I work for a company that often plans fun or educational events for our customers.  These events are held in various community venues, and always include food. There is no charge to attend.  The company pays a hefty charge for the rental and food, but feels it is worth it in goodwill and customer loyalty.

One of my duties is to book these various events, and take reservations.  We always assign a cut-off date for reservations, so we can let the venue know a couple days ahead how many meals to prepare, and tables to set up. 

We put R.S.V.P. on the invitations.  R.S.V.P. is French for respondez, s’il vout plait.  In English, “please respond”.  Strictly speaking, that means to let us know whether OR NOT you will be able to attend.  Few people know that nowadays – they seem to think it means let us know if you will be attending, and that their non-response means they won’t be coming.  OK, I get it, customs change, and I can live with that.  But there are three things that are REALLY irritating, and they happen every single time we have an event.

1) Some people consistently call AFTER the deadline has passed.  They’ll ask, “Am I too late to sign up for (whatever)?”  I want to say, “Yes you are.  Please call before the deadline next time. “  But I don’t.  I take the reservation, then call the venue to let them know the figure I gave them at the time of deadline must be increased.  This may happen 8-10 times before each event, even the VERY MORNING of an event that is planned for noon!    

2) Some people who have made reservations don’t bother to cancel when they find they can’t attend.  That means we have food we have paid for – usually from $10-$40 a plate – and empty seats.  Not all cancellations can be emergencies.

3) Some people show up who haven’t been invited at all!  We don’t invite ALL our customers to ALL events – we try to tailor each program to the invitees.  But through ignorance or hubris, some of our customers seem to think they can come to all events, and don’t even let us know they are doing so.  We have to guess at how many extra meals to order to accommodate uninvited guests.  And believe me, we know who they are (they probably don’t even care that we know).

I don’t really have a question, I just wanted to vent.  Thanks for the opportunity.

Frustrated

Dear Frustrated,

You are welcome.  Sadly, what you describe is altogether too common.  I hope your rude customers recognize themselves, and clean up their act!  (Good luck)