Back in the 35mm days, the 50mm was the default lens focal length. It was believed that it allows for most shooting styles with some compromise. That assumption was based under the dominant aesthetic of the time (60's and 70's IIRC).
In the 80's, consumer cameras (such as the Olympus Trip) came equipped with a 35mm lens. This made it easier to use them in social situations, where it's more likely you'll be up close to the sujbects.
So yes, a 50mm equivalent lens will fit most shooting opportunities. In your case, with a cropped sensor, that would mean a 35mm.
A 50mm would become a 75mm equivalent on your DX, you'll feel you'll need a lot more room between you and your subjects (compared to a 35mm or a 18mm). It's a focal length I find particularly useless: not telephoto enough for close-ups, not wide enough for general photography.
If you're after bokeh, I'd recommend a full sensor and a 135mm macro lens. Beautiful bokeh is a factor of the shape of the aperture blades and the focal length. While the "maximum bokeh" of a 35mm at f/1 might be as big as the one from, say, a 135mm f/4, you'll notice a sharp transition from in focus to out of focus on the 35mm, while a smooth gradient on a 135mm. Since changing sensor paradigms is a harsh move, I'd rent a 100mm macro f/4 (or better) to check if this is really what you expect.
If you like the aesthetics of 80's pictures, I'd recommend a 35mm equivalent focal length (around 18mm for the DX). This allows you to shoot closer to subjects as well as include more of the environment on your shots (specially useful for "classic" travel photography, where your significant other stands in the foreground and the landscape/building/landmark in the background).