Impressions of The Netherlands

By Reza Ganjavi

KEY PHRASES: Voice lesson; Most beautiful women in the world; Krishnamurti history; Jaap Sleuiter's horribleness is not because he's Dutch;

I wrote this because the horrible Executive Director of Krishnamurti Foundation America (Jaap Sluijter) is Dutch and the weak Secretary of the Board, Karen Hesli, said Jaap's (horrible) authoritarian attitude is because he's Dutch and that The Netherlands is very hierarchical which made me wonder but the research including talking to various Dutch friends, showed that it's not true.

VOICE LESSON AND IMPRESSIONS OF THE NETHERLANDS (HOLLAND)

Had a great voice lesson with a student of a great Dutch voice teacher (Ingrid Voermans) I had a transforming voice lesson with years ago at Brockwood Park. It's a revolutionary approach to voice. It's the "Lichtenberger Method" devised by Gisela Rohmert who was inspired by the great voice pedagogue Carnelius Reid.

Being a writer, writing is like breathing, and a meditation, i.e., emptying of consciousness of its content – so the following just poured out:

First time I visited Amsterdam I didn’t like it – it was filthy, prostitutes, drugs, etc – kind of like a bad memory of the 60s. When I visited it again some years later I really liked it as it was much cleaner in every way. I enjoyed it to the point of thinking I could live there. Lots of organic vegetarian places, open minds, open spaces, and so on. This trip I’m also spending time in The Hague.

Quick impressions of Netherlands:

DISCLAIMER: 1. I am not stereotyping 2. Generalizations are always inaccurate 3. I have many good friends in Netherlands, and Dutch living abroad.

Plenty of great organic vegetarian food at very affordable prices.

One of highest number of beautiful women per capita – many Dutch have beautiful facial features. One girl I met on train this morning was from somewhere I've never heard from -- a village with tulips with curly blond hair - very light blue eyes - and beautiful facial features. She stood up and she was TALL. There are a lot of very tall people here -- tallest I've seen in the world. And Dutch woman in my view are the most beautiful in the world.

There are pianos at some train stations which anybody can plan. What a GREAT idea!

Big vast open horizons, which leads to great minds, artists, etc. Rich culture and history,

You can’t buy one stamp from post office. If you want to mail a letter you have to buy 10 stamps – that’s crazy!

You can’t buy a train ticket for tomorrow or another date! Makes no sense.

Many big shops even, and restaurants, don’t take credit cards and some not even debit cards. Why? Probably because the merchants don’t want to pay the service fees.

Taxes are astronomically high yet some services pathetic -- still healthcare insurance costs quite a bit -- no warm water in airport bathrooms that are not that clean anyway so in winter you get ice cold water in lavatories. You have to pay to go to toilette everywhere even in McShit! I did use a Subway's WC for free but should have paid!

Homes are often narrow and tall – lots of stairs and sometimes very tiny stairs to climb.

A strong bicycle culture. Talked to a mother today riding 2 kids on her bicycle, in the rain. She does it year round even in winter rain b/c no other choice. And the kids? She said they’re miserable – two sweet tiny girls tucked in – we exchanged a few words of love.

Also resonates in my consciousness the Dutch connection with Indonesia and Afrikaans, historically. Dutch is very similar to Afrikaans. I haven’t studied their influence in South Africa deeply but it probably is not pretty in terms of slavery etc.

One of the things I can’t stand about the Dutch culture is what led to “going Dutch” expression. Going Dutch is perfectly fine but it seems to be too centered over resources and give and take: I give you this I expect this back soon. My personal culture is one of, if I do something for someone I don’t expect a return. And if someone does something for me, I’m eternally grateful. Gratefulness is one of the highest if not the highest virtues as an ancient philosopher said. A short term give and take is too strange. Maybe it has to do with scarcity of resources (land especially)…

I’ve worked for several Dutch big banks and insurance companies. Big financial industry here, related to the political and economic stability of Netherlands.

Lots of very creative people.

Friend says customer service here is worse than Switzerland/Germany – never thought that would be possible (thought Switzerland has improved a lot in that sense in the last 10 years due to pressures of global competition).

He said here the culture is not service oriented – to take care of the customer – “they don’t understand the concept of going the extra mile” – not accommodating. Like I saw a case where a guy was told the customer was late -- he took his time even more! At airport the woman working there gave wrong info and its repercussions are your problem.

The Netherlands is significant in J. Krishnamurti's history. It was at the Star Camp in Ommen in 1929 when K dissolved the Order of the Star of the East and disappointed Theosophists, and said truth is a pathless land and each person has to find out truth for themselves and he wanted no followers, and he gave back millions in donated funds and turned his back to the organization and went solo, as a freelancer, independent from all ideologies.

Regarding the Krishnamurti Foundation America: I can’t find any trace of what Karen Hesli indicated to justify Jaap Sluijter’s terrible decisions and dictatorial, authoritarian running of the foundation of a man who was adamantly against psychological (and spiritual) authority: that he’s from Netherlands. I don’t get the connection. Ok there is an expression in Dutch “there’s nothing we can do about that” – of this “can’t do” attitude which perfectly fits Jaap Sluijter’s attitude in certain cases and the associated (management by) ignorance – but I don’t see anything dictatorial in this culture so it seems it was just an unfounded rationalization.

I dug deeper into this theory of Jaap's terrible attitude being a Dutch thing -- and conclusion is that's False! Jaap's horrible attitude is NOT because he's Dutch and his authoritarian, selfish ways is not because he's Dutch. My letters are at the bottom of this article.

Elevation here is at or BELOW sea level. So air pressure is high.

I witnessed a horrific case of police brutality in Netherlands. A thief was caught - this little old man - and these giant big criminal policemen were beating him so bad -- it was psychotic, criminal. The thief probably almost died. That's a much bigger crime than the crime of the thief, and a bigger threat to the society than the theft. Police is there to protect and serve, and not to judge, sentence, and punish on the spot based on vulgar sentiments.

Long rainy season.

A Dutch friend said the place is "heady like culture - not a heart culture - it's accounting mode... - mental way of relating to the world".

"It's not part of culture to think things through". Jaap Sluijter has been utmost reactive and not proactive.

There's an element of brutality in Dutch culture which perhaps reflects in its colonial past. See the section below on police brutality. At Krishnamurti Foundation America (KFA) the Dutch Executive Director Jaap Sluijter has had a brutal style which is so contradictory to the ethos and teachings and spirit of Krishnamurti.

"Organigrams are often flat here. There is little authority here. It's very democratic. They love to meet. There's always collective decision making process in everything. There is a king but I never heard "the king decided" -- it's more of a symbolic thing. It's good that he's there but it's not that he rules the country."

Very opposite to how Jaap Sluijter is! So much for that excuse of lovely Karen. I assume she was fed that lie as a justification for Jaap's preposterous behavior.

~~~

BEST PLACES TO LIVE

Going to a place like Netherlands makes you really appreciate places like USA & Switzerland which are on top of the world. USA is still the best country I’ve ever lived in, and Switzerland is also good but the level of psychological disorder there and closed mindedness is alarming. It has the highest per capita psychiatrists in the world for example.

Had a long talk about this with friend who just came back from Colombia which is very non-thought-based and people talk to “strangers” freely and how as soon as coming back he noticed how Netherlands is an emotional refrigerator. Switzerland the same. Flo said Austria is even worse because not only it’s like Switzerland in terms of close mindedness, there’s an inferiority complex – at least Switzerland has this “Swiss Quality” we’re all proud of ;-) but Austria is not Germany and not Suisse…

Again, these are just generalizations and are inaccurate because there are so many exceptions – but we’re talking statistics – like Suisse having one of the highest suicide rates in the world.

About the tit-for-tat aspect of the Dutch culture my natural born Dutch friend said it’s so true.

Netherlands is not a rip off like London in terms of merchandise prices which are actually quite reasonable – but taxation vs. services provided. Merchandise prices are very reasonable in NL – I bought an organic face cream much cheaper than price anywhere including US online shops. Friend got sheep milk which we tried and it was soul balsam. Friend said dairy in NL is excellent.

Overall USA and Switzerland are the best places to live.

My Statement As Witness to Dutch Authorities Regarding Police Brutality in Netherlands

6/10/2015 2:15 PM

Mr. Blad - typical Dutch reaction: there’s nothing we can do about it

The victim can complain but a witness is not enough

If he goes to his family and tells them blah blah

That if he has no family !!!!!!!!! Or no education to know he can complain. Or no courage after getting beat up like that getting punched to his head.

Yes, if more people demand to know what happened police may investigate it. Arrest records are not public in NL.

Rough translation of headline news today: Police get many more complaints about their behaviour, particularly about being rough and indecent:

http://www.nu.nl/binnenland/4023648/politie-krijgt-fors-meer-klachten-gedrag.html

NATIONALE OMBUDSMAN

POSTBUS 93122, 2509 AC DEN HAAG

Dear NATIONALE OMBUDSMAN:

I sent a complaint to the brutal Den Haag police department about a case of terrible, inhumane use of excessive force on a person I and others witnessed. We are deeply disturbed by this and will escalate the matter to European Union and media and social media if we have to.

The police wrote saying you’re the ones to handle the complaint.

So please see below my letter to the police and attached is their response.

I am waiting to hear from you.

Thank you

Reza Ganjavi

Attention: Sylvia

afdeling VIK

The Hague Police

Postbus 264

2501 CG

The Netherlands

+31 (70) 424 1782

Dear Ms. Sylvia

My friend <> spoke with you about this terrible case of police abuse which I witnessed. I filed a report anonymously because when you see police brutality you lose trust in the very entity which is supposed to protect you. I filed a case on your website reference number is: 141127-496327804 (see below for description).

I await to hear from you.

Regards

Reza Ganjavi

~~~~~~~~~

"We have received your message. Please note the reference number below.

Your reference number is: 141127-496327804"

WITNESS OF POLICE BRUTALITY

Jan Hendrikstraat 85

2512 GK Den Haag

Postbus 264

2501 CG Den Haag

0900-8844 (lokaal tarief)

I witnessed a severe case of police brutality tonight.

I'd like to know who to write to to report this. Please send me contact email for Hague's police chief otherwise I'll have to escalate this to the media, national police, and European Union.

I witnessed something tonight which should not happen to anyone.

I witnessed a policeman in rage. A bald policeman in brown jacket had arrested a small thin man of 3/4 of his size whose face was bruised.

The policeman was trying to put handcuffs on the man when the man said something and the bald policeman in rage punched and pushed him to the ground and jumped on him - the guy must have been crushed -- no animal should be treated this way.

It happened at Spuipley road at 20:05 November 27, 2014.

Later I asked the other police about it and explained to them what I saw.

The ID of the bald cruel police who should be investigated and disciplined is 11748.

I will disclose my identity once I hear back from you with contact info of the police chief, at the above email address.

Thank you.

0031-70-356-3563 – main de Nationale ombudsman 0031-70-356-3547 Mr. Bad Bat Dutch Ombudsman ons nummer 201506394

Reiner van Zutphen

~~~

POLICE BRUTALITY IN NETHERLANDS

Last weekend Hague police beat up an Antillean tourist to death and there were riots and arson last night in the Hague in protest.

https://afadenhaag.wordpress.com/2015/06/29/arubian-man-beaten-to-death-by-hague-police/

I received a response from the national ombudsman.witzerland are the best places to live.

~~~

My Statement As Witness to Dutch Authorities Regarding Police Brutality in Netherlands

6/10/2015 2:15 PM

mr. Blad:

typical Dutch reaction: there’s nothing we can do about it

the victim can complain but a witness is not enough

if he goes to his family and tells them blah blah

what if he has no family !!!!!!!!!!

or no education to know he can complain

or no courage after getting beat up like that

getting punched to his head

yes, if more people demand to know what happened police may investigate it.

Arrest records are not public in NL

=====================================================

Rough translation of headline news today:

Police get many more complaints about their behaviour, particularly about being rough and indecent:

http://www.nu.nl/binnenland/4023648/politie-krijgt-fors-meer-klachten-gedrag.html

=====================================================

NATIONALE OMBUDSMAN

POSTBUS 93122, 2509 AC DEN HAAG

Dear NATIONALE OMBUDSMAN:

The police wrote saying you’re the ones to handle the complaint.

So please see below my letter to the police and attached is their response.

I am waiting to hear from you.

Thank you

Reza Ganjavi

Grenzstr 11

5430 Wettingen, Switzerland

+41-79-727-2221

rgnajavi@gmail.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Attention: Sylvia

afdeling VIK

The Hague Police

Postbus 264

2501 CG

The Netherlands

+31 (70) 424 1782

Dear Ms. Sylvia

My friend Florian spoke with you about this terrible case of police abuse which I witnessed. I filed a report anonymously because when you see police brutality you lose trust in the very entity which is supposed to protect you. I filed a case on your website reference number is: 141127-496327804 (see below for description).

I await to hear from you.

Regards

Reza Ganjavi

Grenzstr 11, 5430 Wettingen, Switzerland

+41.79.727.2221

rganjavi@gmail.com

~~~~~~~~~

Get in touch with the Police

•English

•Nederlands

We have received your message. Please note the reference number below.

Your reference number is: 141127-496327804

WITNESS OF POLICE BRUTALITY

Jan Hendrikstraat 85

2512 GK Den Haag

Postbus 264

2501 CG Den Haag

0900-8844 (lokaal tarief)

I witnessed a severe case of police brutality tonight.

I'd like to know who to write to to report this. Please send me contact email for Hague's police chief otherwise I'll have to escalate this to the media, national police, and European Union.

I witnessed something tonight which should not happen to anyone.

I witnessed a policeman in rage. A bald policeman in brown jacket had arrested a small thin man of 3/4 of his size whose face was bruised.

It happened at Spuipley road at 20:05 November 27, 2014.

Later I asked the other police about it and explained to them what I saw.

The ID of the bald cruel police who should be investigated and disciplined is 11748.

I will disclose my identity once I hear back from you with contact info of the police chief, at the above email address.

Thank you.

0031-70-356-3563 – main de Nationale ombudsman 0031-70-356-3547 Mr. Bad Bat Dutch Ombudsman ons nummer 201506394

Reiner van Zutphen

=====================================================

POLICE BRUTALITY IN NETHERLANDS

Last weekend Hague police beat up an Antillean tourist to death and there were riots and arson last night in the Hague in protest.

https://afadenhaag.wordpress.com/2015/06/29/arubian-man-beaten-to-death-by-hague-police/

I received a response from the national ombudsman.