A good party is all about energy, fun, and people bringing their best selves.
And yet, some people manage to instantly kill the vibe, turning a lively get-together into an awkward mess. Whether it’s being too intense, making everything about themselves, or just bringing negativity into the room, certain behaviours can bring the whole mood down and make you never want to include them again. Once someone starts doing these things, you can pretty much bet that the party vibe is going down the drain.
1. Turning every conversation into an argument
There’s always that one person who can’t resist playing devil’s advocate, even when no one asked. Whether it’s politics, relationships, or something as simple as what’s the best pizza topping, they just have to argue. A little debate can be fun, but when someone turns every chat into a battleground, it drains the energy from the room. People come to parties to unwind, not to feel like they’re in a debate club. If someone can’t let a conversation flow without picking it apart or making people feel defensive, they’ll quickly become the person everyone tries to avoid.
2. Complaining non-stop about everything
No party is perfect — maybe the music isn’t great, the drinks aren’t fancy, or the crowd isn’t exactly what you hoped for. But pointing out every little flaw only makes things worse. If someone spends the whole night moaning about the temperature, the playlist, or how they didn’t really want to come in the first place, they’ll bring everyone down with them. Vibes are contagious, and if one person keeps spreading negativity, it can start to affect everyone else. A good partygoer knows how to roll with whatever’s happening rather than focusing on what’s wrong.
3. Bringing unnecessary drama
Nothing ruins a party faster than someone turning it into their personal soap opera. Whether they’re arguing with their partner, starting a passive-aggressive feud with a friend, or loudly venting about personal issues, it instantly shifts the focus away from fun. No one wants to spend their night navigating someone else’s drama. There’s a time and place to talk about problems, but in the middle of a party isn’t it. If someone can’t go a few hours without making things about their emotional turmoil, they might need to reconsider why they came in the first place.
4. Being glued to their phone the whole time
Parties are for socialising, but some people act like they’d rather be anywhere else by spending the whole night staring at their phone. If someone is scrolling, texting, or checking social media instead of engaging with the people around them, they’re giving off major “I don’t want to be here” energy. Being a bit distracted is normal, but if someone is physically at the party but mentally somewhere else, it kills the atmosphere. When people make the effort to be present, it keeps the energy alive rather than making things feel disconnected.
5. Getting way too drunk way too early
Having a few drinks is one thing; getting completely obliterated before the party has even properly started is another. No one wants to babysit someone who’s slurring their words, knocking things over, or causing chaos while everyone else is just trying to enjoy themselves. Drunk people who turn into an emotional wreck, start fights, or become a safety hazard instantly drain the fun out of the night. A good party vibe comes from people pacing themselves, not someone needing to be carried home before 10 pm.
6. Taking over the music in the worst way
Music sets the mood at any party, and nothing kills it faster than someone who hijacks the playlist without reading the room. Whether they’re blasting sad songs at a high-energy party or constantly skipping tracks before they even finish, it ruins the flow. The worst offenders are the ones who put on obscure tracks no one knows, just to show off their taste. A good party DJ understands that it’s about what keeps the energy up, not about personal music preferences.
7. Acting like they’re too cool to be there
Every party has at least one person who acts like they’re above it all. They stand in the corner, arms crossed, rolling their eyes at everything, making it obvious they’re not impressed. Instead of adding to the energy, they suck the life out of it with their too-cool-to-care attitude. If someone doesn’t want to be at a party, no one’s forcing them to stay. The best party guests are the ones who get involved, have a laugh, and don’t act like they’re judging everyone around them.
8. Monopolising every conversation
Some people love the sound of their own voice a little too much. If someone takes over every conversation, tells long-winded stories without letting anyone else speak, or constantly steers the topic back to themselves, it gets exhausting fast. Parties are about shared experiences, not just one person holding court. If someone dominates every discussion and never asks anyone else a question, people will start finding excuses to escape the conversation.
9. Making inappropriate or awkward jokes
There’s a time and place for dark humour, but reading the room is essential. A well-placed joke can liven up a party, but if someone keeps crossing the line with offensive, awkward, or downright cringeworthy humour, it makes things uncomfortable. No one wants to deal with second-hand embarrassment or forced laughter just to smooth over a terrible joke. A good party guest knows how to keep things light without making people shift uncomfortably in their seats.
10. Flirting aggressively with everyone
Flirting at parties is natural, but there’s a fine line between playful banter and making people uncomfortable. If someone is hitting on every single person in the room, getting too touchy, or ignoring social cues, it turns fun energy into awkward tension. No one wants to spend the night dodging someone who won’t take the hint. A little flirtation is fine, but turning the party into their personal dating scene just makes things weird.
11. Bringing up deeply personal or heavy topics
Source: Unsplash A party isn’t the time to ask someone about their recent breakup, financial struggles, or family drama. Conversations should feel light and fun, not emotionally exhausting. If someone steers every chat into serious territory, it brings down the energy. It’s one thing to check in on a close friend, but a good party guest knows when to save the deep talks for another time. If a conversation feels like a therapy session, it’s probably not party-appropriate.
12. Eating or drinking way more than their share
Source: Unsplash If food and drinks are on offer, everyone should be able to enjoy them. But some people act like it’s an all-you-can-eat buffet and load up their plate without thinking about other people. The same goes for the person who downs half the alcohol before anyone else has had a chance. Basic party etiquette means being mindful of how much you’re taking. No one wants to be the person who cleared out the fridge before the night was even halfway over.
13. Starting unnecessary fights or gossiping too much
Some people can’t resist stirring the pot. Whether it’s gossiping about people in the room, bringing up old grudges, or deliberately causing tension, they turn a fun night into a stress-filled mess. Drama might be entertaining on reality TV, but in real life, it’s just exhausting. Good party energy comes from people who bring fun, not tension. If someone thrives on chaos, they’re better off keeping their gossiping and stirring to themselves.
14. Leaving a mess without helping clean up
The party might not be at their house, but that doesn’t mean they get to treat it like a hotel. People who spill drinks and don’t clean them up, leave food everywhere, or just walk out at the end without offering to help tidy up are the worst. It doesn’t take much effort to be a considerate guest. Even a small gesture like throwing away empty bottles or wiping up spills goes a long way. No one wants to be remembered as the person who wrecked the place and disappeared.
