Making Etiquette Easy: Reciprocating a Meal

Image from Open Salon

Say you've just moved into a new neighborhood and your next-door neighbors are insisting you join them for dinner. And after you've endured hours of painful social interaction- whether they were just plain rude, too quiet, or gossipy- you want nothing more than to put an occasion like this behind you. But that nagging feeling of obligation makes you believe you have to reciprocate their offer, so do you?

• The feeling of obligation in this situation is something we bring upon ourselves. You certainly do not have to invite the neighbors over for dinner just to 'even the score.' Perhaps they felt the same way about your company and won't be badgering you for any dinner dates in the near future.
• If you're willing to give it another go, try to integrate them into a larger group. Consider inviting them over for a larger social event at your home so that you aren't sucked into talking to only them.
• Maybe you feel that it's best not to have any future social interaction. In this case, you can easily send a food basket, flowers, or a nice thank-you gift to your hosts in lieu of enduring another evening of unpleasantness.
• If they continue to ask you to get together, be upfront about not being available. Over time, hopefully they will ask less.

Making Etiquette Easy,

Susan K. Medina