From the article: The Meaning of R.S.V.P.
An R.S.V.P. means that the host would like to know whether you'll be able to attend his party. Current experience seems to show that that many people no longer feel they need to respond to an invitation, especially if they aren't going to attend the party. Do you think the need to R.S.V.P. is no longer a social requirement? How has the response been to your invitations? Share your Experiences
Very Disappointing
- I sent out 45 invitations to my daughters baby shower with yesterday as the RSVP deadline. I have received 15 responses. A Prime Rib luncheon is being served and I need to give the caterers a count by tommorrow. This puts me in a very difficult situation and frankly it is very rude. The majority of these folks are adults and should know better.
- —dnbulmer
Spelling, another forgotten art
- This is a response to miki43. "Répondez" is an Order, not "Oder". You misspelled “Registered” and "practitioner", and if you don't agree with someone's "explantion" [sic], perhaps you could have taken the time (and courtesy) to proof read your own explanation. What I find most amusing about YOUR rant was that you made it a point to share with us that you not only have a Masters Degree in Applied Linguistics, but you’re also an Accredited and Registered Practitioner of Translation. While I’ve never bothered to verify this, I assumed that the ability to spell was a prerequisite for those credentials. Clearly, I was mistaken.
- —Guest Good for Laughs
R.S.V.P
- Are we such an antiquated society that we cannot or will not let someone know if they will attend a function, party, etc.? I think it's rude and distasteful. What I keep hearing is this....oh well, I will come if nothing else comes up. That is just plain wrong folks. If you wish to not go to a function because of the person, then gracefully decline by sending back the RSVP. A personal call to the person is very acceptable and would mean more to the host, but certainly follow the invitation directions. As an entertainer, it is paramount for me to know how many guests I will have coming because of food and table layout. Generally speaking, it is appropriate and necessary to plan for about 10% over the head count...well if you don't get a head count how can you do that? It is a waste of food if people don't let their host know whether they are coming. I also get this comment...why are you going to so much trouble? Lay some munchies out and don't worry about the rest....Won't Fly
- —Guest alexia
Traditions are often regional
- An invitation should be honored. Someone thought enough of you to invite them to an event they are hosting (which costs money). If they include RSVP, then respond to them with a simple "yes" or "no." That's all it takes. It's not a psychology test, it's an answer. Not only that, there is often a "Second list" that will be used if someone from the "First list" does not attend. Have some courtesy and class. Respect your friends, family or work colleagues and respond. "Maybe" doesn't cut it, and when I've been told "We're not sure" then I reply with "Then I will put you down as a No."
- —Guest carrie223
What's up with this lack of civility?
- YES! I'm planning a large Halloween party with people I know well. We have over 100 couple invitations out. The response date is 2 days away...so far 40 people have responded. I'll wait the two days and then have to contact these people....who will ultimately come. (We have this party every 2 years and each year I have to call 50% of the guest list...who ultimately come.)
- —Guest Mama Mary
You'll hear from me only if I'm coming
- RSVP may "mean" to reply either way, but plenty of people think it means to reply only if you ARE coming, and to me, this is the only REASONABLE expectation for the host to have in the first place. To expect someone to reply to you even if they're NOT coming, simply because you chose to invite them & that's what RSVP "means", is ridiculous. If you set a deadline for the RSVP, stick to it - don't go chasing after people who've not replied by that date, and don't be so accommodating to those who show up without the proper RSVP. If you can't stick to your guns, that's on you - not the invitees who don't care to come, and never asked to be invited in the first place. I simply cannot believe the number who DO RSVP & then DON'T show, would be significantly different from the number who DON'T RSVP & then DO show. More likely, those complaining about these sorts of issues chose to over-estimate their number of guests in the first place, rather than simply trust the actual RSVP count!
- —Guest Christine
Some don't know what RSVP means
- I agree with the 51 year old man that some people just don't know what RSVP means including myself. Thanks to the google age, I now found out. For a formal meeting I used to just call each guest and ask them personally if they are going to come or not and how many.
- —Guest Mike
R.S.V.P
- If I know I have invited persons to a party or gathering that I have and ask them to r.s.v.p whoever does answer and let me know whether or not they are coming I tell them if plans change let me know because I will be making a guest list and if your name is not on that list chances are you won't be able to get in. Whoever doesn't respond to the r.s.v.p I call them and ask them myself whether or not they are coming. Finally a week or four days before the event I call again to finalize and get a head count. I know is is time consuming and a lot of work but it saves me from wasting money I don't have to waste.
- —Guest Kelah
RSVP is a part of our language
- Our English language, whether spoken in Canada or the U.S. has words or expressions of many different origins. Dictionaries are for word meanings we do not know. We use eg. for example, or etc.- both of which are latin. We commonly use Yiddish, Spanish and yes, French words or expressions. RSVP is a part of our language. A reply is required. To not do so is rude. I have sent out 50th wedding anniversary invitations. One week before the event I plan to review the returns- e-mail, telephone and written- and use the figures to order food and tables etc. A no reply will be considered as not attending and "surprise show-ups" will get leftovers, if any.
- —Guest Ron
RSVP
- I read with amusement Jameson's ranting. «Répondez» is an imperative (it's an an oder - do it) then to translate SVP as « if it pleases you » is idiotic because juxtaposing these 2 meanings is an oxymoron. Having said that, RSVP does mean «please respond/answer » in other words a reply IS required ... under which Druid dolmen has Jameson been living all these years... at least I have a Masters in Applied Linguistics and am an accredited and resgistered practionner of translation (Fr/Eng)... I think I know what I am talking about and totally agree with your explantion/definition ....
- —miki43
If you don't know ask
- If you don't know what RSVP means you must live in the dark ages, but if you can always ask someone what it means. I have know what it means since I was a young child. I did not grow up in a well to do home either. People don't care.
- —Guest Rich M.
Missing out
- I think if certain people don't like the fact that RSVP is a French acronym and they don't want to learn what it means much less bother to adhere to the request, that person should not be invited to things anymore.
- —Guest Debbers
PCYA
- I'm confused... Is it English that we are speaking here? Why is it so difficult to say Please Confirm Your Attendance, instead of using an acronym, and to make it worse a foreign acronym?! Too many acronyms! Btw (by the way, but you knew that already...) I am not a native speaker of English.
- —Guest Nash
Employment
- If an employer is sending mass emails out to acquire employees and they attach RSVP. I don't feel inclined to answer if I don't plan to work for that employer.
- —Guest Anonymous
Good Manners is Right
- It is a fundamental part of having been raised to have good manners. There is no excuse for not 'knowing better'. The French thing is an even dumber excuse than not bothering to learn what the acronym stands for. And when you receive an invitation, don't take it upon yourself to invite someone else along with you. If your host wanted that other person to attend, they would have invited them. This is another embarrassing step in the dumbing down of Amercia.
- —Guest bbb
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