Tuesday, January 10, 2012

‘Let’s go Dutch’

My Pakistani colleague was thrilled when a new Western editor invited him to his birthday party at a posh club in Dubai. My colleague reached the club in a taxi and had a gala time. He also carried a nice gift. When the party was over, the editor cheerfully declared, “Thanks buddies for joining. Let’s go Dutch.” My colleague had to pay for his food. He thanked his stars he did not overindulge.
I have also come across such situations. I did mention to you about the “sexy sanyasin” I wanted to interview for my newspaper in Mumbai. She suggested meeting at a classy coffee house in South Mumbai. She had coffee and snacks and when the bill arrived, used her smile charm.
“Shall I pay?”
“Oh, so nice of you RR.”
Nice of me? Bull. My salary was peanuts those days, as ever.
Talking of misers (hey I am not, ask my true friends), I know of a guy who walked two hours around midnight in Chennai to save taxi fare. Just when he was about to reach home, he realized his pocket had been picked at a roadside tea shop.
I also remember visiting a “maha kanjoos” (king of misers) relative. I entered the restroom and shouted at my wife to switch on the light from outside as I could not see anything. “Stupid, the light is already on,” she answered. I noticed a dim, tiny bulb that was less radiant than a candle. The relative was “saving on electricity bill” this way.

28 comments:

  1. Lol too good. And birthday party should be paying the bill ya...that is basic courtesy!

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  2. Going dutch for a birthday party? In fact, I have attended one exactly like you mentioned. Luckily for me, it was not at a posh club. :)

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  3. I know a girl who painted her blue canvass shoes to black to make them look 'formal' for a presentation!

    and she was not poor btw :P

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  4. Interesting. I find it awful when people go to any length to scrimp a few rupees.

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  5. how do u manage to write such interesting stuff for years! kudos

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  6. he he he , I dont go to english parties any more because of this reason..
    it is funny when they come to our parties none of them say lets go dutch .. then they eat and drink as if no tomorrow ...

    Bikram's

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  7. That's ridiculously cheap. Asking someone to go Dutch for their birthday party. You are right, one has to be prepared for such eventualities. Poor you were put in a spot by that lady. When we were in college, we always Dutched. Never took advantage of our male friends :).

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  8. I guess thats typically "WE". I know a couple who shares 1 medium pizza from the PizzaHut and at the end complains that they can't manage to finish it. Needless to say that the wife eats a full course South Indian meal when prepared at home. Their logic is that eating out is more expensive than preparing the same at home.

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  9. I'm all for being economical but not at the expense of other people. We have an acquaintance who drives us mad by always being the last to put his hand in his pocket to pay for anything. The richest of us all he is the least generous. Anyway, a great post, I especially loved your lightbulb story.

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  10. I was in the US on a business trip and knew less of their parties. I was asked to meet over a few delegates at an Italian restaurant. I thought since it was their call the bill would be paid by them. Nooo.. A director from the group placed his 20$ bill and rest followed as the final check came to the table. I had no choice to but pay my share.. :/

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  11. Being a girl I never had to face this! But I am scared nevertheless. should always be equipped with cash and cards, you never know when "dutch" strikes

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  12. Going Dutch for birthday party? I am aware of going Dutch parties but never a birthday party!

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  13. its very common here in US too "dutch"..as people understand that,,, its weird though but it s part of their culture not us!
    we are opposite we will pay for others too even if they are unexpected guests or whatsoever...
    I feel weird when people give their credit-cards on the table when bill arrives!

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  14. Interesting,but, i think it was quite stupid.How can you invite people and expect them to go Dutch?

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  15. Dutch for a b'day party?? OMG!

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  16. Ya...Dutch for a self invited b'day party? Hmm nice idea...I wanna celebrate my b'day everyday...pl come n dutch and I will say- So nice of you Mr. Ramesh :) :)

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  17. Never heard of such Bday party before .Next time you are invited to such parties ,take along your tiffin box (ghar ka khana).
    Hope you are having a fabulous 2012 :)

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  18. hahahaha hilarious anecdotes :D
    going dutch on birthday party ROFL :P

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  19. hahaaaaa....what an idea Sir ji, to hav a party and then Go DUTCH......BTW taking "Ghar ka Khana" is a nice idea by Kavita ji here....:P

    And thanks for stopping by...:))

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  20. hahaha.. would like to meet that birthday friend..

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  21. ha ha ha !

    HAPPY PONGAL TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY

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  22. A good mix of hilarious situations

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  23. ROFL..me too lil bit kanjus!!!!!

    happy pongal!

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