Page 27 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - The Netherlands

A POR TR AIT OF THE NE THERLANDS  25

marijuana. Even the attitude
of the Dut ch towards their
monarchy is modern – they are
regard ed with an affection more
co mmonly extended to family
members than to rulers.
Since the depredations of
World War II, much has changed
in the way the Dutch live their
lives. Thrift and moderation, the
two traditional virtues of
Calvinism, are no longer writ
large in society. A measure of
flamboyance is slowly but surely
making its way into the Dutch
lifestyle. Today the Dutch eat out
enthusiastically and often. A Dutch production of The Three Musketeers
Restaurant and cooking columns
are now featured in newspapers and there are concerns about youngsters
magazines, and there are also many and binge-drinking.
cookery programmes aired on television. In their spare time, Dutch people head
Dutch drinking habits have also outdoors, often on bicycles, which are
changed. On fine-weather days, people enormously popular. Love of the
throng the pavement cafés to end the environment is a strong Dutch charac-
working day with a beer or a glass of wine. teristic. There are hundreds of organized
They also drink a great deal more wine rambling and cycling tours, fun fairs and
with meals than once was the case. The theme parks, as well as a wide assortment
renowned Dutch gin, jenever (see p420), of festivals and other events held
is still popular, though younger people throughout the year (see pp36–9). And
prefer cocktails. As in a lot of countries, wherever you are, you will always find a
flea market – with items
ranging from flowers to
antiques for sale – not
far away.
The new-found joie de
vivre of the Dutch reflects
the general trend evident
in Western European coun-
tries. This is the result of a
new leisure culture, one
which is more “sensory”.
Less time is devoted to
reading and contempla-
tion, while food, drink,
sport and the arts all take
on increasingly prominent
roles. Politically, socially
and culturally, the Dutch
are embracing the 21st
De Waalkade, the promenade in Nijmegen century with confidence.

020-025_EW_Netherlands.indd 25 16/01/17 12:02 pm