Another day - another PhD defense (and party). I am getting quite used to the format and the Dutchness of these events. The long speechifying, the elaborate gift giving (elaborate in the sense of the thought that goes into customising gifts rather than conspicious consumption) and the free bar. Did I mention the free bar? I have never been to an event in the UK with a free bar (I guess there must be some corporate hospitality gigs of that nature but I never moved in those circles and they generally have quite heavy security). In short I have never known anyone host an event in the UK with a free bar. It would be a recipe for bankruptcy - and there would be no-one left standing by 10pm.
But the Dutch do it - at their main life celebrations - and this seems to go against their renowned circumspection with money. (Belgians will describe this characteristic rather less charitably). Most Dutch people will admit that it is a national characteristic to try to save money whenever possible - looking for the best deal (voordeel, aanbeiding - they have many words for this concept).
So it puzzles me that Dutch people are prepared to write out blank cheques for the bar. At one similar event recently people were given (a reasonably generous number of) drinks vouchers and I am get the impression now that this might have seemed like penny pinching - although it seems very sensible to a Brit.
So can any of my Dutch reader explain this paradox?
ps. I have come to realise that this system works on a "give em enough rope" principle and that anyone incapable of wending their way home on a bicycle after one of these events is thought of as a soundrel and waster. So yours truly was alternating beers with soft drinks all night to avoid sullying his reputation. Whose party was it again?
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4 comments:
Hi Nick,
I think it has something to do with making sure people showing up. When a Dutchie can get a free drink (preferably more then one) he will come. Same goes for food. You could say that it has to do with saving money.
Remember the last training we had organised for the Keibi group in Zeist? a lot of them showed up, simply be cause there would be a BBQ organised by the center keeper. In this case we used it as a motivation to get as many Keibi as possible to attend the training. Although I find it a pitty that one has to use this kind luring to get members to attend a training they need to follow in the first place. It's nice when there will be free drinks and food but it shouldn't be the main reason to show up. This goes also for parties trown by graduate students. ALthough Students in general tend to care more about drinking (power drinking) then studing.
Anyways, when you trow a party it's quite normal here that the party trower pays the bill. No matter what it will cost in the end. That's why they often buy off the drinks. They pay upfront a certain ammount of money and when it's gone , often most of the guest are drunk and on their way home or lying under the table anyways. It's a good way of controling the costs and making sure your guests don't drink to much since fter the money is gone they usaly have to pay themselfs.
Greetz,
André
You're right, if there were free bars in the UK that's exactly what would happen - bankruptcy and everyone legless. The most we usually extend to is a single glass of wine. And the same principle applies - offer something free (even if it's worth virtually nothing) and everyone comes piling in. There's something about the word FREE that mesmerises people.
I think those Dutchies that went through PhD are exempted from penny penching after passing their defense! They are not many though so they are still the minority ;-)
-DP
Andre - I can't ever remember seeing a Dutch person lying under a table. It's just not done here. In the UK it's a badge of honour (especially if you didn't spend any money all night). But I am hardly ever here on Queen's Day - so perhaps next week I have that "pleasure" to come.
DP - sure they are a minority but this practice also applies to weddings, major anniversaries and birthdays (i.e 30-40, and no I won't mention the impending next one) too.
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