Illustration: Henk van Ruitenbeek ‘Wednesday, 18:00?’ asked one guy, but someone in the group had badminton training. Thursday? No, someone had figure skating in a town two hours away. Friday was impossible for someone else. And the weekend? Don’t get me started on the number of parties and activities some had to attend over the weekend! Not to mention that they all went back to their parents’ house (Oh,I am so jealous! Wish I could see my family every weekend). Finally, we discovered that all of us were free on a day three weeks from then. Better late than never, I suppose.
Every Dutch person reaches for a diary whenever you ask them when they have any free time
Back in my country, I have never seen anyone keep a diary so routinely, and at such a young age. This was something remarkable I learnt from the Dutch. It soon became a common sight: every Dutch person reaches for a diary whenever you ask when they have any free time. Not only did this Dutch habit inspire me to keep a diary too, but it also enabled me to look forward to upcoming social events, keep track of things I need to get done, or even enjoy a free day when I can Netflix and chill (by myself!). Now I can’t fathom how people function without diaries! Am I becoming Dutch?
Deeya Kashyap, an MSc student of Food Technology from India
Do you have a nice anecdote about your experience going Dutch? Send it in! Describ an encounter with Dutch culture in detail and comment on it briefly. 300 words max. Send it to resource@wur.nl and earn twenty-five euros and Dutch candy.