Nieuws - 23 februari 2012

Call that a birthday?

tekst:: Gastredacteur

Typical Dutch

A friend invited me to his niece's birthday party and I was really excited about experiencing a Dutch birthday celebration.

Hmm a birthday party: cake, ice cream, music, games, food and drinks. How can I pass up that offer? 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 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
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