How to be the perfect party guest: bring a bottle and don’t double-dip

The perfect party guest knows when they are about to outstay their welcome, always brings a bottle and never double-dips the hummus and salsa, a study has found.

Researchers also found that to ensure you will be invited back you should not dive into the buffet ahead of time, criticise the décor or tell sto- ries which embarrass the host. Not playing with the food, not getting too drunk and not taking home your unfinished wine are also essential.

Other golden rules include not eating more than your fair share of the food, not bringing uninvited guests or plus-ones, and avoiding revealing your political or religious views.

The poll of 2,000 adults by cheese firm Philadelphia, also found spending the evening staring at your phone and not mingling are likely to be frowned upon as is not offering to clear up at the end.

But six in ten adults see double-dipping – the controversial act of re-dipping a food item such as a vegetable crudité or tortilla chip into a dip after having taken a bite – as a huge no-no when dining with others.