What does RSVP mean to you?

[DisneyBeagle]

The children's birthday party thread got me thinking (I know that's scary), but I guess people have different ideas of what RSVP means. I was always taught that RSVP means to call the host/hostess no matter what and let them know that I can or cannot make it to the party.

If you receive an invitation that says RSVP on it, what does that mean to you?

 

[JessicaR]

To me it means, please respond. In other words call and let us know if you are coming or not.

 

[Kim1964]

To me it means to respond, whether I am accepting or declining the invitation. If it says, "Regrets only", then I call if am declining.

 

[lulubelle]

I don't know what the actual letters stand for, but to me it means to reply as to weather or not you will be attending. I would consider it rude to not reply. Anyone who has thrown a party of any extent knows how important it is to have a semi-accurate count of the number of guests.

 

[DVC Sadie]

RSVP to me means, please respond and not doing so is considered very rude IMO.

 

[Rora]

To me it means, "Respond as soon as possible, thanks!".

 

[TB'sWidow]

to me it means respond one way or the other. I had a surprise party for my son in july and I had always put rsvp by such and such date this time I put regrets only and still no one responded either way and I had a ton of food leftover. It was just rude it kind of sours me on parties

 

[KAMKIM]

répondez s'il vous plaît, which means please reply - according to wikianswers

 

[Angelhalo]

I was VERY surprised the last time this debate was going on, on the DIS, to find out how many people feel that if they aren't coming, then they don't need to respond. I was raised to believe that it is common courtesy to call and let the person who sent the invite, know whether you are coming or not. Let's say that No one is coming, and no one responds, how will the party giver know that no one is coming?

 

[BeachGirlFLA]

RSVP means respond either way. I'm always surprised when anyone thinks it means anything else. It's pretty obvious.

 

[Pixiedust34]

I agree that an RSVP is meant to get a response either way.

"We're looking forward to attending the party! Thanks for inviting us!"

"That looks like it will be a fun party, but I'm afraid we can't make it due to a prior commitment. I hope you have a lovely celebration."

It just takes a minute to RSVP via email or to leave a phone message. I don't understand why it's so rare for people to RSVP nowadays.

 

[MushyMushy]

To me it means respond either way.

People where I live are so horrible at RSVPing! When I'd call people to let them know either way, sometimes they'll say I was the only one to reply. I know when I had parties for my kids, I'd plan for the full amount, knowing darn well that probably half would show. But who wants to take teh chance of not having enough food or favors?

 

[DWGal210]

Count my vote for "you contact them either way." This is one of my biggest pet peeves. It takes time and effort to plan even a small gathering / party, not to mention the expense. It's not fun when you buy enough food, favors, etc for all the people you invited and only a few show up. You have to be considerate of the person giving the party - their time and money is valuable, too.

 

[dizluvah]

I don't know what the actual letters stand for, but to me it means to reply as to weather or not you will be attending. I would consider it rude to not reply. Anyone who has thrown a party of any extent knows how important it is to have a semi-accurate count of the number of guests.

RSVP comes from the French expression ""répondez s'il vous plaît" - literally translated as respond, please.

I agree with others who have stated that it is polite to respond to an RSVP request, however when I throw a party - I usually just ask RSVP/regrets only. Most people call anyway to see what they can bring, etc.

 

[zachnsamsmommy]

Respond to whether you are attending...ie call to say yes, call to say no; 'regrets only' would be just if you aren't attending.

To me, so obvious...but never to the guests of my parties

 

[emma'smom]

We always have this issue--and it's just rude. Inevitably we're guessing about the last few guests and have to over-prepare just in case. The way I see it, why wouldn't you respond even if you couldn't come to thank the person for inviting you anyway.

(Also--Let's be realistic--With kids parties, there are often space limits if they aren't in someone's home--so the sooner you tell someone you aren't coming, the sooner they can invite that 9th little friend who the birthday child really wanted to invite--but couldn't fit on the guest list...without it being awkward to send a late invitation.)

Note- I will often "shop" a date before I send out invites to see what might work best for my dd's friends (with their moms). This way, we can plan the list thoughtfully.

In small towns, everyone knows everyone and a birthday party list can get political!

 

[mjkacmom]

Please respond to let me know if you are available.

 

[luvmy3]

When a person put RSVP I assume they want a response if you are planning on going or not, If they put *Regrets Only* then they only expect a response if you are not attending.

 

[DisneyBeagle]

It looks like everyone so far agrees that it means let the host/hostess know if you can make it or not. Why doesn't anyone RSVP then?

What's with the people that RSVP 30 minutes before the party starts? I know that there are times that you forget or the invitation gets lost, but I think most people don't realize why you are requested to RSVP...so the host has a head count for food, favors, seating, etc. It does me no good if you let me know 10 minutes ahead of time that you and your 5 family members are showing up.

 

[Kim1964]

For the past two years there's been a little girl that DD#2 has invited to her parties, and she never responds and hasn't shown up yet (I will not be inviting that child again and every time I see her mother around town I want to tell her how rude I think she is). Sometimes I will call people who haven't RSVP'd by the response date to see if they are coming or not. I find it incredibly irritating to have to do this, but even more irritating to have to make up (and pay for) extra goodie bags just in case the child shows up.