Magdalena Ptasznik

June 26th 2008

Age: 27
Nationality: Polish
Occupation: Sociologist, choreography student
In Amsterdam Over 1 year

Why did you move to Amsterdam?
The school I wanted to study at is situated here.

What do you like to do in Amsterdam?
Drinking coffee in nice places, visiting markets.

What do you think of Amsterdam street culture,
how the people dress, express themselves?
It’s really a second hand culture. This circulation of things,
not only clothes, really surprised me. People don’t dress too
elegant, and this I like. It’s really relaxed.

Did your style of clothing changed since you live here,
and because of what? These can be emotional, cultural
reasons or practical reasons such as weather or
availability.
Yes, It changed a bit. Mainly because of lack of money.
Before I was buying more clothes. Now as I have to pay the
school I have to recycle my clothes on and on. And also, I started
to use found and second hand clothes. There are two more
things. First, most of my time I spend in training clothes, often
I’m too lazy and tired to change. Second, my life became quicker,
the clothes decisions must be fast also.

Are you influenced by what you consider Dutch culture
or by any other culture represented in Amsterdam?
My environment here is really international. If I’m influenced
by something that would be the fact of mixing cultures rather
than one of them in particular.

Are you aware of the fact that 177 cultures are
represented in Amsterdam?
I see it’s very multicultural. I hardly know any Dutch. The city
it diverse. As a foreigner you don’t have to fit the norm.
But I’m sure it’s so easy to say that if you are here as a student,
not so easy if you are for example an economical emigrant.