After writing my post “10 Signs that You Are Dutch at Heart“, I asked readers on my Facebook page what they thought were signs of being Dutch at heart. I appreciate their willingness to help me out and their honesty on what it means to be Dutch at heart. At this rate, I’m starting to really feel almost genuinely Dutch! It’s wonderful feeling being taken “in”.
Here are their insightful responses:
“Doe maar normaal, dan doe je al gek genoeg” is a good addition. Translated : “Just act normal, that’s crazy enough.” Jan-Willem Van De Luijster
“More points: you use the word “lekker” whenever you can. Your throat doesn’t hurt anymore when pronuncing the Dutch “g”. You become intolerant of intolerance. You can actually explain what happens at Prinsjesdag. You start defending the Sinterclaas tradition, You actually ice skate on canals (something which is considered dangerous anywhere else). You can tell from a child’s name whether it is a girl or a boy.” Olga Mecking
“Another sign you’re Dutch at Heart would be ‘You love the Dutch speaking people south of the border, if only they would laugh a little more about our jokes at their expense’. Ronald van der Valk
“Despite a political shift in the last 10 years I would still say that ‘being Dutch’ is being openminded, being tolerate towards others cultures. For example being the first country to legalize same-sex marriages, making a distinction between soft and hard drugs and making it possible for adults to purchase marijuana (again unfortunately our open mindedness has changed since the beginning of this century) but I think its still in our heart.” Tijl Van de Sanden
“Another one is as soon as there’s a hint of ice forecast the ice skates are out (as I’m sat watching the Olympic skating).” Amanda Mulligan
“You are Dutch at heart if you have accepted orange as part of your wardrobe color scheme… On those specials days that the Dutch have a reason to celebrate something!” Caroline Hootman VanderWel
“#8 is very Swiss too, as is the typical “g” sound Olga mentioned. And I agree on the Sinterklaas opinion, the skating etc. mentioned by Amanda and Olga. I would add “doe normaal, dan doe je al gek genoeg” Ute Limacher-Riebold
“Yep, totally with you… Another one to add might be complaining about the weather.” Jo Hamperium
“Birthdays where everybody is sitting in a circle on chairs, eating cheese, sausage and cucumber.” Ellen Holtslag
“Addition: going “Dutch” on a date and finding that normal. Splitting costs with friends to the cents, and being happy about that status quo. Having a lot of wanderlust. And discussing many ordinary every-day decisions (poldermodel!) just cause you can.” Catherine Van Der Wielen
Here’s to Finding Dutchland, where ever you may be. Photos courtesy of my dear friend Melody Rae Photography
