I find this far more interesting than what the Swedish do on Christmas Eve. (The whole country stops so they can watch an hour of Donald Duck cartoons.) It seems rather Dutch that Santa would hang out with a half dozen black dudes. Much cooler than the raindeer.
I'm sure everyone who watches this video already knows this, but if I may nitpick, the description is wrong. This story is not about Christmas. Christmas is celebrated on December 25 in the Netherlands like everywhere else. Sinterklaas is celebrated on December 5.
@YukiNekoPrincess that's a bit of a pedantic take on this. The US version of Santa is connected to the 25th date but the origin of the US Santa is the Dutch version of St. Nicholas/Sinderklaas. So it is indeed connected..
I'm actually from the Netherlands and I still find this HILARIOUS because there really is no other way to explain all this! You really shouldn't overthink these kind of traditions, just enjoy it! I mean, we're already used to the fact that Holland's got a horrible reputation because of all the prejudices, might as well get a laugh from it!
We have nothing against the celebration of this old, cultural fest. But why are they black, still like 100 years ago? And if we raise our voice, the commen comment is that we should integrate ???? Also we feel ashamed to the rest of the world (except belgium) that The Netherlands our proud of this part of their tradition..:-(. I vote for Sinterklaas accompanied by elfs!!
@marlyn777 Why is Santa still riding a sleigh? Why is he still fat? Why is child/elf labor still legal? Why does Santa still live on the North pole and not on the South? Why is Santa an old white man and not a female hindu warrior? Why do you still chop down trees to celebrate christmas? Why are reindeers still used?
hilarious and sad! For another a joke (i understand) but for us reality. As a black woman raised in the Netherlands (born in suriname, my forfathers and mothers were slaves!!) i can say and speak for a large (not all)percentage of the black community (in particular from the Dutch Antillen and Suriname), we do feel offended by the 6-8 black men.
@marlyn777 So if they were 6 to 8 white men, I should be offended? Its a tradition, indeed coming from a bloody history. But keeping the tradition alive has nothing to do with supporting slavery (I can't believe I actually have to explain you this). Its good to remember the Dutch were racist as fuck once upon a time, so we all can remember not to go there again (like Geert Wilders probably wants).
Also, its just a celebration for kids. Get over it.
Hey. If you like David Sedaris you will like me. Check out my channel. You will laugh very hard. I know this. It has been told to me a thousand times.
"santa clause" and "cookie" both come from Dutch via the New Netherlands (NY). the North pole stuff was mainly pagan mythology (the old man of winter etc)
Saint Nicholas Day and Christmas have nothing to do with eachother. It's a common mistake made by foreigners.
Saint Nicholas is not the Dutch version of Santa Claus. How could he be, we've been celebrating Saint Nicholas days for hundres of years. Santa Claus is a relatively recent invention.
I always found it odd that Santa Claus was based on a figure whom has nothing to do with Christmas. :P
It is so true that for me (I'm Dutch) the concept of 'elves' is, indeed, unrealistic. I mean, come on, we tell kids it's all real, and everybody knows elves aren't real! (eh... okay. A Turkish bishop from Spain who rides the roofs on his white horse is, well, maybe slightly less unrealistic. Maybe.)
That '6-8 black men' is hilarious! No idea where it comes from, because the number of Zwarte Pieten really varies from 1 to dozens. They do not represent black people (as in, racially) by the way.
also from Holland, come to think about it this sounds weird haha :). But the 6-8 black man are black because they climb down the chimney, i tried to explain this a couple of times since i currently live in England, people do not seem to get Sinterklaas haha
I know for an outsider this celebration sounds downright racist, and it probably was to some extent 50 years ago, but those racist elements have been marginalised since then.
For example: the black men were originally Moors from Spain (so not even real african slaves), but they are now explained as having a blackened face because they climb down chimneys to deliver presents and get covered in sooth.
@omegastar19 The fact is that almost noone - atleast none that i know of - see the black men as actually black; the kids fully realize that those people are not actually black, and the fact that black people act as servants of saint nicolas simply doesnt connect to any racist idea that white people are better then black people. I think this is because the Netherlands never had any real trouble with racial struggles. The lack of such troubles causes kids to simply not make the link to racism.
@ChiefBlackDevil The black people in the video at 5:19 don't seem to have a problem with it. My guess is that it's a cultural difference and they are not intending to be disrespectful.
It's not the topic of other cultures that is "American" sense of humor. It's the sarcasm and veiled criticism of Sedaris's own American culture that lends the distinctly "American" flavor to his humor. His point is that everyone's myths are ridiculous, including his own and sarcastic wit is how he makes light of it. In my experience, sarcasm doesn't translate too well. Just look at all the posts below of offended parties who literally can't see the humor. Sarcasm is lost on them.
It's a different holiday entirely, even though Christmas is derived from Sinterklaas. I'd say the majority of the Dutch also celebrate Christmas in at least some way (though presents are most of the time reserved for only one of the two holidays).
Ah good point, what was I thinking? I can only save face my saying I meant to say "Father Christmas", but I don't think I was planning to write that :)
As a Dutch person now living in America I found this hilarious.
Brief point of clarification: While Sinterklaas is an old tradition, it is a common misperception amongst Dutch people (as evident from comments here) that the Zwarte Piet (the black men) are also a long tradition. They are actually a fairly new addition that didn't exist before the 19th century. Certainly not a tradition "older than the founding of the USA. That's just Dutch ignorance talking.
This is hilarious. Had me in tears. I think he is laughing at the expense of the Dutch, a little bit. But, gently. I don't think he is calling them racist, but maybe naive. The joke plays well because of white fear. Sedaris is an American, observing a foreign country that has surrounded our safest symbol(Santa) with what were once symbols of fear to many Americans - black people. And they beat children. It's funny because it is completely absurd, and he is making fun of white American fear.
I'm from the Netherlands myself and find this most hilarious! It's a great celebration, traditional and embedded in our culture. Besides, David describes really funny.
Confirming infrogmation; it's not accurate but just funny ;-)
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
AdamBeutler- thanks for posting but sorry you're description is WRONG- this is not how the Dutch celebrate Christmas. Sinterklaas and Christmas are two completely different holidays.
Apparently the folks who seem offended by this don't realize that Sedaris is not making fun of the Dutch or Sinterklaas but rather is satirizing all too common and typical American cultural chauvinism.
Hmmm.. yeah.. it does.. because it is being told from the point of view of an American seeing this Dutch custom for the first time and explains how it would appear to an American.
I actually think it's about Greeks since he is of Greek ancestry. How far do you want to take this ridiculous everything-is-relative argument? It is quite obvious the Dutch are the subject in this bit and that is what I was referring to.
@freethinker1of2 he's making fun of tradition. if you see that as "american chauvinism" on his part then apparently that is what you are making fun of. it doesnt make him chauvinistiv, however, to find it amusing/strange that the dutch still mockingly do this. that doesnt mean he thinks america is somehow better. he makes fun of americans often enough as well.
@freethinker1of2 He makes fun of how any of us, not just Americans, thinks our myths are "right." Does the same thing with the French Easter Bell and the Americans Easter Bunny in "Jesus Shaves." Hey, I've worked at the UN, so I've had a lot of discussions about these things with colleagues and friends about who is "right" -- though always with humor. Chauvinism knows no borders!
This is hilarious! I remember living in holland and being so confused about Sinterklaas at first. He left out the part about putting out your shoes for him to put presents in! And Piet leaving a bag of salt if your bad!
I am from The Netherlands, and this is by far the funniest story ever! Read some of the comments, people take their weird cultural events way too serious. Sedaris makes a hilarious comparison between Santa and St. Nicolas, which are the same anyway. It is meant to be funny, so everybody...remove your bugs from your uptight asses! This not a university lecture on cultural history, just a story.
This is NOT how we (the Dutch) celebrate Christmas!! This is how we celebrate Sinterklaas; twenty days BEFORE christmas. which we celebrate with a Christmas tree etcetera, just like other countries...
This holiday is simply a Dutch tradition, just like yanks celebrate the 4th of July when they became 'independant'. Of course that is a nice way of saying you killed all the natives and now you've claimed the land... "Happy 4th of July!"
Yes, it is weird we Dutch people still paint our faces black, when we (our forefathers) out of all people were the ones who took the African people and sold them in America
Believe me, as a kid this tradition is very nice. But don't try to make sense out of it
Ahhh.. Well, it's not any easier to make any more sense out of the American version of Santa. Like Sedaris says... "It's best not to think about it too hard".
It's all for the kids.. and hopefully they enjoy it.
As for the 4th of July.. that is about the independence from England and the British Empire... Columbus Day is the more shameful holiday about conquering the lands of the natives on the North American continent.
Back on track.. this is still a really fun essay..
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
Dutch people are racist and the racial problems in the U:S: were founded, amongst other groups of Europeans, the Dutch! Being tolerant doesn't mean excepting. The white men in black face is offensive to black people and tolerance means excepting that fact and respecting that. Europeans (The Dutch) lack racial understanding and cultural respect. David S. is a humorist and he is showing the humor and the absurdity on both sides of the Atlantic.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
@AdamBeutler Seems more like it's for pretentious college kids who fancy themselves cultured. Fact is, this isn't funny, you've just been told it is and slavishly obey like a good sheep.
@townparkradio In war time you would be a bad ass frontline pawn, too narrow minded and short sighted to see the underlying bigger picture.Yours truly,sniping from the shadow.
I'm from the Netherlands and we love our 'Sint Nicholas' here, and his 'black men' ( zwarte pieten). And no kid of 6 years old who believes in him is going to think bad of a 'real' black person. Yes, it is partially because of our cultural background, but at least WE have one, whereas America; your Santa is based on OURS. Got that? David is very funny with this story ( expecially about the teacosy) but please just stop with the 'oooooooh dutch people are racists' thing.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
If not racist then why portray "zwart piet" with an afro wig and big red painted lips. Time to live in the 21st century...and since I am an Amer. expat living in The Netherlands, yes! The Dutch are insensitive and RACIST just ask anybody from Suriname or Turkey!!!!!!!
What's your point? Sinterklaas is a legend and tradition of 100's of years old.. (before the dutch founded new york, and before slavery was developed in america).
Because in the us, you have problems with racism, dutch history/culture needs to be changed?
I see the joke in this, but not that people take the joke serious....
It's tradition in the netherlands, from before the US of A was founded. before slavery e.t.c. so why sudenly change tradition because in the US there is a problem with racism...
@konin525 Sorry konin525, but I'm afraid you've been misinformed. While sinterklaas is an old tradition, zwarte piet is not. And certainly not "older than the usa".
Agreed.. but this story is not making a judgement about the Dutch tradition itself, but rather making fun of how an uninformed American visitor would view it.
As an American who has lived in the Netherlands and still travels there often, this is very familiar as I had pretty much the same reaction the first time I was there for Sinterklaas. And I was traveling with a black co-worker so it was double funny.
Men! You have found new layers of stupidity! How can you - in all honesty - call every Dutch person a racist based upon a tradition of giving presents to kids? And what about our fellow turkisch citizens? Have you checked the general opinion of Kurdisch people amongst them? Racism starts in your heart!
and that comment doesnt constitute racism in itself? remember slavery? and segregation? oh yup thats nothing. SINTERKLAUSS HELPER IS BLACK O GOD WERE ALL GONNA DIE
im extremely offended by you calling all dutch people racist and i think you need to pick up a dictionary
I love David Sedaris and I love this story. The first time I read it I nearly peed my pants. The video made me a little uncomfortable, though. I'm surprised that so few people have brought up the blackface. Even if one could argue that this is a different culture (non-US, I mean to say) with a different racial history and social context, this video was made my an American, and the intro shows some very demeaning and stereotypical images of blacks in the U.S. Disappointing as I love thestory
I'm sorry but David Sedaris is way too inclusive to even think about political incorrectness. I have a son with autism and a severe speech disorder but that doesn't prevent me from laughing at "Me Talk Pretty Some Day". Get a sense of humor. David Sedaris is a loving liberal. Sounds like you aren't or you're a little guilty or afraid.
Sedaris is a genius, and recognizes the humor in everything. But Santa does not eat tapas! lol If you don't think this is funny, your funny bone is broken: go kill yourself and put yourself out of our misery.
Well put, I don't know why people can just have a laugh without making it personal or trying to be too PC. Everyone just relax, stress is the number one killer ;-)
Wow. Amazing that a posting about something so funny and benign can be filled with such distain from so many posters. Jesus! They're fighting over who came up with Santa Claus first. Let me settle this, boys. He's not real. Who gives?
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
but all you american punks dont know that he was there before the american santa claus and that the dutch brought santa claus to america, so without us, no santa claus in usa ;)
To anyone who's offended because they're Dutch or on behalf of the Dutch: come ON, people. This is (among other things) a *satire* of American cultural chauvinism. I admit, sometimes it's difficult to distinguish that from the real thing, but... honestly.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
Gosh what a snob. Pretty much everything he said before I tired of it at 1:25 could be reversed to backfire towards Santa. I mean, Santa's unhealthily fat, wears a ridiculous outfit, and why would he come from Lapland all the way to give presents to spoilt brats in the USA?
lol zwartepiet!! (thats the little black men) I used to LOVE them! i lived in holland for 6 years and sinterklaas used to scare me while zwartepiet were just the best thing about november!
On behalf of the small number of Dutch people who do have a sense of humor, I'd like to apologize for the blockheads who don't get it and act insulted...
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
i actualy liked this video and it was very funny, but im getting very tired of all those empty head americans who thinkt they r the best, maybe you should go in the army and kill poor iraq people couse thats what americans love to do
(not all americans r like that but you gotha admid that you r the one of the dumbest people on earth)
btw, thanks for giving us the economic crysis retards
Nobody needs to point it out or make childish, unwise statements towards America for us to all know they're dumb. I AM from America. And nobody here with sense agrees with the war. I don't agree with the war, I think it's a fucking atrocity. But your grammar skills and accusing statements don't quite get you up to par with the rest of the world's IQ prerequisites either.
It's a centuries old tradition which is for example way older than lets say the USA...furthermore..Sinterklaas wasn't made up by Coca Cola for capitalist purposes...Sinterklaas is anything but racist and don't try to be so fucking PC just because for the first time in your life you voted for a black president. Who's the racist here...Jerkoffs
hahaha! I just discovered Sedaris' existence and am very thrilled to do so! his analysis absolutely nails the imperfect perfections, transmissions and meanings of myths. To make it more cluttered; Santa and Sinterklaas actually coexist in The Netherlands by now (some celebrate one, many celebrate both and some do none). Greetings from a descendant of your Dutch imperialistic pioneers or ancestors...who wished we had so many great authors like for instance america has
Wonderful! What a magnificent Santa the Dutch have! The Samichlaus I remember from my chilhood in Switzerland was gruff and plain. He had only one servant (Knecht) who was armed with a switch and a bag. Both were said to live in the forest and looked accordingly. Most of the time the Samichlaus came alone, probably for economic reasons, and to my great disappointment, the Knecht never came along to our house to beat and bag my two youngest brothers.
Thank you, Sallie, for your encouraging words. My career as a medical writer (Roche called it "Regulatory Documentation Specialist") is behind me. Never in my dreams could I compete with David Sedaris!
Vermeer. You need to lighten up. Dont you Dutch have any sense of humor? Ever heard of the term "lampoon"? He's joking, you silly Nederlander! Trust me...he makes fun of himself as much as anything and of all things American as well. Dont get your clogs in a....bunch, my man. LOL
lol cool video! my names Sydney, kinda feelin bored if any1 wants to join me on cam or wana chat i will be signed on at __ FriendlyFlirts(.COM) __ my user ID there is Sydney_wwpjiahvjm chat soon xx its FR33 to j0in! mwah
"What's not to love about being Dutch" haha :D As a Dutchy I think I must agree ;-)
LeannaLitha 1 month ago
I find this far more interesting than what the Swedish do on Christmas Eve. (The whole country stops so they can watch an hour of Donald Duck cartoons.) It seems rather Dutch that Santa would hang out with a half dozen black dudes. Much cooler than the raindeer.
prajnasword 2 months ago
They get black from going through the chimney. Sint Nicolas waits outside on the roof until they return :).
discy12345 2 months ago
I'm black, and this is funny as hell. Stop taking life so seriously.
Prettypsych1 2 months ago
derp uhhhh im from netherlands and blah blah blah gimme thumbs up because i agree with some part of something no one cares about
prophetsofpenance 2 months ago
In the Netherlands we actually celebrate both Sinterklaas & Christmas as two seperate things. Some kids actually get presents twice aswell!
Jeemdeecreations 2 months ago
I'm sure everyone who watches this video already knows this, but if I may nitpick, the description is wrong. This story is not about Christmas. Christmas is celebrated on December 25 in the Netherlands like everywhere else. Sinterklaas is celebrated on December 5.
YukiNekoPrincess 2 months ago
@YukiNekoPrincess that's a bit of a pedantic take on this. The US version of Santa is connected to the 25th date but the origin of the US Santa is the Dutch version of St. Nicholas/Sinderklaas. So it is indeed connected..
SukieNYC 2 months ago
@SukieNYC I didn't say they weren't connected. I just said Sinterklaas isn't Christmas, which is true.
YukiNekoPrincess 2 months ago
Santa should speak Spanish, how else is he going to read all the letters from Spanish/Latin American children? :)
miln40 2 months ago
I'm actually from the Netherlands and I still find this HILARIOUS because there really is no other way to explain all this! You really shouldn't overthink these kind of traditions, just enjoy it! I mean, we're already used to the fact that Holland's got a horrible reputation because of all the prejudices, might as well get a laugh from it!
iROCKyouuu 2 months ago 4
We have nothing against the celebration of this old, cultural fest. But why are they black, still like 100 years ago? And if we raise our voice, the commen comment is that we should integrate ???? Also we feel ashamed to the rest of the world (except belgium) that The Netherlands our proud of this part of their tradition..:-(. I vote for Sinterklaas accompanied by elfs!!
marlyn777 2 months ago
@marlyn777 Why is Santa still riding a sleigh? Why is he still fat? Why is child/elf labor still legal? Why does Santa still live on the North pole and not on the South? Why is Santa an old white man and not a female hindu warrior? Why do you still chop down trees to celebrate christmas? Why are reindeers still used?
I vote for them all being abolished! (sarcasm)
rmsluimers 2 months ago
hilarious and sad! For another a joke (i understand) but for us reality. As a black woman raised in the Netherlands (born in suriname, my forfathers and mothers were slaves!!) i can say and speak for a large (not all)percentage of the black community (in particular from the Dutch Antillen and Suriname), we do feel offended by the 6-8 black men.
marlyn777 2 months ago
@marlyn777 So if they were 6 to 8 white men, I should be offended? Its a tradition, indeed coming from a bloody history. But keeping the tradition alive has nothing to do with supporting slavery (I can't believe I actually have to explain you this). Its good to remember the Dutch were racist as fuck once upon a time, so we all can remember not to go there again (like Geert Wilders probably wants).
Also, its just a celebration for kids. Get over it.
Jeemdeecreations 2 months ago
No terrorist code... nuff said
AstaLawl 3 months ago
I have always liked this. Very good story!
garbofan2928 5 months ago
It sounds like a joke that only two people in the world understand.
Arnhem1972 5 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Hey. If you like David Sedaris you will like me. Check out my channel. You will laugh very hard. I know this. It has been told to me a thousand times.
gregorybrandt 5 months ago
Hilarious and brilliant...
SethHesio 7 months ago
"santa clause" and "cookie" both come from Dutch via the New Netherlands (NY). the North pole stuff was mainly pagan mythology (the old man of winter etc)
slh950 8 months ago
This is hilarious! Love it.
nikothedog 8 months ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Dude is a borderline genius writer... LLS
TiminSE 8 months ago
dude is a borderline genuis writer. LLS
TiminSE 8 months ago
Saint Nicholas Day and Christmas have nothing to do with eachother. It's a common mistake made by foreigners.
Saint Nicholas is not the Dutch version of Santa Claus. How could he be, we've been celebrating Saint Nicholas days for hundres of years. Santa Claus is a relatively recent invention.
I always found it odd that Santa Claus was based on a figure whom has nothing to do with Christmas. :P
Jaimedevos 8 months ago 2
I love this, I was crying with laughter!
Andrea
Globalcountryni
GlobalCountryni 10 months ago
Dutch reporting in. This is awsome :P
themistertriple 11 months ago
@yenamarre100
mspaulajoyce 1 year ago
It is so true that for me (I'm Dutch) the concept of 'elves' is, indeed, unrealistic. I mean, come on, we tell kids it's all real, and everybody knows elves aren't real! (eh... okay. A Turkish bishop from Spain who rides the roofs on his white horse is, well, maybe slightly less unrealistic. Maybe.)
That '6-8 black men' is hilarious! No idea where it comes from, because the number of Zwarte Pieten really varies from 1 to dozens. They do not represent black people (as in, racially) by the way.
etierik 1 year ago
omg if I was reading this i would have busted my ass laughing
PeaceUdo 1 year ago
Not everyone finds Larry the cable guy funny.
emmers57 1 year ago
lmao, david sedaris <3
ILikeTrafficLightss 1 year ago
and each of the black men has the same name: Zwarte Piet (Black Pete)
:P
chph92 1 year ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
@chph92 Keep those Niggers busy. Niggers are good for using them as slaves.
PsychedelicShamanism 1 year ago
@PsychedelicShamanism
Are you seriously that stupid? i feel sorry you are so hateful. Must suck to go thru life that miserable.
mspaulajoyce 1 year ago
This is the funniest thing I have ever heard
l33tpwnzord 1 year ago
Hilarious!
rubbus 1 year ago
also from Holland, come to think about it this sounds weird haha :). But the 6-8 black man are black because they climb down the chimney, i tried to explain this a couple of times since i currently live in England, people do not seem to get Sinterklaas haha
Imara90 1 year ago
Comment removed
indegloria1 1 year ago
black people, lol!
kfunkdeluxe 1 year ago
Hilarious. Im dutch and i love it. Fantastic.
I know for an outsider this celebration sounds downright racist, and it probably was to some extent 50 years ago, but those racist elements have been marginalised since then.
For example: the black men were originally Moors from Spain (so not even real african slaves), but they are now explained as having a blackened face because they climb down chimneys to deliver presents and get covered in sooth.
omegastar19 1 year ago
@omegastar19 The fact is that almost noone - atleast none that i know of - see the black men as actually black; the kids fully realize that those people are not actually black, and the fact that black people act as servants of saint nicolas simply doesnt connect to any racist idea that white people are better then black people. I think this is because the Netherlands never had any real trouble with racial struggles. The lack of such troubles causes kids to simply not make the link to racism.
omegastar19 1 year ago
@ChiefBlackDevil The black people in the video at 5:19 don't seem to have a problem with it. My guess is that it's a cultural difference and they are not intending to be disrespectful.
skyking21361 1 year ago
@ChiefBlackDevil Your name is Chief Black Devil, so you must have some humor in there somewhere. He is being ironic.
kathygreentea 1 year ago
It's not the topic of other cultures that is "American" sense of humor. It's the sarcasm and veiled criticism of Sedaris's own American culture that lends the distinctly "American" flavor to his humor. His point is that everyone's myths are ridiculous, including his own and sarcastic wit is how he makes light of it. In my experience, sarcasm doesn't translate too well. Just look at all the posts below of offended parties who literally can't see the humor. Sarcasm is lost on them.
srhlnnhnsn 1 year ago 5
American humor: talk about another culture.
WackoX1337 1 year ago
I cannot root for a team that celebrates Christmas in this way. Go Espana~~~!!!
Mookie31973 1 year ago
@Mookie31973
It's a different holiday entirely, even though Christmas is derived from Sinterklaas. I'd say the majority of the Dutch also celebrate Christmas in at least some way (though presents are most of the time reserved for only one of the two holidays).
SirCyrus0 1 year ago
@SirCyrus0 Santa Claus is derived from the Dutch Santa Claus, not Christmas.
RyanBoss26 1 year ago
@RyanBoss26
Ah good point, what was I thinking? I can only save face my saying I meant to say "Father Christmas", but I don't think I was planning to write that :)
SirCyrus0 1 year ago
@SirCyrus0 hehe lol, hey, no sweat :)
RyanBoss26 1 year ago
KanzaBoom, if you dont find this funny then I fell very very sorry for you. You probably dont get it.
MsGirrbach 1 year ago
As a Dutch person now living in America I found this hilarious.
Brief point of clarification: While Sinterklaas is an old tradition, it is a common misperception amongst Dutch people (as evident from comments here) that the Zwarte Piet (the black men) are also a long tradition. They are actually a fairly new addition that didn't exist before the 19th century. Certainly not a tradition "older than the founding of the USA. That's just Dutch ignorance talking.
Duynsathe 1 year ago
This is hilarious. Had me in tears. I think he is laughing at the expense of the Dutch, a little bit. But, gently. I don't think he is calling them racist, but maybe naive. The joke plays well because of white fear. Sedaris is an American, observing a foreign country that has surrounded our safest symbol(Santa) with what were once symbols of fear to many Americans - black people. And they beat children. It's funny because it is completely absurd, and he is making fun of white American fear.
surfrider001 1 year ago
I'm from the Netherlands myself and find this most hilarious! It's a great celebration, traditional and embedded in our culture. Besides, David describes really funny.
Confirming infrogmation; it's not accurate but just funny ;-)
Timetootjuh 1 year ago 3
I experienced this the other week.
I am studying abroad and made a friend from the Netherlands that explained their tradition to me.
I was confused but smiled the whole time she talked.
Dr34am3r 2 years ago 2
This comment has received too many negative votes show
AdamBeutler- thanks for posting but sorry you're description is WRONG- this is not how the Dutch celebrate Christmas. Sinterklaas and Christmas are two completely different holidays.
mtl1969 2 years ago
Yes. But don't listen to David Sedaris for detailed factual accuracy. Listen to him because he is funny. :-)
infrogmation 2 years ago 8
Apparently the folks who seem offended by this don't realize that Sedaris is not making fun of the Dutch or Sinterklaas but rather is satirizing all too common and typical American cultural chauvinism.
freethinker1of2 2 years ago 43
@freethinker1of2 Actually he isnt. This video has nothing to do w/ Americans.
coffeescup 2 years ago
and this vid has nothing to do with christmas
utyholdenrust 2 years ago 2
@utyholdenrust no, it doesnt have anything to do w/ christmas. why did you respond to my comment? curious.
coffeescup 2 years ago
@coffeescup
Hmmm.. yeah.. it does.. because it is being told from the point of view of an American seeing this Dutch custom for the first time and explains how it would appear to an American.
toonus 5 months ago
I actually think it's about Greeks since he is of Greek ancestry. How far do you want to take this ridiculous everything-is-relative argument? It is quite obvious the Dutch are the subject in this bit and that is what I was referring to.
coffeescup 5 months ago
@freethinker1of2 he's making fun of tradition. if you see that as "american chauvinism" on his part then apparently that is what you are making fun of. it doesnt make him chauvinistiv, however, to find it amusing/strange that the dutch still mockingly do this. that doesnt mean he thinks america is somehow better. he makes fun of americans often enough as well.
coffeescup 2 years ago
@freethinker1of2 He makes fun of how any of us, not just Americans, thinks our myths are "right." Does the same thing with the French Easter Bell and the Americans Easter Bunny in "Jesus Shaves." Hey, I've worked at the UN, so I've had a lot of discussions about these things with colleagues and friends about who is "right" -- though always with humor. Chauvinism knows no borders!
Tracymmo 1 year ago
This is hilarious! I remember living in holland and being so confused about Sinterklaas at first. He left out the part about putting out your shoes for him to put presents in! And Piet leaving a bag of salt if your bad!
thelivingrobot 2 years ago 3
I am from The Netherlands, and this is by far the funniest story ever! Read some of the comments, people take their weird cultural events way too serious. Sedaris makes a hilarious comparison between Santa and St. Nicolas, which are the same anyway. It is meant to be funny, so everybody...remove your bugs from your uptight asses! This not a university lecture on cultural history, just a story.
screwnannerl 2 years ago 83
santa and st nicholas are the same yes.. but the holidays are different
ThePopups 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
you wanne know why they black?
cause they go through chimnyes and get black cause of the stuff inside.. nothing rasicst....
and it has nothing to do with christmas
this video sucks.
xheleentjex 2 years ago
This is funny (I'm Dutch), some people take this too seriously.
2304nikki 2 years ago 6
This is NOT how we (the Dutch) celebrate Christmas!! This is how we celebrate Sinterklaas; twenty days BEFORE christmas. which we celebrate with a Christmas tree etcetera, just like other countries...
Snegenad1 2 years ago
Comment removed
ThePopups 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
This would be a lot funnier if this guy knew his history.
Turkey used to have a bishop, and was Christian until it was run over by Muslims. So yes, this legend being old, that's what it says.
wolfcloth 2 years ago
David Sedaris is of Greek heritage and is probably familiar with Saint Nicholas and the Byzantine empire. He is just being facetious.
mikeczzz 2 years ago 7
This holiday is simply a Dutch tradition, just like yanks celebrate the 4th of July when they became 'independant'. Of course that is a nice way of saying you killed all the natives and now you've claimed the land... "Happy 4th of July!"
Yes, it is weird we Dutch people still paint our faces black, when we (our forefathers) out of all people were the ones who took the African people and sold them in America
Believe me, as a kid this tradition is very nice. But don't try to make sense out of it
mrfu2 2 years ago 2
@mrfu2
Ahhh.. Well, it's not any easier to make any more sense out of the American version of Santa. Like Sedaris says... "It's best not to think about it too hard".
It's all for the kids.. and hopefully they enjoy it.
As for the 4th of July.. that is about the independence from England and the British Empire... Columbus Day is the more shameful holiday about conquering the lands of the natives on the North American continent.
Back on track.. this is still a really fun essay..
Issicra 2 years ago
its not christmas
ThePopups 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Dutch people are racist and the racial problems in the U:S: were founded, amongst other groups of Europeans, the Dutch! Being tolerant doesn't mean excepting. The white men in black face is offensive to black people and tolerance means excepting that fact and respecting that. Europeans (The Dutch) lack racial understanding and cultural respect. David S. is a humorist and he is showing the humor and the absurdity on both sides of the Atlantic.
sedecim 2 years ago
Comment removed
restlessdesign 2 years ago
Uh, Dutch people aren't racist.
I've lived here for quite a while, and they are quite tolerant.
flightofheaven 2 years ago
@flightofheaven Tolerant? Hmmm.
cnelson39 2 years ago
@flightofheaven So, the "tolerate" Black people?
deadarm66 1 year ago
haha... I have a performance of him reading this at Carnegie Hall. I died laughing the first time I heard it !
ilovemyhoens 2 years ago
Holy LOL this is a classic bit. You do have to have completed high school thought to get some of the jokes, so look out guys!
l33tpwnzord 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
what the hell is wrong with all these people? This shit isnt funny.
o0xst 2 years ago
Oh sorry, this was meant for people with a sense of humor.
AdamBeutler 2 years ago 74
Read : People with simplistic sense of humors, lawl!
o0xst 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
@AdamBeutler Seems more like it's for pretentious college kids who fancy themselves cultured. Fact is, this isn't funny, you've just been told it is and slavishly obey like a good sheep.
townparkradio 1 year ago
@townparkradio In war time you would be a bad ass frontline pawn, too narrow minded and short sighted to see the underlying bigger picture.Yours truly,sniping from the shadow.
pocyclips 11 months ago
@townparkradio lol no, it's really funny.
thear675 10 months ago
@o0xst What were you expecting,"nigger" or "cracker" jokes? David HAS my vote!
pocyclips 11 months ago
Lol, I read this and almost died in class. So hilarious.
iamgabbyface 2 years ago 2
Up until now I thought Futurama's version of Christmas was the strangest.
mmr11027 2 years ago
I'm from the Netherlands and we love our 'Sint Nicholas' here, and his 'black men' ( zwarte pieten). And no kid of 6 years old who believes in him is going to think bad of a 'real' black person. Yes, it is partially because of our cultural background, but at least WE have one, whereas America; your Santa is based on OURS. Got that? David is very funny with this story ( expecially about the teacosy) but please just stop with the 'oooooooh dutch people are racists' thing.
AlixeLoren 2 years ago 5
This comment has received too many negative votes show
If not racist then why portray "zwart piet" with an afro wig and big red painted lips. Time to live in the 21st century...and since I am an Amer. expat living in The Netherlands, yes! The Dutch are insensitive and RACIST just ask anybody from Suriname or Turkey!!!!!!!
hollandusa11 2 years ago
What's your point? Sinterklaas is a legend and tradition of 100's of years old.. (before the dutch founded new york, and before slavery was developed in america).
Because in the us, you have problems with racism, dutch history/culture needs to be changed?
konin525 2 years ago
konin... David Sedaris is a humorist. This is a joke. He's actually making fun of the ignorance of other cultures. Chill out! :)
toonus 2 years ago
@toonus
I see the joke in this, but not that people take the joke serious....
It's tradition in the netherlands, from before the US of A was founded. before slavery e.t.c. so why sudenly change tradition because in the US there is a problem with racism...
konin525 1 year ago
@konin525 Sorry konin525, but I'm afraid you've been misinformed. While sinterklaas is an old tradition, zwarte piet is not. And certainly not "older than the usa".
Duynsathe 1 year ago
@konin525
Agreed.. but this story is not making a judgement about the Dutch tradition itself, but rather making fun of how an uninformed American visitor would view it.
As an American who has lived in the Netherlands and still travels there often, this is very familiar as I had pretty much the same reaction the first time I was there for Sinterklaas. And I was traveling with a black co-worker so it was double funny.
toonus 5 months ago
Men! You have found new layers of stupidity! How can you - in all honesty - call every Dutch person a racist based upon a tradition of giving presents to kids? And what about our fellow turkisch citizens? Have you checked the general opinion of Kurdisch people amongst them? Racism starts in your heart!
screwnannerl 2 years ago
@hollandusa11
and that comment doesnt constitute racism in itself? remember slavery? and segregation? oh yup thats nothing. SINTERKLAUSS HELPER IS BLACK O GOD WERE ALL GONNA DIE
im extremely offended by you calling all dutch people racist and i think you need to pick up a dictionary
arie963291 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Go fucking die your language sounds like someone with down syndrome talking
l33tpwnzord 2 years ago
I love David Sedaris and I love this story. The first time I read it I nearly peed my pants. The video made me a little uncomfortable, though. I'm surprised that so few people have brought up the blackface. Even if one could argue that this is a different culture (non-US, I mean to say) with a different racial history and social context, this video was made my an American, and the intro shows some very demeaning and stereotypical images of blacks in the U.S. Disappointing as I love thestory
manyabopanya 2 years ago
I'm sorry but David Sedaris is way too inclusive to even think about political incorrectness. I have a son with autism and a severe speech disorder but that doesn't prevent me from laughing at "Me Talk Pretty Some Day". Get a sense of humor. David Sedaris is a loving liberal. Sounds like you aren't or you're a little guilty or afraid.
cindyninesling 2 years ago 11
Sedaris is a genius, and recognizes the humor in everything. But Santa does not eat tapas! lol If you don't think this is funny, your funny bone is broken: go kill yourself and put yourself out of our misery.
Xmeromotu 2 years ago 4
capote is that you?
moviedude22 2 years ago
Comment removed
stoneman1975 2 years ago
I read the book this is excerpt is from and it is very funny. David Sedaris is brilliant
animeslave20 2 years ago 3
oh take a joke ya buzz kills
katraek68 2 years ago
Seriously, is there a single comment section on youtube not filled which egos and stupidity? It's called satire, look it up sometime.
KanzaBoom 2 years ago 25
Well put, I don't know why people can just have a laugh without making it personal or trying to be too PC. Everyone just relax, stress is the number one killer ;-)
AdamBeutler 2 years ago 16
Wow. Amazing that a posting about something so funny and benign can be filled with such distain from so many posters. Jesus! They're fighting over who came up with Santa Claus first. Let me settle this, boys. He's not real. Who gives?
bcfilmguy 2 years ago 3
This comment has received too many negative votes show
No. That's why everybody who's not a complete asshat absolutely refuses to read them.
katrinablue 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
but all you american punks dont know that he was there before the american santa claus and that the dutch brought santa claus to america, so without us, no santa claus in usa ;)
pimhond 3 years ago
Actually, that was a German Santa we stole. Look up Thomas Nast for details.
lieinveigleobfuscate 2 years ago
I'm going to tell you something interesting.
Ahem.
The vast majority of Americans do not and I repeat DO NOT give a damn about that fat douche.
DhampirKrispie 2 years ago
Sounds like Geek humour to me
dasparkylad 3 years ago
It is all what different people would call humor. Different cultures may not find it funny, and that is OK.
I think you have to be a little quircky- and I guess I am.
enchanted910 3 years ago
To anyone who's offended because they're Dutch or on behalf of the Dutch: come ON, people. This is (among other things) a *satire* of American cultural chauvinism. I admit, sometimes it's difficult to distinguish that from the real thing, but... honestly.
yohei72 3 years ago 2
I think this is his funniest essay.
Leviathon1979 3 years ago
have a sense of humor! i have to admit this is much funnier read than mired in multimedia
trajasek 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
this is not funny its corny
nnhs38 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Gosh what a snob. Pretty much everything he said before I tired of it at 1:25 could be reversed to backfire towards Santa. I mean, Santa's unhealthily fat, wears a ridiculous outfit, and why would he come from Lapland all the way to give presents to spoilt brats in the USA?
eploeg 3 years ago
It's called humor.
malfeitor1 3 years ago 7
you're an idiot
mark224 3 years ago
impossible, they only live in Buffalo
eploeg 3 years ago
Have you ever even been to Buffalo? You old Dutch cunt.
mark224 3 years ago
Heh...
alexjohnc3 3 years ago
My creative writing teacher shared this with us in class. Very funny. (:
chickendolla 3 years ago
this book was hilarious
Prettienpink4329 3 years ago
lol zwartepiet!! (thats the little black men) I used to LOVE them! i lived in holland for 6 years and sinterklaas used to scare me while zwartepiet were just the best thing about november!
safire131722 3 years ago 2
On behalf of the small number of Dutch people who do have a sense of humor, I'd like to apologize for the blockheads who don't get it and act insulted...
emborios 3 years ago 6
This comment has received too many negative votes show
i actualy liked this video and it was very funny, but im getting very tired of all those empty head americans who thinkt they r the best, maybe you should go in the army and kill poor iraq people couse thats what americans love to do
(not all americans r like that but you gotha admid that you r the one of the dumbest people on earth)
btw, thanks for giving us the economic crysis retards
pimhond 3 years ago
Nobody needs to point it out or make childish, unwise statements towards America for us to all know they're dumb. I AM from America. And nobody here with sense agrees with the war. I don't agree with the war, I think it's a fucking atrocity. But your grammar skills and accusing statements don't quite get you up to par with the rest of the world's IQ prerequisites either.
AvelUnderWill 2 years ago
Yes, obviously anyone that is not fluent in English MUST be an idiot! Right you are AvelUnderWill!
ratatam 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Did you know Dutch is a made-up language that doesn't have any real words?
True story.
And that's how babies are made ladies and gentlemen.
lieinveigleobfuscate 2 years ago
haha funny guy
go back to school
kalesteinsegek 2 years ago
It's a David Sedaris joke. People are so touchy!
lieinveigleobfuscate 2 years ago
Jebus people! It's a DAVID SEDARIS JOKE!
lieinveigleobfuscate 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
did u know that u talk bullshit and that u are a little fucking asshole?
Ricardothe1337 2 years ago
Hey Buttfuckelkut666 you are a jackass!
bhealsbreal 3 years ago
fucking funny thanks
gwengoadalso 3 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
It's a centuries old tradition which is for example way older than lets say the USA...furthermore..Sinterklaas wasn't made up by Coca Cola for capitalist purposes...Sinterklaas is anything but racist and don't try to be so fucking PC just because for the first time in your life you voted for a black president. Who's the racist here...Jerkoffs
Buffelkut666 3 years ago
You are a jackass
bhealsbreal 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
He's right, and the US tradition of Santa Claus most probably came from the Dutch settlers. The only thing the US invented was drive by shootings.
fatmeteor 3 years ago
You forgot drive-up windows and....driving.
doston1 3 years ago 4
What is this blackface BS? Some traditions really are screwed up.
Formidable06 3 years ago
I think the tradition is really great and so is this movie.
Koenummer18 3 years ago
lol im Q
UnSeReEtAgE 3 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
19/F - ne guyz wanna chat? im bored and horny! F
HasteTheArchtype 3 years ago
hahaha! I just discovered Sedaris' existence and am very thrilled to do so! his analysis absolutely nails the imperfect perfections, transmissions and meanings of myths. To make it more cluttered; Santa and Sinterklaas actually coexist in The Netherlands by now (some celebrate one, many celebrate both and some do none). Greetings from a descendant of your Dutch imperialistic pioneers or ancestors...who wished we had so many great authors like for instance america has
tiesthijsthejs 3 years ago 3
I listened to this on a long drive and had to pull over because I was crying with laughter
cwegers 3 years ago 8
Got my tickets to see him in December at Massey Hall today...CAN'T WAIT!!!
juliebuglovesdarren 3 years ago
sedaris is great, the slideshow is lame
amek3333 3 years ago
Sedaris is God, simple as that.
JoyGrenade 3 years ago 8
This comment has received too many negative votes show
Wow this is something you'd never see in the U.S. a bunch of white people in blackface.
aforce82 3 years ago
Um... never? Are you sure about that? Still happens from time to time.
yohei72 3 years ago
What a bunch of morons. If you don't know David Sedaris or what book this is from, then you won't get it.
Sonjay718 3 years ago 6
Wonderful! What a magnificent Santa the Dutch have! The Samichlaus I remember from my chilhood in Switzerland was gruff and plain. He had only one servant (Knecht) who was armed with a switch and a bag. Both were said to live in the forest and looked accordingly. Most of the time the Samichlaus came alone, probably for economic reasons, and to my great disappointment, the Knecht never came along to our house to beat and bag my two youngest brothers.
huweber36 3 years ago 3
Wonderful comment! Quite as funny as David's story! You might have a career ahead of you...
Good work!
cqsallie 3 years ago 2
Thank you, Sallie, for your encouraging words. My career as a medical writer (Roche called it "Regulatory Documentation Specialist") is behind me. Never in my dreams could I compete with David Sedaris!
huweber36 3 years ago 2
This guy is trying to get this Dutch tradition for children to the ground.
Although his information is far from true.
Also, he is not telling that the well-known Santa-Claus is the American version of this very Dutch tradition.
Back in history, when Holland bought Manhattan for 30 gulden, which is about 22 dollars, they brought the Dutch Sinterklaas to America.
So of you try to make this childrensfest look like a tradition for fools, in fact you're laughing about yourself..
GITSVermeer 3 years ago
Vermeer. You need to lighten up. Dont you Dutch have any sense of humor? Ever heard of the term "lampoon"? He's joking, you silly Nederlander! Trust me...he makes fun of himself as much as anything and of all things American as well. Dont get your clogs in a....bunch, my man. LOL
met66 3 years ago 9
whoah..I think we Sedaris fans can agree that you take the satire of society a bit too seriously
BigMoneyNichols 3 years ago
This has been flagged as spam show
lol cool video! my names Sydney, kinda feelin bored if any1 wants to join me on cam or wana chat i will be signed on at __ FriendlyFlirts(.COM) __ my user ID there is Sydney_wwpjiahvjm chat soon xx its FR33 to j0in! mwah
loserandporud 3 years ago
can someone explain this a bit more to please.. i dnt realy get it and am suppose to write