No RSVP Sent: 36.9%
RSVP Sent: 63.1%
Coerced Response: 14.3%
Unknown: 23.8%

Now, these were self-addressed stamped envelopes. All people needed to do is write a number and drop the thing in the mail. They were given a month to perform this onerous task. For those who are technologically savvy (or suffer from USPSphobia) we provided an email address people could use (special shout-out to the one person who used it – you know who you are).

With these percentages you may be asking yourself if we just invited random people out of the phone book. Believe it or not, we actually know these people. I am not sure what to make of all this.

While I was trying to coerce a response, one person declared that according to the etiquette books he read (you know who you are), you are to only send an RSVP if you will be attending. I did a quick search on Amazon for etiquette books and kids, there are some good ones out there. The first hit is a book by Emily Post, a well-known authority on the subject. I wonder what she has to say about the subject:

From the French, it means “Répondez, s’il vous plaît,” or, “Please reply.” This little code has been around for a long time and it’s definitely telling you that your hosts want to know if you are attending. Reply promptly, within a day or two of receiving an invitation.

How about the second hit, Etiquette for Dummies? Surely an etiquette book connoisseur like this wouldn’t miss that treasure trove of excitement. Well that book says (in a special TIP section):

RSVP means respond either way, yes or no. Regrets only means the guest should contact the host only if not attending.

Maybe he (along with 36.9% of you) read the slightly less popular Etiquette for Smarties.