DEAR MISS MANNERS: I am a 50-year-old retired American man, and just moved to Paris with my wife and two kids. I attend a terrific language school where I have made friends with several teachers.
We have bought an apartment, and we’re thinking of having a housewarming party. That said, I’m sensitive to the fact that my financial situation is very different than that of my classmates, and particularly that of my teachers, who are paid criminally low salaries.
Is it in poor taste to have a housewarming party knowing that my friends will not be able to afford a nice family apartment in Paris like the one we have?
GENTLE READER: Yes. If you call it a housewarming, you will seem to be expecting your guests to admire your expensive home, if not also to contribute something to it.
Miss Manners suggests that you focus on the guests, instead, making it a party to get to know them better -- rather than to feature your apartment.
(Please send your questions to Miss Manners at her website, www.missmanners.com; to her email, dearmissmanners@gmail.com; or through postal mail to Miss Manners, Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)
