Idiots who use their hand-held devices during the event.

drunk guests

Not enough food or not enough booze.

After my recent cocktail party, I have a new pet peeve that trumps ALL peeves. Someone thought it a good idea to wear a pistil under his sport jacket. Long story!

For a mere 40%, I'd guess having a TV on, or guests that arrive very late.

skibby, I bet it'd be far higher than 40% of people irritated! ;)

Probably Rob, but that was my first thought.

Guests who show up (usually late) with unexpected food items that require "preparation"!

That the host's pets were present.

is this as a host or as a guest?

As a guest I'm just thrilled to be invited out for dinner so no pet peeves and as a host I'm just thrilled that people accepted my invitation so again, no pet peeves.

Rhizo, what's a pistil? Or did you mean pistol? LOL

Blfenton, your comment is so cute.

One more guess....attending a party where the guest list includes someone you don't like (as in not having input to the guest list?).

Dinner is very late or greatly delayed from the expected time.

Late Guests

Haha, jasdip! You can tell that I'm a horticulturist, can't you?

-people bringing food when they were told not too
-people showing up too early (or too late)

I have one friend who I can count on to show up 1/2 hour early for EVERYTHING! and then there are those few who always show up 1 hour or more late. I've often thought about telling them two completely different times to show up. :O)

Aha! I have no friends, so no dinner parties either here or somewhere else.

One more!!! Invited guests showing up with uninvited guests!

I read this somewhere recently but I don't remember the answer. The last dinner party I had one of the guests got very drunk. I had never seen this side of her so I'm assuming she was on some kind of medication and the two didn't go together. It spoiled the evening for me. So I will say a guest misbehaving.

Probably has to do with pets. Host/hostess feeding the dog under the table. I went to a dinner party and the dog was under the table and began barking. I actually shhhed the dog and the host replied, "Oh, Precious wants you to share your food with her". I just smiled and they finally took the dog to another part of the house. :) We're still friends and Precious is long deceased.

I would say bad table manners.
Sue

I'm REALLY surprised that I got it from yesterday! cool-today, I too think its the pet thing being in the same room,near the table when ppl are attempting to eat