10 Reasons Why I Love the Netherlands (As an American)

From Dutch directness to the world's happiest kids-here are ten things I love about living in the Netherlands.
🙋‍♂️About me: I'm originally from California and have lived in the Netherlands for 4 years (Amsterdam & Maastricht).
🔸 If you live in the Netherlands, I'd love to hear your story and interview you about your experiences.
Email: [e-mail]
⏰ CHAPTERS:
00:00 Intro
00:21 Doe Normaal (Be normal)
02:44 Dutch Directness
04:50 Work-life Balance
07:27 Beautiful Country
09:37 “Church space”
10:20 Bike Culture
11:40 Public Transportation
12:25 Amazing English
13:32 Safety
14:46 Easy to Travel
15:36 Conclusion
📽 OTHER VIDEOS:
💶 Cost of Living (Amsterdam) - • How much does it cost ...
🏠 Living in a Dutch Canal House - • Apartment Tour: 400-ye...
🇺🇸 USA vs. Europe - • USA vs. Europe: Live t...
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😁 WHO AM I?
I'm David, a Californian living in Amsterdam. I make videos about life in the Netherlands, hiking/traveling, and the Camino de Santiago.
#lifeinthenetherlands #livinginthenetherlands #thenetherlands

[@hidavidwen]

What do you like about the Netherlands? 🧡🇳🇱

[@robertboender5816]

Great video David and glad you still like it :-) And before I forget, you're also contributing to make things even better.

[@AlbertZonneveld]

Time to learn dutch !!

[@FrankHeuvelman]

@@AlbertZonneveld 😎Helemaal fucking mee eens!

[@donaldpesch7477]

I love ZWARTE PIET! But because he‘s black they declared him taboo and persona non grata.

[@sparklemotion8377]

The weather, obviously

[@Memecoinwizard]

More than anything we Dutch people love hearing from others how awesome our country is. Kudos to you 😊

[@hidavidwen]

🧡🇳🇱

[@MagereHein]

Yup, we've very proud of our humility.

[@julesverne4561]

Who's 'we', randstedelingen maybe...

[@Fokko]

I knew it, WE are the greatest........ little country in the world!!! 😮

[@rw80]

As long as we can complain how aweful everything is in our country

[@A_Casual_NPC]

One thing I feel you missed about being homeless in the Netherlands is that, compared to many other countries) us that they're treated as actual human beings and for better or worse get the help they're able or want to get. I was homeless for just over a year when I was 19. I had depression and a massive addiction. Within 2 weeks of losing my old student room, I had a room in a homeless shelter, yes an actual room to myself. I got fed 3 times a day, could go and leave whenever I wanted and there was even a room where things like needles where handed out and people could use drugs under the supervision of a trained nurse. There always was a team nearby to help me with things like keeping my room clean to filing taxes and applying for rehab. I still feel I was the one who pulled myself out of homelessness, but could never have done that without the care the Netherlands offers to their homeless population.

[@nadah._.2807]

Woah u could leave when u wanted and you got a room 2 yourself that's way better than in the US omh

[@HauTran-sunfromsouth]

I think free feeds meals is okay. Need help poor ppl & ppl who need eager for help But no shit as CAN FREELY USING DRUGS IN SHRLTER OR ANY PUBLIC PLACE, just because you or they’re massive addict to drugs. All you need is stop using drugs & stop proudly of addict to drugs like normal things. Its will create more homeless & addict thugs just like what happened in USA & alots Western country. It also creating more younger generations addict to drugs & have no depressing to become druggies while they know the gorvement will help them with all foods & shelter & basic amounts of moneys to buy drugs for using. Anyone did mistake, specially young adults. Anyone can make wrong choice in life & turn themselves addict. But they must get HELP WITH ONE CONDITION : STOP ADDICT & GETTING REHAB CENTER HELP TILL THEY CLEAN. If Netherlands don’t fix this problems, no longer & sonner in 2-3 decades their country is full of young addiction just like what happened in us/uk now Look at how shitty druggies in us/uk - shitting all day high on drugs in public & parks, proudly to be druggies thugs because it’s humans right & freedom right so they can going around to do shitty stuff attack people.

[@davidborn5845]

​@@HauTran-sunfromsouthno bro, its not like you can shoot up all day like you are chilling in a trap house. You are supervised to take as much as you need to not get sick until you get into rehab. You cannot knock on the nurse' door every 25 minutes to get your hit. On top of that, they provide the sanitary needs so you dont die from hiv or infection from using passed on needles or using stepped on shit. Its a way more effective way of getting someone into rehab than cold turkying, wich can be detrimental to mental, physical and social health. Not personal experience but i do know people who were less fortunate enough to go through these events. Really changes your point of view on things when it happens so close

[@HauTran-sunfromsouth]

@@davidborn5845 Im Vietnamese - Southeast Asian so I know damm well what the hell I’m talkin about Anytime i talk about REHAB CENTER-all Westerners use excuse mental illness, healthy problems,etc… lolz so the whole Western ppl is full of physical mental illness people?? No, don’t use any motherfucker reason this, reason that. In 1970,80,90s Vietnam have alots of addict though American wars bought it here. Alots of youngster addict drugs in 80-90 & early 00s. I’m youngest kid in family & was born in 1987s so I know what I’m talk about, when I was kid around my neighborhood have alots of drugs (including middle age to youngster , mostly 99% is male), no one is mental illness, its all healthy ppl get suck on drugs because alots reason: young teenage play around with others bad groups & they’re invited them used drugs, or young teen - while parents busy at working outside of house cant take care kids, kids is wild & lost their right way. Or adults thugs team who get infect by leader thugs/gangs so they gonna be ZOMMBIE to follow gang leader order,etc.. but no mental illness reason. Mental illness ppl - did you ever see mental illness ppl, their face look Straight not normal, dirty & mad, some look DUMB - you can see it by eyes & mostly they’re not smart enough, when they’re going crazy they even eat shitty things & do harmful shit themselves, so where moneys they buy drugs? And who ppl give his free-drugs to used? So because of crazy bloom DRUGS ADDICTION OF MANY YOUNG VIETNAMESE IN 80-90s our gorvement build REHAB CENTER. ALL PPL WHO USED DRUGS GET CAUGHT IN PUBLIC OR CRIMINAL WHO IS DRUGS ADDICT GET CAUGHT, they have put in REHAB CENTER FOR 6month -2year depend on each cases. They get FORCE TO CLEAN - at least when they’re in rehab center, police take eyes make them follow rules & healthcare workers did their jobs as take care healthy & give pills in need. Guess what after decades of motherfucker STRICT LAWS FOCUS ON DRUGS, nowadays there is very less ppl drugs addict. We still have drugs addict but it not much as before & NOTHING IF COMPARE WHAT HAPPENS IN Us/UK & WESTERN COUNTRY ALL drugs deal & drugs products & drug trafficking deliveries get caught here get HARDEST PUNISHMENT AS DEAD PENALTY!! Drug sellers if they’re sale alots, they can face 10-20y in jails. Singapore is same, drugs trafficking & saler over 1kg pure heroin can get dead penalty. Look at Singapore, SouthKorea, Vietnam, China, Taiwan,etc.. less drugs addict & safe here. And anytime I’m talking about Rehab center - all Asian ppl accept & admit it work only Western talking shit. If they can’t use any reason to blame & excuse, then they’re talk like this “oh but Vietnam is communist & less freedom” laugh my ass of fall out of my chair Vietnam nowadays is more freedom than ppl in West & USA in many points. Ppl who never been in Vietnam or Asia countries must never know, all their information by Us & Western media is liar & bias. Alots of western ppl who is working & travel, vacation in Vietnam & East Asia & some Southeast Asia for first time here is shock. Because their knowledge is UP SIDE DOWN. I’m not saying Vietnamese is better than West or anyone. I’m also have NOTHING RACIST OR AGAINST USA/WEST. I just prove facts so ppl can understand. This is sad for Usa & alot western country, they’re fails & falling so fast. That’s why I wrote long-ass comments because I feel bad for these countries & ppl who addict drugs or affect by drugs. Freedom is important & must, it all we humans dying & fighting for. But in some case, we need HARDLY ORDER & STRICT LAWS if it’s the only way to help the whole generation & help normal ordinary people.

[@quinn3109]

@@HauTran-sunfromsouth i don't think you get how addiction works

[@rikdanko3270]

Being dutch you tend to forget the good things of your country, and focus on everything that is bad or wrong. Your video opened my eyes again on the good stuff and made me proud of my country and my people again. Thank you!

[@hidavidwen]

That’s good to hear. Similarly, many things to be grateful for…sometimes it takes a reminder to help us out :)

[@brianh746]

Don't forget that it's also Dutch culture to look at the negative things. 10 good things can happen in a day and most will be like "oh, thats normal" or something like that. But 1 or 2 'bad' things happen and the entire day and sometimes multiple days will be 'ruined' for some people

[@1911GreaterThanALL]

That is many countries not just the Netherlands. When you come into contact with something that is comparing countries it is a natural way of comparing. "One only knows good from bad".

[@paulvanhooijdonk4626]

As for working overtime in the Netherlands: Most of us are ok to work extra hours if it is really needed and if it is effective (like close to an important deadline), but not when it would be a 'regular' excercise, that would just be considered as 'bad planning' and 'not my problem'.

[@hidavidwen]

Thanks Paul. I've noticed that as well.

[@graffie]

True, and when really needed, everyone pitches in and the boss buys you dinner.

[@babykrul]

Yeah and often times you can trade the extra hours you made that day for a day off :)

[@dutchgamer842]

Only do it if your employer pays extra, gives you a meal and compensate over time and give is extra time off

[@starlight27277]

@@dutchgamer842 You forget one important factor: giving. Your boss creates a workplace for you, and pays your salary every month, he takes all the financial risk of being an business owner. As a token of appreciation you could do your part in time of need, to help your boss and his company out. Which is ultimately helping yourself, because if the company goes bankrupt you are out of job. So giving is important not only taking.

[@martijnkeisers5900]

As a Dutch person you almost made me blush. We ourselves seem to forget sometimes what a great country we live in. Thank you!

[@hidavidwen]

Thanks Martijn. Good reminder to be grateful for what we have in life , so thanks for the reminder too!

[@gloriascientiae7435]

Nou, nederlanders hebben zelfs een soort culturele zelfhaat. Ik denk als je alle nederlanders op hawai ofzo zou dumpen, ze heel snel zouden zien wat voor een cultuur ze hadden, en dat ze die toch wel degelijk missen.

[@Mick1245usa]

The foreigner built the country the Japan built the ns my bf is japan they write program and built the ns and uk had the asml indoeania make the railway nl is just ugly ppl the foreigner built the country sorry you must know it

[@franklin5000]

The dutch can be awfully racist against asians though - don't forget that. The elderly dutch especially - just awful people from my experience.

[@gloriascientiae7435]

@@franklin5000 lol what did u do to piss them off

[@mahler58]

Hi David, the Dutch also speak English (and other languages) so well, because all tv programs and movies in foreign languages are subtitled in Dutch, while the UK, USA, Germany, France f.i. all dub their movies. That helps the learning a lot.

[@hidavidwen]

Thanks Milady! Yes I’ve learned! That’s so smart because children can learn so much

[@370amsterdam9]

He did not know, but its treu. We know enhlisch because of tv en it subtitles. Not because we are small and the trade

[@teaser6089]

@@370amsterdam9 We know it because of both reasons. We learn English at a young age due to the TV and it's subtitles, but we master it for the ability to better sell our trade, wether it be our knowledge or our labour or actual goods.

[@bishplis7226]

what the dutch speaking multiple languages before tv or radio was even invented?

[@SephiMasamune]

@@bishplis7226 i would imagine during WW2 it would be a rarity to find a Dutch person that spoke English. We are closer to the Germans in language so i would expect more Dutch to speak at least some degree of German instead.

[@madscimaddog5977]

I spent 4 years in Sweden, and many of the things you describe are also true there. (I am American as well.) Nearly everyone speaks English, minimal choice of consumer products (which is just fine), work-life balance, ease of travel, lots of bikes, over-achieving is not considered a virtue, etc. I was so sad to come back to the US, and the culture shock was severe.

[@Controle1yo]

Left The Netherlands 7 years ago to live in Thailand. I love to live in Thailand but when I saw your video, it almost made me cry, missing my home country. Thank you ❤

[@hidavidwen]

You're welcome =) Oh I also love Thailand...and Thai food....

[@TurdBoi-tf5lf]

@@hidavidwen overrated food. it's like indian food for japanese

[@TurdBoi-tf5lf]

@@hidavidwen btw indian food is the best in asia and the world

[@annekekramer3835]

"Doe normaal" is the short version of "Doe maar normaal, dan doe je al gek genoeg", meaning "When you act normal you are already crazy enough", meaning pretty much what you explain in the video :-)

[@hidavidwen]

Thanks Anneke =)

[@Nanneke9]

I've always flipped it and thought: just act crazy, you'll be normal enough. 😁😁

[@bishplis7226]

@@Nanneke9 the traditional gay parades are normal, its when you see buffed up big men oiled up in tiger print thongs dancing blowing bubbles, i dont care how crazy you think you are, you are deadbeat normal.

[@misterivo4141]

dat blijft 1 van de beste Nederlandse uitdrukkingen :)

[@noah3655]

die heb ik vaak aan moeten horen van ons pap lol

[@hantek1]

Well said, nice video! I lived in another country (Turkey) for 24 years and after that I moved to the NL. The nicest thing I noticed is how friendly and kind people are. For example saying hi to the bus driver, thanking the cashier in a shop, wishing the waiter a good day in a restaurant, greeting people passing by while walking on the street etc. I was really not used to this kind of behaviour and I was positively surprised.

[@sjelucten7150]

Goede morgen Meneer ! Dag !

[@vaska1999]

Something we also take for granted in Canada. ❤️

[@hidavidwen]

Thanks for sharing Han and glad to hear you’re enjoying it. Many others also mentioned how friendly the Dutch are.

[@evabakker]

Honestly, I don't even think that's really considered being friendly in The Netherlands, I think it's common sense to treat everyone equal. I've visited a lot of countries where people don't thank the waiter, the bus driver or wish them a good day, and I think it's so rude! I literally heard someone say 'I don't thank people below me' in the US and I was absolutely horrified!!

[@myrthe2401]

@@evabakker I also think it's like norms and values and something we are used to. Where a cashier will for obvious reasons try to be polite the respons to that is usually a automatic reaction, same as greeting the bus driver.

[@christophdenner8878]

I'm Austrian and I love the Netherlands. I visit Amsterdam at least once every year, this year I visited also Rotterdam. The people are friendly, open, I like their energy and the architecture is so incredibly charming. However, Amsterdam can be a bit of an overload due to massive overtourism. During lockdown, I started learning Dutch (which is not very difficult for a German native speaker) and I'm frequently getting my news from Dutch newspapers now. I consider looking for a job in the Netherlands and moving there.

[@zzzzzzz9077]

Austria is so beautiful!

[@hidavidwen]

Hi Christoph - yes, there's a lot more than Amsterdam. But the Netherlands is a beautiful country. Wish you the best of luck in finding a job!

[@christophdenner8878]

@@hidavidwen Thank you David! The bigger challenge seems to be finding an apartment. ;-)

[@hidavidwen]

@@christophdenner8878 Best of luck! I know how hard it can be. I made a video about "How to find an apartment in Amsterdam" that may be helpful... kzbin.info/www/bejne/f4TKdHWnp61kbtU

[@maya_unplugged]

Ich bin Holländerin und lebe in Österreich. Es hat mich Jahre gekostet, bis ich begriff, warum meine offene und ehrliche Art ständig für Ärger gesorgt hat. Erst gestern wieder wollte mir ein Österreicher erklären, dass man als Frau depperte Anmachen von Betrunkenen gefallen lassen müsse und dass ich mich daran gewöhnen müsse.. Ich: “vielleicht können die Österreicher noch was von Holländern lernen. Ich passe mich nur an, wenn ich mich dadurch nach oben entwickeln kann.” Das Gesicht hättest du sehen sollen! 😂

[@kacperm3281]

One of the best things in the Netherlands is the energy of the people. A couple years ago when I lived in this country I couldn't even talk in english due to my low level of speaking and comprehension. And I still felt very comfortable, peaceful and happy amongst the people - like a cat :D They radiate positive energy. And I felt like "more myself" than in my own country because their mentality, positive attitude, not-judging was contagious and reflected on me. I really can't wait to return to this beautiful country.

[@hidavidwen]

That’s great to hear! Yes I also feel like people don’t judge you as much in this country as compared to others. Hope you can return soon!

[@paulam.593]

🥰I am dutch ad you are welcome

[@kacperm3281]

@@paulam.593 I have severe health problems right now but as soon as I recover I will return to the Netherlands and stay there forever

[@franklin5000]

No they are filthy racist pigs

[@paulam.593]

@@franklin5000 yes, there are people who are racist, i am dutch, and understand what you say, that not the majority though

[@dylandicks4591]

Recently moved to the Netherlands from South Africa. I am utterly inlove with the Netherlands. Sure, vad weather and all, but everything here is 100x better than in my home country. I love that even if it rains, people still walks their dogs, ride their bicycle and go to the gyms. It is amazing.

[@hidavidwen]

Thanks Dylan. Great to hear you are enjoying it so far! The colleagues I’ve met who also came from South Africa love it here too

[@RPT-ss4uc]

Glad to hear you like our country my friend. Enjoy it!

[@geertstroy]

But but....hot weather from March , autumn till December , groundwater level dwindling because of prolonged drought etc.... Bad weather....chose New Zealand...yiiiiiikes..

[@danielthecritic88]

Yo same! Welcome to the club. Haha

[@demoulius1529]

To be perfectly honest theres a reason for that. If we dident 'do our thing' if it was raining or otherwise bad weather we wouldnt be able to do anything at all. Bad weather is sadly what were stuck with alot of the time so we just suck it up.

[@Haeruna]

I feel like in the Netherlands when someone (or I) ask what someone does for a job its more to know about the things we can talk about, even if you answer with a job that is usually looked down upon in other countries, like Truck Driver for example, they won't judge you and instead ask if its hard, whether you like it, why you started doing it etc. instead of acting like its such a bad job to have.

[@hidavidwen]

Thanks for sharing. Yeah I feel the same way here in the Netherlands...that I’m not being judged based on what I do. I know I used to do a lot of judging myself in the US (I still do if I’m honest)

[@Fjodor.Tabularasa]

Why would there be a bad job? Why to look down on someone's job? Ain't we all trying our best? There are jobs that pay (too) little, but is that a reason to value a person less? Some years ago we had a posh company outing, the costs were atleast € 1200 p.p. The after hour office cleaners, who were not on the payroll of my company but hired through a cleaning service company, were invited also, as they should.

[@sjelucten7150]

But a truck driver in The Netherlands can afford to buy a house a corporate manager used to live in. Because a truck driver and his wife earn roughly the same as a corporate manager. They don't need expensive suits for their job and a truck driver will get extra earnings when they drive to faraway places in Europe, such as England, and Italy. The rich are not too rich, the poor will always have a place to live in. Geen hoge dunk, they say.

[@Haeruna]

@@sjelucten7150 You really don't earn that much money as a Truck driver lol. On average a Trucker earns about € 28.199 a year while a "middelmanager" earns between €41.000 and €86.000. Considering the housing prices and housing situation (even before the current crisis) you're not geting more than a two, maybe three bedroom apartment depending on where you live. It doesn't really have much to do with money and more so that people in the Netherlands are more so expected to go for a job they actually want or like to have instead of being pressured into performing so they can become a doctor or a scientist or something like that. Even at a young age we ask our kids "what do you *want* to be when you grow up?", you'll rarely find a parent telling a child what they should strive to be, unlike in many other countries.

[@aleida423]

Thats so true, I do that as well

[@FernandoFerreira-iv6ew]

I am Dutch (from the Caribbean part of the Netherlands) and while doing my MBA in Pittsburgh I had a B average which was the requirement, but than my dean told me that I was an underachiever and I asked why? He told me to go for the A's, which I did, straight A's for the rest of the MBA program. Back home when applying for jobs no one ever asked to see my grades, you graduated that was always enough.

[@hidavidwen]

Thanks for sharing Fernando. Hah yeah, I am not surprised. Yeah no one ever checks for grades. Except if you are coming straight out of college in the US. Where are you now?

[@FernandoFerreira-iv6ew]

I am still in Curaçao and not planning to go anywhere else, except for vacations.

[@sjelucten7150]

True. My husband got his MBA degree from Newport University in Utrecht and I don't think he had any graduation celebration there. Dutch kids also don't celebrate graduation days in schools. Doe gewoon dan doe je al gek genoeg (just act normally, that's crazy enough they say). Wat een flauwe kul , what a nonsense !

[@Tjdisseldorp]

Thats because we do not consider scoring A's or B's as intellegence, in the US they really have a habit of confusing IQ/ Intellegence with Memory. If person A read his books all night long he will probably be able to puke out more stuff on Exam day as Person B who didnt read it it all as he was having a beer with his buddies, doesnt mean that person A is more intellegent tho. The guy in this video described it so well

[@bookinsights1092]

You can’t be Dutch and from the Caribbean. Dutch people are European people and they are white. In Europe peoples nationality iš tied with their ethnicity.

[@M33VR]

Als mede-Nederlander heel erg bedankt voor het maken van deze video. Ik waardeer het dat je van het land houdt. Je hebt eindelijk mijn ogen weer geopend en me laten beseffen hoe goed we leven, Liefs uit Nederland. 🇳🇱 ❤🇺🇸 (Are you able to read this without translating?)

[@hidavidwen]

I got it more or less =) Thanks for the kind words!

[@metalboy7861]

I am a Dutch person from the North Eastern side of the Netherlands and i hope you also come to visite our side of the Netherlands where we have beautiful nature. People in the North East are even more of the "Doe maar normaal" than the rest of the country. I really would recommend you would visit Friesland, Drenthe and Groningen for its beautiful sights.

[@hidavidwen]

Thanks! I will definitely try to make a visit this year =)

[@wijn1008]

As a Maastricht resident I'm proud you also value our "southern" beauty! When people talk about the Netherlands they mostley talk about Amsterdam and I always have to tell them: "We are so much more than that!"

[@hidavidwen]

Ohh I miss Maastricht! That 1-year felt like a dream…I miss the slower pace of life at times too

[@mavadelo]

I am from Utrecht myself but besides Utrecht places like Maastricht and Valkenburg are among my favorite places in the Netherlands.

[@RichardDuinmayer]

Maastricht is Belgium

[@wijn1008]

@@RichardDuinmayer and you are adopted.

[@Vyomesh839]

@@RichardDuinmayer It's like Belgium, if Belgium had the Dutch quality of life.

[@jamiepfaff9806]

I feel like the being honest part in the Netherlands is that we find honest communication so important! We would rather have someone tell everything that's on their mind than keeping secrets. Honesty is such a great way to learn and grow from each other. I love how direct we are haha!

[@hidavidwen]

Glad to hear Jamie! Hah I wonder if you’ve experienced any challenges interacting with cultures who are more indirect?

[@jamiepfaff9806]

@@hidavidwen well, one of my best friends is from Suriname and whenever there is something she wants to talk to me about, or when something bothers her, I find she can have the tendency to talk in circles. When something bothers me, I say it as it is and sometimes that can lead to some friction. I think it's fascinating how every culture communicates differently!

[@ufosrus]

I think by direct you mean frank.

[@jamiepfaff9806]

@@ufosrus both :)

[@jumasingleton1234]

How are you doing Jamie

[@yowo6105]

I agree so much about the directness/egalitarian society part. I'm a university student and during a lecture a professor was talking about some of his own research and a student raised his hand and asked some very critical questions about the procedures, the interpretation of results and the relevancy of his research to the course we were taking. The professor was totally cool about it, tried to answer his questions as best as he could but also was upfront about things he would need to check over again. In the end he also thanked the student for the questions as he said it was good to be critical and evaluative of your own research. Really nice and eyeopening experience during the lecture, it made me respect the professor (and the student as well) a lot more.

[@hidavidwen]

Thanks for sharing. Yes! I was pleasantly surprised to see the Dutch students in my class challenge the professor. It definitely added to the learning experience. That would never happen in certain cultures…

[@hamster4618]

I did a subject/course in University in which we cooperated with a few African universities. We were getting some disappointing results from the African universities. I was shocked when one of my group (African student) explained they may not have fully understood the assignment, and that they could not ask, as asking your professor to (further) explain the assignment or for that matter anything he had lectured on, would be considered very rude. I could not fantoom why, until she explained it would be seen as criticism of the professor as it would/could somehow suggest the professor had not done a good job explaining it in the first place. Pfff tiresome.

[@jarasimonson4040]

@@hamster4618 crazy! How can you learn without allowing your brain to function and asking the questions that pop up and then not even being able to do the proposed assignment because of the insecurities of a professor.. haha omg

[@rogerelzenga4465]

@@jarasimonson4040 Yeah imagine that in your professional life... You get an assignment where the only description is the name of said assignment... no explanation... then expect you to solve Nuclear Fusion :D

[@jarasimonson4040]

@@rogerelzenga4465 hahaha.. did this actually happen? Sounds more like some sort of fucked up intelligence test (; not too funny probably then. Maybe you could take it as funny?

[@Shade.85]

I am Dutch (I grew up in Maastricht actually) but currently living abroad. What I've experienced is that, as someone with social anxiety and crippling insecurity, the Dutch directness is liberating indeed: I don't have to worry so much about what people might think of me or my work (which of course tends to drift off into the worst case scenario based on my own insecurities), because they'll just tell me to my face and I'll know exactly where I stand. I greatly prefer the clarity and actionable improvement points negative feedback gives me, over the endless pondering and doubt.

[@hidavidwen]

Thanks for sharing Shadé. Ah that makes sense…yeah I get that. I’m in my head a lot and I get what you mean. I’m learning to appreciate it too. What I’ve also learned is that of course “how” you say it matters too…you can be direct and polite or direct and rude

[@Shade.85]

@@hidavidwen Absolutely, that comes with the territory; Because it isn't taboo to give negative feedback, people learn to give it in a constructive manner and how to receive it too. Thanks for your reply, wishing you a marvellous time in NL.

[@AnymMusic]

Love how we all are like "oh yeah the Dutch are quite humble" but the second a single video gets made that speaks positively about the country, somehow we sniff em out like hounds going "YEAHHHHH I KNEW IT! WE ROCK! WOOOO!" whilst also complaining about every single thing that's wrong with our country. It's a real emotional rollercoaster😂

[@hidavidwen]

Haha many Dutch people mentioned the same...that it's easy to complain...and it's a good reminder to look at the positives once in a while!

[@florisbackx1744]

You my friend are on the money : )

[@arnold9861]

Love to watch these kind of clips. As a dutch citizen everything is normal to me. While from a different perspective (as yours) a lot of things we take for granted are just very special.

[@hidavidwen]

Thanks Arnold. And I also appreciate hearing from the Dutch and other nationalities too. Great learning experience

[@johnces1670]

I just realised that happiness means being at peace with yourself and others, thank you!

[@hidavidwen]

Glad to hear John :) thank you!

[@Loui_the_Furry]

As a Dutch person i can say that everything in this video is true!!! (And i also like when non-Dutch people say how awsome our country is! Thank you for this super video David Wen! En fijne dag nog! )

[@nvb455]

Oh this is so funny to watch as a Dutch person! I actually noticed people seem to be pleasantly surprised by our openess and directness. I think because it also shows a level of confidence like “you see what you get”. And if I would come across rude…I wouldn’t lose sleep over it 😅

[@rosamy2017]

From my Dutch boyfriend and his family I’ve noticed there’s two kinds of Dutch directness. There’s the normal straight-forwardness that might be put more delicately by an American. Then there’s when Dutch people actually ARE being rude, but it’s okay because people are allowed to be annoyed or impatient for a moment without hurting anyone, and there’s a sense of humor about it

[@imageinfomood]

The full saying is:"Doe normaal, dan doe je al gek genoeg."/"You're crazy enough just by acting normal." Meaning that by authentically being yourself you're your own unique being. No need to step outside of yourself to stand out.

[@hidavidwen]

Thanks for sharing. That’s so important..learning to accept oneself.

[@19382q]

@@hidavidwen its more of an insult, they're telling you you're crazy 🤣

[@StudioMargalima]

That's not entirely the exact explanation, there's slightly other twist to it. Now, the thing is just that you might be perceived too crazy by *being* yourself. "Doe normaal. ." is a kind of related to the expression "je kop boven het maaiveld uitsteken". What does the expression means? Certainly you can be yourself, yes, in a sense of honesty and directness. But you can not be bombastic, bragging, boasting full of confindence all day long, openly, or being openly and rudely bossy, or dreaming very big, or constantly nagging about things (the later being a Karen basically). This behavior will be - generally of course - perceived as definition "crazy", and will really quite be "punished", sooner or later, in smaller or bigger way. That is what the expression actually means. That's the Calvinistic nature of he Dutch and how our society works here.

[@Fokko]

@@19382q oh I have no problem to make it sound like a compliment or an insult . This saying is sensitive for which tone you use, i guess that explain the different opinions above me. Speaking out of your experience you have with it!

[@ufosrus]

I take "doe normal" to act natural (not phony or pretentious) and directness to mean frankness.

[@shivaprasad3378]

This is so true. I relocated to the Netherlands recently and I love this country for all these reasons! Wonderful people wonderful country!

[@hidavidwen]

Yes!

[@CallousCoder]

He has a Brood on the wall!!! Back in the early 90s we used to open for Herman Brood and the Wild Romance for a festival tour. He was a true tormented spirit, and withdrawn but when he went on stage or was wielding his rattle cans, he became a totally different person. Almost happy and very friendly (although most times we could not understand what he mumbled).

[@veldhuizenhenk]

As a Dutch person, thank you so much! Glad to hear you’re enjoying the Netherlands 😊🇳🇱

[@costernocht]

I visited the Netherlands in 1969, when I was ten, and never stopped loving it, despite never having returned. I'm so grateful for your channel, David.

[@hidavidwen]

Thanks for the kind words. Would you ever consider returning for a visit?

[@costernocht]

@@hidavidwen Indeed I would. It feels like a matter of 'unfinished business'.

[@gottuso]

Walking painting,...what a great metaphor for describing the frozen canals. You have done a great job with these videos.

[@hidavidwen]

Thanks Nick🙏

[@seuljilee4178]

I'm from Korea and I cannot agree with you more about directness and work-life balance! I am planning to move to the Netherlands now and those are the reasons why I want to move to NL!! Thank you so much for this video and your thoughts!

[@hidavidwen]

You're welcome Seulji! When do you plan to move? Good luck...I'm sure you'll have a great experienceand being in Europe!

[@bertkassing8541]

So nice to hear you speak about the Netherlands. You can see it with different eyes than I do. I, an Amsterdammer, but living in Hoofddorp, think everything you say is normal. I think about the foreign trips I have made (yes also to the US and Canada), then I realize again what a good country the Netherlands is to live in.

[@hidavidwen]

Thanks Bert. Yeah it’s always good to hear the perspectives of others. Me too. I know Hoofddorp :)) Well…actually not really, but I know the area around the train station quite well haha

[@carelwervenbos]

Thank you for refreshing my view and perception of my country of birth. As a citizen I have taken all of this for granted. Your explanation made me aware of how fortuned I am to be born here and live here.

[@hidavidwen]

You're welcome Carel. Glad to hear that! Sometimes we need these reminders and different perspectives to be grateful for what we do have in life!

[@david5562]

Made me smile hearing you call Delft a small town. For me coming from a small town in the The Netherlands Delft is a big city. Loved this video!

[@hidavidwen]

Haha thanks David. Funny. Everything is relative. For me...Amsterdam is a big village 😂

[@Koen030NL]

As a dutch person I really feel blessed living here. It feels kind of weird saying that because i have never lived anywhere else. I just like the peacefullness structure and safety in my country and value it highly and know that this is not something to take for granted. Only thing I wish we had are mountains 😅

[@hidavidwen]

Thanks Koen. I remember when I arrived to Maastricht, and they told me there was a Dutch mountain at a place called Sint Pieters. I went there...and of course, it was a joke =)

[@fortunist4139]

Your comment about wishing for dutch mountains made me think of a song ....In the Dutch Mountains by The Nits.

[@takhirkikot]

My friend and I moved to the Netherlands not so long ago. And we have a local joke between ourselves every time we pass some hill or bridges using bikes: "Where is that promised land? They promised low lands! Such a false advertisement!" Other than that it's perfect in every possible way.

[@shadowraptor888]

As a dutch person I completely agree, hope you'll stay here for much longer !

[@hidavidwen]

Thanks...me too! Let's see where life takes us...

[@calpal9983]

Thanks for this!

[@Carlos-qz7ul]

Very nice subject. Cross outlook between cultures is a big part in the marvel of living ! ❤

[@elfo7918]

As a German, I think the Dutch are very friendly and not as direct as we are, haha, I was there a few times and I like to visit the Netherlands, because they are so friendly and you can bike everywhere.

[@camilascherdien5280]

wow David! I just finished watching your video and I'm feeling a strong desire to live in Netherlands. Good job!

[@hidavidwen]

Thanks Camila, I hope you take the leap!

[@curtisscott9251]

Fantastically informative video. KEEP MAKING THEM!

[@bk1147]

This is a superb educational post. Thank you Kieran

[@hidavidwen]

You’re welcome and thanks Kieran!

[@antt1674]

This is such a good video, Well done David! I too have been in The Netherlands for just over 4 years and I couldn't agree more with your summary. I just wish I had spent more time getting to know some other internationals like yourself to share the experience with. Shout out to The Hague too (my home), what a great city!

[@hidavidwen]

Thanks for the kind words! I'm loving The Hague more and more now =)

[@positive8498]

I always get so happy when i see expats in the Netherlands talk about Netherlands. Its my go to place in times where media is very much complaining about everything. I used to travel a lot and i lived in the usa, Canada, australia and India and im just so happy that i can call the Netherlands my home. Because we sometimes forget how good we have it here. So thank you for your positive view!

[@hidavidwen]

🧡🧡🧡

[@liavanson8687]

Loved to hear your positive story about the Netherlands. Thank you!

[@nemanjadjukic]

Thank you for sharing your experience in the Netherlands! 👌

[@hidavidwen]

You’re welcome and thanks for the kind words Nemanja!

[@james15th]

You speak so fluently and intelligently David. I’m coming to study in Netherlands next year and I’m glad I found your channel. I have watched a couple of your videos and find them really helpful. I am excited to come and experience all of this personally. Thanks for putting out this awesome content !

[@hidavidwen]

Thanks James for the kind words! Good luck studying, you’ll have a great experience

[@Yvanahh]

Be sure you have a place to stay! Student housing is very scarce many Dutch students can't even find housing so have to travel for hours. Because of the scarcity many students are picky about who their new roommate becomes. Unfortunately that means many would pick a Dutch candidate over a foreigner. Universities aren't very thruthfull about this and tell you you'll find a place in 2 months. Many foreign students end up renting a house with fellow foreign students together.

[@maglow6807]

Hi David! Amsterdam sounds like a great place to live, work and play. Having gym classes in a church got me tickled - interesting to see how they maximize space. In Singapore, we are land-scarce and not much variety in weather as it is either sunny or rainy. People here do take all their annual leave (avg 4 to 5 weeks) to see the world. It is also quite competitive here and it’s nice to see a country like Netherlands offering a slower pace of living.

[@hidavidwen]

Hi Mag! Thanks for sharing again :) Oh yeah Singapore and the Netherlands…I do see the similarities if you are even able to compare East v West. Yeah pace of life here is definitely slower than Asia!

[@joostprins3381]

Amsterdam is not the Netherlands, be aware of that. The rest of the Netherlands we accept its there, but it stops there.

[@larsmeijerink5471]

Didn't you listen? He wasn't talking about Amsterdam, but the netherlands. That church is in Maastricht, 2 hours by car from Amsterdam. Amsterdam is a extremely small part of the netherlands. The most nice places are far from Amsterdam. Ppl are that stupid to think they know the netherlands when they have only been in Amsterdam, its just a tourist place that has not much to do with the real NL

[@shehadehabulibdeh9923]

Thank you for this David! Very helpful and from all the similar videos, I love your communication style and storytelling/ examples the most

[@hidavidwen]

Thanks Shehadeh for the kind words! Glad you found them helpful

[@VitorHugoRaw]

enjoy it David!!

[@misterivo4141]

as a Dutchman this makes me proud! I like how you made this vid! thanks man :)

[@hidavidwen]

🇳🇱🇳🇱

[@jetdooley7609]

To add to your point on Travel, Amsterdam Schipol International Airport is a very nice airport and is quite easy to navigate too. The signs are easy to follow and clear too. My mother and I love traveling through Schipol when we are flying to and from Finland and Florida!

[@shadenegraham2577]

Thank you for this.

[@aloysiusblitin7988]

Thank you very much for this video and your time .Thanks for sharing .

[@squarecircle1473]

I think you understood and explained the directness very well. I feel it is a commonly misunderstood topic. Really nice video! :)

[@hidavidwen]

Thanks!

[@erikjoustra]

@@hidavidwen wawAssawAawwwwwewaawAez

[@annabelleowl9586]

I come from Germany, literally a 3h ride away where I live now in the netherlands and the differences are amazing! Everything you mentioned is very true even if you're from a neightbouring country. I like to joke and say going to the netherlands is like travelling 15 years into the future, and coming back to germany is like travelling 15 years back

[@nyceone45]

So true 😂😂😂

[@W00PIE]

Da hast du Recht. Dat klopt.

[@michaelpromoveert]

Thanks! Your videos help being an expat more understandable. Dank!!👍🏻

[@hidavidwen]

Thanks for the kind words 🙏

[@karinturkington2455]

I remember loving the Netherlands when I camped out for a couple of weeks many years ago. Thank you for this great video.

[@Giovanni_Team_Rocket_UK]

I love the Netherlands too! (I’m from the U.K.!)😊 I’ve been coming to the country many times in a year since 2010. Made many friends and how wonderful and friendly the Dutch people are! I love how the road and cycle system works and other transportation as a whole! Also I love Dutch snacks like Stroopwafels! Also I LOVE all kinds of Dutch cheese! Mmmmm yummy 😋 Since Lockdown I’ve been learning Dutch and I’m at a A2 level at the moment! :) (I want to be fluent as much as I can, possibly up to B2) I’m planning to move to the Netherlands in the near future for better job prospects in my field of work (IT). Thank you for a fantastic video! :)

[@hidavidwen]

Thanks Giovanni! Cheese is great indeed. Best of luck!

[@Dutchman-2002]

awesome, good luck to your learning!

[@joranvanolphen9892]

I always love the fact that our dedication to the bike gets overlooked and under appreciated. We are such a fan of bikers that every town, every city every house can be reached by bike. You can travel from north to south with the bike. They are even making bike HIGHWAYS.

[@hidavidwen]

Bike highways??!

[@joranvanolphen9892]

@@hidavidwen yeah its like a long (mostly straight) oath that goes directly from a city to an other passing through/by different town. They are called “fiets snelwegen” in dutch

[@peterf1]

Honestly, it's one of the things that stands out most to me. Dutch cycling culture is being actively studied and attempts to copy it are happening all around the world. Slowly, admittedly. Countries are slow to realized they need a mobility revolution similar to what Holland went trough in the 70's.

[@ralphmaasgmailcom]

Thank you for describing and experiencing our country in this way.

[@marvintheodore5871]

That was interesting and useful. Thank you David.

[@hidavidwen]

Thanks Marvin 🙏

[@yoka6107]

Wow, thank you for your nice words about my country and your understanding of our direct wat of communicate.👍😄😍

[@hidavidwen]

😄😄😄

[@Moniker2022]

Love the video! You really described the NL as it is. The best part you could take a flight to Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece......spend a weekend and comeback on Monday to work or school.

[@hidavidwen]

Thanks! Haha yea, I’m on my way back to Amsterdam now as I type this…so easy to travel (I also travel light and so the budget airlines are perfect for me too)

[@sjelucten7150]

I used to visit Dusseldorf with my friends on a touring bus. It's also very nice to visit other European cities such as London, Paris, and Brussels on a tour bus.

[@gardenjoy5223]

Bert, you are rich! Never in a lifetime would I spend so much on travel for just a short weekend. Ons bin zunig (We are frugal). But actually, housing costs in many parts of the Netherlands are so high, that you need quite a salary to pay for those bricks to become yours in 30 years time :)

[@Moniker2022]

@@gardenjoy5223 Ryan Air is cheaper than the NS. I bought tickets for 15 Euro to Alicante from Eindhoven. (Right now the have sale take a look, tickets for 30 Euro a ticket many places to choose. (Travel light backpacking, so do no pay for extra suitcases) de verkoop is net begonnen. ik ben zuinig ook!

[@gardenjoy5223]

@@Moniker2022 Ah, that a good tip. Too bad I currently live in Germany. But will keep that in mind. Thanks :)

[@p49N]

Very well received. Was amazed how well you expressed both sides , and kept a fair comparison.

[@hidavidwen]

Thanks!

[@lovechamp]

Thank you❤ that was amazing

[@hidavidwen]

Thanks Marie-Sophie!

[@stnerabmot4912]

Hi David - thanks for your videos of the Nehterlands. I like them AND they were eyeopening to me. I'm actually dutch, living for 53 years in Germany now, never understood why my parents came from Rotterdam to Nordrheinwestfalen - these people here are so stubborn in many ways - well, especially in my town. Why I'm telling this: I'm still struggeling with the german culture of living, living with each other, talking to each other and never understood, why german people often were/are offended with my kind of direct speaking to them. Or I ask them "can you come to the point". "...,please." Well, now I know ... My dutch mentality is really different and I can't change my behavior. Also the efficiency of working, you're talking about. When I visit siblings of my mother and their children in the Netherlands it's the only time I really feel at home. And even if I'm 55 years old now after seeing your videos I'll consider going back to the Netherlands. I'm divorced and my children are grown up. I want to be myself and live like that.

[@hidavidwen]

Thanks so much for your sharing, it made my Sunday =) I have so many questions...but it's so interesting to hear how our cultures (and how we were raised) sticks with us for life-even after 50 years. From talking to people and doing research, I've learned how much our cultures/our parents/our childhoods influence us even as adults. After being in Germany for 50+ years...do you consider yourself more German or Dutch? Or both? I think that's so important...to be with people where you feel most "at home." I hope you can find it =)

[@MrTubularBalls]

You may be interested to hear that within the Netherlands, people from Rotterdam are considered to be the most blunt. They really don't beat about the bush, and they're short on patience too!

[@gardenjoy5223]

Oh dear, another Dutch person living in Germany and being as miserable as we are. Also in the state of North Rhein-Westphalia. Horrid closed-minded people here. We are hurt to the core of our being. These are Evil people. You did them nothing wrong, only good and still they're actually trying to ruin you on all accounts. And when I say ruin, I mean ruin. They lie and slander you, they break their own laws continuously, their police is harsh and intimidating, their justice system a total joke. After living in Germany for over a decade, it has made me ill with stress. These people are the meanest, lowest things of Europe. Now I understand why two world wars started in Germany. Will flee asap.

[@manchu.piccuh]

Haha, first one to comment 😁 Love all your insightful videos, David!

[@hidavidwen]

Thanks Haiwen :) Appreciate your kind words!

[@Laura_ASMR_]

thank you so much for this video!

[@hidavidwen]

You're welcome and thanks for watching!

[@karianned3211]

Love these videos

[@JoGroove]

Even though we have bad weather most of the time, the seasons really are different from eachother and you can really notice if its like autumn or spring

[@hidavidwen]

I do enjoy the seasons. I can now truly appreciate nice weather :)

[@DenUitvreter]

Let's not forget about directness that the multi layered read between the lines communication requires training and exercise, starting from a young age, and therefore functions as a form of class distinction. It allows people to identify another as 'not one of us' by spotting the errors and faux pas. So the directness is in fact inclusive allthough foreigners might not experience it that way immediately. The 6 culture in education is not free from criticism, but the idea behind it is that the bar is set quite high but a level you can manage, and you don't have to show off by going much higher because the education system is about your development rather than showing you are smarter than others. The US system is based on finding the best students, see who comes out on top in a highly competitive environment, it's demand driven. The Dutch system is supply driven, we have all these kids, they can't all be the best so let's develop them well so they will be able to clear this bar. It's more about developping talents, also the modest ones, than showing and measuring it.

[@dutchladylover]

Well said! 👍

[@hidavidwen]

Thanks for sharing! Very insightful

[@smurfiennes]

Exactly! If everyone wanted their kids to become doctors, who would repair their broken pipes if there were no plumbers?

[@arcillasteehouwer48]

@Lynott: Don't become paranoid about our directness. It's pretty bit farfetched imo how you see and obviously feel it....

[@DenUitvreter]

@@arcillasteehouwer48 No, I think it's from a tradition of equality and egalitarianism. In countries like the UK and France speech becomes more polite and complicated the higher the class. So it's more difficult to get in as someone from humble beginnings, or as a foreigner.

[@JoepGielink]

Love the Herman Brood painting!

[@hidavidwen]

thanks!!

[@missitheachievementhuntres560]

ty for mentioning Delft

[@hidavidwen]

Delft is so beautiful! I tell all my friends/visitors to visit there =)

[@dennishendrikx3228]

Happy to hear you also found your way to the south. Maastricht is a excellent choice. I always enjoy being there. I am from Eindhoven, not much to see but the Philips museum, and the most beautiful footballstadium in the country (geintje mensen, rustig), but for sure visit Breda, Den Bosch, Arnhem, Zwolle, Groningen.Vlissingen, Dordrecht. There are also many (fortress) villages worth visiting. Komt goed. Also many of these places have local treats, Bossche Bol comes to mind,its right outside Den Bosch station.

[@hidavidwen]

Thanks so much Dennis. I do miss Maastricht. Ah yes Eindhoven...makes me think about the light show (I think it's coming up next few months). There are so many places on the list...thanks for some of those recommendations (I added to my list)

[@dennishendrikx3228]

@@hidavidwen Glow is 12 to 19 november.

[@nlbergsma]

You forgot to mention Deventer 😡! (😏)

[@neoiam3585]

Direct but in a civilized manner! 👍🏻 I’m member of the Worker Council of a company. We have meeting with the Management members board every two months. Communication is on the same level likes close friends together. 😊 I think A good Government is the key! With good regulations with Unions & workers council for companies.

[@hidavidwen]

Thanks! I’ve been working on a video about Dutch Directness…would love to hear your thoughts soon!

[@ladok1865]

Such a nice vid!

[@haajino1145]

I plan to get my Master in Netherlands this year. So great to know about your positive experience living in this country. Thanks David!

[@hidavidwen]

Best of luck Hà! I did the same and still here almost 5 years later :)

[@daisysmum7336]

Love that you mention Maastricht. My parents are from that area although they moved to Canada 60 years ago but I still visit.

[@hidavidwen]

Thanks Karin. Oh it’s such a beautiful place. Are you Canadian and have you visited Maastricht?

[@daisysmum7336]

@@hidavidwen Yes, I’m born and raised in Canada but all my aunts, uncles and cousins still live in the Maastricht and Heerlen areas.

[@MuMarquia]

I always hear my Dutch friends said , Netherlands is too full …. 😂😅😁 For me I like seafood like herring , paling and those salads on the seafood vendors. I like their public transportation and roads designing . And their supermarkets because everything is so chopped well like potato, vegetables…. Which I don’t see here in Toronto. And mostly I like to drink their milk , much better than North America ones. The worst and Tompunce at HEMA is also very nice. I also like the price is exact the real price when you pay in Europe because in Canada, you need to put percentage tax with the price , so I enjoyed so much to shop in Netherlands.

[@hidavidwen]

Thanks Wawa. Sounds like you are also a fan of the Netherlands. Everything here really is quite efficient :)

[@MuMarquia]

@@hidavidwen No , I am not really a fan of it but I don’t say I don’t like it, too.

[@djokealtena2538]

Well with some of the waitinglists for a house/appartement being 5-10 years for some of the locals cause the people to say we are full. With the flowing in of migrants whether the legal or illegals, there are simply not enough houses built to compensate this, they're trying, but it isn't something that instantly is fixed. With the ridiculous high demands on the environment/emissionfree accords this has caused most of the problems surrounding that issue. The government currently have it in their heads to destroy our farmers with most of them having to quit according to the charts they keep showing meaning the food will have to be imported, which means higher living costs potentially. With a hungerwinter in our history you can tell people do not approve of seizing land that way, which I believe it is truly about. So with the elderly staying in their homes and prefering that to a home means this won't free up space quickly either and more people entering than we can house this has caused all sorts of issues. Mind you I wish this wasn't an issue, but generally those are the underlying thoughts regarding this problem.

[@muchomalo100]

Haha HEMA worst with mustard very nice and juicy. Love it especially this coming colder months😍

[@Fjodor.Tabularasa]

Ofcourse we are full. There is an invasion of colonists taking over our country. Assisted by our traitor government. In the end though, we will remove the colonists, by any means, just like us colonisers were kicked out of the rest of the world 😀.

[@SquirrellyJax]

This was awesome to watch, Bay Area transplants ourselves & looking to move out that way next year. Everything I've researched right now (even the "bad side" lists) are selling me more & more every day. But it was really great to hear the opinion from someone with a similar background

[@WickedGamerCollector]

I'm watching this as a Dutch person .. love this kind of videos. 🙌 Thanks for this video !

[@hidavidwen]

You’re welcome and thanks for watching!

[@17JMarino]

As portuguese, i can say that i loved Netherlands. I worked and lived in Utrecht and Egmond-Binnen (near Amsterdam). It was in 2004, first i arrived there. For me, the best country in europe at least, and i also lived in france and belgium. I met people from many places. Netherlands is a beautifull country and very organized. I can say so mutch but i will say, Dutch people are the best people i met as persons. Netherlands is an exemple in the world.

[@hidavidwen]

Thanks João, I can relate. I just published a video about working in the Netherlands...would love to hear your thoughts if you have time time! kzbin.info/www/bejne/nKiTmH2dgs2Up9E

[@17JMarino]

@@hidavidwen of course, i will see and i'll leave feedback as well.

[@rosaviolet428]

Great painting in the back!!! Love it

[@hidavidwen]

Thanks Rosa! Assuming you know the artist!

[@Eener1000]

Dutch "rude" directness is never meant as a personal attack. It is simply the quickest way for someone to realize what and where a problem is without being vague and beating around the bush. It is about giving someone who makes mistakes the clearest info and best chance to take control of a problem themselves and offer them a chance to improve without sinking further.

[@guyfawkes2105]

At 4:00, what does the US do there on the very left? In my experience it's one of the most between the lines cultures I experienced. Its full of fluff, everything is "amazing, great, wonderful, best in the world, best I ever had". For me it's always difficult to talk to americans as they seem to assume non stop flattery within conversations. With the dutch communication its very clear and no non-sense, if a dutch person says "thats amazing" they actually mean that. (Im not dutch myself)

[@hidavidwen]

Thanks for sharing Guy. I can understand what you mean. I am also very “positive” and friendly in my communication too. I think that’s just what I learned growing up. I think it’s good to be aware of these cultural differences

[@josvanzetten]

You are very positive about my country, and I recognise what you said, almost 🙂 The positivity about the public transport in the Netherlands I hear a lot from foreigners. But the Dutch people are complaining about the public transport every day, we, the Dutch are spoiled 🙂

[@sjelucten7150]

waar ! maar laat Mark Rutte niet alles veranderen.

[@hidavidwen]

Haha thanks for sharing Jos. I mean…compared to many places in the world, the public transport here is world class :)

[@sirquasi]

Complaining is the Dutch way to start the process for improving on things. If other countries are doing it worse that is no reason to not improve yourself.

[@FrankHeuvelman]

Nederlanders kunnen alleen maar gelukkig zijn als ze wat te zeiken hebben.

[@alexgere529]

Who wants to live in NL??? Shit weather, boring people, fake faces, think they have the best country in the world😄😄😄😄 , no nature , only houses and shopping malls 🤦‍♂🤦‍♂🤦‍♂🤦‍♂🤦‍♂🤦‍♂🤦‍♂🤦‍♂🤦‍♂🤦‍♂ Reply

[@mirandabrunskill2343]

I've just discovered this KZbin channel. This is very interesting and insightful. Thank you 🙏

[@hidavidwen]

Thanks Miranda =)

[@gottuso]

I like how that snowboarder painting/print on the wall was there when you filmed the walk-through of the apartment before you got it!

[@VpowerSP]

I like how you said "...When it works" when talking about Public Transportation. Because my bf is always nagging about trains having problems whenever he travels by train 😆

[@hidavidwen]

"When it works" haha yes. Lately, the trains have been failing me but overall, still great =)

[@SALVATl0N]

I liked your point about visiting other countries. One interesting thing I discovered while thinking about moving to The Netherlands is a flight to Greece is $300. Being in America, and thinking about traveling to Greece is such a big deal. But there you could do it in a weekend. Or several weekends throughout a year.

[@machtmann2881]

yeah but tbf, Greece is way further from America than it is to The Netherlands. You'd be traveling to like Florida in the stateside equivalent (well ok not right now but you get the point)

[@hidavidwen]

True. That’s the beautiful thing. You can travel anywhere in Europe just for a weekend. In fact, that’s what I’m currently doing :)

[@MrGregHiller]

Although just recently air fares do seem to have increased a lot, due to it being post Covid now and the present high costs of fuel, $/€300,= for most Greek destinations, seems to me a bit over the top; so expect cheaper.

[@gerardoostindie6491]

Nice promotion speech of the Netherlands. Thank you!

[@hidavidwen]

🇳🇱🇳🇱

[@ruudvankaam1500]

Nice video's David. I'm glad to see you're enjoying your stay in the Netherlands.

[@hidavidwen]

Thanks for the kind words, I am =) Wow 5 years....time goes by

[@hansfriederichs2908]

I definitely feel privileged being born, raised and educated in the Netherlands, and I can agree with all your views on this country, except for one: I don’t think it’s a beautiful country… The cities you mention are great, but 2/3 of our surface is used for agricultural purposes, far more than we need to feed ourselves (the Netherlands has the second largest agricultural export in the world, only after the US). We don’t have mountains, no raw nature, every square inch is organized. Having said that, this is obviously a subjective matter. And as you said, I can get abroad very easy to find the nature we don’t have here.

[@hidavidwen]

Thanks Hans. Yeah it's interesting to hear different perspectives. For me...I do think it's beautiful in terms of the architecture but when it comes to "things to do," (especially for the outdoor enthusiast)...yeah there's not much natural beauty. I guess "beauty is in the eye of the beholder." I do miss hiking and the mountains...but I know I can fly somewhere nearby to hike. Can't have it all!

[@lijntje266]

we actually do have some raw nature :P u just need to look for it. :) no real mountains thats for sure and sad :P

[@MathijnvanderHeijden]

haha pas op dat is een gevaarlijk standpunt in deze tijd maar een waar ik me in kan vinden. *( eng: take care, thats a dangerous pov the days, that said it is one i mostly agree with)

[@starlight27277]

@@hidavidwen That's correct you can't have it all. And also this: Everything in life comes with a price.

[@FrankHeuvelman]

We got Germany to discover nature.

[@tbeerens123]

I like that you actually cover not only Amsterdam. As a Dutch man in the Netherlands from Eindhoven (Brainport) with big companies like ASML, also on a company level we have a lot to offer. Personally I work at KPMG and I actually enjoy it a lot partly because I dont work at the local office.

[@hidavidwen]

Thanks Tim. I lived in Maastricht for a year, and that was very different. And hey-I'm a fellow KPMG alumni =)

[@bexraphaela]

Welcome in The Netherlands, glad to have you 🤗

[@mikeuptempolist9874]

Like your honesty👊🏻