Seaumas

One of the things required in this world to keep peace is Diplomacy. That usually means being considerate, polite and with mature and balanced response. I, too, own a collection of wines. But I will abstain when tee-totaling friends come by, or family who do not drink, smoke, dance or watch network television. I am highly aware they are there to visit me, not those things. However, if there was something I did or had that they may mildly object to and I cannot avoid it, I simply ask them if they mind. If they do, I simply do not make it an issue or make the problem obvious. Yes, they are in your place. But I cannot see where anything but pride would be injured. The Arabs are the politest people I've ever met. They invite you into their homes, offer you food and refreshment and try to take great care not to offend. A gentleman in Yemen I knew invited me to a party. Muslims don't drink. But in Yemen the drug of choice is khat, highly illegal here, but freely used there, especially at parties. I don't partake of drugs. He, of course, could not help it but to ask if I would be "greatly offended" if they "observed an ancient tradition". I could barely see from the smoke and was getting high. He was kind enough to place an ottoman next to a breezy window and he and his wife sat with me. I had a great time though quite a headache the next day, cured by cups of stiff Yemeni Yergacheffi coffee. So, I'd ask myself, "What's more important: that great wine cellar and all that ego, or dear family and friends who sometimes might piss me off with their demands? Its a slam-dunk.