Being a good party host is a ton of work, and it includes dealing with unsavoury scenarios. When one of your guests has a bit too much to drink, think about how you’ll handle it ahead of time so you don’t panic when it eventually happens.
When you make your plan, here are a few things to consider:
- What is the party setting? If you’re having a small dinner party, dealing with one drunk friend without the others knowing may be difficult. You want to avoid embarrassing your friend, but if their safety (or the safety of others) is at risk, you may have to. If you’re hosting a larger, less structured party, you’ll have an easier time handling your drunk guest.
- How often does this friend get too-drunk? If your friend is always the drunk of the party, you may need to talk to them about the pattern of the behaviour in advance.
- How is your friend likely to react to being pulled aside? You know your friends best. If you think your friend will get upset if you talk to them while they’re drunk, you’ll need to make a more subtle plan to cut them off from the booze.
- What if someone is so drunk they need to crash after the party? Putting on a party takes a lot of time and energy, but you should be prepared to play host a little longer if needed. Don’t let anyone who is too-drunk go home since they could get in a car accident if driving or get lost if they’re taking public transportation. Have a spare pillow and blanket ready for anyone who should sleep on your couch instead of potentially trying to make unsafe journey home.
After you’ve considered how your friend and other guests will react, you have a few options. Ask a friend to help keep an eye on the drunk friend so you can cut them off when necessary. Pull your friend aside to chat about not getting too drunk. You can also go for a more subtle approach and serve less (or no) alcohol.
Whatever route you decide to take, the key is knowing what your plan is before the party starts. You’ll be more relaxed and able to focus on enjoying your guests if you already know how you’ll deal with a too-drunk friend.
How Do I Handle My Drunk Friend at a Party? [The Kitchn]
Image from danthoburn.
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