They celebrate weird holidays
On December 6 each year, they celebrate Sinterklaas, which as far as I can make out is similar to Christmas, but for kids. Sinterklaas is the very opposite of policitally correct with representational characters “Sint” and “Zwarte Piet”. I wondered why there were so many white people in town with black face paint on, and now I know why.
Anyway, on Sinterklaas the kids get chocolates and mandarins. Yes, mandarins as a present. We also ate loads of sweet breads and fancy little chocolate and fruits things you’d get from a French bakery. The kids all got a board game and some books, and we spent the next few hours playing games, which is really the only thing you can do when all you can say is “one, two, three, yes, no, please, thanks.”
I like the idea of Sinterklaas aside from the racist black helper thing, and have decided that when I am back in New Zealand I will celebrate “Sinterklaas” on the Saturday after June 6th, in winter. Not that I need a reason to have a fun day of board games and reading books with my neice.
They do not dub television or films
Unlike the French, German, Italian, and Spanish, the Dutch do not dub television shows or movies. Instead, they use the cultured method of subtitles. Apparently the French, German, Italian, and Spanish are too lazy to read subtitles. In Belgium, there are quite a few channels that have a lot of English-language shows and this makes me mildly happy. Although that said, I have now seen almost every National Geographic documentary for this month. That’s what happens when you watch National Geographic more than once a month.
Every house has a septic tank
Over the past year-and-a-half when we visit Antwerp, I’ve always complained to Peter about how the kitchen or bath drains stink, and sometimes drains on the street too. I always thought it was bad drains, but I found out last week that it is because every house has a septic tank. I found this out by walking down the most beautiful street in Antwerp with the most awesome houses, with a big truck outside on of these mansions sucking shit and piss out of a hole. It fucking stunk.
Back in the civilised world, I am used to toilets that flush into a sewerage system that links up to a sewerage treatment facility. Antwerp needs welcoming to the 20th century.
(quote)
Apparently the French, German, Italian, and Spanish are too lazy to read subtitles.(quote)
whaaaaaaaaaatever
I’d rather say the there are markes too small to make dubs profitable. Nevertheless, this is to the advantage of the viewers. In Hamburg for example you can’t be very picky about where to go to see a movie if you want the english version. It’s a shame really.
That’s hilarious!
I can just picture it now… A beautiful european cobblestone street lined with centuries-old side-by-side houses with wood shutters and shake roofs, a cafe on the corner and an old bicycle leaned against a lamp post.
And then you see the big truck with the guy in coveralls straddling a big dirty hose and he looks over at you and yells over the pump noise “Morning, shitter was full!”