Call that a birthday?

For one night I can forget I have to cook dinner and forget that I was on a diet. I was told he must call his sister first to inform her he was bringing a guest and that the party would start at 21.00 hours. As expected we arrived at his sister’s home at 20.55 and a sweet little girl opened the door and shook our hands as we entered the home. As I walked into the living room I noticed everyone sitting in a semicircle either talking or watching television. Surprised by the arrangement of the room I asked myself, ‘Where is the party? How exciting is this, everyone is sitting just talking?’ We were first offered a coffee or tea, then either a slice of cream cake or apple pie, after that hors d ‘oeuvres or another serving of coffee or tea, and finally, a beer. All this time I was sitting there while everyone was speaking in Dutch, and wondering to myself, ‘Am I at a birthday party?’ In my country, we celebrate birthdays with music, a lot of food, snacks and games for the kids. After two hours I asking my friend, ‘Is this is the way Dutch people celebrate their birthdays?’ He responded, ‘Yes, we celebrate our birthdays in a civilized way.’ Civilized or not, I got my Dutch birthday experience, but I did not get my anticipated ice cream, see the birthday girl blow out the candles on her birthday cake, or dance. So as for attending another Dutch birthday party… I think I will politely decline. Ryan Baseanoo, PhD Student at the Land Degradation Group, from Trinidad and Tobago