Evite Etiquette: A Small Rant

I love Evite. I consider it the most ingenious invention on the World Wide Web since Badger Badger Badger. But being a heavy user of the service, I've discovered a persnickety habit of invitees that drives me bonkers, and, I think, is a little rude. So, for those of you reading this, let this be a small lesson in what I call "Evite Etiquette."

Here's a little tidbit of information you might find useful: The person who sends you an evite knows when you view it. Now, the host or hostess wouldn't have sent you the Evite if he or she didn't want you at their event. They think you're cool. They think you're peachy keen. They consider you someone they like spending time with.

What's so nifty about Evite is that you can kindly (and courteously) indicate whether you're coming, you aren't coming, or even if you're tentative because you don't know your schedule that far ahead. I won't be offended if you don't know.

It's a simple click of a mouse, people. But don't just look at it and do nothing. And for the love of God, don't start talking about the event to the host(ess) unless you've rsvp'd one way or another.

I don't think the folks who make it a habit of doing this mean any harm by it. I think technology, by its nature, lends itself to a sense of separation from the rest of the world, similar to the false sense of security our cars give us to be complete a-holes on the road. But I can't help but take it personally. I feel like these folks are saying, "Ooooo....I've been invited somewhere. But the host(ess) isn't cool enough. I'll wait to see who else is coming." Fine. You're entitled to that. Just rsvp as a "maybe" then.