Even if you work hard to plan the perfect party, at some point you still may have to deal with an annoying guest. Fortunately, we've got solutions -- so when you encounter one of the situations below (whether you're the hostess or a fellow guest) you know exactly how to get the party back on track.PARTY PROBLEM: Flirty Friend "Last Christmas, my friend got engaged to this really seedy guy. I invited them both to my annual party. As my pal socialized with other people, her fiancé kept making weird comments and telling me how great I looked. At one point, I went into the bathroom and when I came out, he was standing at the door and cornered me. He went on about how hot I looked and then tried to kiss me." --Ann, 24
If you're the hostess: Be firm and let him know to stay away from you, but don't go running to your friend. Save that conversation for when you can be alone in a quiet place.
If you're a guest: If you notice someone being grossly hit on -- no matter who is doing it -- step in and save the day. Say there's an emergency that needs tending to, and pull her away.
Click here to read more. Click here for more holiday ideas.
PARTY PROBLEM: Karaoke Hog "One of my college friends thinks he's a really good singer. The only problem? He's terrible. He showed up at my last Christmas party with his guitar. I wasn't thrilled, but he was so excited I told him he could play a song. He played the entire time, screaming his way through tunes. I told him that I really wanted to listen to this new song on my iPod. He nodded, and I thought it was over. But I was wrong; I pushed play, and then he started playing along with the song." --Gloria, 28
If you're the hostess: Pull the rock star aside and tell him there's someone you're dying for him to meet. Then introduce him to the most charming or monopolizing friend you have to keep him occupied.
If you're a guest: Grin and bear it. Take comfort in the fact that everyone else is suffering too.
PARTY PROBLEM: Etiquetteless Guest "My boyfriend rented a private room at a restaurant to throw an intimate dinner so all of his friends could exchange gifts. It was very fancy. He had invited his stepsister as a courtesy, even though neither of us likes her. As the night went on, she started snapping her fingers at the waiters and screaming for more wine. It was awful. The manager even pulled my boyfriend aside to ask him to control her." --Hallie, 27
Scroll down for more problem solutions, or get into the holiday spirit by clicking through this gallery of insanely decorated houses.
Crazy Christmas Houses
There is no possible way Santa is going to miss these guys.
Flickr/vladdythephotogeek
This family went with the post-modern cubic representation of Frosty the Snow Man.
Flickr/watz
This house has exxxtreme Chrismas written all over it.
Flickr/GrantMcDonald
A faux igloo, fake polar bear, and cardboard two-dimensional huskies. We're so there.
Flickr/ClicknMiken
This gingerbread house makes us hungry.
Flickr/SqueakyMarmot
This family wasn't content with just decorating the house so they decided to go for the lawn, too.
Flickr/Bright_Star
The complete lack of snow didn't stop this family from immersing themselves in the Christmas spirit. Check out the Christmas-lit basketball hoop in the far right background.
Flickr
These guys didn't stop with lights. Oh no, they went on to include a holiday-themed projection in their Christmas house madness.
Flickr
So many reindeer on the roof, so little time.
Flickr/SqueakyMarmot
This house is dancing with the stars.
Flickr/Kecko
If you're the hostess: Ask a mutual friend to try and help the rudester to chill out, but don't get directly involved -- after all, this person may just have a different set of manners than you do. If she's really out of control, ask a manager or large pal to play bad-cop and "86" her.
If you're a guest: You may want to make snide jokes to the others, but you run the risk of the obnoxious person hearing you and causing a commotion. So, keep things light and ignore the party-pooper.
PARTY PROBLEM: The Harassing Guest "Last year, my cousin stopped by my party and brought along his boss from work -- a single guy in his 60s. The entire time, the old guy lewdly hit on all my female friends and monopolized every conversation by bragging about himself. People were so irritated by him that they ended up leaving early." --Erina, 31
What to do if you're the hostess: Pull the guest aside who brought the pest. Explain to them that he or she is ruining the vibe, and ask if they can discreetly get the person to leave.
If you're a guest: Do your best to put up with the guest, or even suck it up and distract him for a while to give your host a break. If you start complaining, you'll just stress the host out more.
PARTY PROBLEM: Hard Partier "My college roommate called last-minute to ask if she could bring this guy 'Steve' [to my party]. Steve got increasingly drunk and started getting really mean. At one point, he was dancing to a song, and I changed the track. He flew off the handle and started screaming at me. My guests were shocked and totally freaked out." --Leslie, 25
If you're the hostess: If you notice someone getting too boozy, talk to them slowly and quietly and see if you can engage them in a one-on-one, calm conversation -- most people will mimic the style of the person talking to them. If you lose it, you may escalate the situation (with an unpredictable drunk, no less) and your guests will feel uncomfortable.
If you're a guest: When someone's wigging out, it's best not to step in -- you may make things worse. Instead, the host will appreciate your thoughtfulness if you have a drink waiting for her when the confrontation is over.
Tell us! Who's the worst holiday party guest you've ever seen in action?
















Comments:
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Wednesday 12 November
By Tom Holzel
Do you notice the theme that runs through this entire series of "solutions"? To lie to people in order to control their obnoxious behavior.
What ever happend to confronting a problem by telling the truth. Tell an obnoxious guest he is obnoxious--and aksing him to shape up or ship out?
Oh dear, is that to "judgemental," too "confrontational," or (gasp) to "controversial?"
Well get over it. Life is far too short to put up with *ssholes. So confront them with their objectionable behavor and but short shrift to their disruption. And if they don;t oblige--physically kick them out.
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Wednesday 12 November
By Lisa
Tom, you are SO right!!! Why should one jerk get to/be allowed to ruin a party for EVERYONE else?!??!?! Kick them out or tell them off, but get rid of them. And the creep who gets nasty - time to call the cops and have them take the guy to his own special little party in the drunk tank. Oh and Ann Kelly - you are a PC idiot. I bet you have a "Door Mat" tatoo on your forehead. Go get some therapy and grow a spine.
Wednesday 12 November
By Anthony
I couldn't agree more.
Wednesday 12 November
By C.B.
I AGREE WITH TOM HOLZEL. HOLIDAY PARTIES ARE A LOT OF WORK AND A LOT OF STRESS. WHEN IT COMES TIME FOR THE PARTY, I WANT TO BE ABLE TO RELAX AND PARTY WITH MY GUESTS, NOT PLAY ' *SSHOLE COP". TELL THE STUPID OBNOXIOUS S.O.B. TO SHUT UP OR GET OUT. PERIOD.
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Wednesday 12 November
By Yolie
Yes, you could sink to their level and be confrontational. That just fuels the fire. Better to have TACT. Being assertive is one thing. Being aggressive is quite another and unacceptable by the guest AND the host. ")
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Wednesday 12 November
By Mike
Oh Heaven fobid anyone gets any hurt feelings!! Yeah Right!
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Wednesday 12 November
By Yolie
Heaven forbid anyone check their ego. ")
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Sunday 16 November
By xA
I think that this is a good article on how to handle it when people's ugly side rears its head. While I can appreciate Tom's point in that one should be upfront, a party is not a particularly good forum for a confrontation. It makes the host looks bad, because tact is a trait that is highly valued. If someone has been invited to a party and they behave badly, it only reflects badly on them- if the host steps in, creates a confrontational situation and both parties get angry/hurt, it reflects badly on both people. Perhaps save the "You were obnoxious and annoying and my holiday party" conversation for a time when you are not in front of EVERYONE in your friend circle.
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Sunday 16 November
By Janice
Another common theme was guests bringing others who turned into a problem. How about setting some ground rules when being asked if someone can be brought along? Like "but if she/he gets out of hand you'll take care of it, right?" Parties may not be the place to get confrontational, so take them out the back door! The other guests and the hosts do not need nor deserve the evening ruined for one person. I, personally, have no problem figuring out a way to get rid of someone whether it be by the guest that brought them, or a bouncer size friend to handle it., or in the case of the singer having them take a "snack" break then talking to them about enough. They can sing and play all they want, at their own party!
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