Just a little bit of social commentary in this one. I always find it funny how even the most educated and empowered women often force themselves into restrictive concepts of femininity when they feel that society demands it. And what better time to restrict yourself than on a date?
‘Going Dutch’, for those of you who aren’t native English speakers, is a figure of speech meaning a couple will split the cost of the bill in half. It’s one of those ‘politically incorrect’ terms: a rather blatant poke at the spectacular cheapness of the Dutch, which is second only to the spectacular cheapness of the Scots.
As I understand it, “Dutch” in such English phrases means ‘ersatz’ rather than ‘cheap’; thus “Dutch courage” is the kind of fake courage that comes from a still, a “Dutch wife” is a hot water bottle (to keep me warm at night), and a “Dutch treat” (the ancestral form of the usage here) is not a treat at all.
True – in all those phrases. But in ‘Going Dutch,’ it really does mean ‘cheap’. Jokes at the expense of the Dutch, though, are good no matter what their nature. ‘Dutch’ is its own punch line!
Well, good to know that there’s some truth to the tale. And it’s not like cheap is necessarily a bad thing, I guess. I mean, you can’t really criticize the Dutch for their cheapness when they happen to have one of the most prosperous nations in the world, right?
I am living close to the Netherlands border and we dont have jokes about the “Cheeseheads” although at sports Events you see a lot of them wearing cheese hats. But im pretty sure they have a lot jokes about the “moffs” and still some bitterness.
We have our “Schwaben”. They kicked out the People who are too happy spending Money. Those People colonized Scotland then…
Don’t let a Dutchman hear they are second to *anyone* in cheapness. They’ll think that’s an aspersion on their “zuinig” character…
Dutch cheapness is a great source for laughs though, especially to Belgians, who share their language but not the cheapness. I happen to be both, which is great, because it means its PC for me to make the jokes… :p
My Wife (of Scottish ancestry) could probably give any Dutchman a run for his money on the cheapness front. Wait, do cheap people give runs for their money? I mean, that sounds expensive!
For the record, on my first home date with my bf, he made me pot roast, and ate all mine and asked for seconds. I did tell him I was carbing up for a marathon, though.
@EG: Really? Raw carrots and milk are one of my favorite snacks. I grab one or two and pour myself a glass when I get home from work. If carrots don’t taste sweet to you, you are eating too much sugar.
As I understand it, “Dutch” in such English phrases means ‘ersatz’ rather than ‘cheap’; thus “Dutch courage” is the kind of fake courage that comes from a still, a “Dutch wife” is a hot water bottle (to keep me warm at night), and a “Dutch treat” (the ancestral form of the usage here) is not a treat at all.
True – in all those phrases. But in ‘Going Dutch,’ it really does mean ‘cheap’. Jokes at the expense of the Dutch, though, are good no matter what their nature. ‘Dutch’ is its own punch line!
Oh, and I’ve always understood “Dutch treat” to mean each party pays their own, not that the bill is split evenly.
Well, I guess that makes sense. That way, if you’re really cheap, you can order a water.
Somehow you neglected to mention the “Dutch oven”.
I suppose you probably had your reasons.
It isn’t like the Dutch are the only ones who have had to put up with that sort of mockery. Look up “Welsh Rarebit”.
I’m Dutch. Cheap is cheap. My grandmother could scrape more butter OFF the bread with the knife than she put on it in the first place.
And a hot water bottle could be considered a cheap wife…
Well, good to know that there’s some truth to the tale. And it’s not like cheap is necessarily a bad thing, I guess. I mean, you can’t really criticize the Dutch for their cheapness when they happen to have one of the most prosperous nations in the world, right?
I am living close to the Netherlands border and we dont have jokes about the “Cheeseheads” although at sports Events you see a lot of them wearing cheese hats. But im pretty sure they have a lot jokes about the “moffs” and still some bitterness.
We have our “Schwaben”. They kicked out the People who are too happy spending Money. Those People colonized Scotland then…
Dutch people are cheap. Scottish people are cheap. If you crossbred them, you’d get the cheapest people of all time.
Don’t let a Dutchman hear they are second to *anyone* in cheapness. They’ll think that’s an aspersion on their “zuinig” character…
Dutch cheapness is a great source for laughs though, especially to Belgians, who share their language but not the cheapness. I happen to be both, which is great, because it means its PC for me to make the jokes… :p
My Wife (of Scottish ancestry) could probably give any Dutchman a run for his money on the cheapness front. Wait, do cheap people give runs for their money? I mean, that sounds expensive!
Challenge accepted!
I wonder if Puck has ever read a Superman comic.
(Sorry. I had nothing original to say here, so I went for a Great White style musing. He seems to like Superman alot.)
@CH
Robin does not, repeat, DOES NOT own a Smart Phone.
(in homage to Greg White, I figured I, also, would be totally irrelevant)
For my girlfriend and I, going Dutch is just a way to not argue over who will pay the bill. We both want to pay it.
Well, hey, whatever keeps the peace!
For the record, on my first home date with my bf, he made me pot roast, and ate all mine and asked for seconds. I did tell him I was carbing up for a marathon, though.
Hard to carb up with a pot roast.
Yeah, well, he makes his with lots of carrots and potatoes. He didn’t call me on it. He’s like all cooks, he loves to see people eat his cooking.
People have told me there’s lots of sugar in carrots. If there is, I can think of WAY better ways to get my sugar fix.
@EG: Really? Raw carrots and milk are one of my favorite snacks. I grab one or two and pour myself a glass when I get home from work. If carrots don’t taste sweet to you, you are eating too much sugar.
Raw carrots and milk? I am not going to judge. Except that I am.
@Susan
Carrots are SATAN’S vegetable.
Blarghhhhhh…..
We don’t even know we’re doing it.
Yahoo Serious? Surely you can’t be serious.
I’d finish the joke but it doesn’t work as well in print.
Scots aren’t cheap. They are thrifty.
Englishmen are cheap.
Scots are smart. With money and many other things.