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Article created by: Justinas Keturka

Parties often have a lot of unwritten rules about how you should behave. Depending on your local culture and relationship dynamics, you might be expected to be fashionably late or bring the host a gift. But something that is in a bit of a grey area is knowing when to leave. Very few hosts are willing to outright tell you ‘get off my couch, leave, I’m sleepy.’

The ever-helpful r/AskReddit community shared some of the (not so) subtle signs that it’s probably time for you to thank your host, grab your things, and head home. ASAP! Scroll down for their useful tips, and be sure to upvote the ones that you personally found the most helpful.

#1

Hand washing a fork under running water in a sink, symbolizing signs at a party indicating it's time to leave. If the host starts cleaning up instead of socializing, it's either time to help or time to leave.

scienceforbid , maundytime Report

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    #2

    Group of people holding wine glasses at a party, highlighting signs it’s time to leave and exit the social gathering. Host puts their hands on their knees, stands up and says “well, it’s getting late”.

    xrc20 , Kelsey Chance Report

    #3

    Man with a beard and cap holding a baseball bat, illustrating signs it’s time to leave a party. If someone shows off or flashes a weapon of any kind. Gun, knife, taser, whatever. Just go. It always ends badly and bystanders get hurt all too often.

    magicpwny , Hadi Ul hassan Report

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    #4

    In your teens: any vomiting.

    In your 20s: it’s just you and the host’s closest friends, and everyone left there is a closer friend than you.

    In your 30s: the babysitter needs to get home.

    In your 40s: no one needs encouragement. Our pajamas start calling us immediately after dinner.

    No_Consequence_6821 Report

    #5

    Two people in a dark setting appearing tense, illustrating signs at a party that suggest it’s time to leave. A group of males that no one really knows show up.

    groundsgonesour , Jack Sharp Report

    #6

    Person covering mouth while yawning with messy hair, showing signs it’s probably time to leave the party. When the hosts yawn, leave.
    If the hosts don't yawn, leave by the time half the guest have.
    Don't stay until the end unless it's your best friend.

    LAC_NOS , Elias Ficavontade Report

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    #7

    In Syria, social visits begin with juice. Then sweets. Then at last, after a nice visit, Turkish coffee with cardamom. When the coffee comes out, you know to sip and split.

    In Yemen, coffee is served first. This resulted in a bit of an awkward visit once when my Yemeni friends invited new Syrian acquaintances over to visit….

    PrairieHeartInHijab Report

    #8

    At my friend’s birthday party he stood up, turned off the music, thanked everyone for coming and said, “you don’t have to go home but you can’t stay here “. I think it’s from a song but I’d never heard it and I thought it was great.

    Taffergirl2021 Report

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    #9

    Close-up of a small dog resting on a soft blanket, evoking signs it’s time to leave the party early. When the dog get nervous.

    Healthy-Brilliant549 , Pasqualino Capobianco Report

    #10

    Man with angry expression at party with graffiti background showing signs it's time to leave a social event. If there's two or more guys being loud and one of them suddenly takes his shirt off, you have somewhere between 1 second and 1 minute to skedaddle before the fight starts.

    I_am_Warthog , Alex Sheldon Report

    #11

    When I slap both knees and say “Welp”.

    BigCopperPipe Report

    #12

    Broken wine glass with sharp edges symbolizing signs it's time to leave a party for safety and awareness. When you hear the second thing break. Usually something glass. Once is an accident, twice is people are getting to the clumsy falling down stage of drunk or stoned, the fights come next. Time to call an uber.

    wwaxwork , Lara Wehbe Report

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    #13

    Two men sitting on a couch watching a video on a smartphone, illustrating signs at a party to know when to leave. In my experience, when someone shares a Youtube video they're excited about.

    The video is fine, but it inevitably leads to "Oh, that reminds me of one I saw!" leading to an unending chain of people sharing videos, most of the group bored at any given one.

    The party is over, now its just people watching Youtube. Bail.

    niveknhoj , Alex Suprun Report

    #14

    Group of young adults at a lively party, showing common signs to know when it’s time to leave social gatherings. When the party is growing and people who weren't originally invited start showing up. Leave. The party is NOT going to get better. .

    DaBigadeeBoola , cottonbro studio Report

    #15

    A crowded party scene with bottles and cups on a counter, capturing signs it’s time for you to leave the party. There are people starting to trash the place.

    Cheezel62 , Tobias Tullius Report

    #16

    When you are ravenously hungry

    When the birds start waking up

    When folks begin playing quarters for shots of Evan Williams

    When the inappropriate peeing starts - be it accidental, on themselves, on others; on you, on anyone really, without permission; for attention; etc.

    Same thing for pooping

    When talk of calling the cops is overheard

    When you cannot locate a reliably sealed, unused, brand name, condom

    When you don't recognize where you are

    When you can't find the door

    When you start hearing the word "bro" at an increased rate, in increasingly louder volumes

    When you are for real considering needing an attorney

    When the only people left are dudes you don't recognize

    Any talk of human or animal sacrifice

    In all seriousness, listen to your gut. If it says leave, leave.

    ZakanrnEggeater Report

    #17

    Silhouettes of hands raised at a party with colorful lights and blurred background showing party signs to leave. If there is a group of guys who goes to the party and did not greet anybody, where they just stand around looking, someone is about to be jumped or shot. Just leave.

    titandevekaj , Mark Angelo Sampan Report

    #18

    Leave while you're still having fun.

    ProfessorDelicious6 Report

    #19

    Car keys in the fruitbowl.

    dug99 Report

    #20

    When the baby oil comes out lol.

    starlightwhim Report

    #21

    Your instinct is screaming . Trust your gut.

    Best_Catch2482 Report

    #22

    Some lady with a too-eager grin shows up with a Santa's bag full of Tupperware and an order form in triplicate.

    Graphite-and-Glitter Report

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