The Rise of the ‘Maybe’ RSVP: How Social Anxiety Is Changing Our Commitment Culture
- Natalie Frank
- Jun 6
- 1 min read
From last-minute cancellations to perpetual uncertainty, the hidden cost of post-pandemic social anxiety is reshaping how we plan, connect, and commit
Natalie C. Frank, Ph.D June 6, 2025
A decade ago, throwing a dinner party was pretty straightforward — send out invites, plan the food, count the chairs, figure out who’s bringing dessert and hope people come. The last part wasn’t such an unknown as people stuck to what they had RSVP’d and etiquette dictated last minute cancelations were only permissible in serious situations such as a sudden illness or family emergency.
Now, hosts find themselves staring at a bunch of ‘maybe’ responses, last-minute cancelations, or sometimes, radio silence altogether.
So, what’s changed? Why does a clear ‘yes’ feel like spotting a unicorn, and why is saying ‘no’ almost considered rude? And why do so many just settle on ‘maybe’ as the default? It all comes down to a subtle but powerful change in how we’re all feeling mentally and emotionally — something that sped up significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
