Annie and Cole go to a pub.  Cole pays the bill; Annie says "I'll get the next one."

If Annie has a sense of fairness, then she will reciprocally pay the bill next time.

As it happens, Annie doesn't have any such sense.

Her room gets cold at night; he lends her a space heater.

She lost her headphones; he lends her his spares.

The weather turns very cold; he lends her his gloves.

She wants to put a nail in the wall; he buys a hammer.

The list goes on.

Annie comes home one evening with groceries.  Cole is a little short on food this day and a little hungry.

"Can I have one of your fish cakes?" asks Cole.

"What, you think I owe you something?" Annie snaps.

"But, well, I made you dinner last night, and paid the bill at the pub-"

"Oh fine, have the bloody fish cake. God." She leaves, shutting the door hard behind her.

...

"I think I'll just go to sleep."

This is not a reciprocal relationship, materially speaking.  It's more like an altruistic one.

Rec`i*proc"i*ty (?), n. [Cf. F. r'eciprocit'e. See Reciprocal.]

1.

Mutual action and reaction.

2.

Reciprocal advantages, obligations, or rights; reciprocation.

Reciprocity treaty, ∨ Treaty of reciprocity, a treaty concluded between two countries, conferring equal privileges as regards customs or charges on imports, or in other respects.

Syn. -- Reciprocation; interchange; mutuality.

 

© Webster 1913.

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