The 10 Commandments of Super Bowl Party Etiquette

Whether you are a Super Bowl fan or a half-time enthusiast, there are etiquette rules when it comes to attending a Super Bowl party.

There’s still time to brush up on your guest etiquette duties; here are some of the basics to being an MVP guest.

1. Ask your host how you can contribute.

Never arrive empty-handed. Bring a small token gift for the party organizer and a tray of snacks, a crockpot of chili or a crowd-pleasing dessert to share with fellow guests. Always run it by your host to make sure there are no duplicates.

2. Bring your dish in disposable plastics or a container you won’t miss if not returned.

Amid all of the game time hustle and bustle, it may be confusing for the host to keep track of whose containers belong to whom. There’s still time to Amazon Prime an eco-friendly, disposable set that you won’t miss.

3. Remove your ball cap during the national anthem.

This tip also applies to women who are wearing a sports cap. I covered hat etiquette in a recent Ask the Etiquette Expert.

4. Move away from the front of the big screen.

If you’re not interested in the game but still want to socialize, go into another room where you can chat with guests more interested in the buffet table than Maroon 5. But seriously… you may want to re-think guests not interested in watching Maroon 5.

5. Throw away your trash.

You may be sitting around the living room, on the couch, on the floor or in odd areas throughout the home during the game. Don’t leave your mess behind after you’ve finished eating. Toss napkins in the trash and take your plates to the sink. When enjoying chips and salsa, never double dip.

6. Take good care of the powder room.

Put down the toilet seat, replace the hand towel on the towel bar and don’t leave puddles of water around the sink. Leave the restroom in better condition than you found it and alert your host if the bath tissue needs replenishing.

7. Be a good sport.

There is a difference between friendly banter and offensive chatter. Keep your language G rated and your voice friendly and upbeat. Demonstrate good sportsmanship whether your team is winning or losing. You were invited to help foster a warm and friendly environment.

8. Keep your hands off the remote control.

You might want to jump to another channel during a commercial but refrain from taking command of the channel selector. You may unexpectedly cause your friends to miss an important play.

9. Bet only what you can afford to lose.

If you are placing bets (just for fun and if your state permits doing so in a social setting, of course), payout promptly without any nasty remarks. If you can’t afford to take the risk, skip the bet.

10. Thank your host in several ways.

The hostess gift is number one, a verbal gesture of appreciation before you leave is number two, and a follow-up call is number three. If you really want to impress your host, send a thank you note. This makes four!

You may also like Tailgate Etiquette: Touchdown Tailgate Tips. For more of Diane’s etiquette tips, read her posts on Inc., subscribe to her articles on Huff Post, “like” The Protocol School of Texas on Facebook, and follow her on Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter. Buy her new book, Modern Etiquette for a Better Life.