|
Before entering the schoolyard scrabble game of 'that kid's got red hair, that's kid's fat ' etc. first some notes to consider
notes:
1) to mention differences without mentioning the similarities to me seems to be only furthering the idea that we are all different. Which is, of course true, but we are all very much the same also and this I feel is a much more valuable point if we are to advance past the current global situation of greed and hatred which are also I'm afraid very much a reality.
2) Observations, depend heavily on the individual and context of their experience. Each person is influenced by their own personal experience and personal background which in turn influences their opinions on all topics.
3) Ireland and Holland are both EU countries. Europe as an idea is now very much a reality. Economics (the euro), weather (global warming), attitudes (drugs, sex, the family, value systems, capitalism). Globalization, immigration (both within and outside of europe), politics in general - a move towards a european parliament and everything that that will entail over time. With most issues that are not cultural or very obviously native to the nationality the only difference I see is time. Within europe we are all moving towards common ideas. Within this concept there are subtle differences .
We follow the following subjects with equal fervor but different tastes: fashion, music, art, culture. Both countries will have summer hits in all areas but these hits will be completely different. Rarely there will be hits with crossover potential.
Oeral - Galway Arts Festival
western culture
religious
Ireland formerly catholic (changing with this generation).
Holland formerly Calvinist (changed last generation).
both currently in a capitalism combined with formerly religious value systems.
restaurant and bar terraces:
all over holland - now also in ireland but due to the new smoking ban and the somewhat
warmer weather from recent years, more than the 'gezelligheid'
And why do we get on so well?
Holland - Ireland
talk shit - talk shit
like to party - like to party
football - football
beer - beer
women - women
both countries express optimism socially but in very different ways.
Differences (both mild and stark)
The basics:
Holland: bikes (the whole saga that is bicycle's in holland)
Ireland: bicycle's rarely used, no bike path's, dangerous due to traffic, weather is a little wetter, windier and of course hill's, so...
Holland: famous for it's open flat landscape.
Ireland: famous for it's rugged windswept coast.
Holland: coffee
Ireland: tea
Holland - Ireland
Dutch speaking - English speaking
Small cute houses of the same style and colour - Small cute houses of the same style but very different colours.
long blonde tanned girls and guys everywhere. - pale skinned dark/red haired people everywhere.
amsterdam'tje - pint of Guinness
albert heijn - quinnsworth
speedy j - david holmes
snackbar - the local shop
shag - tobacco
neuken - shagging
painters - writers
umpa lumpa music - diddly idle dee.
rene frogger - johnny logan
was once a conqueror - was once the oppressed
In open space:
tame - wild
smoking:
tolerated / not tolerated.
Holland is more urbanized in an architectural sense with respect to cities. More flat blocks but often a little bit crazy in some almost hidden way. Irelands urban approach is now very similar with respect to conservation and modernization concurrently. Save the old and pretty, tear down the ugly parts of the 50's and 60's and rebuild with the luxury of a new millennium.
Apart from the cities, in general there's less traffic in Ireland and we drive on the left.
And finally: yachting folk and golfers are the same the world over.
|
