How to Avoid Class Reunions

Being on vacation is a delightful excuse for not attending your reunion.

Class reunions are not for everyone, yet the pressure to attend can be difficult to overcome. It is important to remember that you have no obligation to attend a reunion and that there is no point in going if you won't enjoy it. Instead, you can avoid the reunion and do something more valuable with your time. By keeping in touch with old friends regularly and having a solid excuse, it's easy to get away with not attending.

Instructions

1. Make other plans for the night of the reunion as soon as possible. Book a weekend away with your spouse or plan a visit to see your relatives that live far away. By scheduling something else for the night of the reunion, you can easily explain to your friends why you cannot make it. This will help discourage them from begging and guilt-tripping you into attending.

2. Decline the invitation as soon as you receive it. If you wait until the last minute, people will think you're on the fence between going and not going. Your indecision may make them think that, despite your reservations, you secretly do want to go and they will start trying to convince you. According to Elegant Women, responding to the invitation promptly will also help the host to plan the event.

3. Stay in touch with your school friends through social networking sites and email. According to National Public Radio, the use of social networking sites has decreased attendance at school reunions because everyone already knows what their old friends are up to. Meet up with your closest friends regularly. By keeping in contact, you will decrease the need for a class reunion and your friends will be more understanding about your lack of attendance.

4. Stay positive when you explain to others why you are not attending the reunion. Do not trash talk the event and list all the reasons why you are avoiding it. Remember that many people look forward to class reunions and it is important not to taint the event for them. According to Letter Expert, you should not go into too much detail when declining an invitation. Instead, briefly explain that you have other plans.

References

• National Public Radio; School Reunions? Nah, I've Got Facebook; Alex Schmidt; March 2011
• Elegant Women: RSVP Etiquette
• Letter Expert: Declining an Invitation