But trade and greed is of all times. In the 18th century coffee houses (koffiehuizen) would be the spot to do some extra trading. Including trades with borrowed money. And the buying of equity of new companies (not all with a solid business model). So when the equity issuing went sour and the south sea bubble burst, Amsterdam saw a sort of Occupy Kalverstraat movement. A crowd gathered and focused its anger on the coffee house at Kalverstraat 25. See also the Dutch information in this page and the picture below (showing the old coffee house and its current owner: T-mobile).
Needless to say that I was very curious what would be happening at our Wall Street here in Amsterdam. Beursplein 5. Would any of the protestors know that the square that they would be on, would be the design of a socialist and idealistic architect (Berlage)? And what would they protest about?
So I went there this afternoon and indeed there was some action. A whole podium was built. So I figured: my, my, this is an organised movement indeed. And I was impressed with this Occupy-Beursplein 5.
Then I looked a bit better. And I noticed the text. It read in big red letters: 'Stop by to consider rheumatism'. Perhaps that is somewhat typical of our Dutch willingness to revolt. Rather than occupying Beursplein 5 with protests against bank bonuses or other elements of greed, we occupy it with a rally to collect funds for people with a disease.
Would that be the Dutch way?
Update 1805: just found out via Twitter that I was three days early. It seems we need to wait for the beginning of our autumn holiday (this Saturday, 12 o clock) to start #OccupyAmsterdam...
