The Dutch and Lao must be related

The more I think about it, the more I come to the conclusion that the Dutch and Lao people are (culturally) related. Apart from the obvious differences and distance of 8966 kilometers or 5571 miles, I think there are many similarities.

Both countries have been dominated by the French. The Netherlands received these unwanted southern visitors around 1672.

Laos had to wait a few centuries for the French invasion. In 1893, Lan Xang was incorporated and came under the influence of les Français. From then on the country was named “Laos”.

Both Laos and the Netherlands were dominated by the French at one time and the most important inheritance was the French bread (Khao Jee Falang or stokbrood in Dutch).

More similarities. Food. Perhaps you remember the delightful Kanom Kok?

Well the Dutch feast on something spectacularly similar called poffertjes.

Through Laos and the Netherlands runs a very important and viable stream of water that supports both economies in an important way. In Laos: the Mekong, created by nature.

The Dutch are very dependent on an important canal: de Waterweg, created by man. This canal supports their main economic artery: the harbour of Rotterdam.

Both Laos and the Netherlands are in a love-hate relationship with their large neigbouring countries. For Laos, it is Thailand.

The Dutch have an ongoing rivalry and friendship with Germany.

This is one of the most peculiar similarities. Surrounded by mystery is the plain of jars, scattered throughout the Xieng Khouang plain .

The dolmen of the Netherlands (Hunebedden) are surrounded by comparable mysticism and, in my opinion, look very much like the artifacts of the plain of jars.

Both Lao and Dutch people like a party preferably accompanied by some music and beer. Beer is also the main export beverage of Laos and the Netherlands. In Laos, they brew and export the tasty Beer Lao.

And Heineken is our main exported beverage in the Netherlands.

Now admit that after reading the whole post, you changed your mind from “never” to “hmmmm could be…”

Happy New Year!