Tired of razzing over having a housekeeper

DEAR AMY: Recently, I made an offhand comment about my housekeeper to my friend at work. I thought I had mentioned to her the fact that I employ a housekeeper, but apparently I had not. She indicated that she was quite surprised. This is now the eighth day since I told her, and every single day she has made a snide "joke" about my having a maid. For example, if I mention that I have to do a menial task, she'll say, "Why don't you just have your maid do it?" Amy, I have more discretionary income than she does simply because I am single with no children and live fairly frugally. She, on the other hand, is struggling financially with an unemployed husband, three kids and an ex-husband who pays no child support. I could kick myself for having mentioned the housekeeper at all, and I am getting tired of the snarky comments. I asked her not to mention my housekeeper anymore. So far she hasn't, but now she's making general comments about my finances, like about how "loaded" I am. My patience is wearing thin. How do I possibly convey my annoyance and get her to stop without permanently losing her as a friend?

--Not a Rich Girl

DEAR NOT: Your work friend's choice to razz you repeatedly about your relative wealth is akin to your teasing her about having too many kids (when you have none).

After that first glorious chuckle, it's just not that funny anymore.

You are employing someone, and whatever that says about your desire not to clean up after yourself, in this economy it's not such a bad thing to provide someone else with some earned income.

From here on out, you can meet her comments with . . . nothing. Just let it lie. Let the crickets pulse.

And then say, "Anyway, moving on."