Are We Really Becoming This Type Of Society

[Noe-schitt]

This just beggars belief

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-30876360

[Booldawg]

Yes, read about this earlier.

Don't think they'd be able to successfully sue unless it stated on the invitation that they would be liable to pay for a no-show.

[jim360]

While in no way endorsing the idea of sending an invoice, I'm confused why the parents of the boy who didn't go to the party are complaining of being treated "like a child". Children aren't usually sent invoices.

[jno]

parties are expensive businesses these days. Pulling out without notifying the host is rude, so I don't find myself with a whole lot of sympathy for them

[aelmpvw]

think i'll start putting 'rsvp or you will receive a threatening letter from my solicitor' on my invites

[vulcan42]

Surely the fact that you've given a party, you will nearly always be out of pocket.

[237SJ]

Yes we are but we are also becoming the type of society whereby people can`t be bothered to inform someone that they are going to no-show (whether that is regards a party, GP appointment, restaurant booking or anything else)

[jim360]

I suppose the point is that they were happy to be out of pocket if the child had attended the whatever-it-was they were doing. But the weren't, so they spent a certain amount of money on stuff that wasn't needed (for example, booking a table for 21 when only 20 showed up). In such circumstances, asking for the money back is understandable, although a quiet word seems more appropriate.

[horseshoes]

We were just talking about this. What I'm thinking is this. PERHAPS, the original invite was issued asking if the child wanted to come skiing for birthday boy's treat. Something like this:

"Because of cost, each child will have to pay their entry fee, but WE will be providing the "party" afterwards. Please RSVP because we have to provide numbers and payment when we book. Thank you".

This is my take on it anyway.

[hc4361]

Or she could have got a big discount because she booked for x amount of children. One missing child could have lost her the discount.

[horseshoes]

Quite hc. Again, the press just telling us one half of a story for shock value.

[bednobs]

"She didn't treat me like a human being, she treated me like a child"
aren't children human beings then? I'm with JNO - not much sympathy hre either

[boxtops]

The mother says that the original invitation contained all the details - since we haven't seen the invitation, it's not right to comment, is it? It does seem odd, however, not to contact the parents first and explain the position, rather than baldly sending an invoice via the child.

[B00]

I'm with jno and bednobs too.

If you make a commitment you have to do your damnest to follow it through, no reason why children can't learn this basic set of manners from an early age. I'm sure the birthday boy was disappointed that his friend wasn't there too.

[-Talbot-]

I know how they feel. On my latest AB thread I expected, Baldric to be the first one there because he is the Ben to my Bill.

He wasn't, he was actually quite late and it is for that reason I have sent him an invoice for £4.35 I've suffered emotional stress ever since.

People should be encouraged to sue for anything...you know it makes sense.

[snags]

''I'm sure the birthday boy was disappointed that his friend wasn't there too''

I'd add £50 on top for the emotional turmoil he suffered, poor lad...

[Mamyalynne]

Smacks more of a business arrangement accompanied by a complete breakdown in communication to me.


Oh for the days of pass the parcel,jelly and ice cream.

[Ric.ror]

I guess these parents are being asked to pay for their own bad manners
Not a bad idea in my opinion

[Ellipsis]

I can't understand why the BBC is wasting my licence fee on covering this trivia, but anyway ...

The person sending the invoice is just making a point. The real person at fault is the incredibly rude Mr Nash.

He started it so there.

[Gavmacp]

Did you notice the invoice number was 1432. How many no shows were there?

[snags]

''pass the parcel,jelly and ice cream''

That'll be a 20p for the *** gift inside the paper and 5p for the water used to make the jelly (I'm on a water meter you know).