This tip should help hosts and guests alike, because there seems to be a lot of confusion about the meaning of the term RSVP.
Lack of RSVPs - A Growing Problem
I hear more and more often, and have found in my personal experience, that hosts often do not receive receive responses to invitation that tell them whether guests plan to attend their parties, even if an RSVP is clearly requested. This could mean either one of two things. First it could mean that rudeness is a growing trend in our society. Or, as I would prefer to believe, people no longer understand what the term means. Assuming the best, and that the reason guests don't RSVP to an invitation is a case of ignorance, not rudeness, I will clarify this for the record.
What RSVP Means
The term RSVP comes from the French expression "répondez s'il vous plaît", meaning "please respond". If RSVP is written on an invitation it means the invited guest must tell the host whether or not they plan to attend the party. It does not mean to respond only if you're coming, and it does not mean respond only if you're not coming (the expression "regrets only" is reserved for that instance). It means the host needs a definite head count for the planned event, and needs it by the date specified on the invitation.
Why It's Inconsiderate to Not RSVP
An incomplete list of respondents can cause numerous problems for a host including difficulty in planning food quantities, issues relating to minimum guarantees with catering halls, uncertainty over the number of party favors and difficulties in planning appropriate seating, among other things.
So the next time you see RSVP on an invitation you receive, please call your host and respond promptly. (About.com)
So what do you think about this topic? I would love to hear! thanks for stopping by! love ya mean it! Stephanie
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6 comments:
I so agree with this as we are planning a graduation/50th birthday party with food and drinks being supplied. I have received six responses out of 20 family invites sent out. I have no clue how much food to prepare and guess I will do the usual, plan on 75% coming. If there isn't enough, I feel it is a bad reflection on me but really it is because they didn't let me know they were coming. UGH!!!
Great post and I agree our society is getting so lazy and rude. For my daighter's party I actually picked up the phone and called the person and had to come out and ask if her daughter was or was not coming to the party...
Your post was a great reminder to RSVP right away!!!
xo,
LuLu
I have always thought one should reply to an RSVP as quickly as possible and that it is extremely rude not to.
I agree wholeheartedly and have to say that in the group of people we associate with people obviously do NOT understand this concept:( We had whole families attend my daughters wedding without an invite at all!!!
I'm really glad you brought up this topic. I'm pretty unlearned myself!! I've always wondered if you were supposed to respond either way, or only if you were attending, but never took the time to find out. Therefore, I've only responded if attending.
Out in the Fields: Wow!! I definitely know when someone else has an invitation that says RSVP, and I didn't get one, that I should NOT go!!!! I'd be sooo embarrassed.
Having just finished a wedding week for the daughter, I was amazed at the lack of consideration for hostesses. I was asked to create and mail invitations to a shower given for the bride, each cost approximately $3.75 to have printed and mailed online. Eight people responded, 40 were invited. Unbelievable.
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