Message from Holland (5)
The scooter is on the rise in the Netherlands. The difference with a year ago is striking. They are real scooters with scooter wheels, just like the Yamaha in Thailand. Not like the Thai Honda, because it is a cross between motorcycle and scooter in terms of design and also has larger wheels. I have ridden both brands and personally prefer the Honda which I find more stable.
A striking difference between the Dutch and the Thai scooter is the length of the saddle. The Dutch scooter has a shorter saddle than its Thai brother, so that a pillion passenger can fit on it, provided that the buttocks remain within limits. The Thai saddle is longer. Logical, because at least three people must be able to sit on it and four is also possible. Not to mention the cargo that is transported on it.
What else strikes me? The cellphone. I sat on a terrace and to my surprise saw people talking to each other. There is even talking during the meal. How completely different is that in Thailand. You shouldn't be surprised when a couple is eating and both are doing all sorts of mysterious things on their cell phones or even talking on the phone.
Motorcyclists calling, motorists calling, shop assistants calling — I've seen it all and no one takes offense. With those eaters I sometimes have the tendency to say: why don't you call each other. But I don't know how to say that in Thai and it would be rude too. Although… as a weird farang I can afford that.
I learn a lot about Thailand again. When I am talking to someone who has been on holiday in Thailand, he will tell about his holiday experiences. Recently an acquaintance of mine. What he didn't tell about Thailand. One wisdom after another rolled out of his mouth in a continuous stream. Yes, the Thailand connoisseur spoke here. I listened to him in silence, occasionally hummed or muttered "so-so" in surprise.
After listening to all that, I quietly crept home and put the meter of books about Thailand and books by Thai writers that I've read into the garbage bag. Walked to the neighborhood parking lot, where Christmas trees are set on fire on New Year's Eve, and burned my books there. All lies.
I already warn blog employee Tino Kuis, who has devoured an even larger book collection than I have. Next month he will go on holiday to the Netherlands. Dear Tino, tell them that you live in Greenland, if necessary the South Pole. Otherwise I fear the worst for you.
Dick,
I actually have to smile when I read the part about the cell phone.
The day before yesterday, a group of us were having a drink on the terrace when my wife's cousin asked if I also had the Tango App on my smartphone.
I confirmed his question. Great, he said, then we can contact each other via Tango in the future and it is also free via WiFi.
I found his idea of keeping in touch via Wi-Fi rather strange.
We share the same internet connection because he lives next door to us.
I left him in his joy and didn't say that if he wanted to see me, he could just drop by as he does several times a day now.
Had I known, you could have sent me your books. But yes, such a book burning also has something. I've got a big stack I want to get rid of. Can they go on the stack?
I haven't met anyone who knows it all better. But yes, I can't, because I know better…I believe, I think.
I'm also in the Netherlands for a few days now and I'm looking forward to Friday. Then I will fly back soon.
Totally spot on Dick, about those cell phones, it's also something I noticed during my work (something other than vacation) in Thailand this year. But to now, after that holiday talk from a holidaymaker, put away a pile of books in your cupboard as lies and burn them is very radical. That 'Thailand expert' must have made an impression. Anyway, while reading your beautiful story, a wonderful experience in Thailand came to mind. Sometime in February I went shopping at Central World BKK before 10.00am. And... yes, the doors opened at the stroke of 10, music was played and all the sellers stood at their counters bowing to each falang up to the escalator. I had never experienced anything like this before. Of course, I immediately rolled up to the 7th floor or something like that to receive all those beautiful bows as if I were “King Willem 1” himself in my fantasy. Then we got back to the order of the day. Now I also receive friendly service in the Netherlands (although the terrace service here sometimes leaves a lot to be desired, we are all so busy) but this Thai tradition is certainly something worth mentioning.
Dear Chris,
It's great that you were able to restrain yourself and not let that Thailand expert fall into the trap. Just puncture it and they are speechless. How do I know that so well!! 20 years of being a tour guide in Thailand with Dutch tourists and you experience it at least once every trip. People from education (!) are particularly good at it. In any case, they couldn't get me angrier than, after 1 week in Thailand, to know better than someone who has lived there for so long that he is now almost Thai himself. Well, old Thai. And they don't touch my books...
@ Theo Moelee, Paul, Sjaak /Theo: I assume you mean Dick and not Chris. Indeed, you always have know-it-alls and it's best to let them talk. A Dutch teacher couple who had a house built in Buri Ram consistently called the spirit house in the garden Buddha altar. I didn't point fingers at them. They had selected it for the color, so that it would not detonate with the color of the house.
I can reassure Paul and Sjaak: I get stressed when I see someone fold a corner of the page of a book and don't use a bookmark, even a piece of toilet paper. Of course I didn't burn my books, but you will understand that. A columnist is allowed to lie and exaggerate.
Funny again, Dick. Only I don't quite understand your paragraph about burning Thai books and what seems to me to be a contempt for OUR-THAI!
It even reminds me a bit of “our other friends” who also have a habit of burning books if they disagree with something.
Or am I seeing it wrong?
Regards: William.
Dear Willem, I'm afraid the irony of my 'book burning' didn't get through to you. The core of my story is: After a holiday in Thailand, some tourists pretend to know and understand everything about the country.
Hello Dick, that is indeed the freedom of the columnist. Now that I read your response to Willem's email, this gives me another thought. Put yourself in the shoes of the Thais who live in the Netherlands. Did you know, Dick, that many Thai people who have lived in the Netherlands for years know very little about the Netherlands, especially when it comes to questions about their legal position (this also applies to many other Dutch people)? Now that you are in the Netherlands, it is not even a idea to 'brainstorm' about this in the blog 'messages from Holland'.
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