When you get a party invitation in the mail, by email, or on Facebook, be kind and let the host know whether or not you can make it. R.S.V.P. stands for Répondez S’il Vous Plâit, which is French for “Please respond.” It doesn’t mean reply if you feel like it, and it doesn’t mean wait until the last minute to see if something better comes along. Hosting a party is a lot of work, and planning how much food and how many beverages to buy requires knowing how many guests are attending. I’ve even heard stories of people not responding to wedding invitations and then showing up unannounced. Please, don’t do this. Act with compassion and respond to invitations in a timely manner. If your plans change, let the host know as soon as possible.