Even More Warning Signs of Becoming Dutch
Have you started picking up Dutch habits? Have you started thinking like a Dutch person? Do you think you might actually be becoming Dutch person? If the answer is yes here is part three of our warning signs to look out for:
You Might Be Becoming Dutch If…
(Part 3)
1) You’ve unintentionally freak out your non-European friends by automatically kissing them on the cheek three times when saying hello.
2) You’ve also experienced that confusing moment that happens when you give your European, non-Dutch friends the incorrect number of cheek kisses.
3) You’ve realized that when queuing in Holland there are no rules, only survivors.
4) The locks on your bicycle are more valuable than your bicycle itself.
5) But you’ve had your bicycle stolen.
6) You’ve finally accepted that the word ‘gezellig’ will never be translated into your own language.
7) You have become brave enough to try the extra sour Dutch drop and are able to do so without pulling a face.
8) You own a pair of fluffy clog slippers purely to be ironic.
9) You’ve used a bakfiets to transport beer.
10) You know what a bakfiets is.
11) You’ve muttered the word ‘tourists‘ under your breath in annoyance when walking around Amsterdam.
12) You know the difference between a Dutch coffee shop and ‘a Dutch coffee shop’.
13) You’ve started using Dutch-isms when speaking your own language.
14) The Dutch have told you that you’ve been around too long to still be considered an expat but don’t have a suggestion of an alternative designation for you.
Think you might be becoming English? Check out the list of Warning Signs That You Are Becoming English.
#11, it only took me 1 week before I did that!
That long? :p
I spent most of the beginning fixing the apartment *making up excuses* :D
I’m wearing my ironic fuzzy clogs and wishing the rest didn’t make quite so much sense… sigh.
I only came up with it because I also own a pair of ironic clog slippers.
I don’t deal well with people getting up in my face, so the 3 kiss thing has become a bit..interesting. When I see someone coming at me, I tend to leap backwards with a look of wild terror in my eyes and stick my hand out. This causes some confusion with some Dutch people, many of whom just grab my hand and pull it, pulling me off center and ending in an even more traumatic personal space invasion while others just shake my hand and look at me funny. Even worse, I have found myself doing this when I visit home, which is strange because people don’t shake every person’s hand there that they meet. Even more bizarre for them is when I try to shake hands with small children..
I’ve had similar dilemmas. My wife has younger female cousin in their teenage years. At what age are you supposed to start doing the kiss cheek thing with them? When does it stop being weird and it acceptable? Or am I just over thinking it because I am English?
I have voted for you Stuart. Good luck.
I think the 3 kiss thing still freaks the dragon keeper out but he takes it like a man. Me I’m fine with it.
I can understand still finding it weird.
I just voted for you not because I am a fan but because I checked out the other Weblog’s and I admit yours is of the better. So, the vote is deserved.
I being a proud tourist and frequent visitor of The Netherlands does own a pair of fluffy clog slippers. They are fun and comfortable to where. ::Mutters the word Expats under his tongue in annoyance::
Thank you very much Andrew for your kind comment :)
We’re on our second pair of fuzzy klompen. :)
Second?! No question about it; you are Dutch :p
#2 is often a toss-up in France as well: depending on the region, the number of kisses could be 2, 3, 4 or (in Corsica) 5!
As it is, I’ve learned that American-style bear hugs lead to incredibly awkward moments…
I am an American, and those bear hugs are incredible awkward. Especially when you haven’t gotten to know someone yet.
5? They are just getting greedy.
Most my friends have started defaulting to the hug as well.
Yep, one pair of fluffy clogs accounted for. I have a pair of wooden ones too, but never realized how hard it is to walk on them. I’m not training for Nijmegen Four Days Marches, but for a 15 km hike on clogs. Fortunately, I still have a few months to go. After that: they’ll make either a bird feeder or a nice bonfire.
You can use them as flower pots on your garden wall or beside your front door, that looks good and peopl
e will think you are Dutch (related)
I think I have to add that to the next list of warning signs that you are becoming Dutch; using clogs as flower pots :p
… and when you have made a name plate out of a roof tile you are a tokkie. Yes it is possible to integrate too much!
6) You’ve finally *excepted* -> accepted
Should #7 not be ‘double salted’ liquorice?
God in hemel, stond ik zo hard te laachen dat ik nu mag pijn heeft. Heb ik bijna alles van die lijst zelf’s gedaan.(woont
ik in Nederland vijfentwentig jaaren geleden als de “verloren” Canadese ontwisseling leerling)
I have the fuzzy slippers but also a pair of wooden clogs that are actually getting worn out. They look to old to use as flower pots. Time for a new pair. My fellow Canadians laugh at me when wearing my clogs, but the joke is on them, my feet are still dry!