By its nature, the news is a serious matter. Especially in the now almost past year 2022 in which one crisis seemed to follow the other. Fortunately, since 2002 the little ego has existed as an antidote. The daily column on the back page written by NRC readers who put the news into perspective with short, personal anecdotes. The nicest copies – completely arbitrary, with at least two members of the social media editors having to curl up the corners of the mouth – are shared on social media. Sometimes thousands likes prove that the moving, funny or unexpected revelations are a bright spot for many followers. Therefore, ten of the most popular selves of 2022. (And don’t forget, without you no me: max. 120 words, to [email protected] )
Miriam van ‘t Hek social media coordinator
Silent compartment Opposite me on the train, a young woman’s mobile phone rings. She answers with: “Sorry, I’m in the quiet compartment,” and hangs up. She says apologetically to me: “Not such a nice boy.”
We are not in a silent compartment.
John van Saase
Print Friday afternoon I see two students walking around my department at the university. They are looking for a computer to print something. I offer help. “Email it,” I say. “That would be very nice. It has to be today,” they say.
I think back with pity on my own student days, with last minute handing in of papers. I’m happy to help and provide my email address so I can print it. A return slip for clothing ordered online will appear in my email.
Eric van der Hijden
Positivity Saturday afternoon at the supermarket. As I walk from the ketchup to the capers, I hear from the public address system: “Lotte can be there. Lotte can be there.” For a moment I am very happy with the positivity of this supermarket announcer. But then I see someone from the filling crew rush past. Probably Lottie. On the way to the warehouse.
Chris Zintel
Absence “Mom, look at your messenger. I need a book quickly, digitally. I have class in 70 minutes and if I don’t have that book, I won’t be allowed in class, so more absences. The book is already in the shopping cart, password schooliskut.”
Henry Steel
antisocial After a dramatic accident, the decision was made to euthanasia. He was young and loved. The farewell is touchingly beautiful. Afterwards, alone in my car, the discharge comes. Shamelessly I cry and two layers of waterproof mascara land on my cheeks. I’m parked antisocially, half on the sidewalk near the cemetery. Then a policeman knocks on the window. I quickly wipe my eyes dry and open the window. The agent: “Oh, sorry, ma’am. Sorry for your loss. Just keep on crying.”
Renata Beck
Gas prices Our sweet dog passed away last week. Much sorrow, he was our loyal friend for ten years. We experienced his last days intensively together. We decided to have him cremated. A few days after falling asleep, a phone call from the animal funeral home. After many sweet comforting words and sympathy, the question arose: because of the high gas prices, the crematorium also had to cut costs. Whether we had a problem with whether a small rodent went straight into the oven with it. The heaps of ashes would remain strictly separated.
Anja Schreijer
Sheepskin I am talking extensively with a customer about the purchase of a sofa. She likes that the fabric feels cozy, but what about stains and is the fabric strong enough, because Knoet often jumps roughly on the couch and also makes a lot of stains. I tell about sheepskins and that not all dogs like this, but if there is a match, many couch problems are solved with a sheepskin on the couch. She shakes her head. Canute is her husband.
Robert Leemker
Unnecessary After repeated emails from the optician, I went for a periodic eye examination. With slight reluctance, because isn’t that a bit superfluous? I take a seat behind the eye meter and the optician begins: “Read it out.” I confidently say, “Fourteen, six, eleven.” The optician looks at me in bewilderment: “Madam, these are letters…”
Romee Lagerveld
Tip In the restaurant I ask for the bill. That comes to a total of 134.50 euros. “Just make it 150.00 euros,” I say and grab my debit card. She asks me if I can’t pay cash. However, I don’t have any cash with me. “Too bad,” she says, “now the whole tip goes to the boss.” Without saying anything else, she picks up the ATM and enters the amount on the bill, without tip.
John Pele
Coke A beautiful summer evening in Zwolle. Sit with a friend on a terrace. The waitress comes by. Smiles kindly, ready to efficiently type our order into her digital device. “A beer,” says my friend. “Me too,” I say. A little later our order is served. My friend gets a beer, I get a coke. “I ordered a beer,” I remark. To which the waitress says: “You said a coke.”
Geert Aulbers
