Drinking contest with the Dutch

I guess it was my fault.

Kaz came to visit me while I was in Amsterdam and we went to Groningen together.

Before heading to Groningen we went and saw a Sarah Mclaughlan concert in Amsterdam. Surprisingly there were no drugs smoked in the concert at all! In AMSTERDAM!

Actually I think the guy behind me had taken mushrooms. He was singing along badly throughout most of the concert. And by singing I mean he was making noices of varying pitch. For example - even when there were no lyrics being played - he would make noises when the musicians hit a high note: 'eeee' 'eeeee' he would say. He was a big guy in his early forties wearing a leather costume. At one point I did ask him to sing more quietly. He closed his eyes and nodded side to side sloppily like a baby or a drunk.

Fortunately he did walk around later in the concert during some of the more important songs (Building a mystery, your love, some comfort there, eddie..).

Anyway back to Groningen. I decided I need to learn to relax and I was looking for a bar for Kaz and I to go for a drink. I saw one that looked like a relaxing lounge and we went in. Turns out it was actually the waiting room for a movie theatre, but they served drinks. And it was relaxing.

We tried a couple of the local beers and then Kaz got us some "southern comforts" with some Pepsi as that is what she has back in Australia. Anyway, I was drinking my southern comfort straight and decided to mix a bit with the pepsi to try it that way...

The guy at the table next to me gave me a pretty disapproving look! I asked him what is problem was and he said.... "is your drink too strong?"

So I said: "Bah. I am just trying it the way Kaz suggested. What do you want to start a drinking contest or something???".

So that is how we got started. He and his friend Marlene had just seen a movie called the "Camel that cries" and we started talking about Dutch culture and then went through the drink menu together. Basically forming a bit of a drinking contest I suppose. We tried this kind of cold wine (bogger win?) and some Gins with different kinds of herbs, then some Guinness, Grolsh, etc.

We got to talking about Dutch culture and here is what I learned - from this small example:
* The Netherlands is actually the land of the rules. The Dutch love discussing the pros and cons about everything: "Why do it? Why not? Whaaatevvver..."
* To the Dutch, discussions about euthenasia are as important right now as any discussion about drugs or prostitution.
* As an example of rules: You cannot buy a house in Haarlem (a suburb of Amsterdam) unless you have a permit. You can only get a permit if you have a job in Haarlem (or are independently wealthy).
* Dutch generosity also has rules. If you visit a Dutch person they will often offer you a cookie. But you are only allowed one.
* What is typically Dutch is their generousity, but with 10 rules that need to be interpreted.
* The laws of the EU and how foreigners take advantage of what is available in the Netherlands is not part of their thinking. According to Marlene in England travel agents advertise: "55 euros to get drunk and laid in Amsterdam!"
* The dutch also have a Not in My Backyard kind of thinking. Drugs and Prostitution are ok - just in Amsterdam and not in my city!

What I found from this discussion is that the Dutch are very friendly in a gregarious way. I also found out that I am no good at drinking contests.