Company

I have dealt with an insane amount of company and guests this summer. At some points it seemed like ever other day I was getting ready for some sort of dinner or visit or something. Which I don't mind. I like having company...wait...rephrase...I like having good company. And I'm not talking about the people who practically live at your house and know where everything is and have no qualms about helping themselves. I'm talking about the people who you invite for dinner...or drinks and apps...or whatever. The people who you actually have to work when they come over.

See, I was raised to be good company, so I know the difference between good and bad guests. I'm sure most people think that they are good company...but the truth is that most people? Aren't.

Bad company is the worst. They just show up, eat all your food, drink all your beer, and leave the mess. Bad company is too loud even when you've reminded them to be quiet and they stay beyond their welcome. I have had way too much bad company this summer.

There are simple rules that everyone should follow: like upon receiving an invitation everyone should ask what they can bring. Even if the host says 'nothing' there is no reason to attend a function without a contribution...even if it's just a bottle of wine. Offer to help with the clean-up, even if you don't really want to...simple things like that.

But that isn't everything. The best guests? Clean up even though you asked them not to. When there's too many people and not enough chairs, they sit on the floor without argument, and insist instead that you take a chair. They hide money in your purse when you refuse to let them chip in for the take-out. There isn't enough good company in the world.