Hazing, Amsterdam style

Walking along the Keizergracht in Amsterdam yesterday, we came on this striking scene — settees out on the street, pompous, overdressed young chaps, strange conversations.

The friends with whom we were walking explained. One of the Fraternity Houses for posh students is nearby, and the sofas etc. are all part of an interviewing and selection process. Just like Skull and Bones in Yale, in fact. And I thought that the Dutch were too sensible for this kind of nonsense. Wonder what their initiation rites are like.