Are the Dutch romantic? is my question.
To keep things going in a playful manner, comparisons between the students' motherland and their new homeland are constantly made during class.
The Dutch romantic? Mocking laughter everywhere.
The group - consisting of a Frenchman, a Spaniard, a Brazilian, an American, a Moldovan and a Kazakh, all with Dutch partners - is remarkably united. Dutch men in particular are not romantic.
At all.
What does romantic entail, I want to know in Dutch.
What follows is a list of global clichés, from a candlelit dinner and red roses, to long walks along the beach of Zandvoort.
So, if the Dutch are not romantic, which people are? Their own compatriots perhaps?
‘Moldovans certainly aren't', Ana burns her fellow countrymen.
‘Do you know what the Dutch find romantic?’ It suddenly dawns on the American Jodie. ‘The two of you on a bicycle. One on the bagagedrager.’ She looks as if she still has vivid memories of the hard bum from the "romantic" bike ride with her Dutch boyfriend Jeroen.
Once everyone understands what a bagagedrager is (a carrier), the group smiles in recognition. For the Dutch, the most uncomfortable thing imaginable is the epitome of romance.
I decide to play two Dutch songs on Spotify for them, both with the title Bagagedrager. One is by Gers Pardoel, the other by Spinvis. We read the lyrics while listening to the songs.
‘This is supposed to be romantic?’
Now they know for sure. The Dutch are the most unromantic people on earth. Even Moldovans are more romantic.
Listen to Bagagedrager by Gers Pardoel
Food lingo
Candlelit dinner - het diner bij kaarslicht
Romantic bike ride
Looking for a romantic bike ride with your loved one on the bagagedrager (or vice versa)? Take him/her/them to the Flevopark, where you find Proeflokaal ‘t Nieuwe Diep. On the shaded terrace you can drink anything they distill on site, but also Basque sidras and much more. Typical Amsterdam snacks such as gerookte osseworst (literally: smoked ox sausage) from Slagerij Louman are served with it.
’t Nieuwe Diep, Flevopark 13 Amsterdam-Oost. Open in spring and summer, Tuesday-Friday: 3 PM-8 PM, weekend: 1 PM-8 PM.