Tailgate Party Do's and Don'ts

Grant Butler with The Oregonian wrote a nice piece on tailgating do's and don'ts.

DO pack warm dishes in insulated carriers to keep casseroles hot. And make sure coolers have plenty of ice or freezer packs. 

DON'T skimp on the food. Make sure there's plenty for your party, and enough to share a little with your tailgate party neighbors -- that way you can try some of their food, too. 

DO have plenty of nibbles and snacks for people to eat while they're waiting for grilled dishes to be ready. 

DON'T do dumb things with your grill, like causing lighter-fluid flame-ups or dumping warm coals in a trash dumpster. Duh! 

DO have non-alcoholic drinks available for people who don't imbibe, teenagers, and for anyone who's had one too many. 

DON'T drink too much, and don't drink and drive. Ever. 

DO wear your team's colors and show your school spirit. 

DON'T angrily taunt fans of the other team. Tailgate parties are for fun, not fighting. 

DO use environmentally friendly plates, such as bamboo, in place of paper plates. And if you have food in take-out boxes from the deli, they probably can be taken home for composting. 

DON'T leave trash in the parking lot. Make sure you have enough garbage bags, and take your trash home with you. 

DO dress appropriately. A long, chilly morning in the parking lot followed by shivering in the stands is no fun. If it's cold, pack a scarf, mittens and a hat. 

DON'T take your shirt off if it's hot, even if you've got a gym-honed body. No one wants to look at your six-pack abs while they're eating. That goes double if you've got a beer gut. 

Source: http://www.oregonlive.com/foodday/index.ssf/2011/09/tailgate_party_dos_and_donts.html