Birthday Party Invite--Wrong Time on Purpose

[iNTeNSeBLue98]

I am a party coordinator at a bowling center on the weekends. Guests need to arrive earlier to get lane assignments and rental shoes so they are ready to begin bowling when their lanes are turned on, so I could see her point if they have to "suit-up" for laser tag. Typically though, in my experience, most parents tell their guests to be there 15 minutes in advance.

If our guests wait for the final five minutes before the party starts to show up, it disrupts the others who are waiting (we have another guest take their turn until their arrival) and it coul have an impact reservations scheduled after their party.

 

[MushyMushy]

I'm with those who think the hostess was rude for not being there as early as they were. I would have been TICKED to find out she manipulated my time like that, but didn't feel the need to be gracious enough to show up herself.

I see it as, being a person myself who is always a bit early to events, you're treating me as if I'm one of those others who is late to everything. If you're going to make negative assumptions about me, don't be surprised if I don't act happy about it! Personally, it would have been better if the invitations had been worded to the effect that laser tag begins at 1, but to arrive 10-15 minutes early for preparation.

 

[Becky2005]

I originally read it too that they were mad that a 12:30 time was put on there for a 1 pm party. Would you still have been mad if the host was there?

I know for movie parties, they tell you to have the guests come 20 minutes before the movie starts. With the movie party, they aren't going to hold the movie until your guests get there. It's not a private showing. They also seat you about 5 minutes before the movie start time before the rest of the movie goers.

If someone showed up late, it would be a problem.

 

[mjkacmom]

I originally read it too that they were mad that a 12:30 time was put on there for a 1 pm party. Would you still have been mad if the host was there?

I know for movie parties, they tell you to have the guests come 20 minutes before the movie starts. With the movie party, they aren't going to hold the movie until your guests get there. It's not a private showing. They also seat you about 5 minutes before the movie start time before the rest of the movie goers.

If someone showed up late, it would be a problem.

I've done 15 minutes early for bowling (they tell you to). Between getting everyone's shoes on (and getting the right size), and inputting names on the machine, you need that time. And I've never actually been to a bowling party where everyone shows up on time - there's always a couple of stragglers who hold up the game for everyone. However, I was always there very early.

 

[kacaju]

I'm with those who think the hostess was rude for not being there as early as they were. I would have been TICKED to find out she manipulated my time like that, but didn't feel the need to be gracious enough to show up herself.

I see it as, being a person myself who is always a bit early to events, you're treating me as if I'm one of those others who is late to everything. If you're going to make negative assumptions about me, don't be surprised if I don't act happy about it! Personally, it would have been better if the invitations had been worded to the effect that laser tag begins at 1, but to arrive 10-15 minutes early for preparation.

Add me to the list of those that would be pissed!! I am one that is also early to events, and many times with 3 kids I am juggling driving them here and there. If the party was scheduled for 12:30 and my plan was to drop of that kid and continue on driving, or picking up another child from someplace else. that half hour could have really messed me up

 

[ctinct]

OP here. It was my daughter and grandson who attended the party, not me. I wasn't upset because I wasn't there. My take on the whole thing is that it was rude to put an earlier time without an explanation, but it was ruder still for the hostess not to be there at the time she asked her guests to arrive. I understand the WHY of putting an earlier time. My daughter said some guests didn't arrive until 12:45 or so, so I guess technically they were late. However, I don't see why those who are punctual should have to sit around cooling their heels for half an hour.

It probably was done because of the whole issue of getting fitted with equipment and getting instructions on gameplay. I probably would have written something like "Our party time starts at 1:00. Please be at least ten minutes early so you don't miss out on any of the fun. We need to be suited up before 1:00." Unfortunately, I bet some people still would have been late. Kind of stinks that because some people can't get themselves places on time (not talking about the occasional unexpected stuff that might cause someone to be late), everyone else has to pay the price. Maybe I feel that way because we are a punctual bumch around here. I usually get places early---in fact, I have been known to park down the street or drive around the block a few times because sometimes I get places TOO early. I guess I just don't understand people who are habitually late.