With warm weather and lots of light until late in the evening, this is the season for backyard parties. But new research shows that almost half of guests (45%) have left a backyard party early because the outdoor space was uncomfortable, often without telling the host why.
While there may be all kinds of reasons they’re uncomfortable, the problem could be that people aren’t following the unwritten rules for these social gatherings. According to the survey of 1,000 adults across the country, the number one unwritten backyard party rule is don’t bring uninvited guests.
- More than two-thirds of hosts of all ages, genders, incomes and ethnicities say it’s their top rule.
- For 19.5% of hosts, unruly kids are the single biggest guest behavior issue, with almost every demographic agreeing.
- Nearly half (45%) of baby boomers say asking before smoking is their top unwritten party rule. Only 27% of Gen Z says the same.
- For 35% of high-income hosts, running out of food or drinks is the biggest hosting mistake.
- Over a third (35%) of them believe guests judge the food and drink setup first when they arrive.
- Four in 10 (41%) of Gen Z hosts expect guests to help clean up before leaving, compared to just 23% of baby boomers.
- When it comes to pre-party anxiety, baby boomers say not having a contingency plan if the weather turns is their biggest stress.⠀
Source: Caledonian Record