Most Dutch children already opened their presents as it is Sinterklaas in the Netherlands (they are 12 hours behind in time on NZ)
I have fond memories of Sinterklaas just as the children here have of father Christmas. In the Netherlands however it is a big celebration as in the weeks
before Sint and Piet arrive by boat or horse in the city and towns. They are on TV and there are movies made about them.
Here you can read
all about it. So prettige Sinterklaas to all the Dutch and here a poem about the Dutch my brother send me.
It is also about stereotyping which I come across often. A couple of weeks I had the honour to read a poem at a poetry/story night organised by a friend an others. Afterwards someone said
"That poem was romantic and you are Dutch. The Dutch aren't romantic" Never heard that one before. Do you get stereotyped?
Too cool!
ReplyDeleteDat is een grappig gedicht, heeft hij het zelf gemaakt? De rode broeken zijn een verwijzing naar de "Gooise bewoners"? Dus wij zijn niet romantisch, mooi is dat, hoe komen ze daar nou bij! Een fijne avond nog.
ReplyDeleteGroeten, Marianne
I weet niet of hij het zelf gemaakt heft Ik zal het vragen. Oh ik vroeg me al af van die rode broeken daar heb ik ook nog nooit van gehoord. Groetjes
DeleteHi Marja - we have different takes on life ... and that needs to be recognised. I know we don't necessarily laugh at the same things as our continental friends ... our humour is 'different' ... but still as adults we shouldn't be so blunt!! Also we speak English .. and so we often end up communicating in their 2nd or perhaps even 3rd language ... love the poem though .. and having SinterKlaas is definitely a Dutch tradition ... cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteHi Hilary Yes people have different takes on life and different habits but at the core I think we are all the same. I have friends from many nationalities and see mostly sameness and learn about the difference as a part of the people.
DeleteI think being blunt is not good but many Dutch people are simply more direct and open. People know that about me they accept it and some even say that it is easier to work out differences if you can talk about it. I love talking in my own language when I get the opportunity, only one on one. Language is culture and a part of your being. The Maori became very depressed when they took their language. They took their identity. Their is so much locked up in words. I learn so much from their language. My favourate word arohanui doesn't mean only lots of love it means a sort of interrelationship between everything. I love many of their concepts and therefore would love to learn more of their language. Sinterklaas is celebrated in Holland Belgian and part of France, variations of it are celebrated in many parts of Europe.
Heb er smakelijk om kunnen lachen :-) Hoop dat jij ook een fijne Sinterklaas hebt gehad. Ik heb gedobbeld met vriendinnen en (te) veel Sint-lekkernijen op!
ReplyDeleteGedobbeld? Voor pakjes of zo and ja mmm lekkernijen
DeleteJa, voor cadeautjes. We hadden alledrie kleine presentjes gekocht, die voor iedereen leuk waren. Alles ingepakt op een stapel gelegd, en om de beurt gedobbeld. Op elke kant van de dobbelsteen staan opdrachten, zoals geef allemaal een pakje door naar de rechter buurvrouw, pak een cadeautje van de stapel af, of geef een cadeautje van een ander, aan iemand anders. Om het kwartier een wekker gezet en als die afging, mocht iedereen een cadeautje van haar eigen stapeltje uitpakken. Ik heb onder andere een sharpie, kaarsen en douchegel gekregen. De sint lekkernijen zijn op, nu kunnen we verder met de kerstkransjes...
Deletewat een leuk idee zeg. Zal wel lachen geweest zijn. Ja veel zoetigheid deze maand. Wij hebben geen kerstkransjes hier maar hebben wel een kersttol
Deleteop de kop kunnen tikken
It is strange how we as nations form opinions over other people in their nations.. One I have thankfully never done.. I always greet and treat others as I find them.. regardless of where they are from.. And thank you for introducing me to Sint and Piet... Wishing you a wonderful Weekend Marja.. and many thanks for you most welcome visits :-) xxxx
ReplyDeleteYes we should treat all people the same .We are all the same and different at the same time. Thanks for the latter otherwise life would be boring. I love to discover people like finding out what makes them tick and discovering new cultures. Moving to another country enriched me. I am able to keep the good of mine and take on the good of my new culture. I am now a real dutchkiwi
DeleteLove visiting you. You are an inspiration