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 🥳
The Dutch have seemingly mastered the art of winding down after a long week at work or university, and no… it’s not by turning your mobile on DND and crashing out on the couch.
In fact, 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.
If, like us at DutchReview, you work for a Dutch company, you 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 who 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, because 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 rather 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.
However, once you’ve been converted, it’s a great way to socialise with your coworkers. (Not to mention how fun planning a borrel can be with your friends.)
And hey, even if it takes some getting used to, 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!
