Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

You're invited to a friends for dinner at 7pm, what time do you ring their doorbell?

853 replies

suggestionsplease1 · 01/07/2021 23:25

Out of interest, feel free to post to the minute!

Let's say this is not a very, very close friend, so you don't have a pre-existing idea of their expectations / preferences for your arrival time.

After reading another thread on visitor etiquette on AIBU today I was wondering if mumsnetters can converge on a perfect time, or if there are widely differing ideas on this issue!

OP posts:
TooExtraImmatureCheddar · 01/07/2021 23:25

7.20. I would intend to be there at about 7.10 but I’m always late.

TLIMSISNW · 01/07/2021 23:26

7pm.

Is this a trick question?

irresistibleoverwhelm · 01/07/2021 23:26

7:10-7:15. Any later and it looks rude, but bang on time and they might be caught out running late!

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

General relationships
Halo1234 · 01/07/2021 23:26

6.55 to 7.05.

Tealeavesandscones · 01/07/2021 23:26

7.05 pm

emptyplinth · 01/07/2021 23:26

7.10 to.7.15ish

Florabritannica · 01/07/2021 23:26

7.08

MissKeithsNeice · 01/07/2021 23:27

7.08

But I would have arrived loads earlier and been waiting nearby kicking myself for being early. The last minutes would have been especially tough.

MsAwesomeDragon · 01/07/2021 23:27

I would be ringing the doorbell at as close to 7pm as possible. Even if that meant arriving early (setting of early so I don't end up late) and walking round the block a few times so I'm not actually early.

HeyGirlHeyBoy · 01/07/2021 23:27

7pm!

MissKeithsNeice · 01/07/2021 23:27

last 8 minutes

Wearywithteens · 01/07/2021 23:27

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn at the poster's request.

Skiptheheartsandflowers · 01/07/2021 23:28

7.05.

Mumblechum0 · 01/07/2021 23:28

7.10. DH always wants to arrive on the dot so I have to practically hide his shoes sometimes 😉

SpindleWhorl · 01/07/2021 23:28

Very shortly after 7pm.

Hestartedoffsowell · 01/07/2021 23:28

6.55 to 7.05. noooo! Those crucial 5 mins, never ever arrive early!

7:06 perfect

BloomingTrees · 01/07/2021 23:29

7.00 - 7.10

GiantKitten · 01/07/2021 23:29

Invited for 7, or dinner to be ready at 7?

Deadleaf29 · 01/07/2021 23:29

I’d have assumed that meant they were serving up at 19:00 so, given most people expect their guests ahead of that point, I’d have asked what time they wanted me to arrive, and would then arrive within 5 minutes either side of that time!

Cassandraprobs · 01/07/2021 23:29

7.02, am very punctual but aware of not being rude by being early.

Delphigirl · 01/07/2021 23:30

7.15

Nobody wants to see you before then

Notashandyta · 01/07/2021 23:30

7.05pm

Luckingfovely · 01/07/2021 23:30

7.15. Any earlier would be terribly rude!

MaMelon · 01/07/2021 23:30

Around 5/10 past 7 - no later, and probably nearer 5 past, so 7.05, 06 or 07. Definitely no earlier than 7, or later than 7.15 unless we’d got caught in traffic - in which case we’d phone ahead.

With our close friends we are far more relaxed - ‘come for 7’ means 7.30ish as we’ll be eating around 8ish

MajesticWhine · 01/07/2021 23:30

7.15