Ik heet Agnes en ik woon in Amsterdam.

Happy – go - lucky

*  The Dutch always shake hands when meeting someone for the first time as well as when bumping into or visiting acquaintances;

*  With closer acquaintances and relatives it is usual for at least two but often three kisses to be given on alternate cheeks while shaking hands;

*  Coffee drinking is an all-important ritual in Holland. Coffee which Dutch make very strong is always served in very small cups. If milk…always koffiemelk;

*  The drinking of coffee is an integral part of what Dutch call gezelligheid (cosy, friendly atmosphere). There are two expressions in Dutch which aptly describe the custom:

-       Het is altijd koffietijd ‘it is always time for coffee’

-        Gezelligheid kent geen tijd ‘No time limit should be put on gezellinheid.


!  Note –Milky coffee, or caffe latte, is called koffie verkeerd (literally: wrong coffee). They love it!

Cheers,

Agnes.