Q. I went to lunch in the new house of a rather competitive woman. We have friends in common, without being particular friends ourselves. After lunch she showed me round this (slightly overblown) new mansion in Kensington and I was amazed to see two bathrooms off her marital bedroom. Naturally I enthused, out of politeness, and said how wonderful to have two — to which she replied ‘Oh don’t you and your husband have a double en suite? Oh poor you.’ My husband and I think we are doing well to have one bathroom en suite and I did not appreciate being patronised. How should I have replied, Mary?
— F.R., London SW12
A. You should have reflected for a moment before beaming happily and countering with, ‘Well, we’re really lucky — no offence to you — but it’s actually no problem for us to share a bathroom.’ You would have then remained silent while the implications of your answer sank in.
Q.
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