The Dutch

[Adrian II]

Self-denial is an identity as well, see Luigi's post on page two.

Once again, what is this 'self' you are talking about? Does it encompass only the supposed 'heroic' past or also the greed, cruelty and stupidity that were part of Dutch history?

National identity is a catch-phrase that never passes a reality test. To me, nationhood is defined by the laws and institutions of a nation, not by a supposed national identity. I'm a Renaniste, as Luigi will immediately recognise.

[Fragony]

Once again, what is this 'self' you are talking about? Does it encompass only the supposed 'heroic' past or also the greed, cruelty and stupidity that were part of Dutch history?

Why do you keep throwing it on an a heroic past when I have used no such words? We share a language, customs, oddities distinctly dutch as most here would agree, what you chose to attribute to it is up to you free country, if that would be the indo-china massacres or handing over these nosy fellas all fine with me.