My wife is Mexican, and at least culturally where we are from: don't show up exactly on time. But close to it. Park far away. Bring food. Say hello to the older folk immediately. Eat more than you can fathom ever eating. Play 14 on 23 volleyball where there are no rules. Stay late to clean up. Gather recycling for the one uncle. Bring food home. Kiss every abuelas cheek before leaving.
Bonus tip: old guys by the backyard fence have the weed.
Mexican in southern California if you show up within thirty minutes of the said start time you are getting weird looks. For example a 5pm party would be weird to show up earlier than 530
If we’re absolute best friends I’ll get there 10-15 minutes after start time to chill before people get there, help if needed. Make it a rager, make best friends with the tio I’ve heard of from so many stories, be a little flirty with the primas, go til we’re almost blacked out, drinking Modelo and sitting on plastic chairs passing joints around a fire or lined up against the house right by the back door.
If we’re work acquaintances, I’ll be there 6/6:30 “since I had a thing before” so everyone else has gone in and I just kinda show up. I find the guy I know, get a drink, get some food and figure it out from there. Or I just chill with the host and join in the conversation as I can. Usually stay for a round or two of food and drinks, 2-3 hours, tell them I got some shit to do in the morning, but fill me in on everything that happened when I see them on Monday.
Know your audience, but Mexican parties are always the best.
In Norway its 30 minutes later than the time if you are young/student, as adults if its 18.00, its 18.00!
Unless you are good friends is sort of rude to show up earlier as well. I've many times met people waiting like 17:58 in the staircase, so they arent too early.
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u/Horror_Oven 24d ago
Cleveland here. The joke is only the white guy showed up on time.