Questions About Sinterklaas
The arrival of Sinterklaas can be a very confusing time for expats in Holland. It’s a tradition that raises a lot of questions for those who are unfamiliar with it. Who is he and why does he give out presents on December 5th? Why does he live in Spain? Who are his helpers the Zwarte Pieten?
However, over the years I have come to realize that there are certain questions that it is simply best not to ask when The Sint comes to town. The Dutch don’t always respond well to such questions and sometimes they simply pity your stupidity.
1) “Do you think the pope knows his hat is missing?”
2) “If I pledge allegiance to Sinterklaas do I still get gifts from Santa?”
3) “How many hours do you think Sinterklaas spends grooming his beard every morning? He’s very metro for an old man.”
4) “Who do you think would win in a fight? Sinterklaas or Santa?”
5) “Do you think it’s like this all year around in Spain?”
6) “Do you think Sinterklaas works on pakjesavond so he can have Christmas off? Or do you think Santa works on Christmas so he can have pakjesavond off?… or both?”
7) “Do you think the Pieten get confused whenever anyone calls out their name? Do they all answer?”
8) “If I’m on Santa’s naughty list am I automatically on Sinterklaas’ naughty list as well? Because if so I’m in trouble.”
9) “Do you think Sinterklaas realizes that owning a steam boat is not very good for his carbon footprint?”
10) “Can you OD on pepernoten? Because I might need an ambulance.”
And the number one question that you must never ever ask a Dutch person:
“Why is Santa riding a horse?”
You made me smile again. And out of personal experience:
You can OD on pepernoten
If you pledge allegiance to Sinterklaas, you still get presents from santa, if you pledge to him too. But just fewer from both to keep it even for the other kids.
And about the horse? Who do you think, invited old spice?
What about if Sinterklaas met Santa – would the resultant shock cause the world to implode?
Currently, of course, they act as a backup to one another. Who would give out presents if they both died? Does a new Sinterklaas/Santa emerge phoenix-like from the ashes? And would this new one be pre-aged or would he have to wear a fake beard for awhile to keep appearances up?
You have so many questions for the short periode Sinterklaas is here. Perhaps you can write him a letter so he could explain it to you? Here is the address: Sinterklaas & Pieten, Sinterklaashof 1, 5670 NA Nuenen.
Good luck….
Iooryz – You’ve been hospitalized by pepernoten?
Unexpected Traveller – I believe they call this the ‘Back to the Future Part 2 Sinterklaas Effect’
AQK1982 – For real? Because I might write to him for a future post :p
I just tried some of these over lunch w my Dutch coworkers. They basically just started insulting Santa saying he was the same thing as Sinterklaas except manufactured by the Coca-Cola company.
That was fun. :D
Stu – Yes, you can really write Sinterklaas on that address and also get a respons back from him ;-).
What is pepernoten?
Yvette – That’s not so nice of them but in a way they are right. The tradition of Sinterklaas was taken to New York and later became Santa.
AQK1982 – I am so doing that.
Dragonlady – They are the small round speculaas biscuits we were telling you about.
I think the “naughty list” question will be answered when Sinterklaas drags you to Spain to a beating of sticks.
Although, considering how it must be difficult to maintain the upkeep his splendid metrosexual beard, he might cut you some slack. Beating with sticks may ruin his handiwork.
(And I almost, ALMOST put myself on Sinterklaas’s list because I originally spelt his name as “Sinterklaus”…)
As I was totally in awe of the suggestion AQK1982 made, I looked it up on the interwebs and it said you have to include a stamp in order to receive a response, thought I’d share that with you. And a big thank you AQK1982, I’ve always wondered wether it would be possible!
So many fab questions, that really do need answering!!!
Oh and please write to him and see what the answers are!
Barb – If miss spelling is a crime in his book I’m being dragged to the worst part of Spain.
Nienke & Windmill Tales – I am so going to do it next year for my Sinterklaas post. I’m guessing it’s a little late now he is here.
When I was in college, we did a sketch. I was dressed as Sinterklaas, my friend was Santa. We both entered the auditorium at the same time in the middle of a course, through different entrances, Santa with his Ho-ho-ho and me waving in a stately manner and my Pieten following me.
Then we got sight of each other and started shouting at the other one: ‘what are you doing here’ ‘you’re two weeks early’ ‘yeah? says who? you were here in the shopping mall before your boat arrived!’
Then it got ugly, and we started to throw chocolates and biscuits at each other shouting ‘I know you’ve been touching kids’ ‘Oh yeah? you pedophile!’
Things got quite out of hand from there on, but it was a hilarious sketch.
Why does Sinterklaas have a postal address in Nuenen of all places…..
Saying that, its just down the road from me, maybe i’ll call in unexpectedly and see if the throws circle parties also!