This week’s question (Have your own? Email us.):

My husband and I both grew up in what I would call working-class Northeast Philly, but over the last decade we’ve become financially comfortable. Now our friends make passive-aggressive comments every time we renovate something, take a trip, or suggest going somewhere nicer than a sports bar.

At the same time, wealthier parents of our kid’s school friends see us as less polished and less connected than they are. I feel stuck between two worlds: too fancy for our oldest friends, not fancy enough for new ones.

How can I maintain old friendships when our lives no longer look alike? I didn’t think it would matter, but I feel a growing tension.

Mike Newall, Life & Culture Reporter

Okay, Stuck Between Two Worlds, I have a few questions, which you’ll need to answer honestly.

If the answer to any of those questions are yes, then we really can’t help you.

Elizabeth Wellington, Features Columnist

If not, then you probably need new friends.

Mike Newall

Look, I can relate. I grew up in the not-so-mean streets of Brooklyn with a bunch of successful friends who’ve made solid careers in the fire department or finance. Still, they act like Philadelphia is the French Riveria or something. Like I’m a globe-trotting trendsetter when I live in a rowhome. They give me grief. I take it. It’s love.

Elizabeth Wellington

People are sensitive to where they stand financially because they think it defines them. Kind of like marriage vs. singledom. Or kids vs. no kids. College education vs. no degrees at all. We have preconceived notions on what this says about us and sometimes we project what others are thinking.

When I was younger, I always felt some kind of way about my newly married friends who were always saying. “My husband this...” or “My husband that...” In my mind I thought they were talking down to me but in reality they were excited to talk about their lives, and I was feeling some kind of way about being the bridesmaid, but never the bride. This is a similar situation.

You just have to be OK with where you are. Your true friends, rich, or poor will come around. Tell your story. But when you sense yourself lifting your pinky too much, put it down. You know when you are on the border of being obnoxious.

Mike Newall

Yeah, my kid goes to a kindergarten that is nicer than any school I went to until college. And we couldn’t be happier! The parents and teachers are a super diverse and accepting group who welcomed us from the start. It feels like a second home to my son. And that’s why we chose it. We looked at schools where some parents gave us the side-eye (What are my converse and hoodie not good enough for you?!?) and crossed them right off the list.

Like Elizabeth said, just because you made a few bucks doesn’t mean you have to change, or try to meet other’s expectations. But I’m pretty sure there’s a middle ground there somewhere.

Elizabeth Wellington

People know when they cross that line. And they want us to say, it’s OK, just be you. In this case, I want to quote the great Ice Cube, “Check yourself, before you wreck yourself.”

Mike Newall

And if you really want to test those snobby parents, invite them out to wings at Bryne’s. It’s a neighborhood gem with wings I would walk miles for. If they turn up their noses, well they can wreck themselves.

Elizabeth Wellington

I agree. People — no matter what their financial status is — absolutely LOVE wings.

Mike Newall

And don’t give up on those old friends, even with their passive-aggressive comments. They’re who you are and where you come from. And you don’t ever want to lose that. No matter how much payola you’re pulling in.