I always ask first "Would like me to bring something", When someone is throwing a dinner party I usually assume they have it covered and I dont want to offend anyone or step on toes..common courtesy thing I guess.

I always ask "What can we bring". The host/ess usually says nothing, so I just make sure to bring a nice bottle of wine.

i always offer, but most of the time they have it covered, but i like to try and help out any way that i can!

sometimes i do and some times i don't - it really depends on the party and who's throwing it. i always like to bring something, but to what extent - that's debatable.

I always ask first too. And if they say "Yes, could you bring some dessert please," I have no trouble doing that! If they say no, usually I will bring a bottle of wine

I always ask first. If I'm told not to bring food, then I usually bring wine or flowers or something else as a gift.

If a host or hostess says not to bring anything, I think it's rude to do so. However, it is perfectly fine to bring something for just them like a bottle of wine.

I always ask what I can bring but a hostess gift is a must. Something classic like wine or flowers or better yet, something meaningful that he or she will treasure.

Yes, I ask first. If they say that they really don't want anyone to bring food, I won't. Some people get a little put out if you still bring something, in spite of their request.

If they say no, then NO! I also always bring flowers or wine.

I always ask first, if they say no to food I bring a little something else.

I definitely ask, as I think it totally depends on the situation, what they're making, how many people are coming, etc. But if he/she said a firm no, I wouldn't, because I would be offended in the same situation if someone showed up with like, a casserole or something after I had planned a really nice meal. Sometimes people will suggest bringing a dessert, which I'd be more than happy to do. Otherwise, I think the rule of thumb is to bring a nice bottle of wine, and possibly some after dinner dark chocolates or gourmet coffee!

I always ask if I can bring something, but I've never had someone tell me to bring food. Usually I just bring along a nice bottle of wine.

I always offer - and I have taken friend up on the offer of supplying dessert - but I always bring wine.

Ask first, if they say no, I still bring a small hostess gift like a little plant, flower or bottle of wine.

I always ask first. Usually, I wind up bring a bottle of wine.

i always ask but usually end up bringing wine.

I ask first. ASK. I once invited some people over and they informed me that they'll be bringing dessert (well, they actually informed my boyfriend who turned around and told me...if they would have told me directly I would have insisted that I'd take care of everything). I REALLY like making dessert. hell, sometimes I invite people over just so that I can make dessert for people.
but if they said not to bring anything I might still bring wine or something...something that is nice and they could keep, not something that would destroy the menu that they planned.

I totally read this article too! I offer but if they tell me not to bring anything I dont and I expect my guests to do the same.

I always offer to bring something, but if the host/hostess says no, I'll usually bring a bottle of wine as a gift.

You should ask in advance to test the waters. I usually ASK to be polite, and if they want me to bring something, I oblige happily.

No, how rude. If you want to cook so badly, have your own dinner party.

I always ask, but if I'm told not to, I don't. The hostess has her whole meal planned. Arriving with something throws everything off. I do always bring something, though; flowers or a bottle of wine or some fun kitchen item.

I always offer to bring something - if the hostess insists that I don't, I won't bring food, but will bring a hostess gift like a bottle of wine or something else for her to enjoy later.

If they say no, I always offer to bring dessert.

I always offer to bring something. If they say "no thanks," I'll bring flowers.

I definitely ask and if they don't want me to bring food, I bring wine or at least flowers.

If someone says no, I think it's rude to bring something anyway (this has happened to me; I know they meant well, but really, I had it covered).

Bringing a bottle of wine is always nice though.

I always ask to be polite, if they say no, I'll bring wine, flowers or a box of chocolates.

I offer, but if they say no, I'd take a nice hostess gift like some flowers, wine, etc.

I was taught that it was rude to bring food to a dinner party (unless asked to do so). It implies you don't have faith that the host and/or hostess can feed people. Wine (or whatever you like to drink) and flowers are traditional. They are gifts that add to the ambiance without taking anything away from what has been arranged for you.

I'll bring chocolates or a beverage of some sort, but nothing else unless I'm asked to specifically.

how tacky! it's nice to bring some sort of hostess gift, of course, but if they ask you not to bring food and you do anyway...I would be peeved.

I always ask first, and if they say no, then I'll find someone else to bring. Either drinks, elegant chocolates, or something else.. My mother taught me to always bring something (big or small) to another person's house because if you don't, it makes you look impolite.

I'll bring them a special treat such as dessert or something like that. I also let them know that if they already had desert planned then they can just keep it for themselves.

I always ask if I can bring something, whether it be an appetizer or dessert, most times I'm taken up on that offer.

I usually bring a gift - flowers, a nice ambiance CD, or other host gift.

If the host or hostess insists on only my appetite, I will oblige their wishes. But I will usually bring a bottle of wine that they can enjoy at a later time, or make a note to extend an invite to dinner at my place in the near future.

Since I have a group of friends and we constantly are doing dinner parties... I always take home baked cookies for the hostess. For her to have later as a snack. They are never intended to be serve as part of her meal. But I do them as a thank you gift.

A dinner party, no I don't bring a thing. A very casual get together I bring something. I have three children so I bring kid friendly drinks or extra snacks. Children consume more than people think

I always ask if they need food and if they don't, then I'll bring something else.

Ok, seriously, who would bring food after being asked not to? I'm surprised there aer 26 people (at this count) out there who would still bring food even when asked not to.

My aunt does this and it drives my mom crazy! My mom takes it like my aunt doesn't think her cooking is good enough and always ends up being offended. And it's not just like she brings a pie. It's always 2 different types of pie, cookies, meatballs, and some horrid dip made of sourcream and velveeta. And then, you know, my mom is making something gourmet that she has planned out and it's just not nice. I don't think my aunt means to offend, but...

And I don't expect anyone to bring food when they come to my apartment! Always always you bring a gift for the hostess like wine or flowers or something for them to eat later.

if i've been asked to i do

i always like to, but feel like it may be rude if they didn't ask.

Normally, if told NOT to bring something I would bring wine anyway. Was taught NEVER come empty handed. HOWEVER, I have one particular friend who will tell YOU not to bring anything yet when I arrive at the party EVERYONE brought something but me. I felt like an fool. She now gets something no matter what she says and the wine too.

Thank you for all of the ideas! As everyone doesn't drink wine/alcohol (as in the dinner I'm attending), I appreciate the idea of a gourmet coffee or chocolate ideas!! I'd also be afraid to bring flowers as is a large party I'm attending...they may end up with 10 bouquets of flowers. :0)