[ChickenPho]

1) I RSVPed yes initially because i felt i had no choice. If I chose no, then i would get bombarded with 20 questions. Its not like i initially wanted to go in the first place and chose yes because of it.

I backed out of another event in July where I only went for an hour to help setup, I got hammered with questions left, right and center like a drill sargent and it took a helluva lot of work just to get out of it early. Again, i had family plans. My bosses understood.

We have these events every month it seems, about 60% of them fall outside of company hours - either after work or on the weekend. Going from the past 6 months, I've only missed two and both were optional. I dont think thats terrible by any means. Ive gone to the rest and stayed for as long as they needed me each time.

2) I would have loved to say "hey golf isnt my thing" but that doesnt give me a valid enough reason to not attend. If anything, that just shows that im primarily focused on the event itself, and not the people going. The common reply to that will be "well, you should still go for the people." But unfortunately, for me the venue and actual activity is a big motivating factor in deciding whether or not I want to attend. They can host a shinny hockey event, and gaurenteed 100% Im there, simply because it peaks my interest and it gets me excited just even thinking about it!

3) I am going and dont worry I wont show my disinterest in the event. Ill make the most of it.

4) As for these events being organized and planned well in advance by management, and me cancelling 2 weeks prior, that I understand. But also, theres about 20-30 people going, so I figured if one person backed out that it wasnt going to be a big deal. If 6 people were going and 1 backed out, perhaps.