A few years ago, I was your typical office-worker: stressed out, uneven energy, overweight, and inconsistent complexion. Now I'm just your typical 28-year old urban hunter-gatherer on a quest to be healthy, and having a few adventures along the way. See my full bio.
Two people, two rounds of drinks, two scenarios.
Scenario #1: Each person buys his own drinks.
Scenario #2: One person buys the first round, and the second person buys the next round.
Same number of drinks, same dollar amount. But the two people most likely derive more value from the second scenario.
The second scenario seem to result from frequent, unimportant interactions with each other (roommates, siblings) or rare, important interactions with each other (old friends reunited, first time meeting).
Comments
People like to be nice to
People like to be nice to each other, even when it's the same thing behind the scenes. I have a friend who I meet for lunch regularly, and we take turns buying it. So far, so good, and we both leave feeling great.BTW, when I was young and was paid far less than my more experienced counerparts, my boss gave me awesome advice after I'd just given a presentation at a hotel. Get to the lobby bar early, and wait for a few people to join you. Buy the first round when the crowd is small. Everyone is charmed by your generousity and the rest of the night (and its big ticket rounds) are on the rich guys! I silently thank my boss to this day, because it really helped make me one of the guys.Roland
When I was much younger -
When I was much younger - Scenario #1. Now that I'm much older, I tell the bartender to put it all on one tab. When the bill arrives, if it's $100, we'll both be grabbing for it and I'll tell the bartender to "Put 70 bucks on my card", My companion will argue that I"m paying too much but I say "You pay $50 and twenty dollars will be the tip". It always works out somehow, but then I do 90% of my drinking at home.
I try to buy the first time
I try to buy the first time not matter what the situation. Not because I am the big spender, but I hate it when everyone tries to figure out their share, the tip etc. This way it just relieves the pressure. Sometimes I come out ahead and sometimes I come out behind, but I don't worry about it. Sometimes there are people that take advantage, but eventually they are no longer invited!
If I'm Michael Scott I buy
If I'm Michael Scott I buy the first round and we both get beers. You buy the second round, you get a beer, I get 25 year old one malt Scotch ;)
Heh. Drunk Grit says who's
Heh. Drunk Grit says who's tab is open? The person you don't talk to paid for your drinks. Now what? Mind you, with no guaranteee they would get the $$$ back...
You're assuming everyone is
You're assuming everyone is drinking something of equal price. When you're out with a bunch of broke grad students and engage in Scenario #2, being the guy who drinks the $5/drink hard liquor rather than the $2/bottle beer can add up to some social tension over the fact that others spent more on your drinks than you did on theirs.
I agree. I tend to stick
I agree. I tend to stick more paleo-friendly drinks (ciders, tequila on the rocks), while most of my friends are light beer guys. When they're buying, I feel douchey and guilty for ordering a more expensive drink, and if I go with something cheaper just to honor social norms I just get bitter that these kinds of social norms exist and then angry with myself for giving into them. On the other hand, if we're talking about long time friends, then these interactions go back-and-forth over a longer period of time and extend beyond mere drinks to various other things. A little asymmetry in the drink department, while seemingly significant at the moment, probably doesn't really add up, and may even be outweighed by some other exchange. Ok, that's enough over-thinking for today.