But it is actually quite tricky. Many years ago I had a very good job, earning 10fold what my contemporaries did. Considering I was just a year or two out of Uni, and we were just in our midtwenties, it posed me some difficulties with friends. Only my best friend knew my salary situation. I honestly did not know what to do if we went out for lunch, should I insist it was on me? Would I look greedy if I didnt? My friend was most comfortable with us taking turns, she did not want her lunch paid just because I earned so much more than her. That would be rubbing her nose in it. But we DID go on fab holidays, and we DID buy our house pretty much mortgage free. Then I left to start a company with my dh, and we have been struggling slightly since....
But, I have tried both shoes, so to speak. I know what it is like to have untold riches, to book spur of the moment luxury holidays to the Indian Ocean, go to the best restaurants. But equally, I know what it is like to have so little money that you live on credit cards and fret over the fact you are paying interest on the food you eat, and the utility bills.
The point I am trying (and failing somewhat) to make is that if you try to treat all your friends and aquaintances the same without having their financial situation in mind, you may end up appearing to be a tactless twat.
Equally, if you DO try to keep their circumstances, you may also end up appearing like a twat.
However, I do agree that people deliberately flaunt the actual amounts and keep referring to what things cost, or how cheap (err not) things are, are indeed very silly and tactless.
Gosh, I am not a master of brevity.