The Netherlands are famous for their tulips, windmills and wooden shoes. But in fact the most typical attitude of the Dutch is less known. It is simplicity and modesty. Act normally than you behave crazy enough is a common statement. There is this nice story about the US secretary of State George Marshall who visited after WWII our Dutch Prime Minister Willem Drees to discuss financial help for The Netherlands. They went to the house of mister Drees. No mansion, but a terraced house. And Misses Drees offered a cup of tea with a simple biscuit. OMG these people really need help, Mister Marshall must have thought.
This morning’s newspaper showed a beautiful photo that expresses the same attitude. Our Prime Minister Mark Rutte stops for the journalists to give a smile. He is on his way to severe discussions, because of a political crisis. No Rolls Royce, no Jaguar, no Mercedes, no Maybach, but as always, on his bicycle. This is really Dutch!
