Doe Normaal Doesn't Apply to Sports

The phrase 'doe normaal' is widely heard across the Netherlands, and if it is directed at you then you have certainly crossed the invisible Dutch line of what is acceptable and what not.

You may also hear, "Doe maar gewoon, dan doe je al gek genoeg" which in essence means "behave normally - that is crazy enough". Both common sayings make it very clear that there is a high regard in Dutch society for behaving 'normal', however you may wish to interpret that.

These sayings are in line with the reputation the Dutch have for not liking to stand out in a crowd - everything should be a bit average, a bit middelmatig. There's no need to boast about things, show people how exceptional you are in a particular field. There's no need to take yourself that seriously.

Unless of course you are the sporty type. When you can speed skate at gold medal level, play football or hockey to the highest of levels or swim like a world class fish then you can shout about it, or more accurately the people of the Netherlands will shout about it for you. Oranjegekte will take over and carry you to sporting wonderland.

Take the last winter Olympics and the unbelievable speed skating success of this little Dutch country. Look at this year's World Cup and the outpouring of pride that a third place bronze medal created, the happiness that a fantastic run and being so close to playing in yet another World Cup final brought to the land of orange.

For such a little country the sporting achievements are truly remarkable. And it is the one area of life it seems that doe even normaal really doesn't apply. And thank goodness it doesn't!

World Cup 2014: Oranjegekte

Having beaten Costa Rica last Saturday in what I can only describe as a bit of a nail biter, the boys in orange play again this evening, 10pm Dutch time to be exact. Against Argentina in the semi final, for a place in the World Cup final. World Cup final people. I'm on the verge of a breakdown just thinking about it.

The Dutch population, almost entirely as a whole, has been preparing in the only way they know how - by turning everything orange.

Houses have turned orange subsequently turning the streets orange. Food and drink has turned orange. You can buy orange burgers and orange puddings from the local supermarket, and of course the obligatory tompouce which turns orange just for such a special occasion. Clothes have turned orange. There are even some people that seem to have actually turned orange.

Yes, oranjegekte (orange madness) just builds as each hurdle to the World Cup final is jumped over. Admittedly, it did seem to take a little longer to get going this year. Expectations were low and many companies must be kicking themselves (and presumably everyone in their marketing departments) for a missed opportunity to jump on the orange bandwagon. But expectations are now high, higher than high. The nation is in a frenzy (except those odd few who couldn't care less about football. When I say odd I mean.. never mind, you know what I mean.)

How far you join in the orange craziness apparently actually depends on the amount of serotonine that is present in your brain - the more you have the more likely you are to follow the crowd - in this case a crowd clad in orange. (And yes, that was the result of an actually study, in case you are entertaining the idea that I make this stuff up).

So to conclude, serotonine levels are raging across the land. In fact, I think we have a serious serotonine overload on a national scale. The Netherlands is orange. And I have everything crossed that those orange flags and banners will still be flying proudly tomorrow - and the boys in orange get to play their last match of this World Cup on Sunday. The alternative is unthinkable. All together now....

Hup Holland Hup. 

The Nation is Ready