社交英语口语视频(中级) 57 Western Customs

　　Mina

　　It's on me. I will take care of it Alex.

　　Alex

　　Wait up! What are you doing? Let's go Dutch.

　　Mina

　　No, it's my treat now.

　　Mina

　　What is the origin of going Dutch or Dutch pay, anyhow?

　　Mina

　　I heard that people in Holland tend to be very stingy, like Scrooge, in the book...

　　Mina

　　..."A Christmas Carol".

　　Mina

　　So if you go to a restaurant or pub with Dutch people,...

　　Mina

　　...they tend to pay for only their own portions.

　　Mina

　　I know it sounds very mythological,...

　　Mina

　　...but I'm wondering if the word really exists to describe such a person.

　　Mina

　　Anyhow, back to my point, since I'm used to Korean culture,..

　　Mina

　　... I don't quite understand why Westerners tend to pay for their portion only.

　　Mina

　　Even at someone's birthday party!

　　Mina

　　Once, I was invited to my Canadian friend's birthday party,...

　　Mina

　　...and after we had a nice, fancy dinner,...

　　Mina

　　...each of us had to pay for our own share.

　　Mina

　　I mean, in Korea, on such an occasion,...

　　Mina

　　...the birthday girl or boy,...

　　Mina

　　...usually buys drinks or whatever for the whole group...

　　Mina

　　...and in return gets nice birthday presents!

　　Alex

　　I see.

　　Alex

　　As far as I know, after that first round...

　　Alex

　　...the next person goes to the bar and buys another round, right?

　　Alex

　　Well, we do say "Let's go Dutch" often.

　　Alex

　　Obviously, it doesn't mean, "Let's take a plane and go to the Netherlands,"...

　　Alex

　　...it means we'll go out together but each person will pay his own share.

　　Alex

　　It's also called "Dutch treat."

　　Alex

　　I like this sort of system, since there are no obligations.

　　Alex

　　I don't like to feel as though just because someone spent...

　　Alex

　　...30 bucks on me at dinner tonight...

　　Alex

　　...that I will have to remember to spend exactly 30 dollars on that person the next time we meet.