At the previously mentioned dinner (you did read the previous blog, didn't you?) I watched other people and listened in to snippets of their conversation. I was intrigued by the 'I've been everywhere woman' (Marg). There was a generous supply of soft drinks and a few people bought their choice of drink from the bar. Towards the end of the evening she suggested to Peter that she buy him a drink since he had paid for hers earlier. His response was that one was enough for him and he didn't need another.
Marg: But I owe you one.
Peter: No that's fine.
Marg: Let me pay you. (purse in hand)
Peter: No Really that's fine.
Marg: It's my shout (becoming insistent)
Peter: Oh all right. Cab sav then. (sigh)
Marg: Ah, now we're even stevens
[I couldn't resist saying, 'But his name is Peter!']
So I know the old Aussie custom of shouting and rounds. As a non drinker I've been careful to avoid such rituals. What if there are 6 people out together? Do you have to have 6 drinks to keep it 'even stevens'
And in this case Peter was forced to have more drinks than he wanted. (She was a very pushy woman -takes one to know one!)
But the bigger issue for me was Marg's inability to accept his paying for the first drink and leave it at that. It seemed hard for her to feel she was in his debt and she wanted to pay up. Made me think of so many times when it's not easy to accept something freely offered whether a compliment, an offer of help or the gift of God's grace so freely given.
Couldn't agree more. I don't understand this tit for tat thing either. If people say no, then leave it alone.
ReplyDeleteand also that whole 'if you give me a gift then I must give you one too.'
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