Is it rude to bring a plus one without asking?
Guilty
The short answer
Yes, to anything with a fixed number of places. At an open party it is usually fine, but a dinner is not a party.
The ruling
From the public record. Names are replaced with roles.
Small claims division
Case no.PC-2026-00396
The host v. The friend
Filed 10/06/2026
- Plaintiff
- The host
- Defendant
- The friend
Statement of claim
I cooked dinner for six. She showed up with a guy she had been on two dates with. Nobody knew him and I gave him my portion.
Charge
Bringing an unannounced guest to a dinner prepared for six
Judgment
Guilty
Friend found guilty of bringing a second-date guest to dinner for six
Sentence
The defendant will host the next dinner for the same group and cook a portion for the plaintiff first.
How the court usually rules on this
The court separates events by whether the host planned for numbers. A seated dinner, a reservation or a small birthday has a count, and adding to it without asking is an offense. A large house party usually does not. Asking in advance, even an hour before, ends the matter.
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