and “thank you.” You might think no one notices the little things. Trust us, they do!

Make a Perfect Exit
When you leave, say good-bye and thank your Sweet Sixteen host. Didn't have a good time? Remember, it's the thought that counts -- so keep your opinions to yourself. You don't have to gush about how wonderful everything was, but something like, "Thank you for having me -- it was great to be included" is a must. Being polite is a small price to pay for what will probably be a fun night out.