DEAR MISS MANNERS: A co-worker invited a few people and their spouses over to watch a popular sporting event. After everyone in the office bombarded him with questions about what to bring, he insisted we bring nothing.

Never having met his wife or having been to his home, I brought a seasonal hand soap as a small thank-you for hosting us.

They both laughed at the gesture. In fact, it was a running gag between them for much of the evening, saying things like, “Thank goodness we have enough soap!” or “Maybe we should all wash our hands.”

I smiled along with them, but thought such a reaction was odd. My spouse brought beer, which was shared among the guests without jokes.

To avoid such a situation in the future, should I no longer bring a hostess gift to gatherings?

GENTLE READER: Hostes

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