If you work in Amsterdam as an American, there are some special moments when you see the striking differences between cultures in regards to race. The most widely known is the tradition of Sinterklaas. The Dutch version of St. Nick comes up from Spain with a bunch of helpers, who are named Zwarte Piet – Black Pete. Foreigners, who first hear about this tradition, usually call this tradition racist, while the Dutch will respond, “What are you talking about?” You quickly learn here that stereotyping black people is not a big issue.

The most recent case in point is brought to us from Mona – the makers of dessert puddings – for their latest new product innovation, ChocoDreams.

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The World Cup has given me the opportunity to see far more Dutch TV than usual, and this is how I caught this advertising gem made by Dutch mayonnaise brand, Calvé. It says “if we knew where our food came from, would we make better choices?” Then continues with a rewind sequence culminating in this choice shot. I get that the brief is to tout the eggs coming from free-range chickens. The execution has farm all over it. Though I doubt the chickens actually live like this as free-range generally means there is a tiny door at the end of a massive chicken coop housing thousands of animals and a one meter square patch of dirt on the other side. Anyway, Calvé – a Unilever brand – is getting with it and making strides toward rubbing themselves in sustainability. And three cheers for getting my attention with rewinding chickens in a decidedly low interest category for me. (more…)

In the US, commuting to work generally consists of sitting in your car in traffic. There are a handful of cities where you might take the subway or a bus. But you’re still looking at 30 minutes or more of unpleasantness. At my last two jobs, I managed to live within walking distance. I did this partly because I do a lot of research into the psychology of happiness, and two of the things that we can never get used to, unlike a nice new car that loses it’s happiness boost pretty fast, are noise and commuting. (more…)

Here are two easy words to learn in Dutch: vriend and collega. I’m betting all you non-Dutchies get those right away, but if not, those are the words for friend and colleague. What was interesting and frustrating to me upon arriving here in Amsterdam was the difference in implication of those words in English vs Dutch.

Let me explain. When I started working in Miami, Winsy Dunwoody, a new fellow planner immediately invited me over to dinner at her house with her fiancé. I could have been a psycho killer or a total bore but she was willing to find out, open her home to someone new in town and make them feel welcome. I’ve been in Amsterdam for 13 months now and have never been invited to a Dutch colleagues’ home. (more…)

Even now, a year after moving, everyone I meet asks me why I left CP+B to move to Amsterdam. Before this move, every other job interview, offer and acceptance had followed essentially the same pattern. A day trip from Boston to Richmond. Or Richmond to Boulder. Eight to ten meetings with planners, heads of client service, creative directors. Hurried lunches with three people trying to get a little food in your face. Scurrying off to the airport and back to the current job. Then a call a week or so later, always from an HR person with no authority to negotiate, pretending they do. (more…)