Spin-off American and Dutch/Belgian culture thread

[Buzz Rules]

Spin-off American and Dutch/Belgian culture thread. This is the third spin-off to my other culture threads. Given the success of my other two, I thought this thread would appropriate given the high stakes match this Saturday between Holland and the USA. So this thread will follow the same format as the others. I know we have some Dutch Disboarders on the forum, so I figured we may have some Belgian Disboarders as well. America, the Netherlands, and Belgium have strong ties that predate the American Revolution. I myself have Dutch ancestors that go back to the 1600’s in NY when the Dutch controlled the colony before England. Both countries helped the USA during the American War for Independence and was part of the reason John Paul Jones was successful in American navy mission during the war. All three countries are NATO allies and we share strong bonds with our similar beliefs, values, and trades. So I think this thread will be as popular and successful as the other two continue to be (I’m proud of that by the way). So Dutch, Belgian, and American (and Canadians too, why not? ) Disboarders post your questions and let this third culture thread begin. Also good luck to the Dutch, Belgian, and American teams for the remainder of the World Cup.

 

[Buzz Rules]

Okay, first question. Dutch and Belgian Disboarders, do you have any questions about American cuisine? American Disboarders, do you have any questions on Dutch/Belgian cuisine? @Karin1984 , you are the only Dutch Disboarder I know of on the community forum but if you know others, feel free to point them to the thread if you think they would be interested in participating.

 

[kdonnel]

I spent my birthday in Belgium in 2015.

My wife has a friend who lived in Mechelen and they hosted us for a few days.

Took the train into Antwerp, went to the Atomium (what a truly weird and enjoyable place), Brussels, and I have seen both Manneken Pis(not sure why but there is one in Las Vegas as well).

We ate chocolate, so much chocolate, even for breakfast. It was the first and only place I have seen people use chocolate sprinkles as a breakfast item. I thought they were only used on cupcakes, maybe ice cream, but apparently you smear some nutella on toast and then add chocolate sprinkles for breakfast. How are they not as fat as the average American?

I also remember their house had the smallest sink I have ever seen in my life, in a very small half bath. Their house had extremely narrow stairs and some cool shutters that were very much like hurricane shutters I have seen in North Carolina but instead were used more like secure screens so the windows could be left open and the air flowing.

We were lucky in that there was a heat wave in Europe that summer but it broke the day we arrived in Belgium. Italy where we left to go to Belgium had been so hot. It had also been hot in Belgium but the day we stepped off the flight it was 60 degrees. It felt so good and was the first time in 2 weeks I was not sweating. We would have been so uncomfortable in the days prior because they did not have AC. At least the hotels in Italy had pretend European AC that at least kept the temp in the 80s.

At the time my wife's friend and her family were actively trying to move to the US but ultimately remained in Belgium as immigrating to the US is not an easy process.

 

[bcla]

I would point out that the Netherlands isn't just Holland.

As far as Belgium goes, I hear that language can be a touchy subject. One high school French teacher of mine was from Brussels. From what I've heard of their team athletes, they often try to find a common language that isn't French or Dutch in order to keep the peace. And then you get all these weird combinations, such as a mix of French and Dutch names, such as Jean-Claude Van Damme, whose real name is Jean-Claude Van Varenberg.

 

[RedAngie]

The Dutch island of Sint Eustatius in the Caribbean was vitally important to the American colonies during the Revolution. It was a major shipping port and many supplies the fledging US required passed thru there.

Sint Eustatius was also the first foreign place to formally recognize the USA as an independent country.

 

[RedAngie]

I’ve read that in some places the Dutch-Belgian border is so convoluted and zig-zaggy that one house is in the Netherlands and the attached house next door is in Belgium. Then three doors down is Dutch again.

 

[RedAngie]

I’ve been to Belgium and The Netherlands. Flew into Brussels, spent a few days there, then took the train to Amsterdam for several more days. Saw the usual touristy sites. Flew back from Amsterdam.

 

[Moliphino]

I just spent a week in Belgium in October (Ghent, Bruges, Brussels). I was incredibly impressed with how multilingual everyone was. We had guides who could do tours in 4-6 languages! It seemed like everyone knew English, which made it easy for us.

 

[Smugpugmug]

My step dad is Dutch - he was born and raised in the Netherlands until he moved to the US in 2004. I've visited his family multiple times and found the country to be beautiful.

 

[Buzz Rules]

@Karin1984 , how is the weather in the Netherlands?

 

[Buzz Rules]

Any new questions for today?

 

[Buzz Rules]

@Karin1984 , how popular is the monarchy and is there any chance the Netherlands would ever go back to a full Democratic Republic?

 

[Karin1984]

@Karin1984 , how popular is the monarchy and is there any chance the Netherlands would ever go back to a full Democratic Republic?

Hey, I only see now that this thread exists and that you tagged me a couple of times! No idea what happened there.

We can't go back to a democratic republic, because we never really were one. Before we became a kingdom in 1813 (and Napoleon) we were called a republic, but basically every part of the Netherlands was ruled by a Duke or an Earl, and those weren't very democratic either. More like a mini-king.

I can believe we will get rid of the monarchy at some point in the future, but at the moment there are not enough people who want change. Once in a while you hear people or organizations who want a republic. It just never goes anywhere.

Unlike the British royal family, you do not see or hear a lot from our royal house. They do not support charities in the same way the Brits do. We don't bother them, they do not bother us. They are a national symbol which is good at big sporting events, or national holidays. And that's just fine for most people.

 

[Karin1984]

I’ve read that in some places the Dutch-Belgian border is so convoluted and zig-zaggy that one house is in the Netherlands and the attached house next door is in Belgium. Then three doors down is Dutch again.

That's one "city" who has this issue. Which was a lot of fun during Covid, as Belgium had different rules than the Netherlands. I believe in Belgium restaurants had to close at 8, for example. So guests who weren't done yet, moved to a table on the Dutch side of the restaurant.

There are a few houses/establishments that are built on the border.

I just spent a week in Belgium in October (Ghent, Bruges, Brussels). I was incredibly impressed with how multilingual everyone was. We had guides who could do tours in 4-6 languages! It seemed like everyone knew English, which made it easy for us.

Language is a tricky thing in Belgium. I once got a complaint from a Belgian customer. The phone menu wasn't bilingual, while that is mandatory by law in Belgium. Everything has to be in two languages. In my experience there are more people in Flanders (former Dutch part) who speak both Flemmish and French, then in Wallonia (formerlyFrench part).

And at least for the Netherlands, and I think it's the same for Belgium, tv shows/movies are not dubbed, all is subtitled. Only kids tv shows/movies are dubbed into Dutch. Sometimes there is a separate dubbing for Flemmish.
Germany and France don't do this, so their proficiency in English is much lower.

Also we are both small countries, within a few hours we are in the next country. So knowing several languages is easy.

When I went to highschool both Dutch and English were mandatory classes, but you could also do French and German. When I graduated more schools started to offer Spanish. Nowadays I hear there are schools who offer Mandarin. As China is such an upcoming economy.

 

[Buzz Rules]

Hey, I only see now that this thread exists and that you tagged me a couple of times! No idea what happened there.

We can't go back to a democratic republic, because we never really were one. Before we became a kingdom in 1813 (and Napoleon) we were called a republic, but basically every part of the Netherlands was ruled by a Duke or an Earl, and those weren't very democratic either. More like a mini-king.

I can believe we will get rid of the monarchy at some point in the future, but at the moment there are not enough people who want change. Once in a while you hear people or organizations who want a republic. It just never goes anywhere.

Unlike the British royal family, you do not see or hear a lot from our royal house. They do not support charities in the same way the Brits do. We don't bother them, they do not bother us. They are a national symbol which is good at big sporting events, or national holidays. And that's just fine for most people.

Thanks for responding. I honestly thought you just wanted to not participate in the thread. I'm glad you don't mind answering questions. Do you have any questions for us Americans?

 

[Buzz Rules]

Hey, I only see now that this thread exists and that you tagged me a couple of times! No idea what happened there.

We can't go back to a democratic republic, because we never really were one. Before we became a kingdom in 1813 (and Napoleon) we were called a republic, but basically every part of the Netherlands was ruled by a Duke or an Earl, and those weren't very democratic either. More like a mini-king.

I can believe we will get rid of the monarchy at some point in the future, but at the moment there are not enough people who want change. Once in a while you hear people or organizations who want a republic. It just never goes anywhere.

Unlike the British royal family, you do not see or hear a lot from our royal house. They do not support charities in the same way the Brits do. We don't bother them, they do not bother us. They are a national symbol which is good at big sporting events, or national holidays. And that's just fine for most people.

Does each region in the Netherlands have a distinct culture or is it pretty uniform?

 

[Karin1984]

Does each region in the Netherlands have a distinct culture or is it pretty uniform?

There are small cultural differences between each area, but I think once we are abroad in a completely different culture/country we are more or less the same.

Main difference is between urban and more rurale areas.

 

[Buzz Rules]

There are small cultural differences between each area, but I think once we are abroad in a completely different culture/country we are more or less the same.

Main difference is between urban and more rurale areas.

Do you like herring and if so, what is your preferred way?

 

[Karin1984]

Do you like herring and if so, what is your preferred way?

I am okay with pickled, not a fan of raw.
But herring isn't really a national dish. Just something some people eat from time to time. It is not a staple in restaurants. If you want herring you get it at the market, maybe a fish monger.

We don't really have cuisine like the French, Italian, etc. got. We have some snacks and candy, but not something to open a restaurant with.

That is why if Epcot ever adds a new land, adding the Netherlands would not be a good idea. We also do not really have a style of music or entertainment that is particularly Dutch. (Except after this year everyone who is into Eurovision, knows our style )

 

[Buzz Rules]

I am okay with pickled, not a fan of raw.
But herring isn't really a national dish. Just something some people eat from time to time. It is not a staple in restaurants. If you want herring you get it at the market, maybe a fish monger.

We don't really have cuisine like the French, Italian, etc. got. We have some snacks and candy, but not something to open a restaurant with.

That is why if Epcot ever adds a new land, adding the Netherlands would not be a good idea. We also do not really have a style of music or entertainment that is particularly Dutch. (Except after this year everyone who is into Eurovision, knows our style )

Do you have a favorite American cuisine?