Dutch 101 - What is the Stamtafel? Notable (lawyers, doctors, etc) cafe regulars, who, after church go to the local cafe to have a beer and talk about town politics.

Nowadays the notables aren't exactly notable. Church service is skipped. And talk of town politics has been replaced by latest town gossip. The Ravenstein stamtafel dates back to the 1500's.

Today, Marcel became a member of the Keurvorst stamfafel.

He was given a beer and a chair, and had to sit outside while the other members come up with all the reasons they could think of as to why he shouldn't become a member. Upon returning to the cafe, Marcel had to defend himself and win the votes of the members.

And as a special tribute to Marcel, the members of the stamtafel wore wooden shoes, which is what his surname means in Dutch.

It's an interesting tradition to say the least.