Culture Shock in the Netherlands: Party in a Circle, Ya’ll

By: Candi Cane Canncel

I remember throwing my first party- it was my 7th Birthday and I insisted on taking the reigns. It was a pool party in my native Miami Beach. We served hot dogs and I even made the cake, a huge chocolate on chocolate concoction that I lavishly covered in m&ms chocolate candies. From that point on, I became hooked on entertaining. I helped my mother on countless get-togethers even perfecting my own little appetizers. Later on when I lived in Los Angeles, my house was known for great parties. The most spectacular being “Fidel Navidad”; a Cuban-military Christmas themed soiree where I served Cuban food, mojito cocktails, filled my living room with palm trees and flowers, played the hottest Mambo and had my then-boyfriend dress as Fidel Castro.

I spent three years working on board a cruise ship with the title of “Party Planner”. I didn’t get to actually throw parties but instead hosted cooking classes, presented appetizer demonstrations and taught guests how to throw their own lavish affairs.

I attended my first party in the Netherlands about a year and a half ago when I was here visiting. It was a party for a 10 year old and everyone sat in a circle. When guests arrived we were given coffee and cake. About an hour later we were offered drinks and hors d' oeuvres were set on the table. No music was played, there weren’t any themes or games and the plates were pretty simple consisting of Metworst; a hard type of dried sausage, chunks of cheese, various chips and cut up red pepper. I had a fun enough time and didn’t think much of the low-key party until I went to another get-together in this region.

It was here that when we arrived, we were given coffee and cake and about an hour later were offered drinks and hors d' oeuvres were set on the table. An array of Metworst, chunks of cheese, various chips and slices of red pepper adorned the surfaces. We sat in a circle and no music was played.

I moved to the Netherlands for good March of this year. I was invited to another party. We arrived at 3pm and were given coffee and cake and then, I’m sure you can guess what happened next- another party in a circle.

In America, our parties vary so incredibly. I’ve been to huge swanky affairs high in the Hollywood Hills where a live Mexican Mariachi band played next to a taco truck. I’ve been to celebrations of high tea, old fashioned Texas-style barbeques, Alice in Wonderland themed parties where everyone is dressed as some awesome character feasting on miniature food. I even had a Book Club for two years where each month a potluck was featured along the lines of the book’s central theme.

So what’s up with the party in the circle, no music and the same appetizers? Granted I have only been to parties in the Groningen region of the Netherlands. Perhaps parties are completely different in the South.

In late April is my boyfriend’s Birthday. I will be hosting my first ever Dutch party. When I started dreaming up the menu, excited about creating all the goodies I have in my repertoire, I asked my boyfriend what he’d like to serve. I’ll be damned if didn’t he say Metworst, chunks of cheese, chips and slices of red pepper but of course first we’ll start off with coffee and cake.