DEAR ABBY: Please help settle a family dispute. Recently my brother and his wife visited my family at our summer home in New York state. They presented us with a gift of wine upon their arrival. I selected a favorite bottle of wine from my own small collection and offered it to my guests.
The next afternoon my brother's family departed as scheduled. The following week, I was informed by another family member that my brother had been insulted by my "greed and inconsideration" for not opening his gift bottle and offering it around. Abby, what's the rule here? Was I a poor host? -- UNCORKED IN HUDSON, OHIO
DEAR UNCORKED: No, you were not a poor host. When a house gift is received, whether or not to open it and use it immediately is at the host's discretion. Your brother was ungracious to bad-mouth your hospitality.