RSVP

Répondez, s'il vous plaît... a french phrase which simply means "please reply". It is often printed and seen in invitations especially in Weddings or big formal events but a lot of us Filipinos do not fully understand the concept of RSVP.

I learned the idea way back in college when a friend asked me if I were going to his birthday. As for any other Filipino, you would immediately -- without batting an eyelash -- respond with, "of course" but often times forget or intentionally not go. Upon giving that response, the one who invited me, turned around and started going to each of our friends and ask the same thing. Some would say, "yes", others would beg off while others would give a straight, "no, I can't."

Peter, one of my good friends in college approached me and indirectly confirmed if I were really going to the party. Since it wasn't his party, I said, "I'm not sure, probably not." He scolded me and explained to me that when you tell someone that you are going, that person is expecting that you show up and on extreme cases they would accept a valid back out excuse if either you died or have a bad illness. (of course I am just exaggerating)

Upon that realization, I learned to say YES or NO to an invite. If I said YES, regardless if it were raining or what not, I would move heaven and earth to show up. It is very important to the one who invited that you show up when you said you would.

Though I was aware of the concept and am trying my best to comply whenever given the chance to, I was only able to fully understand it on two occasions last year; my dad's funeral and my sister's wedding day. It hurts pala when the people you expected to show up didn't. Masakit sya kasi you so wanted them to share your joy only to find out they can't even if they said YES to you months before and even confirmed it on 3-4 separate occasions.

Not only is it expensive if you said you'd go and not show up, it is the fact that the person counted on you to show up to celebrate whatever it is they are celebrating and they would want you to share that experience with them.

It really sucks when some people would say they would go but back out on the last minute and, even worse, would simply not show up and not tell you about it.