Zwarte Piet never was a problem until around 2000-2010 when some people started to complain about the word Zwarte Piet. And that movement grew a lot.

if this is your home now then learn bloody dutch !!!! or do go home !!

They think dutch food is bitterbal, tmpouce and stroopwafel. Fools and horses

When you don't know everything, you CAN'T say some things that are wrong. Every land is better then America, that's for sure.

Is there anything you DO like in the Netherlands?

USA is the best because we don't know the rest :-) lol

You have 2 kind of friends as you will find-out during your life. Real caring friend and friend to have fun with. That is not sad. It is reality. You never know who is who until you end up in problems though 😊 Go out and make new friends and make it gezellig ! (You know that there is an old english word 'Gesellig/geselig! ?)

Texel is actually the larger of the islands, almost like being on thr mainland. I'm frisian and I advise you to go the smaller islands. You need to travel to Harlingen for Vlieland/Terschelling. Or to Lauwersoog for Schiermonnikoog. Rent a bike !

We do have those brushes in America. I've always had them in my home and have seen them in other people's homes as well as some restaurants. Maybe not in big office buildings or more corporate environments where they have dedicated staff for cleaning.

Why you moved to NL stay away from Europe

In the late 90s-2004, i lived in Roermond, Maasbree and lots of time in Amsterdam. Best time of my life.

Welp...it is called choosing the better of two evils: would you rather have a Texan or Indian (South Asian) living next door? Former would throw barbecue parties for neighbours, invite you for fishing and be respectful of God, and latter will stink up the block with cumin and onions.

Hi there, I have some reccomodations, Enkhuizen, Hoorn, Delft, Rotterdam, Dordrecht, Zuiderzeemusem, Keukenhof but go there when the season is good for it and buy a ticket in advance. Also Muiderslot, Ruine van Brederiode, Haarlem and MedemblikI think that with this list your year is booked. Also the steamtrain from Hoorn to Enkhuizen is really great. Kind regards, Roelof from the Nehtelrands.

Make religious Dutch Christians upset with saying there is no God, etc. Make secular Dutch people upset with incisting God does exist, etc. Make Islamic Dutch people upset with Koran verbrandingen & Mohammed cartoons, etc. Every type of Dutch person will have strings to pull. Make a Dutch LHBTI+ person upset by denying their rights; Nashville manifest as an example, etc. We are just humans, and humans can get upset, just a fact of life. We all got our button/trigger issues.

15:03 LOL Yes, very much. [sarcastic] Guess you are becoming Dutch? Frank-ness/Directness, and our own offensive culture. Kanker-Tyfus-Teringlijers & De Huil-landers.* In Limburg Hollanders are at times called Huillanders Cry-Landers. Rude as hell but crying like little children when push comes to shove: "Don't touch Black Pete" hahaha But this is similar to Santa and his little slaves/workers (elves) in the USA, or Black Santa, etc. only difference for us it is not a "war" only a conflict/dispute on/in culture.

LOL Now imagine being a indigenous Dutch person, and anti-Black Face, black Pete... For me this is an 20 year thing, so longer than it was for most Dutch people, and still some people just don't understand. "Het is gewoon een kinderfeest, en laat het met rust." Not aware of the subtle messagings and programmings this entails as well. Even if it changed so many times and ways during it's history. I had this discussion passed Thursday again, in conjunction with zigeunersaus no longer bing called that, but also not being called Romasaus. With some things I get it, with others I don't. Jodenhaas = Diamant haas, actually even more racist, Jews and the Diamond trade. Moorkop, Negerzoen, etc. And its history (Sinterklaas) is quite troublesome. It has to do with the slave trade as well, which we have been brushing under the carpet for centuries. I also thought this discussion was finally over a couple of years ago, but still every Sinterklaas it still is and topic. If black people want to play black Pete, that is fine - a Black Sinterklaas will also be shocking, since he wasn't black. And we don't even really know what Saint we are talking about, we have picked one, made him the main figure of interest but left out Pope Nicolas who condoned the slave trade, and being from Spain. Mira and that stuff is mainly a decoy, like the magic ring Klaas has in modern times to enter the homes - this was not part of the lore in my youth, we banned the taking you to Spain in the bag, and the roe which children got punished and hit with. But pointing out how black face pete, is an issue, and the ties/roots to slavery and prostitution might not make it an ideal childrens festivity. But it is part of our culture. Also, this is Catholic, NL = Protestant mostly... the beelden storm and Dutch religious conflicts. It is all a bit more complex than the first glance on Sinterklaas might show. Is it intended to be racist or discriminatory, by all that partake? NO, but question is does that matter? We still have racism in the Netherlands to this current day and time, something is feeding it and keeping it alive. Also Black Pete = Krampus, and it is a Pagan festivity to begin with.... What is the big issue, with having no black Pete with black face. Black people wanting to play for Piet, no problem with that, I won't demand them getting white face. But what is it the children are taught, learn, and celebrate?!? A thing once created to keep children in line; don't behave and you get taken by Pete. The boogeyman, the devil. Sinterklaas is not just a Dutch thing, Belgium, parts of Germany, parts in Italy, it is more European in the end, christian, not specific "Dutch"... the specific Dutch way to celebrate it might be. The VOC (spice and slave trade) is part of our Golden Age, our wealth in history + independence. The Dutch and abolishment of slavery: In summary, the Netherlands banned the slave trade in 1814, but it took until 1863 (1873) for slavery to be formally abolished in all Dutch overseas territories. This marked the end of around 200 years of slavery in these colonies. 1863: The Emancipation Act abolished slavery in the Dutch West Indies (Suriname and the Dutch Antilles). However, it took a decade for slavery to fully end in Suriname due to a mandatory 10-year transition period.

If you make an appointment/set a date, and you don't show up on set time, this says: I don't really care(d) and it doesn't matter (much) to me. It is disrespectful, time is precious and once stolen can't be given back. Why there is also this work vs family time/life balance. We work to live, we don't live to work. Work is not our life, living our life is our life.

Some people are always late, it is part of their culture so to speak, since we have a mixed population in the NL, immigrants and expats, etc. *If I know you are always an hour late, I will tell you the thing starts at 13 hr, even if it starts at 14 hr.* Don't waste my time - we only have it once and it is fleeting. Ofcourse things can go off the rails, people can be late. Here we tend to be a little bit early to avoid being late. Also think OV, you have to be on time the bus or train/tram won't wait for you, it's on a schedule.

It all depends on what we planned, there are plenty of times with a core friend group that one will pay this time, the other will pay the other. But then issues can arise with who paid when and how much that bill was in total compared to the other times. It is to keep things fair. And avoid anti-social behavior or picking the most expensive item since you are not paying yourself. Or it is being a treat so to speak. We treat others, and give things to friends and close ones. Keep in mind, the Birthday person gives the cake in our culture. It is their birthday. We congratulate everyone, family members and friends (that are at the celebration).

Going Dutch = everybody has to pick up their own share and responsibilities, like polderen, and our collective fight against the sea/water. Going Dutch is an English phrase, which stuck with Americans, since you used to be British subjects, why you speak (American) English, not (American) Dutch, German, French or Spanish.

7:20 That has more to do with the tourists and the fact that it was Hollanders that mainly colonized, with the Zeelanders. New Zealand we still know, New Holland aka Australia many might not be aware about. Those Brits and the Anglo-Dutch wars. The colonization happened not so much by the Dutch with no sealegs. Limburg, etc. Thus the more east you go, or south, the more problems we have with people not acknowleging our identity aspects and culture, and just equating us to north and south Holland/Huil-landers. *It would be like calling all US citizens Washington DC citizens,* since that is your state capital/capitol. (maybe not the best example) But just equating all Americans to Floridians, or Texans, or New Yorkers would have the same effect if not bigger since American Pride. Local identities and histories are part of identies as well.

#4 "quite a while?" Like, since it's conception: The United Provinces of the Netherlands, officially the Republic of the Seven United Netherlands aka Low lands (countries), Lage landen [Multiple!]. Notice its NetherlandS, with a S in the end, multiple. In Dutch we are more united; Nederland. This unison created the Netherlands, and Belgium in their own right.

How to make "enemies" is by thinking the world/universe revolves around you, Americans. Doe normaal dan doe je gek genoeg. *God created the world* (& Blessed America), *the Dutch created the Netherlands* (bow to the demi-gods). [Just joking] Enemies? *US war culture & Hyperbolism, LOL.* Remember America First + Netherlands Second (response) which went viral and caused many countries to make a (their country) Second video. We are like that pebble in the shoe of this great dominant world leader and its culture, the silent partners that created New Amsterdam and Wall street.

I also follow them and if his heart attack had been too serious, the fire brigade would have canceled it. so outdated information. his heart failure was bad enough to take him over the stairs. that's how it works here. only the serious cases are lifted. my son and wife and grandchild live with me because asylum people (who are entitled to a home) and expats are ruining things here. too high rent, for example. If you weren't supposed to be here then leave, so that our own people can get a home and asylum seekers can get a home without albdie expat we could save the little green we have. and yes I really liked you guys and it's not personal

At first I thought you were great, but we are not looking for expats, we also have to accommodate all the asylum seekers and now our green lot is also going to building land, so if you love the Netherlands, stay away so that the asylum seekers can have a house in such a way that very little greenery needs to be added. Thank you.

The pearl of the South 💛🖤

You pretty much nailed this one! :)

Stranger Danger... hahaha.... in Holland there is no criminal dumb enough to nap a kid. It is not worth the hassle. Parents are probably gonna call the cops even if you tell them not to. Or probably just keep the kid.... hahaha. On a serious note: kidnapping kids is not a thing in Holland. This shit would hit the news for sure. And it is never in the news. I think you should not compare Holland...oh, sorry, The Netherlands with the whole of the United States. Of course everything that can happen will happen in a huge country like the US and probably way less in a small country like Holland. Most small European countries are far more easy to manage. Especially if there are hardly any immigrants from outside of Europe. But would the EU really be one country, one language and a homogeneous society and covering news of the whole EU... we would hear more of kidnapping..

On the top of my head would be: being late, cutting in line, have no opinion, flaunting your wealth, only talk about yourself... 😅

lol you can call us cheap bastids, but don't mention zwarte piet. Says a lot

I lived there for 6 years teaching Spanish in Het Amsterdam lyceum...I learned that on ocassions they seemed rude...till i learnd that they not pretend..passing by ann not say hi didnt mean they were not friendly...at the beginning i was more extroverted tii i realised i had to be myself and be more natural....Icome from Spain...Holland is great...i learnd al lof of then ann m y mind widened..

Americans are getting lazy , I live southern California where the weather is always nice , yet nobody walks or rides a bike ,in the Netherlands they Ride there bikes even when it rains or snows

Be prepared if Trump takes over in America

Is one month to spend in Den Bosch too long? Will be boring?

Djezus move back to the us already ! You make it sound like survival 😅

I emigrated from Nederland to Canada and understand the family connection missing all that happens back home my mom was able to visit before she passed and told me she was happy I found a new country I was not able to go to the funeral visited her a month prior it was hard she told me she would watch over me I've lived in canada for 50 years now and still go back every 5 years always enjoy my time with family in eindhoven planning for that 5 year vacation is awesome good luck to you both

Very realistic and nuanced; as a Dutch person I totally understand your points

There are a couple more that come to mind: - Bragging, including showing off. In the eyes of the Dutch everybody is equal and is supposed to behave like that. - Showing up earlier than the agreed time (at somebody's home), better be 15 min late than 15 min. too early. - Being loud in the public domain in general but particularly like a restaurant or museum. Who are you to have the nerve to annoy the rest of us by overruling our conversations or thoughts with your loud voice? - And last but not least: to lie. When you deliberately lie to a Dutchie that's the end of the friendship or any other form of the relationship.

16:20 Dutchies be like : spam them our "to do list" to make sure they never leave here, hehehe. Awesome you two like The Netherlands, great to see foreigners enjoying our little country, thank you two!!!

6:12 thast's where the Dutch use McDonalds for.. in, eat and out and go to meeting in ten minutes

5:21 and somewhat a tradition, Dutch girls ans women wear skirts on skirtsday.. thf first really suny day of the year, just to celebrate pring is coming.Rokjesdag, funny little quirky Dutch thing and absolutely awesome

this was not a land reclamation project (as its too far inland) but yes the area was flooded, to ward off the spanish invasion that ended in leiden, a little bit more north

current royal family is from germany

HA the dutch royal family does NOT have the van Oranje name, that name died a long time ago, sparking a 'controversy' about the rightful heir

"KETCHUP IS AS SPICY AS ILL HAVE IT" "THIS HAS NO FLAVOR, WHERE IS MAH RANCH SAUCE" "THIS WOULD BE BETTER WITH SUM TEXAN BBQ SAUCE" hurr durr durr

americans are notorious for not liking any spice (and im not even talking about chilis) cmon man

FDA: we officially did it, we have convinced our public that our trash is superior to clean healthy gmo free organic close to home produced food.

I come in peace. I'd like to show my children this, but I can't have them saying "like" every other word. There's a nice hostel (Flying Pig) that might still be open to the public. Dag!

I missed Saying how the dutch language is so much like the German language. Or ask if Begium is Dutch too (that also is a short route to piss off Belgium people really) Now if you want to make a true enemy in the Netherlands... Just say "Hey do you know...?" then stop... and act like you have forgotten what you were about to tell. Yep they will go bonkers. :P How do I know this info? Simple... I am dutch :P Welkom in Nederland ; )