Dear Urban Diplomat: How important is dinner party reciprocity?

Dear Urban Diplomat,
My husband and I throw top-notch dinner parties: rib-eyes, good wine, fancy cheeses. We have two friends, both successful business owners, who always return the favour with Costco burgers and Moosehead. We’re planning our next party and I’m adamant we leave them off the guest list, but my husband is worried we’ll seem rude because they hosted last. Who is right?
—Wine and Cheesed, MISSISSAUGA

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Let’s go with neither. You’re both being absurd. You shouldn’t invite people over simply because it’s your turn, but you shouldn’t disinvite folks because their cuts of meat don’t match yours, either. Do you like these people? Do you have fun at their place? These questions should guide your invitations, not “Will these people pay me back in double-cream brie and pinot noir?” If you’re stuck on achieving dinner party reciprocity, try serving chicken wings and bottles of Fuzion at your next soirée. Maybe you’ll even have time to enjoy their company instead of worrying about who is out-hosting whom.

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