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accept an invitation, they can generally be counted on to appear at the
appointed time.
It is best to be on time for appointments. When they are
professional in nature you should appear within five minutes of the
time you have agreed upon. On social occasions, especially when the
invitation is for a meal, plan to arrive no more than ten to fifteen
minutes after the appointed hour.
Invitations: If you accept an invitation, it is very important that
you appear as promised. It is perfectly acceptable to decline an
invitation if it is not convenient for you, but some response is always
called for. On a formal, written invitation, “RSVP” means “please
reply”. It is acceptable to ask about appropriate clothing. If you have
any dietary restrictions you should tell at the time you accept the
invitation.
It is not necessary to take a gift unless the occasion is a
birthday party or Christmas, or perhaps the invitation is for an entire
weekend. However, you may always politely ask if there is anything
you can bring. It is also nice to give a small gift if you are invited as a
house guest for an extended visit. When you are invited to someone's
home, you may always ask if there is anything you may do to help in
preparing the meal or cleaning up afterwards.
Most Americans consider it polite for guests to leave one or
two hours after dinner unless a special party has been planned or you
are asked to stay longer. It is a nice idea to write a thank-you note
expressing how much you enjoyed the evening. Though a thank-you
note, especially following an overnight visit, is considerate, it is a
very formal way to express thanks. You may also call the person or
say something when you see them again.
"Pot luck" dinners are very common. This usually means that
each guest or family brings part of the meal. The person organizing
the dinner will tell you what part of the meal you are expected to
bring. It is fine for international guests to bring a typical dish of their
country.
If you have been invited to go out for a meal, you should
assume that all parties will pay for themselves, unless the invitation
included a specific offer to pay for your food.

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