My husband and I are
enthusiastic party hosts, and when our house is in good shape (i.e., when we don't have an infant child in the
house...), we often have people over for dinner or drinks more than once a week. We throw dinner parties and
informal bashes because it's a great way to socialize without having to deal with babysitters or the specter of
bringing our boys into public adult spaces. And, because we just love to host.
Bob Morris, writing for the New York Times, doesn't just throw parties for the warm-and-fuzzies; he hosts, in part, for the reciprocation. When it isn't forthcoming? He says, one year, he was "livid." He explores the quid pro quo, or not, party hosting culture in his article and discovers that most hosts don't expect invitations in return.
If you're a frequent host, what do you expect in return? Or if you're a habitual guest, do you ever feel guilty? Or do you just say "thank you" and bring a bottle of wine?
