Etiquette guru William Hanson reveals how to persuade dinner party guests to leave… without causing offence (and yes, white lies about having to ‘work the next day’ are fine)
The dinner party you are hosting seems far from over, but you are dying to go to bed. How can you throw your guests out without physically throwing them out?
Listen to the wise words of etiquette oracle William Hanson, who offers handy tips for clearing your turf without causing (too much) offense in a TikTok video that’s now gone viral, with 1.6 million views.
He also shared some additional tips on this topic with MailOnline Travel.
In the video, William suggests getting the ball rolling by asking, “Well, is there anything else I can get for someone?”
This is a “personal favorite,” reveals the maestro of manners.
Etiquette oracle William Hanson offers helpful tips for clearing your property of dinner party guests without causing (too much) offense in a now-viral TikTok video. William suggests getting the ball rolling by asking, “Well, is there anything else I can get for anyone?”
For stubborn guests, you can just turn all the lights on really bright, like in a nightclub, William advises
Williams’ new book, Just Good Manners (Penguin Random House), is out September 12
If they don’t get the hint, ask, “Do you have a busy day tomorrow?”
If this doesn’t help you reach the exit, William advises turning all the lights on very brightly, just like in a nightclub.
Should you ever physically push someone out the door?
William is clear: ‘We try to avoid bothering guests.’
Is it bad etiquette to just go to bed?
William told MailOnline Travel: ‘Bad etiquette and unwise. You never know what guests can get up to if you’re not careful.
‘A host or hostess should remain present for the entire duration of the party, even if he or she would prefer to sleep.’
And is it okay to tell a little white lie and say you have to go to bed because you have to work the next day, or to make up a hospital appointment or a funeral?
William said: ‘It’s fine to tell a little social white lie, but be careful that you don’t get bogged down with a social media post the next day. If you’ve said you’re going to be at a funeral all day and then post a nice picture of yourself drinking a martini on a rooftop, you only have yourself to blame.’
For more from Mr. Hanson, visit his TikTok And Instagram profiles. His new book, Just Good Manners (Penguin Random House), is out on September 12. Billed as “a witty and authoritative guide to British etiquette,” William shares “his definitive guidelines on how to charm and delight those around you with idiosyncratic authority in any situation.”