When hosting a party that includes a sit-down dinner or a games table, many hosts will create a seating arrangement, while others will tell their guests to sit where they like. Some hosts swear by seating arrangements, while others feel it creates a stuffy atmosphere. But what does etiquette dictate?
Traditionally, a seating arrangement is used when:
– You have more than six guests at a table
– You have guests attending who don’t know each other well
– You want certain guests to have the chance to get to know one another better
– You have guests attending who tend to clash and you want to keep apart
Usually, a male-female seating pattern is used, and most hosts prefer to split couples up to help conversation circulate more freely around/down the table. One of my favourite ways to set up a seating plan is to alternate my outgoing guests with my more reserved guests – that way, I don’t have a dead end of the table while the other end is rambunctious.
Personally, I love seating arrangements at a dinner party or games night, especially when I am connecting two different groups of my friends. It’s very satisfying to use what I know about my guests to help them form relationships with each other, and a seating arrangement can help you do just that.
