Friday, March 6, 2009

Lessons: The R.S.V.P.

Miss Manners here. Let's discuss the R.S.V.P., shall we?

Maybe you do not know what these initials mean?

Répondez S'il Vous Plaît which is French for "Please Reply."


Apparently, many do not know this. What else but ignorance of the term would be the excuse for not picking up the phone and calling someone (or e-mailing/messaging. Those are acceptable in this modern age as well) to tell them yes, you can come, or no, my regrets, I cannot attend?

There can be no other reason, right? I mean, the person hosting the party has to plan the menu. The person planning the party has to make sure there are enough parting gifts for the children attending. How can the host make the correct arrangements without that yay/nay phone call/e-mail? The host may be sad that you cannot make it, but at least said host will know not to make a goody bag for your child.

When 30 invitations are sent, 17 to classmates, and of those 17 classmates, you receive 2 phone calls..that's bad form. If you show up unconfirmed, might your child not be given a goody bag because there are not enough? Might someone go without that slice of pizza because your numbers were not added in the planning?

Please, kind reader. The next time you receive an invitation, Répondez S'il Vous Plaît.

6 comments:

Liz Henderson (Hendel D'bu) said...

I could not agree more! People do not think that they have to use manners in so many situations, it would seem; from responding to invitations to just a simple 'excuse me' when walking in front of someone. It really does not take a lot of effort to be kind and polite...really.

Thanks for the reminder :-)

Kristin aka Trekkie Gal said...

*SARCASM ALERT*
It is SUCH an inconvenience to make a phone call, send an email or put a response card in the mail. You are asking way too much. Planning your party is your problem, not mine!

The Foil Hat said...

Oh man, this is such a HUGE pet peeve of mine. Sorry you're experiencing it too, Kaaren.

Debbie St.Amand said...

Here's the strategy I resorted to. Don't put the location of the party on the invitation. Make them call you if they want to come!

Niki said...

People suck.
I love the suggestion that you leave off a pertinent piece of info so that people have to respond.
I hope the party is/was great anyway.

Anonymous said...

Yikes - only two?!?!?