Tuesday, April 8, 2014

G is for Gezellig ("Cozy")

Americans like big, shiny and new things.
The Dutch like gezellig things.
How can we possibly get along?


Gezellig is a Dutch word that’s difficult to translate because it is rooted to the Dutch personality and culture. Cultural items are exceedingly difficult to translate from one language to another. For example, how do I describe the American culture’s fascination with the Kardashians? I have no idea. And I am an American.

Similarly only Dutch people can really understand the meaning of gezellig and since I’m not Dutch I won’t even pretend to be even slightly knowledgeable on the concept. Nevertheless because my American self likes big, shiny new things, I will try to translate this culturally big, shiny as in “new”-to-the-USA concept.  

Technically gezellig means “nice”, “cozy” and the “pleasure found at being together”. It usually involves friends or family meeting at a cafe or someone’s home to share conversation, cookies and/or chocolate. It always involves coffee or tea and if you’re lucky sometimes both, which makes for double gezelligheid!

Having imbibed liters of coffee and tea while talking and laughing with my Dutch friends and cousins in countless cozy cafes and homes with chocolates and cake, I have felt gezellig. I’d describe it as “a pleasant feeling of experiencing a fun time together”. Although I’d never be so bold as to trust my own feelings about whether something is gezellig or not, I have noted how frequently my Dutch pals and cousins will stop amid the laughter to say.
“Gezellig!”

Their verbalization provides a stamp of approval allowing me to know that “this” was cozy fun and that what I was feeling was truly gezellig. However if they hadn’t told me it was gezellig, I wouldn’t have known. After all, how could anyone trust an American who can’t explain the Kardashians?

14 comments:

  1. First off, who can explain the Kardashians? Especially without gagging! Gezellig sounds much like a family barbeque or a dinner party with friends. Thats what I get from your description. So if Im right you've done a bang up job at describing it in American terms! :)

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    1. Hi Patty,
      You made me laugh out loud! Thanks for your comment and sense of humor. You're right! Enjoy today!
      --Alicia

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  2. That made for an interesting read. Over from A to Z,

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    1. Thank you. Thanks for stopping by! Happy A-Z! Enjoy today!
      --Alicia

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  3. I'm sure its similar to the Afrikaans work "kuier". When friends get together with tea and cake and "chew the fat".

    or am I way off?

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    1. Hi Scots Lass,
      You are right on! That is just what it is plus with a feeling of happiness at being together. Enjoy today!
      --Alicia

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  4. I love your post! I think “Gezellig" sounds a lot like something my husband and I use to do with our Amish friends. We would visit with them for an hour or so. We would drink coffee (water in my case cause I do not like coffee) and talk. We did the same thing with my mother-in-law early in the morning. We would have coffee with her around 5am and talk. I love moments like those.

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    1. Hi Allison,
      Thanks for reading and for your comment! Perhaps the Amish tradition is one they brought with them from Europe? It sounds so similar. Gezellig is a reminder that "fun" doesn't have to be big and expensive but cozy and together. Enjoy today!
      --Alicia

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  5. It may be difficult to translate but I think it is easy to understand. I wish we all could have some gezellig now.

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    1. Hi Tracy,
      Thank you! I think gezellig makes the world go round. Maybe this week we should all make some time to be with friends, with coffee/tea and a dessert and have a gezellig time! Enjoy today!
      --Alicia

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  6. The Kardashians confuse so much that I get lightheaded thinking about them.
    Shawn from Laughing at Life 2 your newest follower!

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    1. Hi Shawn,
      Thanks for reading, your comment and for following! Having a sense of humor is a great way to live life! Enjoy today!
      --Alicia

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  7. How interesting! I love the idea of Gezellig! It sounds lovely. What can be nicer than a cozy time with good friends? Visiting from Blogging A to Z! http://houserevivals.blogspot.com/2014/04/why-you-should-shop-at-habitat-for.html

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    1. Hi Amanda,
      Thanks for stopping by! It's always nice to meet like-minded, gezellig people! Happy A-Z! Enjoy today!
      --Alicia

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