Family Etiquette

[Than]

What is the proper etiquette for leaving a family drop-in birthday party? I am having a debate with my nephew and would like some feedback. My Mom had a 94th birthday party, it was a drop in party from approximately 2:00 pm until 5:00pm or so, some people dropped in, stayed for a few minutes or so and left, others stayed longer, my wife and I were there for approximately 3 hours, we had to leave to do something, so I said 2 or 3 times nonchalantly (my nephew says several times, may 4 or 5) beforehand that we needed to leave and should be going soon. My nephew is saying that this was inappropriate, and that we should not have said we were going to leave a few times (usually at family gatherings from my experience, you start to say you should be leaving a few minutes beforehand as people still like to chat and say their goodbyes) and apparently he thought this was improper to say, and we should have stayed longer. My Mom understood perfectly, and did not take any offence. Personally I believe the proper etiquette when someone leaves a party is for other guests to take the attitude of "Thanks for coming, it was good to see you" and to graciously allow people to leave when they feel they should. Feedback would be greatly appreciated as this may help to settle a family dispute, thank-you.

[bobbinwales]

Seems trivial to me so if there's a dispute over it it suggest's to me theres some much bigger underlying issue's.

[emmie]

if you mother didn't take offence why should anyone else, i would forget about it.

[roopower]

Agree to differ, I'm not sure there is a right or wrong in this.

[Prudie]

If it was from 2.00 until 5.00 and you stayed 3 hours you stayed the maximum time anyway. Seems like a fuss over nothing to be honest. When people have drop-in parties and specify the times it's usually because they don't want anyone turning up any earlier and certainly not hanging on outstaying their welcome.

[woofgang]

tell your nephew to bog off and stop criticising you.

[andy-hughes]

I think you behaved appropriately, if anyone thinks differently, have a chat with them.

If it wasn't your nephew's party, he really doesn't have any business making a fuss aboout how anyone behaved during it.

It was your mum's party, she was fine, so really, no issue to get into a fight over.

[Than]

(Edit from the questioner ; Or rather my nephew said several, or 7 or 8 times I said I should be going, although I believe it was more 2 or 3 times)

[andy-hughes]

It's not your nephew's party, so your behaviour is not your nephew's concern.

[Mamyalynne]

Nephew is being meddlesome,say nothing and move on.

[Tilly2]

Just tell him he can't count and leave it at that. 7

[gingejbee]

You're both over-thinking what is a very trivial issue.