Tales From A Frustrated Party Planner....

by Alayna
(Atlanta, GA, USA)

The thing that most drives me crazy is how inconsiderate other people are towards those who extend their hospitality.

I'm the organizer of a social group in my free time; nothing I get paid for, strictly voluntary. The purpose is to bring together otherwise lonely people; those who are new to town, recently divorced, having trouble making friends.

Over the past few years, the group has thrived, gotten more members, good publicity, even brought about a few engagements and marriages. It is a lot of stress, the organizing and the details, but I find it well worth it.

The thing that frustrates me is that I ask members to RSVP for events. When I have a number of potential attendees, I make a reservation at a restaurant. Sometimes, I need to make special arrangements or pay a deposit. All I ask is that if people can't make it, they change their RSVP, or they call me to let me know. Even an e-mail is polite. But, every single time, 1/3rd of those who have signed up simply don't show, and leave me on the hook. The restaurants get mad, the group looks poorly attended, and I'm frustrated with the lack of disrespect.

No matter what I do, the problem never seems to disappear. I would personally never even *consider* treating others this way, so I just can't understand. I wish it were not the case that for every 10 people out there who really, genuinely appreciate those who go out of their way to try to bring happiness to others, there are 5 who simply don't see or don't care. The idealist in me suffers a bit every time I think about it.