My Little Dutch ABC Book
D
Dames ~ Women
This is a great word to know… especially
if you are needing to use the restroom. One of my first “emergencies” happened
while pleasantly shopping at the mall in Eindhoven. At first, I was just
casually looking for the little sign pointing me in the right direction. Then I
decided to go into a store and ask for directions. As this was one of my very
first weeks in The Netherlands, I had zero Dutch to my knowledge. So I politely
asked the sales attendant if she spoke English. She said she spoke a little.
Which I came to learn is a common answer when the Dutch are asked if they speak
English. So I began my request….
Me: “Can you tell me where the restroom
is?”
Sales attendant: Blank Stare
Me: Fumbling... Thinking... And getting
a little panicky… “Can you tell me where the bathroom is?
Sales attendant: Blank Stare
Me: Now I’m embarrassed, smiling, and a
tad nervous about my request. So I begin just using one word sentences. “Restroom,
bathroom…Ummmm toilet?”
Sales attendant: AHHHHH TOITLET!!! Yes! Go this way, make left right left.. blah
blah blah.. and you’re there.
Me: “Thank you so very much!” I slink
out of the shop mortified that someone knows I’ve asked for a toilet.
I still haven’t gotten used to boldly
asking where the toilet is when I’m lost, but I do make sure I’ve got my coins
ready to pay the attendant in the restroom. And I make sure I open the door
that says DAMES (Women) not Heren (Men).
My favorite Toilet sign
at Piet Hein Eek
Hi Lisa,
ReplyDeleteApologies for writing here but I hope you will respond to my message.
I am a Lecturer/PhD candidate at University of Amsterdam and Erasmus University and I would like to invite you to participate in my research project on female expats in the Netherlands. My research investigates how female expats carve out spaces of home and a sense of belonging in their lived spaces and the role that digital media (especially blogs) plays in this process. My research aims at providing a better understanding of the migration experience of female expats and the construction of migrant identities.
I can send you a more detailed message from my university email account if you send me your email address.
I hope you will read my message and will be interested in my research.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Best wishes,
Rhythma
you can reach me at ljochim3@gmail.com. I look forward to hearing from you. ~ Lisa
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