Lack of reciprocity

by Patricia
(Toronto, Ontario, Canada)

My husband and I entertain quite a lot, both at intimate dinners and fairly large parties. These are neither overly formal nor very casual events, but we do put a lot of effort into trying to make them nice.

Some friends have been to our cottage several times and to parties at our house, and yet few of them ever invite us back, even for a drink.

I know that some of them entertain regularly and organize outings to restaurants, the theatre, etc., but they don't include us. They seem to enjoy our company enough to accept our invitations, but never reciprocate.

Obviously, it would be rude to ask them what's going on, but how do we handle this situation? Should we just stop inviting them? We enjoy their company, but get very tired of the relationship always being a one-way street.