Be graceful when I decline your COVID birthday party

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well, yes it is because of Covid-19.

I can't really tell you to your face that I've lost all respect for you because you just invited me to a party during a pandemic, and I know social distancing won't be implemented, can I?

So we're not going to see much of each other in the future.

We are still social distancing so aren't going to parties, but I strongly disagree that a party invitation now means that you should have no respect for the person and won't be seeing them in the future. That's a really strong judgment to make when the information has been so mixed, and you don't know what what safety procedures will be followed at the party you are not attending. We don't attend because better safe than sorry, but I believe that it is possible to have a pretty safe socially distanced outside party.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why can't you decline politely like you would have pre covid?

"Sorry we won't be able to make it. I hope Larlo has a wonderful Birthday!"

Did you read the OP? That's exactly what transpired and OP said the person was pushing back, not taking a polite "no thanks' for an answer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why can't you decline politely like you would have pre covid?

"Sorry we won't be able to make it. I hope Larlo has a wonderful Birthday!"

Did you read the OP? That's exactly what transpired and OP said the person was pushing back, not taking a polite "no thanks' for an answer.

"No thank you" to an invite is confrontational and looking for an argument.

[Anonymous]

We politely declined a party invite in June and the mom hasn't responded to me since.

Charming!

[Anonymous]

I just lie and say we have something else that day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When people send regrets to your kid's birthday party in the time of COVID, your only option is to accept that gracefully. Do not push, inquire, wheedle or whine. Do not ask "is this just because of coronavirus"?

I said no thank you, and Happy Birthday, Billy. Drop it. I owe you no explanation. I owe you no reassurance.

No, you "come on," I don't need another rundown of how "safe" your event is. You do you. We're not coming.

Is it just me or was this response a little bitchy? It seems like perhaps the host was responding to your attitude, OP.

- someone who has declined every party invite received and has had zero issues with the hosts of those parties

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well, yes it is because of Covid-19.

I can't really tell you to your face that I've lost all respect for you because you just invited me to a party during a pandemic, and I know social distancing won't be implemented, can I?

So we're not going to see much of each other in the future.

We are still social distancing so aren't going to parties, but I strongly disagree that a party invitation now means that you should have no respect for the person and won't be seeing them in the future. That's a really strong judgment to make when the information has been so mixed, and you don't know what what safety procedures will be followed at the party you are not attending. We don't attend because better safe than sorry, but I believe that it is possible to have a pretty safe socially distanced outside party.

No.

I've seen plenty of informal gatherings and parties in my neighborhood (Bethesda). People don't realize they're drawing closer to one another as the party progresses, and talking without masks, of course, since they're eating and drinking. It's highly uncomfortable talking at a Covid-safe distance, unless you have a naturally bellowing farm voice, so people gradually draw closer together.

We are all supposed to be informed and act intelligently. Information has NOT been mixed if you listen to the right source. Just because gatherings are legal does not make them safe. Use your brain.

Thus, I judge stupid people who have parties now. Entertainment does not come before safety. Power through your "depression"and save lives.
There are so many in this world who need to take risks for a living or because they care for the sick and elderly. Don't take risks just for fun.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why can't you decline politely like you would have pre covid?

"Sorry we won't be able to make it. I hope Larlo has a wonderful Birthday!"

OP here. That's...literally, exactly what I did.

Sh then asked is it COVID? Why aren't you coming? Are you scared? It's totally safe, etc. in a text barrage that I did not respond to.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Well, yes it is because of Covid-19.

I can't really tell you to your face that I've lost all respect for you because you just invited me to a party during a pandemic, and I know social distancing won't be implemented, can I?

So we're not going to see much of each other in the future.

We are still social distancing so aren't going to parties, but I strongly disagree that a party invitation now means that you should have no respect for the person and won't be seeing them in the future. That's a really strong judgment to make when the information has been so mixed, and you don't know what what safety procedures will be followed at the party you are not attending. We don't attend because better safe than sorry, but I believe that it is possible to have a pretty safe socially distanced outside party.

This is OP, and just so we are all clear, I'm not the "lost all respect" poster.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why can't you decline politely like you would have pre covid?

"Sorry we won't be able to make it. I hope Larlo has a wonderful Birthday!"

Did you read the OP? That's exactly what transpired and OP said the person was pushing back, not taking a polite "no thanks' for an answer.

"No thank you" to an invite is confrontational and looking for an argument.

OP here, my exact words were:

"I'm sorry, we can't make it. Happy Birthday, Billy!"

[Anonymous]

Billy's mom wants to know whether you're extra conservative about social distancing, or if your kid just hates Billy and doesn't want to go, or ever want to play with him any more.

OP how old is your kid?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Billy's mom wants to know whether you're extra conservative about social distancing, or if your kid just hates Billy and doesn't want to go, or ever want to play with him any more.

OP how old is your kid?

Why? Who cares? What does any of that matter? If you invite and they decline, move on with your day. Don't make it some big thing about a kid "hating" your kid: good grief. Grow up. Develop a spine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why can't you decline politely like you would have pre covid?

"Sorry we won't be able to make it. I hope Larlo has a wonderful Birthday!"

Did you read the OP? That's exactly what transpired and OP said the person was pushing back, not taking a polite "no thanks' for an answer.

"No thank you" to an invite is confrontational and looking for an argument.

OP here, my exact words were:

"I'm sorry, we can't make it. Happy Birthday, Billy!"

NP. Thanks for clarifying. I was going to agree with the pp, but that seems like a reasonable way to decline.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When people send regrets to your kid's birthday party in the time of COVID, your only option is to accept that gracefully. Do not push, inquire, wheedle or whine. Do not ask "is this just because of coronavirus"?

I said no thank you, and Happy Birthday, Billy. Drop it. I owe you no explanation. I owe you no reassurance.

No, you "come on," I don't need another rundown of how "safe" your event is. You do you. We're not coming.

This should be the case for any "no" to a social gathering, to be honest.

I hate people who wheedle you when you say no to anything. It's so annoying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why can't you decline politely like you would have pre covid?

"Sorry we won't be able to make it. I hope Larlo has a wonderful Birthday!"

Did you read the OP? That's exactly what transpired and OP said the person was pushing back, not taking a polite "no thanks' for an answer.

"No thank you" to an invite is confrontational and looking for an argument.

OP here, my exact words were:

"I'm sorry, we can't make it. Happy Birthday, Billy!"

NP. Thanks for clarifying. I was going to agree with the pp, but that seems like a reasonable way to decline.

Thanks, I was rattling off the story generally, but I see how the different phrases do matter. I truly did use the "we can't make it" language.