I have always wanted to know but was ashamed to ask. Thank you
2006-09-26 02:51:59 · 19 answers · asked by Just Wondering 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Respondez si vous plais - French for please reply
2006-09-26 02:53:06 · answer #1 · answered by Mordent 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
"Répondez, s'il vous plaît;" meaning, "an answer will oblige."
The invited guest, I stress, must, tell the host whether or not they plan to attend said invitation. It does not mean respond only if you're coming; it does not mean respond only if you're not coming ("regrets only" is reserved for that instance). The host needs a definite head count for the planned event by the date specified on the invitation. RSVP is not some carte blanche.
Traditionally, cards or invitations were issued a fortnight or three weeks before a dinner-party.
The hostess (ladies, not men) would excercise careful consideration in the selection of invited guests that they should be suited to each other; in that the pleasure of a dinner-party depends on the arrangement of the guests at table.
If an invitation is accepted, the guests should be punctual. Unfortunately, despite the rush for time these days, the penchance of coming in fashionably late can be a little, bête noire.
Computer language protocol has also borrowed acronyms RSVP to refer to calling and detection of allocation of packets of information, referenced below.
2006-09-26 03:47:52 · answer #2 · answered by pax veritas 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The term R.S.V.P. comes from the French expression "repondez s'il vous plait", meaning "please respond". If R.S.V.P. 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, & it does not mean to respond only if you are not coming -- It means the host needs a definite head count for the planned event, and needs it by the date specified on the invitation.
2006-09-26 03:04:02 · answer #3 · answered by yellow 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It means respondez s'il vous plait - basically, if it's an invite it means you should reply as quickly as possible.
2006-09-26 02:53:48 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I know a chick who honestly though that it stood for "Respond so very promptly."
Just thought I'd add that. Glad to see that people know what it means.
Peace
2006-09-26 02:58:11 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's French and signifies, "Respondez s'il vous plait". Someone didn't get it quite correct I see. Responder is respond, reply or answer. Si is if. Il is it or he. Vous is you . Plaier is to please. Put it together, and what do we have? "Reply if it pleases you"...or more simply, "Please reply".
2006-09-26 04:42:05 · answer #6 · answered by miyuki & kyojin 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
those are french initials for.....RESPONDEZ SIL VOUS PLAIT.....that means,ANSWER PLEASE....it is used on invitations,when the host wants you to confirm your presence to the activity you are being invited
2006-09-26 02:55:28 · answer #7 · answered by pdrfer 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
it means make an appointment prior to coming.
2006-09-26 03:25:35 · answer #8 · answered by criptic 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
répondre s'il vous plaît
2006-09-26 02:55:40 · answer #9 · answered by Jenny 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Respondez S'il Vous Plais.
It's French and it means please reply.
2006-09-26 02:53:50 · answer #10 · answered by WendyD1999 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
yup. mordent is right.
please respond - in french.
but i can't spell it.
2006-09-26 02:54:07 · answer #11 · answered by keanweaner 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋