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|style="font-size:1.1em;"| The literal meaning of a borrel is a small glass of strong liquor (Van Dale, 2018 <ref> Van Dale. (2018). Borrel. Van Dale Online Woordenboek, from http://www.vandale.nl/gratis-woordenboek/nederlands/betekenis/borrel <ref> ). The oldest known reference to the word is in a play from 1685, others appear on tavern signs from 1693 (Sanders, 1997 <ref> Sanders, E. (1997). Borrelwoordenboek. Antwerpen: Standaard.<ref> in: Sijs, 2010 <ref> Sijs, N. (2010). Borrel (glas sterke drank). Etymologiebank.nl. Retrieved 28 April 2018, from http://www.etymologiebank.nl/trefwoord/borrel <ref> ). This meaning of the word has generally remained unchanged, although over time it has come to refer to alcoholic beverages in general, including wine and beer. Een borrel drinken therefore roughly translates as 'to have a drink'. Over time, the word borrel increasingly came to refer to the practice of having a drink rather than the drink itself (WNT, 1894a <ref> Woordenboek der Nederlandsche Taal (WNT). (1894a). borrel. Woordenboek der Nederlandsche Taal. Instituut voor de Nederlandse Taal (IvdNT). Retrieved from http://gtb.inl.nl/iWDB/search?actie=article&wdb=WNT&id=M010439&lemmodern=borrel&domein=0&conc=true (Accessed January 2025)<ref>). Rather than being a name for a particular type of event, borrels refer to a broad category of gatherings. The word is often contextualised to specify its setting, occasion and meaning. Examples include bedrijfsborrel (at work), afstudeerborrel (on the occasion of graduating from university or high school) and vrijdagmiddagborrel (Friday afternoon drinks) - although they could all be referred to simply as borrels. | |style="font-size:1.1em;"| The literal meaning of a borrel is a small glass of strong liquor (Van Dale, 2018 <ref> Van Dale. (2018). Borrel. Van Dale Online Woordenboek, from http://www.vandale.nl/gratis-woordenboek/nederlands/betekenis/borrel <ref> ). The oldest known reference to the word is in a play from 1685, others appear on tavern signs from 1693 (Sanders, 1997 <ref> Sanders, E. (1997). Borrelwoordenboek. Antwerpen: Standaard.</ref>in: Sijs, 2010 <ref> Sijs, N. (2010). Borrel (glas sterke drank). Etymologiebank.nl. Retrieved 28 April 2018, from http://www.etymologiebank.nl/trefwoord/borrel </ref>). This meaning of the word has generally remained unchanged, although over time it has come to refer to alcoholic beverages in general, including wine and beer. Een borrel drinken therefore roughly translates as 'to have a drink'. Over time, the word borrel increasingly came to refer to the practice of having a drink rather than the drink itself (WNT, 1894a <ref> Woordenboek der Nederlandsche Taal (WNT). (1894a). borrel. Woordenboek der Nederlandsche Taal. Instituut voor de Nederlandse Taal (IvdNT). Retrieved from http://gtb.inl.nl/iWDB/search?actie=article&wdb=WNT&id=M010439&lemmodern=borrel&domein=0&conc=true (Accessed January 2025)</ref>). Rather than being a name for a particular type of event, borrels refer to a broad category of gatherings. The word is often contextualised to specify its setting, occasion and meaning. Examples include bedrijfsborrel (at work), afstudeerborrel (on the occasion of graduating from university or high school) and vrijdagmiddagborrel (Friday afternoon drinks) - although they could all be referred to simply as borrels. | ||
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However, one could argue that such indirect effects of borrels are at best uncertain, and at worst not worth the effort – especially considering that it is never clear who will attend and how long they will stay, and that no direct business is supposed to be discussed. Perhaps, a more effective way of ‘getting things done’ would involve strengthening relationship with the person of the highest potential benefit to them on an individual basis – for example with a dinner invitation? Why are the borrels remain such a widespread custom in the Netherlands? | However, one could argue that such indirect effects of borrels are at best uncertain, and at worst not worth the effort – especially considering that it is never clear who will attend and how long they will stay, and that no direct business is supposed to be discussed. Perhaps, a more effective way of ‘getting things done’ would involve strengthening relationship with the person of the highest potential benefit to them on an individual basis – for example with a dinner invitation? Why are the borrels remain such a widespread custom in the Netherlands? | ||
The popularity of borrels and the strong belief in its instrumental value can be explained using the network theory. Granovetter (1973, <ref> Granovetter, M. (1973). The Strength of Weak Ties. American Journal of Sociology, 78(6), 1360-1380. <ref> 1983) distinguishes between strong and weak ties in an individual’s network. Strong ties are those with families and friends. Weak ties include those with more distant contacts, such as colleagues and acquaintances. The stronger the tie, the closer two people tend to be and the more frequent is their contact. Conversely, people with whom someone has weaker ties are more likely to be found in a different environment and network than oneself. For that reason, someone with whom one is weakly tied is more likely to have information one does not possess themselves yet. | The popularity of borrels and the strong belief in its instrumental value can be explained using the network theory. Granovetter (1973, <ref> Granovetter, M. (1973). The Strength of Weak Ties. American Journal of Sociology, 78(6), 1360-1380. </ref> 1983 <ref> Granovetter, M. (1983). The Strength of Weak Ties: A Network Theory Revisited. Sociological Theory, 1, 201.</ref>) distinguishes between strong and weak ties in an individual’s network. Strong ties are those with families and friends. Weak ties include those with more distant contacts, such as colleagues and acquaintances. The stronger the tie, the closer two people tend to be and the more frequent is their contact. Conversely, people with whom someone has weaker ties are more likely to be found in a different environment and network than oneself. For that reason, someone with whom one is weakly tied is more likely to have information one does not possess themselves yet. | ||
According to Granovetter, weak ties fulfil a crucial bridging function between networks. There is considerable empirical support for the argument that people with more extended and diverse networks, based on weak ties, benefit from more job opportunities and upward mobility (Granovetter 1983 <ref> Granovetter, M. (1983). The Strength of Weak Ties: A Network Theory Revisited. Sociological Theory, 1, 201. <ref>). This effect is mediated by education that strengthens the positive effect of weak ties on job opportunities and income. Strong ties are not without merit: Ultimately they influence decision-making, while weak ties act as bridges for the flow of (new) information. | According to Granovetter, weak ties fulfil a crucial bridging function between networks. There is considerable empirical support for the argument that people with more extended and diverse networks, based on weak ties, benefit from more job opportunities and upward mobility (Granovetter 1983 <ref> Granovetter, M. (1983). The Strength of Weak Ties: A Network Theory Revisited. Sociological Theory, 1, 201.</ref>). This effect is mediated by education that strengthens the positive effect of weak ties on job opportunities and income. Strong ties are not without merit: Ultimately they influence decision-making, while weak ties act as bridges for the flow of (new) information. | ||
[[File:Stadskasteel-oudaen-114 40782764752 o-optimized.jpg|thumb|300px|left|]] | [[File:Stadskasteel-oudaen-114 40782764752 o-optimized.jpg|thumb|300px|left|]] | ||
Borrels seem to function as occasions for white-collar professionals to establish and maintain weak ties within their immediate professional surroundings (direct colleagues) and beyond (indirect colleagues, introducees, conference participants). This is reflected in the instrumental objectives of borrels, which are, without exception, aimed at improving social relations with other people. The expectation is that weak ties will serve as a bridge between networks for information, although not necessarily of influence. The key characteristics of borrels support Granovetter’s findings as well: the inclusive nature of the borrels allows for the maximum number of potential new weak ties to be established at the gathering. Its unofficial and voluntary nature shows that commitment, i.e. strong ties, is not required, which in turn further lowers the threshold for individuals outside of a close network to attend. Finally, the informal and relaxed nature arguably allows for the easiest contact with a larger number of people on equal footing, without the necessity to engage in professional matters, complex subject and exclusive jargons. | Borrels seem to function as occasions for white-collar professionals to establish and maintain weak ties within their immediate professional surroundings (direct colleagues) and beyond (indirect colleagues, introducees, conference participants). This is reflected in the instrumental objectives of borrels, which are, without exception, aimed at improving social relations with other people. The expectation is that weak ties will serve as a bridge between networks for information, although not necessarily of influence. The key characteristics of borrels support Granovetter’s findings as well: the inclusive nature of the borrels allows for the maximum number of potential new weak ties to be established at the gathering. Its unofficial and voluntary nature shows that commitment, i.e. strong ties, is not required, which in turn further lowers the threshold for individuals outside of a close network to attend. Finally, the informal and relaxed nature arguably allows for the easiest contact with a larger number of people on equal footing, without the necessity to engage in professional matters, complex subject and exclusive jargons. | ||