DO's and DON'Ts of BBQ Etiquette

Nothing says summer like a good ol’ barbecue. Whether you’re among those who will be cooking and hanging out in a park on the Fourth of July, or plan to join your buddies in the backyard, it’s good to brush up on some BBQ etiquette. So consider these Dos and Don’ts to keep your place among the socially savvy and keep your friends in the process.

As Host/Hostess:

DO send out actual invitations. They can be informal in style, and extremely helpful to you by serving as reminders of date, time, and party particulars (BYOB, covered dish, etc.) that would probably be forgotten if you merely ‘told’ them about the event.

Keep your Chef happy

DON’T ignore your designated cook. Keep him/her cool with their favorite drink. To ensure good food however, you may want to keep the drinks soft.

DO make your outdoor area clean and inviting; but, if tidying up involves any wet-cleaning, be sure to do it in enough time to keep your party-goers dry (or provide extra shoes when theirs get soggy from your wet lawn).

DON’T settle for the weather forecast that was given the week before. As your day nears, keep checking on the latest forecast. Even if it’s a good one, prepare a backup plan for unexpected changes (tents, patio umbrellas, canopies, etc.). There’s nothing worse than having a bunch of soaked people crammed in your living room waiting for the rain to stop. Surely your room wasn’t designed for such abuse.

Planning an early party with children and music? DO be mindful of the volume as you “K-I-C-K” the music. In other words, Keep It Clean for Kids. Your neighbors will appreciate it, too. Not so sure about your neighbors? Simply add them to your guest list.

DON’T invite children without arranging activities for them. It’ll ensure their enjoyment…and yours.

Even though this is an outdoor event, basic manners still apply. I won’t go into all those reminders; however, I do have two BIG DON’TS for guests:

Accept the chosen menu and DON’T ask for food that isn’t there. If a particular food item means so much to you, pick it up on your way home and enjoy it as a pre-bedtime snack.

And finally, DON’T bore others with continuous talk about your brand new, latest and greatest, super-cool, ultra-cooking grill that does everything but chew your food for you. Really feel the need to share? Then the next barbecue’s on you.

~~~~~Tell Tammy~~~~~

What are some of your best/worst outdoor party moments?