I don’t think so. I think the AA system is fair to us. We pay for what we consume. It will neither cause trouble to others nor give others a bad impression.
AA system is often popular in foreign countries, but it may not be so common in China. I think it's a matter of concept. Foreigners have more advanced ideas and pursue freedom and equality. Therefore, generally friends’ gatherings and other events are in the AA system, which is fair. However, Chinese people have more traditional ideas and pay more attention to human relations culture. I think inviting each other to dinner is a way to express friendly feelings towards each other. Some people may think that the AA system can make people feel that they don't like to owe others favors, which is a bit indifferent. But I personally feel that today is a free and equal society, and the AA system is fair and does not lead to indifference in friendship.
Some people in China pay attention to the fact that a country with civilized and traditional culture is also a very humane country. People like to treat each other to dinner to express their friendliness to each other. Usually when there is a happy event at home or something, I always like to invite friends over for dinner or go out for a party. Then when checking out every order, one person pays. This culture makes people feel very humane. If you invite us to dinner tomorrow, I will invite you to dinner next time. This situation is common.
However, with the development of society, this good form seems to have changed a bit. For example, this often happens to us. Every time a dinner party between friends is over, it’s time to pay. Everyone took out their wallets and scrambled to pay. But there are not that many people who actually want housing. The reasons for unwillingness to pay include that one's own financial conditions are not that good, or that funds are not so easy to turn over due to some unexpected situation recently, or that one feels it is unfair and unwilling. If you don't act so proactively, you may be called stingy or stingy by others. This can be said to be an act of moral kidnapping. This is where the benefits of the AA system come into play.
Gatherings between friends follow the AA system. It is fair for everyone to pay for their own consumption, and no one will be unwilling. In this way, it will not appear that people are not willing to pay the full amount, but they have to bite the bullet and pay due to moral and public opinion reasons. As a result, I will not be willing to have dinner with friends in the future, which will hurt my feelings. Therefore, I think the AA system is not about the indifference of friendship between friends. In turn, the AA system is a way of protecting friendship. Of course, if you have good financial conditions and are willing to invite friends to dinner, no one will stop you.
The most common example is a party between students. Because students are at a stage where they have no financial means, all consumption is provided by their parents. Therefore, when going to dinner parties, the AA system is often implemented, which is very fair. There won't be any embarrassing situation for everyone. It doesn't hurt friendships either.