Why don't you RSVP?

Question

My husband and I have hosted two annual parties for several years now. A New Years Eve party and a Superbowl party. I have noticed that, despite the request, our friends and family do not RSVP anymore. It really makes it hard when planning food and beverage requirements. Some people don't respond and show up and some people say they are coming and don't show.
What are some reasons that some of you do not RSVP?

Answer 1

Sure, we don't RSVP because:

We aren't sure if we are coming or not until the last minute.

We aren't sure if we want to come or not, depending upon later invites.

We aren't sure if we are coming or not because the b-sitter may be a no show.

We aren't sure if we are coming or not for the car may or may not run.

We aren't sure if we are coming or not , we may want to stay home and have mad passionate s** since the b-sitter showed.

We aren't sure if we are coming or not, can't remember what you served last year if it was good or not.

We aren't sure if we are coming or not until we find out who else is coming or not.

We aren't sure if we are coming or not!!!

OK, I think I'm so funny. But I give parties and find the same hassels. So just always over invite by about 25% from what you actually want to arrive. That is the general rule. If just plan according to that formula it works. That factor includes many variables. There are those that will come and bring someone unannounced, those that say we're coming that won't make it, something came up. Those that say can't, but can at the last minute and want to come. So don't hold it against them. Plan according to the rule. Invite 100 you will get between 65-70 people.


This always works for me. Plus I always have extra beverages in the garage to bale me out if they are super thirsty. The beverages will keep for a long, long time. Buy a couple of frozen quiches to pop in the oven as soon as you head count and don't have enough food.

Have fun at your own party no matter what!!

Answer 2

I totally understand your frustration. In December I had a birthday party for my daughter and had an RSVP request. No one did, and 30 people came. Then, I had a surprise party for my husband in January. One couple RSVPed. ONE!!!!!! The last 2 days before, I called everyone on the list. I had about 70 people. I even wrote on the invitation. "please RSVP by _________. I have to have an approximate number so that appropriate food and beer orders can be placed." I told them I was ordering keg beer, too. Thank God I called everyone. There would have been a lot of thirsty people. I do think sometimes, family members don't RSVP because they know you assume they'll be there. Other than that, it's rude. When I called everyone, I only had a few maybes, everyone else knew their answer, they just didn't call. Some people said, "sorry I didn't call, we just didn't know yet." I thought, well, that's forgiveable, but at least call to let me know so I can put you in a "maybe" category. Then I'll add about half of the "maybe" number to the definites and plan accordingly because some will make it and some won't.

Answer 3

I don't know how it is in other regions, but where I'm from, things are getting more and more and more casual.

I'm currently part of the team planning our 10-year high school reunion, and there will be a banquet, so we need people to RSVP. I had one snob (okay, I can't get over it) tell me that she leads a very busy life and she will come if she's able to, but she's not going to RSVP. In this particular case, we've specified that if you do not RSVP, there will not be room for you and there will not be food for you.

Maybe you should put a date on the invites for people to RSVP. If you haven't heard a "yes" or "no" from people as of that date, call them to verify that they won't be able to make it. Maybe they'll get the hint and next time see that you're actually serious about wanting at least an approximate head count.

Answer 4

Although I totally agree that everyone should RSVP, I know they don't. Usually, with friends and family I believe it is a belief (although I don't hold this belief) that they don't need to. Family and friends of mine are insulted when I call them up and ask about the RSVP. They usually state, I thought it was implied that I was coming because I'm your sister or etc. Usually, when I have a party, I end up calling everyone a few days before to make sure the number of people to have enough food. Just make sure that it is a few days before the party, so that people have already made plans - and if they say they are coming they usually do. If they don't, hey you have leftovers and you don't have to cook for a few days!

Answer 5

Some people just think that they don't need to RSVP because they've been coming to your parties for many years, and so they you should have known they were going to show up anyways. Which shouldn't make a difference. They should call to let you and your husband know a count so, just in case, a few people do show up, you won't be worrying if you will run out of food or drinks.

My mom and dad have a annual party every year, and people usually tell us if they are coming, but they've been having it for at least 15 years or so now....people just show up.. but thats because its bring a dish and your own drinks....and stew and dogs are provided.

Answer 6

you'll be able to desire to do an RSVP card. Its time-honored and in any different case she might desire to wind up paying extra advantageous than needed for the nutrition. RSVPs will help shop music of who's coming. i wouldn't in any respect propose you have 50 people call the bride to be to RSVP. you be attentive to how plenty tension that would desire to positioned on her? do purely the enjoying cards.

Answer 7

I don't know why people don't RSVP. It's rude.

If someone has a last-minute problem that keeps them from coming, then they can call the host, explain the problem, and all is forgiven. But someone shouldn't NOT RSVP because something might possibly happen. And if people wait around to RSVP because a better offer might come up...those people make me mad.

Answer 8

(1) i don't want to commit now to something i might not want to do later. and rsvp sort of locks a plan of action in place, and breaking that plan is frowned upon. i know it makes it hard for you to plan out your party, and i do apologize. maybe some form of a potluck or 'byob' would help make it easier for you to serve the number of people who DO show up.

(2) i meant to call you, but it got too close to the date of the event, and i felt awkward after making you wait to hear from me. i SHOULD have paid more attention to that "respond by" box on the bottom of the card. still, i shouldn't have to be reminded of something i really didn't want to do...

(3) just thought i'd drop in even though i didn't rsvp, i hoped you understand that those lil' cards get lost sometimes, but it's been on my calendar for weeks, and could you help me get this chili on the stove and this beer in the fridge?

(4) i wanted to make a surprise appearance at halftime.

Answer 9

Believe it or not, many people have no idea what the letters RSVP on the bottom of an invitation mean. What's this, some sort of Masonic code?

Answer 10

As we move more and more into a "right here, right now" world, people just plain forget to RSVP.

They get the invitation in whatever form, and have to discuss it with their spouse/SO an then get back to you. And in the interim, the invitiation gets put down and lost in the shuffle of the here and now.

Suddenly, the party day is here, and they never noticed that they forgot.

RSVP is a courtesy that is dying out in the modern world. Remember that it translates into "Respond, if you please" from it's original French of "Répondez s'il vous plaît". These days, most people don't "please" anything.