The RSVP . .

I've been talking about this for years. The RSVP is so important.

R.S.V.P. stands for the French phrase, "répondez, s'il vous plaît," which means please reply or respond, please. People just don't get it. Which is tragic because it's the antidote to creating a successful event.

It doesn't matter what language it's in, it means to be considerate by letting the host know if you'll be there. There are only two possible responses - no or yes, and a maybe means no.

Most people will give you several days or even weeks to respond, not me, I just say "R.S.V.P. Immediately." It saves us all from a little stress and the possibility of forgetting.

So the next time you get the chance to R.S.V.P. - do it immediately, and remember that maybe means no.