Why Is It Such A Chore To Make Plans Nowadays?

Deep down, I know the majority of this answer can be attributed to technology, and the super-charged pace we are allowed to send and receive information; but that’s not an excuse. Nowadays, people refuse to commit to anything because they fear that if they do, their phone will ‘Ping!’ hours before with better plans. So, they hold out. Most don’t even bother with an informal, “I’ll be there,” text as an RSVP. They’ll either say, “I might be there,” or they’ll just show up whenever the event is occurring.

This usually doesn’t apply to larger productions such as weddings and whatnot, but if this is for a graduation party, a house party, or hell, just to hang out and do something with your friends, then absolutely. I’ve brought it up to my own friends — both jokingly and seriously — that it really irritates me when we make plans on Sunday for Saturday, then on Friday, everything changes.

For one, I work a crazy schedule that changes week-to-week, so finding a weekend off is sometimes a challenge; or I’ll have to try and switch with a co-worker. Secondly, I actually get excited to see my friends and actually do something with them rather than go to our local bar or someone’s house. (Crazy right?) Not that there’s anything wrong with relaxing some nights, but when we make plans to go somewhere, I plan to go.

The only thing that bothers me more than bailed plans is when people bail without notice. This isn’t 1999 — you don’t need to memorize home telephone numbers, or beep someone, or use your dial-up Internet to see if someone is online. We live in a world where — in less than a minute — you can take out your phone, scroll to find a number and dial; or, shoot a quick text message.

If something actually happens last minute and you can’t make it, fine. If you just don’t want to go, fine. At least have the common courtesy to let other people know as soon as you’ve made up your mind.

I’ve gone to plenty of events that I really didn’t want to go to, but if I said I would be there, I was there. Maybe that’s just the way I was raised. I just get a kick out of it when people complain that other people can’t commit to a relationship, when a lot of people can’t even commit to plans later in the week.