The amount of time you should give guests who are late for a dinner party can vary depending on the situation and your personal preferences. Here are some general guidelines:
15 to 30 minutes: It's generally considered polite to wait for about 15 to 30 minutes beyond the scheduled start time for your guests to arrive. This buffer allows for minor delays due to traffic or unforeseen circumstances.
Communicate with the guests: If possible, try to get in touch with the late guests to check on their estimated arrival time. Sometimes, people might be stuck in traffic or facing genuine delays, and they might appreciate your concern.
Keep other guests entertained: If you have other guests who have arrived on time, make sure to keep them engaged and comfortable while waiting for the latecomers.
Consider the context: The type of dinner party and the reason for the lateness can also influence your decision. For more formal events or if there is a significant reason for the delay (e.g., transportation issues), you might be more understanding and wait a bit longer.
Respect your guests' time: While it's essential to be courteous and understanding, it's also essential to respect your guests' time. If the delay becomes too lengthy and starts to inconvenience others significantly, you may need to start the dinner without the late arrivals.
Ultimately, use your judgment and be flexible based on the specific circumstances. If you find that late arrivals are a recurring issue, it might be worth discussing punctuality expectations with your guests in advance for future events.