Location Identity
Over the past 13 days I’ve been in five different countries. It started by taking the train down to Enschede, from Denmark, through Germany. After spending some time in The Netherlands, I boarded a flight for Brighton, in the UK. I got back to Copenhagen yesterday, and spent a few hours in Malmö, Sweden this evening.
I don’t have a very clear feeling anymore of being in a foreign country. The sense of wonder is gone. The excitement of being in Enschede, of being with my family, of being in Brighton or Copenhagen, it doesn’t start more than 24 hours prior to arrival.
(It could, however, be argued that this is because I go to countries I’ve been to before. Still, as a child, being somewhere else was just wonderful. Not so much, no more.)
Neither do I see myself as being primarily Dutch. I’ve begun describing myself as a European Dutchman. Yes, I have Dutch roots, and the more time I spend abroad, the more cultural differences I notice, the more I recognize these roots. Being Dutch is part of my identity. But, also, being European. Especially European, for within Europe, I don’t think in countries anymore. I think in cities, in places, in people.
And even on a global scale, I think in cities, places and people more than I think in terms of countries. It’s just the experience of crossing the border, with extensive questions, that make it clear that you really are in a different country.
(Again, I’ll interject, and state that if I were to go to Seoul, I’d really feel that I’m going to South Korea, and not just Seoul.)
In Europe, most countries have signed the Schengen treaty, which means that there is no border control. And even for the few countries that haven’t, like the UK, showing a simple ID card is enough to get in. No questions asked. Heck, the Danish border control only glanced at my ID card before waiving me through.
The ease of travel, and for me, the experiences of living abroad, with two months in the Bay area, and now moving to Copenhagen, they change how I feel about the world and about travel. They change my Location Identity. I’m Dutch, but I don’t live there. I’m not yet a Copenhagen person, and will never be Danish. Where does that leave me?
For now, European Dutchman will do.
What is your Location Identity?
(For the best introspective thinking, reply late at night after a train ride home from a foreign country, to a somewhat foreign country.)
Why are you a European Dutchman rather than a Dutch European? Just curious.
My 7 year old son has Croatian, Ukrainian, German, Scottish and Irish blood. He was born in Canada, and I, his father, am a US-Canada dual national. I wonder what his cultural bedrock will be.
Peter Rukavina | 10 September 2008, 12:58 | link
I feel more international than Dutch. Hence putting European first.
Mark Wubben | 10 September 2008, 13:06 | link
One thing that unites Americans is their language. Many Americans don’t speak English well, some hardly at all, but it is a strong unifying factor. Many Americans refer to themselves as xxx-American, where the xxx defines their national or ethnic origin (try Mexican, African, Korean, Asian, Chinese, Irish or whatever). But they are still Americans, and they swear allegiance to their national flag. I have lived in the USA for many years and find it fascinating to see how newcomers assimilate to the American way and start to feel American.
I don’t see this happening in Europe because of the linguistic divides. As an Englishman I don’t mind going to France, Spain or Italy because I can get by in the local languages. I have worked in Denmark (speaking English) and visited most other countries. But there is always a linguistic barrier. Try watching the six o’clock news on Swedish TV and you’ll see. The English, in particular, have very little in common with most Europeans, and are unconvinced by the idea of creating a homogeneous Europe. Going from country to country in Europe is fundamentally different from crossing state lines in the USA, and most of us want to keep it that way.
Simon Evans | 10 September 2008, 23:29 | link
The cultural differences within Europe is what makes Europe Europe. That said, I think that legally it should be as easy as possible to move between EU countries, no matter the cultural differences.
Mark Wubben | 11 September 2008, 09:40 | link
What country do you admire and why?
Kraig | 11 September 2008, 10:04 | link
“Location Identity Over the past 13 days I’ve been in five different countries. It started by taking the train down to Enschede, from Denmark, through Germany. After spending some time in The Netherlands, I boarded a flight for Brighton, in the UK. I got back to Copenhagen yesterday, and spent a few hours in Malmö, Sweden this evening.
I don’t have a very clear feeling anymore of being in a foreign country. The sense of wonder is gone. The excitement of being in Enschede, of being with my family, of being in Brighton or Copenhagen, it doesn’t start more than 24 hours prior to arrival.”
Mark, I’m not clear how you square this with saying that ‘the cultural differences are what makes Europe Europe.’ Don’t cultural differences excite you? The price paid for unrestricted border crossings is floods of immigrants into countries that may not be able to, or want to, absorb them. The Netherlands are already very overcrowded. Does it bother you if millions of people who don’t know about herrings, don’t speak your language and have never drunk Genever can freely occupy your country? Multi-culturalism does not really work - look around you and what you will see in practice are ghettoes - whether in London, Copenhagen or Rotterdam. We don’t call them that, but that is what they are, and they breed resentment and trouble. A controlled flow of immigrants at a level that an economy and a society can absorb is surely better. And, unfortunately, that implies border controls.
Simon Evans | 12 September 2008, 01:40 | link
Kraig, no specific country. Favorite cities would be Copenhagen, San Francisco and Vancouver. I think I like the Danes best as a people, so far.
Simon, yes, I do find the differences exciting and intriguing. It’s just gotten a bit too usual for me to travel, I think.
My views on immigration are that one should be given a chance to build up a new live where ever he/she wishes. You can control that through requiring a certain level of expertise or education, finding a proper job in a sector in need, and being able to support any family that follows. This should be combined with clear rules and the provision that one behaves.
Mark Wubben | 12 September 2008, 08:54 | link