Ask the Experts

Dear Will:

I've noticed that a lot of your female characters don't have a very good time at their own parties: Lady Capulet has a cow for most of her masquerade ball; Lady Macbeth spends her whole dinner party stressing out; Gertrude's wedding feast is a total buzz-kill for her; and Titania has to take drugs to enjoy her at-home bower parties.

I'd understand it if they had to clean the bathrooms or cook, but these women have servants. They can go right to the cocktails and not even break a sweat. What gives?

Signed,
DIY in Natick

Dear DIY:

Ah, it's sad, isn't it? The truth of the matter is it doesn't matter how much money you have. At-home entertaining is always stressful for the hostess who concerns herself too much with conventional appearances.

The trick to having a good time is to think outside the box and to invite people with your same free-thinking spirit. Try mixing it up like Cleopatra and having people swap clothes with their partners; or bring in some actors for some "Murder Mystery" theater (always a hoot for the organizer). If all else fails, you and your husband can rig a game of "Whose wife is most obedient?" (although I suspect you might want to update this to a game of "Truth or Pussy-whipped").

Good luck,
Will