New research of Cardiff residents has revealed having friends over for supper is still as popular as it ever was, with the average household throwing at least one dinner party a month – this could mean as many as 780 menus planned, tables carefully prepared and meals cooked for our nearest and dearest in our adult lifetime.
According to the research, Cardiff cooks spend a whopping 10.1 hours preparing for and clearing up after every dinner party planned.
We now prefer to refer to our foodie gatherings as “kitchen suppers”, with 64 percent feeling the term “dinner party” is out dated.
The survey into Cardiff’s entertaining habits, commissioned by kitchen appliance manufacturer Stoves, also revealed a modern-day etiquette guide for throwing the perfect soiree.
This includes NEVER talking about UK politics (25 percent), never allowing people to smoke in your house (39 percent) and making sure no one has any allergies before serving up dinner (37 percent).
Almost a third (32 percent) feel gossiping about people who are not there is a faux pas, and almost a quarter (23 percent) said getting everyone out of your house by midnight is essential, as nothing good happens after that.
Almost 20 percent (19.6) said posting unflattering pictures of your guests on social media is the height of bad manners, while taking pictures of your own food and posting online is seen as a bit naff by 14 percent.
Other rules for a successful party in the modern age include never serving drinks in jam jars (27 percent), thinking carefully about pairing the wine (18 percent), having a vegan option (20 percent), and under no circumstances should a host text guests asking them to hurry up. (21percent felt strongly about this).
However, according to many of those polled, it is perfectly OK to discuss what Netflix series everyone is watching.
Some 29 percent of those attending a dinner party thought offering to help clear up is the first rule of being a good dinner guest, while 41 percent added that they should compliment the host’s cooking. In a modern twist, 14 percent believed it is a must to thank your host on social media the next day.
A spokesperson for Stoves said: “The research shows that simply staying in and getting a take-away won’t suffice. We are going the extra mile to impress our guests and rather than just ‘staying in’ we’re ‘staying in-in’ by bringing a restaurant-style experience into the home – and with that comes new rules to live by. “
When asked about dream dinner party guests, the research showed that 37 percent of Cardiff residents would like to invite Ant and Dec to their party, while Ed Sheeran, Dawn French, and Emma Watson were also popular choices at 27 percent each.
The survey also showed that hosting a dinner party is a time-consuming affair. On average, home cooks in Cardiff spend an hour and a half cleaning after a dinner party (95 minutes), and over an hour each making a playlist (69 minutes) and planning a menu (78 minutes).
Hosts spend an hour and a half (94 minutes) cooking for their guests, an additional hour and a half (99 minutes) cleaning before the party and an hour (63 minutes) shopping.
The worst thing about hosting a dinner party is doing the cleaning up according to 46 percent of respondents, while 37 percent each hate it when people don’t eat their food and when guests refuse to leave.
However, more than half (59 percent) of hosts enjoy getting their friends together and chatting most of all. A high percentage (43 percent) also said that they prefer being able to relax at home over going out to eat.
