If you were invited to come to a birthday party at 17:00, at what time would you come (maybe at this exact time, maybe earlier or a later)? Please add where you are from. Thank you! I need this for my research project at school.

For a casual party hosted at someone’s home, I would try to arrive sometime between 17:05 and 17:10. For a party that involves some sort of group event with a set starting time (like meeting up for a show or going to dinner at a place that requires a reservation), I would try to arrive between 16:50 and 16:55.

I am from the southern United States.

I would try and be there at 17;00.
Western Canada.

I’d aim to be there at 17:00
I’m from the UK.

Depends on how well I know them. If they are close friends, I would call ahead, and ask if they need set up help. If not, right on time.

As close to 5:00 pm as possible. Midwest United States of America.

5:00 for a birthday party, Eastern US. If it was a cocktail or other casual party, probably around 5:15.

I’m in the United States. I would usually arrive around 17:10–17:15.

If I knew the party was a sit down lunch or dinner party and the host planned on serving the food “right away” I would arrive at 17:00. Timing food can be stressful.

I would NEVER arrive early, unless the host expected me early to help them with the party.

If it’s a very casual party like a pool party with snacks, and all afternoon, I might show up later than 17:15, but most birthday parties have a more concrete start time.

Edit: If it is dinner reservations, I would be on time at the restaurant or a little early, but I wouldn’t consider that a “party.”

My answer is identical to @JeSuisRickSpringfield‘s I’m from the Mid-Atlantic or Southern region in the USA (depending on the map).

I’d be there between 5:00 and 5:02. Right on time.
Western NY

5:05 – 5:10
Great Plains, US

Kids’ birthday party, I’d shoot for being right on time, as kids’ birthday parties are tightly scheduled with activities, food, cake, leave.

Adult birthday party, it depends on what kind of situation it is. If it’s a cookout, I’d figure I’ll stroll in within an hour of start time and it will be a gamble of what kind of food is available or not. If it’s inside the house, I’d try to be there within a half hour of start time.

To me 17:00 sounds like military time, so I would arrive at five, sir.
I’m in th Midwest USA.

Forgot to add, I’m in NY tri-state area (area of NY/NJ/CT).

@kruger_d Europe uses the 24 clock.

If the party starts at 17:00 hours, that’s when I’d arrive. I grew up in Utah, but I have lived all over the US.

Promptly at 5PM. Not prior and only up to 5 minutes past.
Eastern US

I’d say the same as @JeSuisRickSpringfield, except maybe a little more leeway (till 17:15, say) at someone’s home. My desire would be to be punctual, but I would try to seem a little less rigid about it.

If I had been attending with my late husband, we probably would have left the house around party start time, with him lagging and me twitching and fuming.

I’m from Massachusetts but have lived in California for the past 4+ decades.

4:50pm arrival to location, 5pm at door. Missouri.
Most people here will tell you if it’s a come and go event, which are far more popular.

17:00 kids party
17:00 adult party, <15 people
17:15 adult party, >15 people
17:30 adult party, >30 people

California

@raum Good point. Size does matter.

Are there appetizers?