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In Rotterdam there is a long stretch of flags of nations with anti-gay policy. Each flag pole has a sign indicating the criminal penalties they level against homosexuals. I think it was called “Rainbow project” or something… not sure, vague memory. It’s shocking how many flags there are.

I think last I heard there were ~7 or so countries where the penalty is potentially death.

It’s a great project to increase awareness. And it can be improved. Actions to consider:

  • There are so many flags that probably not many bypassers read all the signs. I suggest something extra on the flag poles of the countries that use the death penalty for homosexuality, to make them stand out a bit more. Maybe add a ☠ -- skull and crosspones sign or flag.

  • Facebook’s algorithms determine who is gay -- regardless of whether an FB pawn is open about it or not. In some cases, FB knows before the FB pawn even knows. Facebook’s data is threat in all the countries represented. This needs to be publicised as well, to shame Facebook and increase awareness. I mean, there are lives on the line so I don’t really get why there has not been widespread condemnation of Facebook over this.

The FB problem should be mentioned but perhaps not in a way that’s louder than the sign with the legal penalty. A good approach might be to print some labels with fine print saying:

“… and Facebook tracks who is homosexual.”

which could be applied to the bottom of every sign.

Most people walking past the signs don’t have any connection to those countries so awareness is all the display does. Add the Facebook sickers, then some people will realise they are not helpless. They can boycott Facebook.

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There is a quite good hole-in-the-wall Indonesian restaurant in Rotterdam with very generous portions as a quite low cost. Just like many Indian restaurants that serve Pompedams with tubs of different sauces, Indonesian restaurants also serve a few sauces and chutneys.

The tubs of sauces are huge. One of the tubs looked like at least ½ bottle of soy sauce. These were open uncovered containers. So if a customer were to cough or sneeze, they could easily contaminate the sauces.

Either they are extremely wasteful and throw away ~33—50cl of sauce per table, or they are re-serving it. I don’t imagine they could afford to be so wasteful as low as prices are. They must be topping it up and re-serving it. Is it legal?

There is a commercial kitchen hygiene principle that any food that leaves the kitchen never returns to the kitchen. It’s a 1-way route. I don’t recall where I heard that, or whether it’s law or just mitigating a restaurant’s own liability.

The theoretical fix to avoid waste and also avoid the hygiene problem is to take the sauces home in a doggie bag or bring Tupperware. But it seems a bit off unless they are actually wasting it anyway.

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I'm visiting Rotterdam next week and usually when I'm there I catch the formula 1 at Panenka. Devastated to hear it is closed! Nicest sports bar I've ever been in. Is there anywhere similar in the city to watch F1 on the big screen with drinks, with a nice atmosphere? Or in Utrecht maybe?

EDIT > we went to paddy's near the WTC and it was really a lot nicer than I expected, just in case anyone arrives on this post in the future