Getting in Dutch

Good morning,

After a brief, “you’re heading off to work” conversation with Mrs. OGV this morning where the term “Dutch treat” came up, it has got me to thinking about the applications of that phrase.

Forgive my indulgences, but isn’t that term offensive to the Dutch? I mean, its basically saying if one is Dutch, he or she is too cheap to buy lunch for others. I read somewhere that the term “Indian Giver” was offensive to Native Americans, so wouldn’t this fall into the same area of cultural taboo?

I also have to wonder what happens if one is in Holland and goes to a business lunch? Doesn’t the host treat by picking up the tab? Maybe not and that is accepted practice and their custom. Maybe I need to check out this thought a little further. Maybe I should travel there to investigate my hypothesis. You know, that would be the ethical and scientific thing to do. D’ya think Mrs. OGV would buy that I’m traveling to Holland in the name of scientific research?

You’re right. She probably wouldn’t, but it was worth at least a passing thought.

Another idea on this comes up when dealing with something such as Blue Bell’s Dutch Chocolate ice cream. Does its name imply that nobody can buy that for anybody else? That would be a real crime as the ice cream flavor is a delectable and tasty treat. See, there’s that word “treat” popping up one more time!

Again, forgive my little mental rant on the subject of Dutch Treat. It doesn’t really sound like much of a treat at all. However, with all the negative publicity Europeans have been taking in recent days over editorial cartoons, I figure the good and honest Dutch folks could really appreciate a little diversion.

OGV