Sharon wrote:

>
> At any rate, am I the only person who feels embarrassed when my guests
> are shorted food or equipment because of logistic errors? Even my club-mates
> who don't have such bad manners seem to take other's bad manners in stride and
> don't seem at all bothered. I had to *convince* the board that we owed that
> man a refund. Is it just me?

Isn't it sad that it has become so common that those people aren't bothered by it.
My mother is a little upset with my brothers this week. We were all invited to an
aunt's 80th birthday party to be held next weekend. It is a 2-3 hour drive each way
for us. I was the one who got the invitation and was asked to call the rest and get
back to them. My mother definitely wanted to go and my oldest brother wanted to
go. The other two brothers said no. So I got back to my cousin and told here that
5 of us were coming. Meanwhile, the oldest brother decided that he wasn't going to
go, then he was. Apparently I was supposed to call him about the details. When I
called he said they weren't going. They have a great excuse. Someone ( I don't
know who) is going to a wedding and they are going to be baby-sitting that person's
daughter. Then I found out that the other two brothers are going. One has not
called to confirm that he is going, and I really doubt that the one who is backing
out has called to cancel. And I am not doing it for him. I am not going to call
and make excuses for my brother. He is old enough to do that himself.

Maybe people should get into the habit of having someone man the door at these
occasions and only admit those who have been invited and sent acceptances. It
wouldn't bother me because I RSVP and show up. People who don't have the common
courtesy to reply with an acceptance and to show up should not be included at
formal events.