Sunday, July 15, 2007

Etiquette, a thing of the past?

The wedding shower I am giving is in 7 days and so far I have received very few responses back. There are two more days before the deadline so I am hopeful I will hear from everyone but I seriously doubt it. I have run into some people that have been invited and point blank asked them if they were going to come. Oh yeah, no not coming. Don't know the bride- to- be that well (although they are somewhat good friends with her parents.) In my day, if I knew the parents well, I would go.

I have given many parties in the past with an RSVP to call. The majority never called or if they did, it was 2 minutes before my party began. I'm sorry but they might as well not have bothered.

That's why for this shower, I sent out response cards because I thought people would actually drop the pre- addressed stamped envelope into their mailbox. Guess that was too much to ask.

There were many times when I have sent gifts and did not receive a thank you in return. I was raised to acknowledge and thank people formally whenever they sent or did something for me. My kids have been taught to do the same.

The use of proper etiquette seems to be a thing of the past. It's like a dying art that seriously needs to be resurrected again.

4 comments:

Dapoppins said...

Speaking as a busy woman, although I so agree with you and often deal with etiquette guilt, rsvp is one of those things we want to do, but always procrastinate until the last minute. I need to be better about this. And I need to teach the chidren to be better at this.

Thanks for the blog visit!

palette48 said...

dapoppins,

Thanks for visiting my blog too. I appreciate the comments and do know and understand that people's lives are so hectic that it is difficult at times to do these small common courtesies.

BetteJo said...

I'm bad about responding to phone messages sometimes, and sometimes I miss an email or 2. But when it is something like an event where the total number of guests (or at least a good idea of the number) needs to be known - I respond.
It's sad but I think a lot of things that would have been considered common courtesy in the past - have gone by the wayside these days. :(
And worse - most people know better!

The Family Jewels said...

I rsvp right away, then lose the invitation. I usually find it right before the party and make it just in time. I must clarify though that I have many children that help me to lose things.

Good luck with the shower!

-Tonia