Q. We have been introduced to some fellow parents at our children’s school. They are not quite on our wavelength – very status conscious and money obsessed – but we want to stay on good terms because our children are friends. Like us, they have moved to the country from London and bought an old property which needed extensive remodelling. We are ahead of the game, having come here a year before they did, and so they have asked if they can come and look at the work we’ve had done. They are the kind of people who will want to know what everything cost. I can’t very well say I don’t know when they start questioning me about how much we have spent but, honestly, I don’t want to share that amount of our business with them. Mary, what should I do?

– Name and address withheld

A. Be friendly and show them around. Share the names of contractors you used and whether they worked well. When pressed to reveal how much you paid, act daft and say you have no idea – your husband was too busy to get involved and, because you are hopeless with money, your trustees handled the bills.

Q. Like every man of my age (late twenties) I only date girls I have met on dating apps. Now that dating within one’s friendship group is considered bad form, there are ‘background’ issues which can’t be discerned from an online chat. I am fortunate enough to be in line to inherit a small grouse moor and so, for practical reasons, it’s important to find a speedy and foolproof way to establish, before committing to an IRL meeting, whether a potential girlfriend would be sympathetic to my future obligations. Any thoughts?

– Name and address withheld

A. While chatting on the app, prior to meeting, start a conversation about summer holidays, asking where she likes to go. Respond by giving your own preferences, adding that you are usually ‘committed to going up north for 12 August every year’. If she asks ‘Why 12 August?’ say ‘There’s a very good reason… can you think what it might be?’ . If she can’t, then type ‘It’s my birthday!’ and wind up the conversation.

Q. I am 6ft 5in and every time I am introduced to someone at a party they ask me what height I am. The question makes me feel that my physical appearance must be so overwhelming that they can’t think of asking me anything else, such as what do I do for a living. How, without starting things off on the wrong foot, can I make them see that this question is actually rude?– J.O.H., London SW3

A. Why not issue a subtle reprimand by first supplying your height, then asking: ‘By the way – what weight are you?’