■Response to an Invitation
Email and cell phone text messaging are slowly altering the art of the handwritten invitation. Nevertheless, when handling both formal and informal invitations, there are rules of thumb that must be observed. The manner in which you reply to an invitation as well as the style and type of invitation you send speaks volumes about your character and personality.
◇You will usually respond with a letter or phone call, if you get an invitation to lunch, dinner, banquet, party, wedding, birthday, or any type of event.
◇Invitations can be written or spoken. Written ones ask for RSVP usually, and means please reply. Whether you intend to go or not you should reply. The invitation will tell you when the reply is expected and how to reply. Your host may be specific about how many people are invited. You should tell your host how many people would go if your host invites the whole family. A family is usually the parents and their children.
◇It is also usual to tell the host what you can not eat when you accept an invitation to a meal. It is perfectly okay to say that you are Muslim or Jewish and do not eat pork or that you are a vegetarian and do not eat meat. It is not polite to arrive late and if you are going to be late, you should make a telephone call to your host to explain.
◇You may not be able to accept an invitation always. The best way to refuse is to say, “Thank you, I/we have other plans at that time unfortunately”. Even if it is true, to say that you are too busy may seem extremely rude . Once you accept an invitation, if something arises where you can not go, you should only cancel. You should explain the reason to your host also. It seems very rude to cancel because you got a better invitation from somewhere else, and it can affect new friendships. It is best not to accept an invitation right away and to ask your host whether they would mind if you check your plans and reply to them later sometimes.