Are You Ready For Some Tailgating Etiquette

LOS ANGELES - Sept. 6, 2013 - PRLog -- As the summer comes to an end and fall begins, we come to the start of football season.   College and professional teams begin their seasons this month, which means a return for tailgating.  Successful football teams are built on a foundation of excellent preparation and outstanding execution.  The same holds true for tailgating.  Preparation and execution are two keys to a successful tailgating function.

Preparation:

It is imperative that you know the rules and regulations of the location where you are going.  Some locations restrict certain items, so you want to make sure you know these or your party can be shut down before it begins.  Make sure you plan the menu and the items that you need ahead of time.  Most stadiums are not conveniently located next to a supermarket or a WalMart, so if you forget something you may have to adjust accordingly.  Most importantly, make sure you have enough food and chairs for everyone.  There’s nothing more embarrassing than running out of food at a party and most tailgating parties wind up with at least one or two “new friends” paying a visit.  Also, you want to make sure your guests are comfortable so bringing tables and chairs for everyone is a must.  It is ok to request that your quests bring their own chairs if you don’t have enough room for all of these supplies.

Execution:

It is important to get to the parking lot early – the earlier the better.  The sooner you arrive, the more spots you have to choose from where to hold your party.  Getting there early also provides everyone enough time to have a good party without feeling rushed.  You should have the food prepared at least two hours before game time.  This allows everyone to enjoy the food and company while not stressing about getting into the game.  It also allows time for proper cleanup.  Remember that clean up is mandatory.  This isn’t your backyard, so you have to keep it clean if you want to keep tailgating allowed.

Other Tips:

Make sure to have enough non-alcoholic beverages for people who don’t drink or are the designated driver for the day.

Be a good neighbor.  Be respectful of the people tailgating next to you.  They are having their own party and don’t want to hear yours and vice versa.  A little communication can go a long way to preventing problems here.

Do not bring any glass containers.  These are normally on the prohibited list, but can be a pain to clean up when something breaks