One of the biggest prejudices people have against the Dutch has been disproved for the umpteenth time last Monday when I was on my way to get some fresh air and sun close to the water at my secret place in my beloved home and city of Amsterdam.
Leaving the city centre behind me and entering one of my very most favourite areas – a very cute, calm and special street – I and my bike stopped at a red traffic light. In front of me stood a woman, also on her bike. She was beautiful! Black, curvy with a very nice blazer and super sexy dark blue, tight Jeans:
I: “Sorry, but those Jeans you are wearing are SO pretty”
She: “Thaaaaaaank youuuuuuuu! And guess what: They were only 10 Euro!”
I: “Whaaaat? Wow! Were did you get them?”
She: “At Dappermarkt! You must go to the very very very end of Dappermarkt. You know were Dappermarkt is?”
I: “Yes I do!”
She: “Good! Go to the end nearby the water to the Pakistanis! They sell them! And they have them in YOUR size TOO!”
The lights turned green again, we waved each others goodbye. I still followed her a bit and could tell – she was exactly as happy as I was. A WinWinWin situation just had taken place: Win for her, because she got reminded how pretty she is. A WinSituation for the PA-KI-STA-NIS (that’s how she called them. She almost sung it) because they will get me as their customer. And a WinWinWin situation for me.
Win, because I loved to speak to this woman.
Win, because I will find a sexy pair of jeans for no money.
And Win because the people in my city again embraced me.
I know that many think it’s rude to directly refer to my curves, that surely are even more curvy than this woman’s curves. The truth is: It’s not rude at all. The contrary is true. People here simply name things, when there is nothing wrong with the subject. They don’t hide what everybody thinks behind false politeness. By doing this, I feel accepted, a sheep that belongs to the herd, not an alien, but accepted and actually loved.
You don’t want to know about the freaking pain I still carry inside of myself after a lifetime in a country that deals with normal subjects differently. They don’t deal with them differently because they are mean. They do it, because they are afraid. They are afraid of everything that is different. And they are afraid to hurt people. Paradoxon.
Nee, jullie zijn niet rude, lieve mensen. Jullie zijn gewoon normaal.
love this story!!
Thank you, dear Martine!