Reply to: Zwarte Piet - Dutch Racism or Harmless fun?

[Mich the Tester]

Yep, I know someone that believed that the Dutch were an 'Anything goes' kind of people, simply because of the overt prostitution, coffee shops and pron emporia. He was wrong and sadly couldn't see the natives sniggering at him. I tried to tell him.
Reader ... I dumped him.

It's a nation of NIMBYs. They couldn't give a stuff what people do as long as they do it somewhere else.

[norrahe]

Yep, I know someone that believed that the Dutch were an 'Anything goes' kind of people, simply because of the overt prostitution, coffee shops and pron emporia. He was wrong and sadly couldn't see the natives sniggering at him. I tried to tell him.
Reader ... I dumped him.

Once you're among the natives you'll be very surprised that the impression the rest of Europe has is not what reality is.

I still really enjoy it over here.

[Zippy]

L
I think people are surprised that the Dutch tolerate this, they have this outward perception of an easy going all encompassing nation, that wouldn't put up with this, but the truth is they are formal, tolerant to a point (as long as you abide by the rules) and can be very old fashioned.

Yep, I know someone that believed that the Dutch were an 'Anything goes' kind of people, simply because of the overt prostitution, coffee shops and pron emporia. He was wrong and sadly couldn't see the natives sniggering at him. I tried to tell him.
Reader ... I dumped him.

[norrahe]

We have this chap, Schmutzli, accompanying Sannichlaus.



If you've been bad - and he catches you - he'll give you a thrashing with his broomstick.

Supposed to be the same with Zwarte Piet, I prefer the Swiss version, more like Santa's Halloween helper.

[original PM]

Santa's little helper.

UK wins.

I have been bad

where do i go to get my spanking??

[bless 'em all]

Santa's little helper.

UK wins.

[NotAllThere]

We have this chap, Schmutzli, accompanying Sannichlaus.



If you've been bad - and he catches you - he'll give you a thrashing with his broomstick.

[Troll]

Yep, that's exactly what black friends say. Somehow I think that's a more advanced attitude than blacking up and acting like a moron while talking in a faux Caribbean accent.

know what you mean

[vetran]

Yep, that's exactly what black friends say. Somehow I think that's a more advanced attitude than blacking up and acting like a moron while talking in a faux Caribbean accent.

Please Tell Eminem & co.

[norrahe]

Yep, that's exactly what black friends say. Somehow I think that's a more advanced attitude than blacking up and acting like a moron while talking in a faux Caribbean accent.

Last year I had the (dis)pleasure of being chatted up in a cafe by Groote Piet, Midden Piet and Kleine Piet, the image of 3 varying size gents sitting at the bar in size order in Zwarte Piet costume was disturbing.

And I look forward to next year people kicking off about it all over again.

I think people are surprised that the Dutch tolerate this, they have this outward perception of an easy going all encompassing nation, that wouldn't put up with this, but the truth is they are formal, tolerant to a point (as long as you abide by the rules) and can be very old fashioned.

[Mich the Tester]

I was quite shocked when I first saw it, but then I used to live in a country that is PC gone mad.

It's got a lot of history going back to slavery etc... but this isn't going to change overnight.

So you just accept that its there and move on.

Yep, that's exactly what black friends say. Somehow I think that's a more advanced attitude than blacking up and acting like a moron while talking in a faux Caribbean accent.

[norrahe]

I know a few black people in NL and none of them are really very happy about Zwarte Piet, but they also have better things to do with their lives than complain or protest about it. I think they just tolerate it.

I was quite shocked when I first saw it, but then I used to live in a country that is PC gone mad.

It's got a lot of history going back to slavery etc... but this isn't going to change overnight.

So you just accept that its there and move on.

[Mich the Tester]

I know a few black people in NL and none of them are really very happy about Zwarte Piet, but they also have better things to do with their lives than complain or protest about it. I think they just tolerate it.

[norrahe]

So you're denying it then?

I don't particularly care about it.

I find it amusing that such a reserved and god fearing country have this.

But that's the Cloggies for ya!

[MarillionFan]

KUATB

Its a different matter if you live here and see how it is perceived.

So you're denying it then?