Interpersonal Relations
Food and Life
Sports and Entertainment
Cultural Salon
Future Life
Appendix
內容試閱:
The decision to "go Dutch" is usually made in advance in order
to avoid any confusion when the bill arrives or the tickets are
purchased. Under certain social and financial circumstances, the
idea to "go Dutch" allows larger groups of friends or co-workers to
enjoy a night on the town without the worry of one host footing the
entire bill. During a romantic dating situation, however, the
suggestion to "go Dutch" may not be as well received.
Many people agree to "go Dutch" as a tactful way to level the
financial playing field. One friend may feel uncomfortable with the
idea of another friend in better financial shape always footing the
bill. When two or more people agree to "go Dutch," each is free to
spend within his or her personal entertainment budget. Even if one
person can afford to order the most expensive item on the menu, the
rest of the group is not obligated to spend outside their own
limits.
When it comes to social dating, however, the idea to "go Dutch"
is not universally accepted. Traditionally, the person who invites
a companion for dinner or other entertainment is obligated to pick
up the entire tab. Modern dating etiquette now allows women to
assume the same role as men when it comes to financing a date, but
there is still a clear division between the inviter and the
invited. Some couples, however, are very comfortable with the
decision to "go Dutch," especially during early casual dates. By
agreeing on a Dutch date, neither party feels obligated or indebted
romantically to the other party for picking up the entire
bill.
The origin of the phrase "go Dutch" or "Dutch treat" can be
traced back to a time when England and the Netherlands fought
constantly over trade routes and political boundaries during the
17th century. The British used the term "Dutch" in a number or
derogatory or demeaning ways, including "Dutch courage" (bravery
through alcohol) and "Dutch treat", which was actually no treat at
all. The Dutch were said to be very stingy with their wealth,
almost miserly, so the British used the word "Dutch" informally to
imply all sorts of negative behaviors.
While many of these derogatory Dutch references fell out of
common usage, Americans did retain the idea of a "Dutch treat" when
a number of German (Deutsch) immigrants arrived. A corruption of
Deutsch led to the designation of German immigrants living in
Pennsylvania as "Pennsylvanian Dutch". Even though the original
British slur was against the actual Dutch, some Americans
perpetuated the negative connotation of "Dutch treat" .
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