Why Not RSVP-ing Is One of the Rudest Things You Can Do
Real talk: Not RSVP-ing to an event is downright rude.
The practice, which stands stands for répondez s'il vous plaît, is French for "please respond." It simply means that when you've been invited to something, be it a party, after-school activity or study session, the organizer of the event expects you to let them know whether or not you'll be able to attend. Your response, in turn, allows the planner of said event to act accordingly and stay organized as possible.
Still unclear as to why not RSVP-ing is a major no-no, scroll down for more info!
It's Inconsiderate
In the age of social media invites, opting out of RSVP-ing to an event might not seem like a big deal, but that's a bit of a misconception. Regardless of how you were invited, the polite thing to do is respond. If you can't attend, the host knows ahead of time not to expect you, and if you can come, then they can plan accordingly. If this is a birthday party we're talking about, for example, this could help the host decide how much food to have on hand or figure out how many party favors are needed.
It Can Throw a Whole Party or Gathering Off
Simply not responding to an invite may lead the host to think that you aren't attending. If you do then show up, your presence might easily throw off the dynamic of the whole gathering. This is especially true for smaller events such as a birthday party or group study session. In the case of the birthday party, for example, showing up unannounced (which is essentially what attending without RSVP-ing amounts to) could mean that some group activities need to be adjusted to account for your attendance. The same is true with the study session example. Think about it this way, if you don't respond and then show up, your peers might then need to change who in the group is responsible for covering certain subjects.
Conversely, it's just as messy if you RSVP that you plan to attend an event and then opt not to. Extenuating circumstances aside, you're still throwing off the dynamic in a similar fashion and your unexpected absence will complicate things.
(via Unsplash)
It's Disrespectful to the Host
Not RSVP-ing potentially puts the host of the event in an awkward position. As explained above, they either have to accommodate your attendance if they assumed you weren't coming, or will be forced to explain why you're MIA. It's best to send a response and contact the host if your plans happen to change. They'll appreciate you keeping them in the know and will hopefully have enough time to make the necessary adjustments. When it comes to planning a party or gathering, no one appreciates being surprised last minute!
It Can Create Unnecessary Tension
Though you might be under the impression that not sending an RSVP isn't a big deal, chances are the person responsible for throwing the event in question might feel differently. That's because throwing a party or organizing an after-school activity usually requires a great deal of effort and planning. Therefore, by declining to RSVP, you could be creating unnecessary tension between yourself and the host, who might (understandably) not appreciate your disregard for all the effort they put into said activity. In many cases, RSVP-ing to something is as simple as sending a text message or clicking a button, so go ahead and get in the habit of doing it!
(Gossip Girl via The CW)
For more social advice, click HERE for a list of reasons why you should turn your read receipts off.
