I think most people are familiar with R.S.V.P., which is typically found at the bottom of most invitations. It's French for "Repondez s'il vous plaît," meaning respond please to the invitation. In other words, let me know if you're coming or not. It's aggravating when you're the host of something and people don't respond. You don't know how to plan. I've learned over the years to plan for the number of 'yeses' I receive. There are always some people who say yes but don't show up, and some who don't respond but do show up anyway. I add 10% to that for good measure, and it usually works out.
I'm sure there are many good excuses why people don't R.S.V.P., but the most common one, I think, is that they forgot. I try to respond promptly, but I have been known to wait to the last minute when I forgot. However, there may be another reason that I discovered recently. I was talking with Wally, asking if he was going to go to a family function. He said yes, and then I said he needed to RSVP. He said he didn't need to because you only needed to tell people that you aren't coming. What?! Maybe this was a generational thing, so I asked Theo what he thought it meant. He agreed with me that you need to let the host know one way or the other whether you are coming or not. However, he said that many invitations are now made over social media, and the rules can be looser.
So, what does RSVP mean to you? Do you think I have an old-fashioned view of it?
Until next time...
Well, I have the same view that you do, so maybe we are both old fashioned. However, we have also likely hosted more events over the years than your sons have, and understand how difficult it is to plan for them.
ReplyDeleteI think you're right about my sons not hosting as many things. All you have to do is host one event where people don't respond to let you know if they are coming or not, and you become highly aware how important it is - even if you thought the rules were to respond only if you weren't coming.
DeleteI've seen some invites where they state, "RSVP, regrets only". I try to RSVP right away, and hate it when people don't let me know if they will be attending an event or not because I wouldn't know how many people to cater for! I usually end up having too much food, but, better too much than too little, I suppose.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if Wally saw a few "Regrets only" and assumed that's what it meant in general?
DeleteAn RSVP usually means to respond one way or the other. Even if it's over text. A more general invite doesn't.
ReplyDeleteThat's the way I see RSVP, too.
DeleteIt's a pet peeve of mine when folks just don't answer. "No" is an okay answer, but leaving me hanging? Nope! @samanthabwriter from
ReplyDeleteBalancing Act
I would say that's a pet peeve of mine, too.
DeleteI'm old school and always respond - even if it's a family event the they already know we are coming.
ReplyDeleteDonna: Click for my 2025 A-Z Blog
I always respond, too, even in the circumstances you describe.
DeleteI'm clueless but just to be polite, I think people should reply to come or not. Even with a text message, it's just polite to do so.
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely day.
I think we're all in agreement here. Responding to an invitation with your intentions is the right thing to do.
DeleteI'm visiting from the A-Z today. I think RSVP means respond either way, unless stated otherwise. Sometimes I'll see the words 'regrets only' on an rsvp and in that case maybe you don't need to say you're coming. Personally I'm wound a little too tight to say that on any invitation I send lol. I feel annoyed if numbers matter for some reason and I have to track people down. I think too, if you've replied yes and plans changed let the host know. Things happen and we all understand this. You seem to be rolling right along in the challenge. Good job!
ReplyDeleteSome of my husband's family are last minute people, so they don't worry about RSVPs so much. I like to have a plan, so they drive me crazy sometimes.
DeleteI totally agree that you should RSVP. It's a courtesy to the host so they know what to expect.
ReplyDeleteYes, it's just a common courtesy.
DeleteIt means respond one way or the other. I am like you and I plan for a few no-shows and a few extras so it usually works out, but please let people know>
ReplyDeleteIn my dealings, I find the younger someone is that less likely they are to respond to an invitation. I think that might have to do with what Kris said that they haven't hosted as many things to realize how important it is.
DeleteI organize and host a young adult group for our church. I am forever following up with the members to respond whether or not they are coming, if they are bringing anyone, and to remind them of the time and place. I really enjoy all of them, but the flakiness is really hard to plan around.
DeleteThat's a good example of what I'm talking about.
DeleteI've put off responding to an rsvp because I'm not sure if I'm busy or not during the time of the event. I figure I'll know closer to it, then I forget.
ReplyDelete