If you have a garden or terrace, there's nothing better on summer evenings than hosting a barbecue with family or friends. It's a pleasant, informal occasion for eating, drinking, and chatting—so much so that it's a veritable institution in the US —but that doesn't mean it shouldn't follow a few rules of good etiquette.
Etiquette , which has now expanded to the point of having a guide for any social situation (there are etiquettes of all kinds, from how to serve and eat bread to how to eat olives), has developed a series of rules of good manners even for an occasion like a barbecue.
If you want to organize the perfect barbecue, here are some rules that will help you organize a flawless party, where everyone feels comfortable and has a pleasant evening.
Making The Guests Feel At Ease
Since it's a barbecue, you'll definitely be hosting it outdoors. The etiquette, therefore, is very clear: the first thing you need to pay attention to is that the space you use is proportionate to the number of guests. Avoid having too many people gather at the barbecue if you have a small garden or terrace, as this will cause them to crowd together and create discomfort.
That said, the second important rule is that the space where you host the barbecue is prepared in a pleasant way: clean and decorate it properly, make sure there are enough chairs for everyone and make sure there are no shortages of surfaces for plates or bags or buckets for throwing away the garbage.
Since it's an outdoor dinner in the spring and summer, it's good manners to provide mosquito repellent and perhaps consider other solutions to keep insects away from both people and food. Another important consideration isn't for your guests, but for your neighbors: good manners suggest letting them know you have guests, especially if the barbecue is in the evening, to avoid complaints if you make more noise than necessary.
The Barbecue is Informal, But It's Better to Specify That
It may seem trivial, but when you invite your guests to a barbecue, specify that it's a casual outdoor dinner. You might take this for granted, but your guest might not necessarily be. By letting them know in advance, however, you'll put them at ease about the type of evening to expect and the type of clothing to wear, so they won't be embarrassed by dressing inappropriately.
The Table Should Be Informal, But With Taste
As we've repeatedly emphasized, a barbecue is a casual event. However, that doesn't mean it has to be sloppy or tasteless! You can set beautiful and colorful tables without using crystal and silverware, which is best avoided, especially since you're eating outdoors. For example, you can use recyclable plates, cutlery (except knives, which must be sharp to cut meat properly), and glasses, to avoid washing them up and to be environmentally friendly. Decorated napkins are a good option for a pop of color.
Choose a beautiful tablecloth and decorate the table by placing centerpieces here and there, or even simply bouquets of flowers arranged in pretty vases. You can also further decorate the table with a few candles, as long as you make sure they don't release excessive smoke to avoid disturbing your guests.
As for glasses, consider glass ones for beer and wine, while opting for plastic or biodegradable ones for all other drinks, and choose a color that matches the palette of your napkins and tablecloth. This way, while remaining informal, you'll have a lovely table setting.
Pay Attention to The Type of Menu
If you're hosting a barbecue, the main focus is, rightly, the food. But simply serving meat or fish isn't enough: etiquette dictates that you should plan a proper menu to make a good impression. For example, you could serve vegetables alongside your courses and then conclude the meal with seasonal fruit and a dessert, which you can have your guests bring. This is a casual event, so it's not unethical to ask your guests for a contribution.
You can also start the dinner with a small appetizer, to serve while you wait for the meat or fish to cook. Etiquette also reminds you that, since it's a barbecue, you need to choose your location carefully: try to cook in a well-ventilated area but separate from the dining area, so as to disturb your guests as little as possible with smoke and cooking odors.
Etiquette dictates that you should always ask your guests what type of cooking they prefer, especially if you want to cook meat, and that barbecued food should be served hot and eaten as soon as it's removed from the heat.
Also remember, when you invite guests, to specify what you'll be offering on the menu and ask if anyone has any specific allergies. Also, always consider a vegetarian option, especially if you're having guests with companions whose eating habits you're not familiar with.
What If You're The One Who's Invited?
We've clarified the etiquette required when hosting a barbecue, but what should you do when you're invited to attend? Here too, there are some etiquette rules to follow. First, the same rule applies as for any other invitation: don't show up empty-handed, but bring a small, appropriate token to thank the hosts.
In this case, since it's a casual occasion, it's fine to bring something to eat or drink, such as dessert or wine, or even savory pies or cold dishes. However, this should be agreed upon in advance with the event organizer. During the event, it's good manners to always ask if you can help with anything, and once it's over, good manners dictate that it's good manners to help clean up before leaving.
As for clothing, unless specific specifications are provided, prefer sporty and comfortable clothes, avoid overly elegant looks and opt for fresh pieces that you can enrich and make more special by playing with accessories.
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