Dimitri wrote:

"Dave Smith" wrote in message
m...


story snipped

I have to hand to to our friend that she was able to find a nice way to
decline the invitation. I am not sure how I would react to an "invitation
to a party" that is going to cost me $200. I have no problem with a pot
luck, but being expected to supply beef tenderloin for 20 people plus $40
worth of wine is a bit much, IMHO.

On the surface the presumptiveness of the lady seems quite out of place
however:

1. Is this a very affluent neighborhood?

Yes it is. It is one of the most affluent neighbourhood in the city they live
in, the one where all the wealthiest families lived in the old city, before the
urban sprawl.


2. Is every other neighborhood car a Mercedes, Lexus, Porsche, or Beemer
SUV?

Lots of expensive cars on their street.


3. Do the people in question cook and entertain for the neighbors quite
often?

I don't know about the other neighbours, but our friend has at least a half
dozen parties per year, often dinner parties for which she hires a caterer. Some
of the neighbours are invited. She also has my brother and wife down at least
twice a month and buys good steaks, which my brother cooks because she and her
husband just don't cook.


4. If they entertain the neighbors do they furnish all the food & drinks
or do people bring more that a customary hostess bottle of wine gift?

She always provides everything, canapés, dinner, dessert, wine and full bar.

5. Or is it just plain Chutzpah?

With a capital "Ch"
I was stunned. Personally, I have no problem with pot lucks. One friend has a
special pot luck dinner every year and I always look forward to it. I make sure
to prepare something special. I expect to take a bottle of wine, either one for
the party or one for the hostess to drink later, or both. In my books, a pot
luck involves taking enough food to feed us, plus several others. Being
expected to bring enough of the most expensive cut of beef to feed 20
people????? And being told which wine to bring???
That is just plain wrong and in too many ways.