Bad Manners, Laziness, Or What?

[DSJ]

Our daughter & son-in-law arranged a 5th birthday party for their little girl. She has been at school for a year so has made lots of friends. To make it extra special, they hired a local hall and a party entertainer.

The invitations went out, over 30 of them, and then the long wait for replies which could be phoned in or sent by text. Just 10 parents bothered to reply & of those 2 were refusals because of holidays. 20+ didn't bother.

The entertainer needed a minimum of 25 children for the games he planned & approximate numbers were required for party food & little gifts. So, the party had to be cancelled and the deposits forfeited.

Instead, our granddaughter had a lovely day at home with just a few friends. This has been a disappointing experience for us all. Never again will the family plan a party when numbers attending are required. Perhaps it will be a 'basket party' as in Australia where people bring their own food & their own chair!

[Spoonboy]

But for the genuine replies, I'd say all three.

[Sqad]

That is a dreadful story...I have been through the "party stuff" with children and grandchildren, but never had that sort of response. Bad manners? Laziness? who cares....it is just unacceptable OR perhaps it is commonplace for our "modern generation."

[Old_Geezer]

It was certainly discourteous not to reply. That said I was happy with games in the garden and jelly/blancmange/cake for tea when I was little. I think one plans too large these days and it sets one up for such problems. Hopefully your granddaughter wasn't disappointed with the day.

[pixie373]

It's very rude. It's not difficult to reply either way. I usually put a date on -RSVP by 25th or whatever. And would assume not coming if no answer.

[ummmm]

Very rude..

[marval]

I would say it was

[gness]

'Tis the way nowadays with many people. Remember thank you letters?
I recently gave a fairly generous cheque as a gift. I had to look at bank statements to make sure it had been received and cashed.
Two months on I have had no thank you...even just to let me know it had arrived.
Next time they get married it's a naff toaster.

[boxtops]

It IS rude, but perhaps the other parents felt that their child doesn't in fact know your granddaughter that well, or felt they'd be obliged to buy a present and didn't/couldn't do that. It's a saddening experience, but a home party is just enough for a 5-year-old - there is plenty of time for big celebrations when the child reaches significant birthdays!

[boxtops]

Gness, we have family members who have never thanked us for anything over the years, wedding presents, baby presents, so on. Guess what - they don't get presents any more, just a card.

[tonyav]

Next time they get married it's a naff toaster.


You don't think it will last then, gness ?.

[Mamyalynne]

Those that failed to reply are indeed rude, so glad your Granddaughter had a lovely Birthday though.

[gness]

I do the same now, Boxy...when it's gifts for birthdays etc...no thank you, no more gifts. Doesn't it seem mean when you write it down but manners matter and a thank you for a gift....or an invitation as above is important.

[gness]

Hi Tony....I think it will....but a thank you for contributing to our honeymoon fund would have been nice....still it may come yet. Perhaps I am being unfair. x

[Purple_Popple]

That would really get to me ! Cant stand rudeness and manners really do cost nothing. It takes a few seconds to send a text. Oooo I could spit. But I wont. Sorry to read you have had this immense frustration. But as is the way these days, people just 'can't be bothered' !!

[tonyav]

Yes it was rude imo, DSJ.



How long ago was it, gness ?.

[gness]

Two months, Tony.

[tonyav]

They ought to have sent you a thank you by now imo, gness.

[craft1948]

I spent a phenomenal amount on the eldest nephew's wedding present, I don't know why as he's better off than me but I felt guilty about not going to the wedding (which was in a barn in the middle of nowhere).
It was 4 MONTHS before I got a brief thank you note................