The Pick-Nicker
I have a rather humorous joke I'd like to pass on from here in the Netherlands:
This morning, our energetic Dutch language professor was trying to explain the Dutch word for "pickpocket." I don't remember the actual word, but a funny little anecdote accompanied the definition. It was a little shocking, so for those of you who are politically correct, a word of caution.
The professor began by warning us of the dangers of "pickpocketers" throughout Europe. He then said, "You know what we call the pickpocketers who are black, right?" The class gave a hesitant "No.....what?" I was mentally preparing myself for a joke about the stereotype of blacks being theives. "Funny," I thought. "I didn't think people from the Netherlands were like that. After all, there are a lot of black Dutch people."
The professor went on: "Well, the Dutch word for a black person is "nigger," making them "pick-niggers" - "pick-nickers" - "pick-niggers" - "get it??" The class gave a curteousy half-chuckle, but it was a little racy for most. For a second I thought he was going to elaborate even more, making a reference to "black people" picking cotton. But that was it - that was the joke - "pick-nickers."
The professor didn't act like it was racy at all, so I'm curious as to how the Dutch view racism/other races. After all, their beloved Sinter Klaus does have a black slave, Zwarte Piet. So I'll have to check that one out.
Oh, and if you're wondering what my other goals are, here are a few:
1. Run with the bulls in Madrid
2. Bathe in the Rhine
3. Save an entire Dutch town by sticking my finger in a dike
4. Sing while walking atop the Swiss Alps
5. Write graffitti on the Berlin Wall
6. Kick somebody in Paris
This morning, our energetic Dutch language professor was trying to explain the Dutch word for "pickpocket." I don't remember the actual word, but a funny little anecdote accompanied the definition. It was a little shocking, so for those of you who are politically correct, a word of caution.
The professor began by warning us of the dangers of "pickpocketers" throughout Europe. He then said, "You know what we call the pickpocketers who are black, right?" The class gave a hesitant "No.....what?" I was mentally preparing myself for a joke about the stereotype of blacks being theives. "Funny," I thought. "I didn't think people from the Netherlands were like that. After all, there are a lot of black Dutch people."
The professor went on: "Well, the Dutch word for a black person is "nigger," making them "pick-niggers" - "pick-nickers" - "pick-niggers" - "get it??" The class gave a curteousy half-chuckle, but it was a little racy for most. For a second I thought he was going to elaborate even more, making a reference to "black people" picking cotton. But that was it - that was the joke - "pick-nickers."
The professor didn't act like it was racy at all, so I'm curious as to how the Dutch view racism/other races. After all, their beloved Sinter Klaus does have a black slave, Zwarte Piet. So I'll have to check that one out.
Oh, and if you're wondering what my other goals are, here are a few:
1. Run with the bulls in Madrid
2. Bathe in the Rhine
3. Save an entire Dutch town by sticking my finger in a dike
4. Sing while walking atop the Swiss Alps
5. Write graffitti on the Berlin Wall
6. Kick somebody in Paris
posted by Aaron at 8:41 AM
5 Comments:
Like you said, Zwarte Piet was a slave. That may be some indication of the sensitivity of the Dutch. And, they still make 'dropjes' in the shape of Zwarte Piet; by the way, I think I had one of those succulent, salty, pieces of salvation over Christmas break. I believe they're called 'Pissing Piets' because it shows him from behind and he is pissing--the name really seems to fit the candy.
Speaking of pissed, I bet the ACLU is upset that they still make those 'drop' candies. It's a bit derogatory to continue calling him a slave.
But Aaron, I think you will be surprised at the "say what you think even if it's a bit rudeness" of the Dutch culture. The way that I understand it (from talking to parents and Omas and Opas) they can be quite rude when it comes to fat people. My mom still tells me stories of her cousins ripping fat people apart (with their words). I hope they don't pick on my beloved Star Jones.
So keep me informed about their opinions regarding social/political/religious issues. I would ask Lawren but I'd rather go for something "Fair and Balanced".
HAHA, I remember one time in Homeroom, Matt DeHann randomly raised his had while we were talking about Christmas and he said something like "Like Sintar Klaus....THE Dutch Christmas." After being thoroughly rejected by everyone he proceeded to draw a castle which was undergoing a siege by a team of Navy Seals.
The Dutch tendency to "say what you think even if it's a bit rude" is quite visible yet today, I'm told. I haven't done a whole lot of interacting with people yet, but I have gotten some dirty looks and nasty Dutch putdowns while riding my bike. Of course, that could just be the fact that I don't know any of the rules for riding a bike in Holland. They are very strange, and the people here don't seem to think it is important to tell them to us.
I'll have to ask Professor Van Beek about Dutch people's sensitivity to race. He's usually pretty helpful to Justin and I about those things. For instance, we recently learned that Dutch people don't have a word for "hug" and that when they want to say the F-word, they don't have an equally offensive equivalent in Dutch, they just use our F-word. (I guess when Dutch people swear they say "Pardon my English")
It's true, the Dutch love their beer and cigarettes. Tuesday night at the bar I met a young Dutch "man" who was only 15. You're supposed to be a mature a 16 years old to enter, but they don't enforce it. So kids get a nice early start. And you can smoke just about anywhere - even shopping malls.
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