Controlling the flow of a party

It depends on whether or not your baked potato with all the stuffings bar has prepackaged hard to melt processed cheddar cheese or brie from Aldi.

I think it’s perfectly reasonable for the host to determine in what room(s) the gathering takes place. The home doesn’t need to be a free for all.

Only Silicone-based lubes in the mother-in-law suite!

I threw an outdoor party once, with directions to the bathroom for guests who needed once. Lost track of one of the guests, and found him going through the house room by room throwing open the doors and looking through the bathrooms. (I'm guessing cabinets were being opened until I arrived to escort him back outside).

I have come close to wetting my pants rather than ask a host or hostess to use their bathroom, never mind going exploring in any room other than the one I was invited into. If the house owners give a little tour, or invite you to use their facilities, that's a different matter. I think that's the way that some people used to be raised, including me, but that experience along with a host of others, taught me that my childhood training was not universal.

I'm in the camp which allows the party-giver permission to control the flow of the party.

I can’t imagine having things in my house I’d need to hide, or that I’d be ashamed of people seeing.

Additionally, guests are people you know, for the most part - so why would they be restricted?

A discreet but pungent toot can move people along.

There are two issues being discussed here. Snooping through somebody’s house is not cool.

I am referring to if you’re all settled and comfortable in one space and the host tries to make everybody move and consolidate, etc. I had one host once try to get us all into one room because they insisted on playing charades. This was not billed as a game night, I didn’t want to play charades and I was very comfortable sitting and talking where I was. Trying to force things made it less fun.

Mother taught me right-- I, too, refuse to use a hostess' commode. Like r4, if nature calls and I need to tinkle, I excuse myself and find a secluded spot in the yard to deposit my shame.

"Oh, come on, it will be such fun!"

"Everyone loves charades! It's a hoot!"

My guests do not congregate in my kitchens because they are not related to the chef.

I just piss myself rather than ask the host or hostess to use their facilities. I don't want anyone to think I'm rude.