Sometimes 'Not Helping' Is The Best Option: Here's How To Be A Good Guest

skynesher via Getty Images Look relatable? But Smith says “a wonderful phrase for a guest to use is, ‘What I can do right now to make your life easier?’” Crucially, Smith follows that up by advising party guests to “listen to the answer.” Oana Borcoman, a professional event planner, agrees. But if you as a guest want to be sincerely helpful rather than an extra body taking up kitchen space, “Watch out for the host’s body language,” Window recommends. Clues that indicate that a host would really prefer that you head back into the living room and grab another drink or join a game of Celebrity may include “giving less eye contact, using slightly more aggressive body language or giving one-word answers.” Windsor also mentions subtle hints like, “They may take up more room by, for example, putting their arms on their waist or keeping their legs apart while standing. Also, watch their facial expressions: they certainly won’t be smiling, they may look a little annoyed, and they might move away from you into another room.” Again, if the host, as Windsor puts it, “insists that you go and enjoy yourself with the other guests and that you are missing out on all the fun,” listen to them.