It never takes long for my students to start talking about their beloved topic, being their outlook on the Netherlands and the Dutch.
Máxima from Argentina kicks off with an all-encompassing listing: ‘Grote mensen, kleine woordjes en koude lunches.’ (Tall people, small words and cold lunches)
But she has more.
‘Did you notice bags dangling from flagpoles on Dutch people’s homes at the beginning of each summer?’
In fact, both Irma from Colombia and Rubem from Brazil had noticed this, but what does it mean?
’When Dutch high school pupils pass their final exams’, Máxima explains, ‘parents hang their school bags on a flagpole outside their window. Zo vrolijk!’ (So cheerful)
All react enamored.
Speaking of windows, Irma noticed their overall importance to the Dutch.
To show that there is a newborn in the house, for instance, they place a plush stork in the window.
Moreover, they hang garlands and balloons in front of it when it's someone's birthday, or orange and red-white-and-blue flags when the Dutch football team is playing at the European or World Cup.
At Christmas stars and lights hang in front of the windows, and bunnies and hazel tree branches decorated with colored eggs fill the windowsill at Easter.
Irma loves these little traditions.
Rubem, meanwhile, heard that when someone turns 50, family members put a larger-than-life doll by the window, Sarah for a woman, Abraham for a man. ‘It means this person has seen either Sarah or Abraham and is from then on officially old.’
That Dutch people keep their living room curtains open after dark is common knowledge. Yet, all this makes me think, it’s as if the Dutch not only allow passersby a livestream into their daily lives, but also use their windows as a news outlet.
“Baby born today.”
“Mom 50 years old.”
I suddenly realize, ‘It’s old school Social Media!’
And once again, I learned something new about my own compatriots.
Food lingo
Mushroom - de paddenstoel
Pulpo - de octopus
Veal tongue - de kalfstong
Garlands
While (good) Argentinian, Brazilian and Colombian restaurants are still quite scarce in Amsterdam, there has been a surge of Mexican taquerias in the last years. Especially in the northern part of town. One of the best is Bacalar, a chaotic, lively and cozy place full of candles and Mexican garlands. Tucked away in a former garage set in an industrial zone, the taqueria serves tostadas (toasted or deep-fried tortillas) and freshly made tacos with toppings like veal tongue, hen of the woods mushrooms or pulpo. Eat with your hands and have a shot of mescal with it. Or else one of the excellent wines.
Bacalar, Chrysantenstraat 4 Amsterdam. Open: Fri 6 - 10 PM, Sat-Sun 12 noon - 10 PM.