****RSVP****

[twhfan]

Does it drive anyone else crazy when people don't RSVP to an invitation?  I 'm planning an employee event  (400 employees). We sent a voicemessage alerting staff that an event was scheduled and to watch their mailboxes for the invitation.  Included in the VM we said to please RSVP as quickly as possible.

Then we sent the invitation with all the details including the request to RSVP by x date in large bold print.  A few days prior to the deadline, ANOTHER VM was sent to remind staff about RSVPing.  Later,just because I was feeling a little evil I said to an employee who hadn't RSVPd,  I'm sorry you can't make it to the employee event.  The employee looked shocked and said, "I'm coming!", to which I replied (innocently), "You didn't RSVP, did you?"  That prompted a mini flood of responses  .

Obviously I can't exclude anybody because it's an all employee event, but it just drives me nuts that these knuckleheads can't even bother to reply since I need an accurate count for my caterer.  I feel like wearing a sign that says Ask me what RSVP means!"

Thanks for letting me vent.  Anybody have any great ideas for getting people to respond to invitations.


Guys, there's a problem with posting where asterisks appear between words making it hard to read.  DD are on the case, so bear with us - haven't got time to edit everything!  Jackie

Edited by jackie on 22/03/04 03:23 PM.

[gee4]

Funny I have just sent out a mail regarding a corporate event - staff are much quicker to reply if it's being paid for I tell you!  

I do face the same problem though even if you include a deadline ... some of them prefer you to go round to their desks and coax them with a yes/no answer.  Or some even say oh yes I read your email but didn't reply ..... ahhhh!

G

[countrigal]

When possible, I use Outlook for this.  Using the Voting options, everyone who receives it is prompted to reply (Yes, No, Maybe) and is a fairly simple way for them to respond.  This has been very good overall, but not sure how it would work for such a large group as what you are working with.  I've used it with a max of 75 individuals.  This may be an option to use for future RSVP events.  Doesn't necessarily get 100% of those involved, but I found it got more responses than any other method I used.

Outside of work... do you also find that RSVP doesn't seem to be followed anywhere anymore?  I tried to have a party and asked for RSVP's and got none, though some folks casually mentioned that they "might" be there.  This was done in passing during another conversation and not specifically to me about my party.  Maybe this is a lost etiquette?

CountriGal
Peer Moderator

[gee4]

For what it's worth I have found this also outside of work - people don't seem to want to commit themselves.  Now whether that's leaving themselves open to a better offer or the fact they want to create the impression that they have a busy schedule, I don't know, but it def does happen.

What's wrong with being decisive these days and just saying Yes I can accept your invite, or No I cannot ...??

G

[JessW]

I always put it down to not knowing what RSVP meant and/or they didn't know how to RSVP!  I found it a lot easier to think of them as stupid rather than being deliberately rude.

Jess

[Jackie G]

I think Jess is right.  So many people these days might well know what LOL and ASAP and mean, but ask them to RSVP and they will look blank.

Perhaps it's time to re-educate folk in social etiquette!

Jackie
www.iqps.org
Peer Moderator

[gee4]

But don't you RSVP an invitation such as a wedding ....??

Different if it was a personal ad in a magazine eg. GSOH, WLTM etc.

G

[twhfan]

The majority of our staff don't have Outlook, just voice messaging, so a paper invitation was the most reliable way to reach everyone.

Actually, the invitation didn't say RSVP, there was a tear-off section on the bottom with 2 sentences:  I WILL attend and I WILL NOT attend with a little box to check in front of the appropriate response.  And at the top of the invitation it had all the details (date, time, location, etc.), it said "please reply to twhfan by X date" and it even gave them the option of voice messaging me if their little fingers were too tired to complete the response form.

So there was no chance that staff didn't know what they needed to do.  I know, it's a petty little thing but it just bugs me.  I play this goofy little scenario in my head where I'm sitting at the reception table looking and sounding like Prudence Goodbody, handing out name badges as people sign in, and when someone who didn't RSVP arrives, I wag my finger in their face and say, "Sorry dearie, but I wasn't expecting you.  Back to the office and get to work!"  It makes me chuckle as I imagine myself looking like Prudence and keeps my blood pressure from going too high.

[countrigal]

Heck, maybe you should have an ice-cream social or something where you do that.  Ask for RSVP's and only plan on the # that you receive and turn anyone who didn't RSVP back.  Heck, once or twice doing that and you might have a good return the next time.

Hmmm... maybe we can hire Ms. Prudence???

CountriGal
Peer Moderator

[lauragfoss]

I just wanted to add my frustration, although not work related...

I sent out wedding invitations at the beginning of March, with a "please RSVP" date of April 2.  Just a few days to go until the due date and I'm still missing about 1/3 of them.  All you have to do is write your name, check a box, and send it....it's already stamped!  And they are all relatives...go figure.  So I'm going to either have way too much food or not enough!  Good thing we're just having a dessert buffet and not a full sit down dinner!

[chris68]

I remember going thru that eons ago.  That unfortunatley is about average, 1/3 I mean.  We only had a few show up that didn't reply and we were prepared for that.  Plan on it, and that's all you can do really.  The ones you least expect to hear from will respond first usually, then there are the stragglers that assume you are attending and those that don't bother assuming you "know" they are coming.  OY!  RSVP means just that right?  NOT!



Chris68
Peer Moderator

[radaro]

Or even worse, they respond and say they are bringing someone you didn't invite.  My husband invited one of his college buddies and the guy responded that he and his "girlfriend" would be coming.  Now, if they had been going out a long time or were "serious" we would have invited the girlfriend except it was just a case of he didn't want to come alone and asked someone to come with him.  Oh brother!

[mbajjada]

I'm hearing you. Two years ago I organised the Christmas party asking for RSVP's for catering purposes. I had 55 replies of yes, ordered for an extra 10 catering for those I knew would most likely show and those Bossie invited on the day prior to the event and had 80 odd people show up. Of course the food did not spread this far as it was a spit roast buffet and some of those who RSVP'd ended up not having a meal, including me! What a disaster....

Last year I advised staff an RSVP was required in order for them to receive a ticket to the event that would double as a lucky door prize. No ticket meant you had to wait until last... a hard line but it worked! Of course there is always one and one person decided whilst I was out cooking the BBQ in the heat of the day to sneak in and help herself to the unopened food and then sneak away with her plate whilst everyone else was mingling and having a few drinks. I was not impressed and publicly announced this! Not proper I suppose but at that point I was too hot and flustered to care. Everyone promptly displayed their tickets and a good day was had by all.

I've also noticed people leave their RSVP's to the very last minute.. like the day before a function. Why oh Why???