Dutch way...??

[veryembarrassedmummy]

Someone enlighten me please about the Dutchway of dealing with things...re. the thread on abortion.

I have got to my 5th decade and never come across this.

Is it general knowledge or a MNs invention?

I have friends from all over the world; some are very open about things and some are not. Is it s cultural thing, or a personality thing?

I think they meant that some things are not considered comme il faut to talk about in culture A but are (on the whole) talked about in culture B. Obviously, individuals are going to be more or less open, but there are also cultural norms as to what is considered a suitable subject to be open about.

I have found that the British talk about sex in a jokey/this-is-a-little-naughty way that Swedes do not; they tend to be more practical in their outlook. Also, I have never heard a Swede joke about spanking or schoolgirls in gym slips in relation to sex; I didn't understand those references at all when I first arrived in the UK. So definitely cultural differences there.

I don't know what thread you mean but going dutch to me means both paying for your own dinner/night out.

Realises could be waaaay off the mark.

LOL cory I thought Swedes were notorious for their lack of humour in a general sort of way . Plenty of other qualities, however.

Don't you think this is where it might have come from, Anna? Englishman makes a jolly joke about spanking schoolgirls in nuns' clothing, Swede looks blank. No sense of humour these people, I tell you...

The thread was the one about a friend who was going to have an abortion - lots ofposts yesterday- and lots of people were mentioning the "Dutch way" of dealing with the matter- ie - it seemed that the Dutch were more open.

I know the Dutch are more open regarding sex education and sex generally, but didn't really see how this would apply to the thread- other than that perhaps abortion would be talked about openly- which wasn't really the point the OP was making- it was all to do with her emotions, not the fact that we as a culture don't talk openly about these things.

I too thought going Dutch only applied to going halves on a date!

Probably. Humour is so cultural; there are French smash hit "funny" films that just leave me stone cold and cringing; and I have seen English films in France where I am the only person in the cinema laughing out loud .

On the Dutch thing - my sister, who lives in Amsterdam, tells me that this open Dutch thing about sex is all a complete joke and that the Dutch have terrible problems with underage sex, pregnancy etc.

I think the OP on that other thread just happened to be involved with some Dutch people who are very open and upfront. OK, there is a cultural perception of all the Dutch/Swedes/Danes being very open about sex and bodily functions, but like a lot of stereotypes it means that quite a few of them are like that - and it just so happens that the OPs friends are that type.

Most English humour is actually really appreciated in Sweden; it's just the sex thing we don't get. But the rest goes down really well. German humour otoh totally incomprehensible. Despite the close cultural ties with Germany.

As for those glum and miserable Swedes who gave the country its reputation- Strindberg, Bergman, Greta Garbo- well, we exported those

I recently found out what a Dutch oven is and it's really gross!

Wallander is quite miserable too but I LOVE the books!