[deslok]

This topic comes up a lot. My experience has been that the ain't dutch much crowd does exist and are quite vocal about it actually. Why is that so hard to believe? Perhaps just trying to ignore the fact that this might exist. I know I am not alone, many of my friends scattered around Michigan have had situations with dutch people coming up. How do they know they are dutch? Because usually in conversations a lot of times they make it to be known. ( I would do that, but I am dutch you know. Or that is expensive, remember I am dutch) If this is offensive I apologize those are just snipets of conversations I have had within a few minutes of being in the area. Can't imagine living there. (holland)

[michigan83]

What a load! Grew up in West Michigan and have many friends who are Dutch, as well as being half Dutch myself (Portinga on one side). I have NEVER heard anyone say "If you ain't Dutch, you ain't much." My own last name isn't Dutch at all, it is Scottish, and frankly other than somebodies last name being a give away of Dutch heritage, nobody really cares. And yes I have been around Holland area for quite some time. This is a stereotype that may have been true many decades ago, it sure hasn't been correct the 45 years I have been on Earth. Being born and raised in West Michigan I can assure you it is a long lived, totally false stereotype.

My last name is Vander Boon. I'm originally from the Grand Rapids area.

I have personally used the phrase "if you ain't Dutch, you ain't much." It's fun to say. It rhymes, for crying out loud. I don't actually believe that the 97% of Americans who don't have a Dutch heritage "ain't much." It's just something to joke around with.

When my grandpa finds out who one of the grandkids is dating, he likes to know the last name. If the name starts with Van or Vander or ends with "-stra" or "-sema" or "voet" or whatever, he'll say "that's a good Dutch name."

So please don't try to pretend that it doesn't go on. I've lived it. I think it's pretty harmless, but the "Dutch Mafia" attitude in West Michigan does actually exist. It's not anything to get worked up about, though.

I know of towns in Mid-Michigan where the exact same thing happens, only you need to have a German name and be Catholic to fit in. No big deal. I think this is the kind of stuff that makes America interesting.