Sometimes people are not as considerate as they should be, but sometimes they just appear inconsiderate because they do not understand what is expected of them.  I was talking to a friend recently and this was driven home when they asked me the meaning of RSVP on an invitation.  To me, this seemed like a very basic thing to know, but when I thought about it, I realized how easily one could grow up without ever having to actually learn the phrase.

So, what does RSVP mean?  RSVP is actually a shortened version of "répondez, s'il vous plaît."  In case you couldn't tell, that phrase comes from the lovely French language which many people have never had any reason to learn.  Basically, it means "please reply" to whatever it happens to be attached to.  The purpose of adding RSVP to invitations is to allow the host to better plan for the upcoming event.  In theory, it is a way to know exactly how many people will be coming and who those people will be.  For a small get together, this might not be of all that much importance, but for a large event like a reunion or a wedding, knowing how many people will be in attendance is vital so that the proper arrangements can be made.

You may sometimes find that an RSVP request is followed by the phrase "regrets only."  This simply means that your attendance will be expected unless the host hears otherwise.  Once again, taking a minute to respond is only common courtesy.

The method of replying is sometimes given on the invitation.  Sometimes there is a card enclosed that should be returned.  Usually, these will include an envelope that has already been addressed and stamped.  Another popular option is to include a phone number for invitees to call with their reply.  In either case, taking the time to respond is good form and shows good manners.  Even if you do not want to attend an event, you can nicely let the person who invited you know that you appreciate the fact that they remembered you.