A lament for the poor old RSVP

Do we live in a manner-challenged age when RSVPs for events and meetings have become optional? 

A recent story in The Australian looked into the matter and found it's become increasingly common for people simply not to RSVP if they can't attend an event.

Some communications professionals interviewed suggest the practice of ignoring RSVPs is a recent trend, with younger guests being less likely to respond, or RSVP and then not show up.

According to the article the worst crime of all is failing to RSVP and then attending anyway; the second worst faux pas is a no-show at a seated dinner, a decision that can force a host to hit the panic button.

What do you think – is it now acceptable to treat an RSVP as optional?

Comments

[Bernie Althofer]

Perhaps people are busy, perhaps it slipped their mind, perhaps they didn't record it in their diary, or maybe they had a 'better offer'. Courtesy and manners seem to be a dying art in some parts of society, so it depends on personal values and what is important - being true to your world and doing what you say you will do. Perhaps it is about reputation and if people don't think their reputation will suffer by not turning up, others remember. If someone has taken the time to invite someone, there must be a reason. Respond with courtesy and graciously decline if you can't attend and accept and turn up if you say you will. Some people may not understand the social graces tied with in a RSVP, so if they are in doubt, they should ask. I am reminded of a University situation where students were asked to indicate whether or not they would attend a particular session, and the majority replied in the affirmative. Guess what - there was a poor show. Next time, technology was used with text messages being sent shortly before the event. Peer pressure and wanting to be at the same event resulted in almost 100% attendance. It can't work in every situation.

[Russell Linwood]

The RSVP tool in communication is not discretionary in my view. It is the ultimate in bad manners to not reply if an RSVP is requested. Failure to reply also imposts upon the persosn/organisation who originated it. Let's get a little less self-centred and give the time needed to reply to that associate/contact. Takes the same (or less) time as a self-promoting twitter or Facebook entry ..... Smiles.