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Go Dutch

Go Dutch English, baby! Video Lesson

Date: Sep 28 2010

Themes: Romance

Grammar: Present Progressive Tense

Intro

1. Learn Vocabulary - Learn some new vocabulary before you start the lesson.

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2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

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Traditionally, when American couples go out on a date, the man pays for everything. But that’s not always how it goes. Sometimes the woman will treat, and sometimes, they’ll split the cost, or go dutch.

When it comes time to pay for a meal or some drinks, it can be a little confusing if one person plans to go dutch and the other doesn’t. It’s common for friends to go dutch, and some couples like to do it, too. But if they haven’t been out before, there’s no way of knowing. See what happens when Jeff and Ella get the check after dinner.

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Dialog

1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.

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2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Jeff

Jeff

Ella

Ella

Waitress

Jeff:  That was quite enjoyable!

Ella:  Yeah! Great decision. I like this place a lot.

Waitress:  Here’s your bill.

Ella:  I’m so full!

Jeff:  That was great. It was worth every penny.

Ella:  I’m glad we got dessert.

Jeff:  Everything else is going good?

Ella:  Yeah! Just…just getting tired of the way things get changed up at work a little bit, but…what are you going to do.

Jeff:  Yeah. So, what’s the damage? That’s not bad. I was thinking we’d go dutch on this?

Ella:  What… what’s that?

Jeff:  Split it down the middle? [def ]Fifty-fifty[/def]?

Ella:  Perhaps…

Jeff:  You’re fine with that?

Ella:  Yeah… super chill.

Jeff:  What’s chill for you is chill for me!

Ella:  Yeah… totally.

Waitress:  Just split it down the middle?

Jeff:  Oh yeah. We’re going dutch tonight.

Waitress:  Great!

Ella:  Yay, dutch…

Jeff:  Perfect!

Ella:  Hello? Hey, oh my gosh. So, I’m still on my date here, and we had to go dutch. You know, like, split down the middle? Yeah! What the heck? He’s a lawyer! Is he cheap, or something? I don’t understand. Like, with Mason, I never had to pay for anything. He, like, paid for my student loans, like, there was no question. Like, what’s the deal here? What’s going on? Oh God, he’s coming back. Gotta go.

Jeff:  Alright! What’s up? What do you say?

Ella:  Oh, all good! Yeah!

Jeff:  On to the rest of the night!

Ella:  Yeah!

Jeff:  Let’s do it!

 

Grammar Point

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Quizzes

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Lesson MP3

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Discussion

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Jeff and Ella have a nice dinner together. When the check comes, she carefully pushes it toward him. Eventually he picks it up, looks at it, and suggests they go dutch and split the bill.

Ella agrees to go dutch, but clearly isn’t very happy about it. You can tell she doesn’t usually go dutch because Jeff has to explain to her what the phrase means. The phrase comes from Dutch doors, which open in the middle.

While Jeff is inside the restaurant for a moment, Ella calls a friend to complain about what just happened. She is reminded of Mason, who spent money on her freely when he was trying to date her.

Who pays when you go out? In what circumstances do you think is it appropriate to go dutch?

 

Comments

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kings4life

kings4life

Ghana

Yeah! That’s a good thought but don’t do it.

02:27 PM Sep 28 2010 |

hraza

hraza

Pakistan

If I will go out with my girl friend I will pay for everything.but If I go out for party with my friends then I will go dutch.With our friend every time we will not go dutch.One day I will pay and the other day he will pay.

01:48 PM Sep 28 2010 |

rebel lee

rebel lee

China

If I go out with a girl, of course I will pay for everything. That's what a man should do. So under no circumstances a guy should go dutch with a girl.

 

01:12 PM Sep 28 2010 |

laura329

laura329

China

I originally think in every country,men pay for the bill when dating on a girl for the first time.It's polite to do this.

12:32 PM Sep 28 2010 |

miss_eos

miss_eos

Viet Nam

it's not easy to address this. But for me, I'm kind of sympathy enough to split with the boy. However, It's more ideal if girls are not the one to be responsible for part of or all the damage.

11:37 AM Sep 28 2010 |

amir226

Iran, Islamic Republic Of

same my countryCool

09:04 AM Sep 28 2010 |

Zaccarias

Zaccarias

Brazil

When I was dating, I used to pay everything. But about Ella… She made her choice! Now I hope she learn the lesson without murmuring.

07:51 AM Sep 28 2010 |

gokuh

gokuh

India

I think , it is a great idea,going dutch is the gud word for the guys who doesnot want to pay the huge bills while on date, by the way if both have their jobs, then they should go dutch. so as to reduce the burden of one’s pocket. ha ha.lol

07:11 AM Sep 28 2010 |

tamago

tamago

Japan

of course I always pay for a girl ,there's no doubt that men pay for women.but in this case, I  might don't pay for someone like Ella  .she is so fuuny and cute but… you know what I mean ,all men ?

06:21 AM Sep 28 2010 |

tereshin

tereshin

Russian Federation

Oh my God! I am very occasionally go dutch when I go to date with girls. And there is not 50-50 such it is in this dialog. If I view the damage and I haven't enough money ($0.1-$0.3)I offer to go datch and lend me these money obviously. 

05:37 AM Sep 28 2010 |

trailo_hathanh

Viet Nam

Yes, Go dutch or not might depend on the culture. In my Vietnam country, when the man is trying on date with the girl he like, he totally pays for everything when they go out especially the first time.

When they go out before, it might different the girl can pay but no go dutch. Normally the man will treat. Cool

03:55 AM Sep 28 2010 |

Katy Katy

Katy Katy

Russian Federation

Oh my God….very shame and stupid..in our country boy pays for a girl in any case ( whether it be friend or lover)...

02:04 AM Sep 28 2010 |

phamhaquyen147

Viet Nam

it's not so fair as only gays pay the bill. but it represent the politeness. Hence, somtimes, I buy sth before the date and we eat together.

02:02 AM Sep 28 2010 |

OLDDY COWBoY

China

In our Chna,it's always the man pay the cost of date.

01:16 AM Sep 28 2010 |

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