Ask a Dutchman!

[dutchfire]

He was already dead for all intents and purposes, so it's not a big shock.

And before our American friends come into this thread to complain about how he was a leeching piece of scum and a net drain on society, I think we shouldn't just focus on his work at Goldman Sachs.

 

[Takhisis]

He worked at Goldman Sachs?

 

[Hygro]

In Amsterdam yesterday I read a sticker posted on a wall that read "We still don't give a F* about our King" or something, I can't remember exactly.

 

[peter grimes]

Sorry if this has been asked before, I haven't followed the thread.

Over here in Nieu Amsterdam we have an impression that the Dutch are all born on bicycles. Perhaps a little bit of an exaggeration, but surely not far from the truth.

So I was wondering if any of you Dutch have personal experience riding as either an small child or as a parent with a child. My wife and I see these 'bakfiets' bikes with a bucket for the babies up front, and it looks like something we might consider doing.

Here's link to a blurb:
http://bikeportland.org/2007/05/17/bakfiets-go-mainstream-3686

 

[dutchfire]

A bakfiets is only used by GreenLeft voting godless eco-communist limousine liberal parents.

Might be perfect for you.

Normal people just put a seat on the back end of the bike

 

[peter grimes]

A bakfiets is only used by GreenLeft voting godless eco-communist limousine liberal parents.

Might be perfect for you.

Normal people just put a seat on the back end of the bike

OK, so I'll order one promptly

My concerns about the rear-mounted seat have to do with higher height from which to fall in an accident and my kid's experience of the ride. If you aren't going to confirm my biases then I'll just have to spend more time on the best unbiased bike blog on the planet. [take special note of the video

 

[dutchfire]

This morning, I saw a news item about a guy whowas using a former tropical swimming pool to grow mushrooms. The mushrooms needed coffee grounds, which he picked up at local restaurants with his bakfiets.

+1 for the bakfiets stereotype.

 

[dutchfire]

Also: Tomorrow (well... Today) is the first Prinsjesdag (State of the Union) with Willem-Alexander as the king. Beatrix used to wear silly hats, but I doubt that's going to continue.

Hats

 

[Takhisis]

Can't Máxima wear the silly hats?

 

[Hygro]

Anyone spent time in Groningen?

 

[peter grimes]

More to the point - any non-mathemeticians?

 

[Hygro]

I don't get the joke

 

[Theov]

Can't Máxima wear the silly hats?

it's kinda tradition that all women attending wear hats in all shapes and sizes. it looks good, but some take it overboard

 

[peter grimes]

I don't get the joke

The university there has a rich history of mathematical discovery - Euler, Reimann, and others.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

Never heard of 'em

 

[Tahuti]

Anyone spent time in Groningen?

Yes, I did. Many times in fact, since I once lived fairly close. But you probably remember that from when we met in the flesh.

 

[Hygro]

Yes, I did. Many times in fact, since I once lived fairly close. But you probably remember that from when we met in the flesh.

Well, I know it's nearby but so is everything in your country and not everyone's been everywhere But what is the culture there actually like? All I hear is "students!" but that tells me little.

Also I met a guy from Eindhoven the other day who had an accent surprisingly similar to yours. I wasn't expecting that.

 

[Tahuti]

Well, I know it's nearby but so is everything in your country and not everyone's been everywhere But what is the culture there actually like? All I hear is "students!" but that tells me little.

Well, "students!" is all you need to know really. It's like the Dutch version of Cambridge, Massachusetts except that it has a larger population and a bigger proportion of non-students, but students run the show anyhow. It has a lot of techno parties and the like.

Student culture in Groningen is totally different than in Amsterdam. While Amsterdam obviously has a lot of Hipsters, it also has Preppies and Foreign students. Groningen lacks more or less all of those groups, though it does have a lot people that imitate them but not quite and openly knowingly so. They seem to seem to identify first and foremost with the city itself, rather than with some subculture. Also, all bars in Groningen seem to be only visited by students. Totally unlike Amsterdam as well.

Also I met a guy from Eindhoven the other day who had an accent surprisingly similar to yours. I wasn't expecting that.

Than that guy must either originally come from Friesland or Groningen. You have to note that my Dutch accent is not Amsterdams but Frisian, though it may acquired some influences from Amsterdams. North Brabanders speak with a very Flemish like accent, which is very unlike I would ever speak.

 

[dutchfire]

The university there has a rich history of mathematical discovery - Euler, Reimann, and others.

Ehm, no? You're probably thinking of Göttingen, which is in Germany (near Hannover) and Euler didn't even go there.

 

[dutchfire]

I've been to Groningen once or twice, but can't remember much special. I suppose it is similar to Nijmegen in terms of being a university city.
For the record: My Dutch accent is from Brabant.