Chapter 1: Dutch To start, both sets of Don and Eunice’s parents came from the Netherlands. The Dutch heritage has certain characteristics. I have come to be very proud of the heritage but I asked my brother’s and sister’s what it’s like to be Dutch. Some random responses:
- I don’t see that penny pinching so much in this generation of American Dutchies. The first/second generations of Dutch immigrants were clearly looking for ways to save and/or not spend money. I think by the current generation this trait is gradually being lost.
- Drink lots of hot, dark coffee.
- Hit the second hand stores for stuff that is as “good as or better than new – considering the price.”
- Borrow and lend…not money but tools, trailers, eggs, etc
- Do it yourself, even if you can’t
- Know the value of things and able to spot a deal
- Go to church or feel guilty about it
- Smoke…changing, fortunately.
- Eat liquor soaked raisins using toothpicks and eat mashed potatoes with other vegetables stirred in.
- Basically, I think the American Dutch trait is a lack of other ethnic traits. It’s like when Loa Tsu was asked to define the Tao he’d say “It’s not this and it’s not that and not this and it’s not that.” Look for someone without Italian characteristics or French or Hawaiian…that’s the Dutch guy. I guess we’ve assimilated
- The Dutch were green before green was cool. If something can be saved and reused, it will get saved and reused. If there is a place to pinch a penny, we’ll pinch it! If something is worth buying, it’s worth buying after it fell off the truck, too…and a better deal. We’ll look to save where we can, but in ways that are all above board.
- Tall and blond
- Eat bulk and brie and pigs in the blanket
- Frugal with your money
- Not very outwardly affectionate
- Plant tulips in your yard
- Drive a car with over 100,000 miles
- Make sure your car is washed before church on Sunday
- Go to church 2 times a week
- Stand up when Veterans march by in the parade
- Drink beer but don’t want it sold in your town
Other Dutch facts:
- As of 1991, November 16th is “Dutch-American Heritage Day”.
- According to the 2000 United States Census more than 5 million Americans claim total or partial Dutch heritage. They are particularly concentrated around Grand Rapids, Michigan Sioux City, Iowa, and Des Moines, Iowa.
- Dutch cheeses are world renowned with famous cheeses such as Gouda, Edam and Leiden.
- The Dutch have all sorts of pastry and cookies (the word “cookie” is in fact derived from Dutch), many of them filled with marzipan, almond and chocolate.
