Volkert, de moord en de mediastorm - Wageningen UR

TYPICAL DUTCH
The Dutch dishwasher revolution
Sixteen years ago, when I did my Master’s in Wageningen, there were no dishwashers, at least not
in Dutch society. I used to be invited by Dutch families for dinner and the like. It was part of
Dutch culture in those days that after a meal you had to help wash up (by hand), otherwise it was
very impolite!
Doing the dishes by hand used to take between 15 and 30 minutes, depending on the number of
people who had enjoyed the meal. It was while doing the dishes that much of the conversation
went on. Personally, I was wondering why Dutch people liked their guest to participate in this
dish-washing ceremony. Was it because it’s tedious? Was it because it’s fun? I never got a clear
response to my questions. In Tanzania, we don’t let guests do the dishes. Nevertheless, I used to
enjoy doing the dishes with Dutch families after a meal.
More than ten years later, in 2009, I returned to the Netherlands, and this time my network expanded.
Now almost every week I get an invitation for dinner. Thanks to Dutch people for inviting
me to come and enjoy their meals! I have noticed some changes in Dutch culture. In almost every
house I have visited there is an automatic dishwasher. No more washing up by hand, and the guest
is not even allowed to assist in clearing up or drying the utensils. So the time for conversation is
also minimized! I am asking Dutch people if they can make provision for at least helping to dry
the utensils, so at least we continue talking! Annadomana Nyanga (from Tanzania), PhD Researcher at the
Land Degradation and Development chair group
Do you have a nice anecdote about your experience of going Dutch? Send it in! Describe an encounter
with Dutch culture in detail and comment on it briefl y. 300 words max. Send it to resource@wur.nl
and earn fi fty euro and Dutch candy.
VAATWASSERREPRESSIE
Zestien jaar geleden studeerde
de Tanzaniaanse
Annadomana in Wageningen.
‘Als ik bij vrienden
ging eten was het gebruikelijk
om achteraf te helpen
met de afwas. Anders
was je onbeleefd.
Een groot deel van het
gesprek speelde zich af
rond de afwas, die soms
wel een half uur duurde.
Tegenwoordig heeft iedereen
een afwasmachine,
en zijn de gesprekken
dus ook korter. Je mag nu
niet eens meer helpen
met afdrogen van het bestek.
Ik vraag de Nederlanders
hierbij of dat volgende
keer wel weer
mag. Dan kunnen we tenminste
doorgaan met het
gesprek.’
ILLUSTRATIE: HENK VAN RUITENBEEK