A country where washing the stresses of a work week away with some drinks is a social event? 😳 Let’s just say Netherlands: 1 World: 0
Ik maak geen grapje (I’m not kidding), the Dutch have seemingly mastered the art of winding down after a long week at work or university.
There’s even a special term for it. (No, we’re not having you on! 😂)
What is it?
Say hello to the vrijmibo or vrijdagmiddagborrel (Friday afternoon borrel).
A borrel refers to an informal meet-up to have a few drinks and socialise with friends or acquaintances.
The lucky ducks who work at Dutch companies may even be familiar with the werkborrel.
This involves some well-deserved after-work time with your boss and colleagues, where you can all sit back and unwind with some drinks. Proost! 🍻
More often than not, a borrel isn’t complete without a full complement of borrelhapjes (borrel snacks).
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There’s generally a little something for everyone. You can be a cheese fanatic that craves the tangy crispness of kaasstengels, or the molten core of kaassouflés.
Or you can savour the warmth of bitterballen dipped in spicy mustard, washed down with a cold beer. 😋
Not into cheese or meat? Don’t worry — patatjes met mayo (chips with mayonnaise) is simple, but hard to beat.
Why do they do it?
Hey, it’s hard work reclaiming all that land from the sea. 😉
Once Friday rolls around, many Nederlanders up and down the country look forward to een gezellige borrel (a nice, sociable borrel) to wash down their week.
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Like wearing enough orange to be spotted by the International Space Station during national holidays, it’s one of those stereotypically Dutch things — and we have to say, we internationals are big fans.
Why is it quirky?
If, like the writer, you come from a culture with a very rigid work hierarchy, then the sight of your boss cracking open a cold one and letting loose with you and your co-workers might seem rather odd at first.
It may well take some getting used to — so there’s your excuse to try it over, and over, and over again! 👏
Should you join in?
Definitely! If you’re in the Netherlands, then you absolutely can’t miss out on experiencing this Dutch quirk.
Crack open a cold one, grab some bitterballen, and tell your colleagues about that one time you nearly died walking down a bike path.
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It’ll break the ice, and give the lot of you something to laugh about. Win-win! 🙌
What do you think of this Dutch quirk? Have you experienced it? Tell us in the comments below!