Being Late Is An Art Form
While it’s considered polite to be late in the U.S. and some other countries, it’s common to arrive in France fifteen to twenty minutes late. At dinner parties, guests purposefully arrive late to avoid surprising the hosts. This manners do not, however, apply to formal dining establishments like operas.
While it’s considered courteous to be on time in America, arriving 15 to 20 minutes late is the standard in France, particularly for dinner gatherings. Intentionally delaying, guests want to avoid shocking the hosts. But formal dining establishments like operas are not covered by this protocol.