Wednesday, September 3, 2008

RSVPartyPoopers

Every year I try to come up with a new solution to the RSVP party issue (issue being that people don't do it). I've tried regrets only, and listing my email address and phone number, none of these solutions made it any easier for people (apparently).

This year, thinking I was the genius of all geniuses, I included a reply card, complete with stamp and address on the back although the parents also had the option of just putting it back in their child's school folder (I didn't even get the mailed invites out, those people ended up getting emails). The card was cute, you checked one of two boxes, the pirate or princess "signed" their name and I also included our "land line" (get it, a land line? Pirates?) and my email address.

Apparently, asking someone to slide a card two inches out of their child's folder, check one box, write their first name, and slide it back in same folder is just too much to ask. Only THREE parents from his class managed to reply. I'm sorry....but there's no excuse for it. Not managing to RSVP when I've made it as easy as humanly possible just means you're an asshole.

There, I said it. I've got a list of the assholes too. No more parties for them, I'm serious.

20 comments:

The Avid Reader said...

Aughhhh, that would make me absolutely insane. That's so rude and inconsiderate. How much effort does it take to RSVP?!

Melodie said...

This stuff drives me CRAZY. Really, how hard is it to RSVP? My family members are the worst about it. Whenever they show up to a party that they didn't bother to RSVP for, I always make a big point of mentioning that I hadn't expected them since they didn't RSVP and how I hope that there will still be enough food for everybody. Apparently, though, my passive-aggressive guilt tripping hasn't worked on them yet.

Joy said...

Don't you hate lazy people.

I think my son's class was full of lazy parents last year. Most days at least 6-7 kids did not have a snack and the teacher had to feed them. So she decided that maybe it was too much to remember one everyday and she would just have a parent send a snack for the entire class once every few weeks, but still those same Damn parents would forget and then the entire class had none. So she went back to the first thing and if you didn't send a snack your kid went hungry.

Maddness of Me said...

I don't know what is wrong with people. We had a slumber birthday party for our princess for her 9th birthday and let her invite 4 girlfriends. They all said they would be there.

None of them showed.

None. Not one.

Is this what we are supposed to be teaching kids?

Former Fat Chick said...

Where they raised in barns by cows? WTF? This is my biggest pet peeve, if I am PMS'ing I will call them and sound a little annoyed at thir lack of respnse....maybe that's why o one comes to my parties! ha-ha

Anonymous said...

I feel your pain.

M had a sleepover for her 7th birthday and invited 5 girls (2 groups of sisters). Not a one RSVP'd but they all showed up.

Go figure.

TentCamper said...

It is the WORST!!!! We sendout cards but always call each parent about a day or two later (to see if they got the invite)

We do RSVPs via phone...and we call everyone!

Kayla, Nic, Paige, Ellie and Maddy said...

I just went through the same thing, then had the parents who did not rsvp at all show up and then expect me to watch the dam kids....I did not even know the parents, they did not know me, they did not rsvp. but wanted to dump there kids at my house for 2 hours. They should have just dumped them off at the mall....same thing, a place full of strangers! I have given up, family only invites from now on!

Anonymous said...

So where's the list of the non-RSVPing lazy assholes? ;)

Seriously, I freaking hate people who think their lives are so important and busy that they no longer have the time and/or decency to RSVP. Rude!! It's really not that hard. Ugh.

Anonymous said...

And those who don't RSVP will be the ones who show up with their kid and their kids siblings expecting them all to participate and get goodie bags. Yuck. I'm sick of kids parties.

Just Lisa said...

Rude rude rude... and stressful for you, too, since now you really don't know how many people will show up. I remember having a party when I was little, and not a single person rsvp-ed. I was hyperventilating over the fact that no one was coming to my party.

Every single person I invited came to the party. I wonder if my mother was the one hyperventilating at that point?

Anonymous said...

You're gonna LOVE me!

My solution: Send the invites WITHOUT the TIME of the party! Then people have to call/email to find out what time!

Jen said...

Being a meeting/event planner for 9 years in my pre-children days - I know your pain. It's just a fact that I had to accept. You'll never get all your RSVPs. It infuriates me too. I always call the non-responders and say that I'm calling to get their rsvp - that I need an accurate headcount for planning purposes. Then, they blubber on about how they forgot, sorry, and I get my answer. I guess I just hope that by calling them I will make them think about it more next time around.

No matter how easy you make it - the losers will still be losers. Call them out on it, with a smile on your face - point made - and you get your headcount. :-)

Solei said...

and how about the people that DO rsvp, but then don't show!!!
All this extra food, preparations & stuff, and nada! Gone to waste.

I don't think throwing a party period will ever be easy on a parent.

Hope you enjoy it.

The Driftwood Collector said...

I know exactly how you feel. It drives me crazy wondering who might show without responding, who responded but won't actually show. I confess that every once in a while I rsvp only two or three days before the party, because it slips my mind or I don't find the invitation until then, but at least I call. Grrrr.

Mel said...

I think Jen has a good idea, calling the people who have not RSVPed, and telling them you need an accurate head count. Because it's true, even if they don't RSVP, they are the ones that show up.

Anonymous said...

We invited 4 boys (9-10yo) for a sleepoever party and got one call, then another the morning of asking if it was too late. The next week we ran in to the mom of a non-responder who said, "Oh, we were on vacation and didn't get the invitation until after, sorry!" which would have been fine except the invitation was hand delivered to her son...her son who attended full-time summer camp with my boys the entire week before and after the party. C'mon parents, if you're going to lie, say the dog ate it, say your kid left it in his pants and it got washed, say you have prior plans to build a bomb shelter, give me something I can't disprove. Or be honest and say, "My kid just doesn't like your kid very much." ;)

Anonymous said...

We just made out invites last week for our daughter and once again I get to the RSVP part and start ranting to hubby about how nobody seems to know what this means anymore. He types after RSVP (This means to call and say if you can make it) Ok that will work. We will see.

Tiffany said...

This year for my son's 2nd birthday party I send e-vites. One would think that would be the easiest possibly thing to RSVP for - you open it and click with your mouse - no phone calls no mailing nothing just click about 2 inches away from the invite you are already reading. Did everyone RSVP? NO I had several people view it and not say yes, no or maybe. I mean dang you can't even click maybe? It's SO rude because you can see that they viewed it and just chose not to respond! Grrr

Melanie Sheridan said...

The RSVP thing is so annoying. My other big peeve is the no thank you noters. Are you seriously going to teach your kid it's OK not to thank someone for a gift? They are persona non grata at our parties and we will not be going to theirs.