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Turn a messy RSVP list into a caterer headcount
Practice: Asking for a format you can use. About 5 minutes.
About this exercise
The caterer needs final counts for Friday's all-hands lunch. Some people RSVP'd twice, and the caterer says to count maybes as yes. Write exactly 4 numbered lines (Regular, Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten-free), each with the count and the first names in parentheses, then one unnumbered last line: Total: X. Plain text, under 60 words.
Common mistakes when you ask AI for this
- Not saying how to handle maybes. The AI drops Ines or asks you what to do. Try: Add: "Count maybes as yes, per the caterer."
- Not merging duplicates. The AI counts Amy and Brian twice. Try: Add: "Count each person once; some replied twice."
- Not asking to see who's counted. A bare number can't be checked. Try: Add a line to copy: "1. Regular: 4 (Brian, Greg, Hiro, Ines)"
- Trusting the AI to count words. AI is bad at counting. Ask for a total word limit and it often lands over it. Try: Cap each line: "each line under 10 words."
- Forgetting where it goes. AI loves markdown tables and bold, which show up as clutter in an email to a caterer. Try: Add: "Plain text, no bold, headings or tables."
What a strong prompt includes
- Handles maybes
- Merges duplicates
- Asks for names
- Sets a word limit
- Asks for plain text
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