I love such mirth as does not make friends ashamed to look upon one another next morning.

There is a kind of fun that leaves nothing behind and a kind that leaves a residue. The test is simple and it happens the following morning: can everyone meet each other’s eyes. Laughter that needed someone to be the target, or needed you to be less than yourself, fails that test even when the evening felt excellent at the time.

Before the next gathering, decide in advance what you will not do for a laugh. And if a recent evening left an odd taste, say so lightly to the person involved rather than filing it away.