I've heard that in China, traditionally, if you are asked out for a meal at a restaurant, you should let your host pay. To offer to pay your share, or 'go Dutch' would cause them to lose 'face'. Is this true? All over China? And if so, are things changing?
2007-08-19 00:03:31 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Travel ➔ Asia Pacific ➔ China
Ha ha -- just a note about 'going Dutch'. In Holland, it's called 'Going American'!
2007-08-19 10:49:48 · answer #1 · answered by Sarrafzedehkhoee 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Don't offer to pay. If it is a big dinner and your host is poor, slip some money in their pocket when you are by yourselfs so he doesn't "loose face". Meals are cheep in China and there are no tips so it is not such a big deal. Never offer to go Dutch, but make it up to them some other way. The Chinese are very generous and hospitable. You are expected to be the same.
2007-08-19 20:22:33 · answer #2 · answered by Texas Cowboy 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Traditionally, the eldest brother in the family pays when it is in family gathering or else the richest one pays.
When in other ocassions, whoever hosts the meal pays. But male is the one who pays for female, unless the female is his boss while may be the company pays it. It is rude if you asked "go Dutch" - whether you're the guest or the host, the host pays.
In Chinese custom there is no "go Dutch" this concept, Chinese believe if you do not have money in your wallet, you don't ask people out to have dinner but invite them to your house and put the best thing you have on the table to serve them. The guests would buy something as gifts whenever they visit somebodies.
Nowadays, group of friends would "go dutch" to share the bills of the meals, drinks, tickets.. etc., but still not many of this would happen when in dating cases.
2007-08-19 07:54:03 · answer #3 · answered by Aileen HK 6 · 3⤊ 1⤋
If you're invited by a Chinese do not even attempt to pay for your share or even the whole bill, you will cause the host to lose face if you even contribute one RMB. It's just a rule in China with the Chinese. If you go out with Westerners it's totally okay to "go Dutch", but never ever with the Chinese.
2007-08-20 02:28:26 · answer #4 · answered by lihanmu 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well it's changing all rite, but it's always best to let ur host pay for the first meal when ur in china coz tat makes them feel better, more important. then u should have a talk with ur host and talk about the dutch problem.
2007-08-19 07:41:17 · answer #5 · answered by Elliott22 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you are invited to a dinner by your business partner, they would not expect that you pay. However if you go out with young people, or friends of of your age, it is always nice to suggest to go dutch. Young Chinese are accepting American custom quickly.
2007-08-19 22:44:47 · answer #6 · answered by Tai 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely if you invite someone for a meal you pay for them. You are the host and to do anything else would embarass your guest and you
2007-08-19 13:45:23 · answer #7 · answered by isotope2007 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is a tradition. So if you are in China, go along with them.
If you invite them for a meal, be prepared to pay for it.
2007-08-20 04:02:11 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it's really depends on whose u go out wt 4 the nite. i dun c it that way. cos i went to china quite often especially shanghai & peking. young people there nowadays act like us. go dutch is just a normal thing.
2007-08-19 23:44:27 · answer #9 · answered by NMS HKG 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
going dutch would be fine as long as you are out with friends and that you have an understand for doing so from the beginning.
yes, times are changing.
2007-08-19 08:57:43 · answer #10 · answered by thinker 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋