5 things that are way different in the Netherlands than in the US (Southern California).

Moving from the US to the Netherlands you realize real quick some things are just going to be different...better different! Who would think no stop signs could really work. Living abroad and the Dutch lifestyle and their way of life is something to be truly admired. Our life in the Netherlands is something we love and cherish. The Dutch people are and have been so warm and friendly, just sit and talk with one and you'll learn why! Rotterdam is a melting pot of all nationalities and to talk to people from all walks of life all different nations all with different story's is something as an expat I hold near and dear to my heart.

[@helenooft9664]

When i was a child i loved black pete, he was funny, was acrobatic, give children sweets, i loved black pete more than santaclaus. My father was black, i mean real dark, and he always likes it, because little children game to him, and ask questions, and sing songs with him. He really enjoyed that, and he never feels that he was discriminated at all.

[@SoultoSoulTravels]

Thank you so much for sharing…thank you for watching.

[@hcjkruse]

A friend in Rotterfam is married to a dark skinned man. Here 5 year old daughter is somewhat dark. She certainly watches the Sinterklaas journaal and al the black, smeared or colour Petes.

[@choonbox]

So you praise him for his clownesque behavior? If that is the defining quality, why are nationalist-conservatives so sore about him not being blackface anymore?

[@Maverick21491]

@@choonbox Dear Ruben , It doesnt help the discussion by calling every one who has fond memories of Black Pete , nationalist conservatives . People like myself , who grew up in the 70s , in the eastern part of the Netherlands grew up without a black community whatsoever . The first "black" family ( They came from Suriname and were from Indian herritage ) settled in my town when I was in 5th class of the Basis school . So I basicaly grew up without the notion of racism , it just wasnt a thing . There wasnt anybody to be racist towards . Black Pete was someone who brought me joy , candy and toys so as a child I naturaly loved him . I didnt made the connection with African blacks , for there simply wasnt any . So when the whole Black Pete discussion started I to was angry about it . All of a sudden I was a racist for loving the character of Black Pete , where I had never been ( and never will be ) racist towards any people with another tone of skin . That hurt me , the tone of the discussion also didnt help to change my view on the matter , it made me angry , being angry doesnt help to think more rationaly ! It took me a few years to accept that Black Pete was indeed at least somewhat of a racist , colonial view on black people and a few more to accept that he wasnt of this time any more and that the character should change . In short , I dont mind Black Pete changing into something else but I still dislike the tone of the debate . People like yourself should realize that there are many people like me , who are losing an old friend and it will take time for them to say goodbye to an old friend . So if you want to change the tradition , be respectful and understanding towards those people , just as I am respectfull towards the people who want it to change . So please refrain from calling people like myself a nationalist-conservative , for I am neither of those things .

[@choonbox]

@@Maverick21491 I will choose my own words just as you've done in your essay. Thank you. People defend blackface in an emotional argument that goes a bit like : "I liked it as a kid, I'm not racist therefore it's not racist". I didn't even go there- I just find most people valiantly defending blackface to be nationalist-conservative (either/or/both) -- If the clownesque charicature of Black pete is the defining quality, we don't need the blackface as that is not, you know, the defining quality.

[@Snowshowslow]

There's a great video by Not Just Bikes titled "Stop signs suck and we should get rid of them". It (and the rest of the channel) are a great watch and really explain the philosophy and logic behind Dutch traffic organisation. Also, please learn the basic rules of the road 😬 On a bike you can also cause dangerous situations and many many delays if you behave differently than expected.

[@marcvolgers8352]

Agreed! Not Just Bikes is awesome. It's great to see my country from an outsider perspective. It made me realize a lot is done pretty well, and I shouldn't complain too much ;-)

[@marcvolgers8352]

@@adolfocervantes41 oh man, I feel for you. Just watching video's of stroads make me depressed, let alone having to have them all around. Big, big kudo's that you still sometimes take the bike. If more would follow your example (and get out of the car) maybe it will be safer. Good luck!!!

[@Snowshowslow]

@@adolfocervantes41 Oh no, are you okay? I remember occasionally riding on stroads on holidays and it's stressful to me, but it sounds like the stress doesn't go away with practice either :-( I hope facilities will improve!

[@DanAndHoe]

Yeah, the rules are pretty basic when there’s no traffic signs in a neighbourhood: Give way to traffic coming from your right. It gets more complicated than that, but that’s the rule of thumb.

[@arekkrolak6320]

Man, you really should check local driving rules if you drive abroad!

[@SoultoSoulTravels]

No driving here…bikes teams and trains

[@martindegroot7888]

@@SoultoSoulTravels Using bikes you still need to know the traffic rules. Bikes are part of the traffic just like cars and mopeds. Here kids in middle school learn the rules for biking in traffic. If you don't obey the rules you might get a fine.

[@bertschalk1798]

@@martindegroot7888 If getting a fine was the worst of your problems, it would not be that bad at all...! I believe the chances of being run over if you do not obey the traffic rules are much worse :-)

[@bentels5340]

@@bertschalk1798 Not to mention, if you don't know/follow the rules... think of how many accidents you might *cause* .

[@waagzangertje]

@@SoultoSoulTravels but you also need to learn traffic rules for riding your bike. Where you can ride, if you have to let cars go first or any traffic coming from another way.

[@fluitketeltje]

When I visited the States and went into a city with my freshly rented car, I stopped at the first stopsign ang gave way to all the cars on the crossing road, as I am used to do. The drivers behind me weren't amused ans started honking soon. At the next crossing I noticed that the stopsigns were at all 4 corners... This puzzled me. How in the world can this ever work, was my initial thought. Turns out that it all works if you know how. In Europe, when you encounter a stopsign, it means that the crossing road has right of way, no exception. Wait until you can safely cross. That said, there are not so many stopsigns, so if you see one, you know there is an actual reason to stop: It is a dangerous crossing with mostly pour visibility. Works on both sides of the ocean, I guess.

[@rieksstevens]

the problem is in America you have to come to full stop even if you can clearly see there is no other traffic . so they are pretty useless ,.. in the Netherlands the ones that come from your right has right of way even bikes , much easier

[@rover8772]

@@rieksstevens It's the same here, I think you know? You have to come to a full stop, even if there is no other traffic arround...

[@rieksstevens]

@@rover8772 there are little to no stop signs left here , my point is that they are al over the place in the states

[@toefie]

By now you probably figured out how small our country is, and how many of us are here (over 17 million). No stopping signs is just one of the things we use too keep the population growth in check.

[@drankgamingvids1427]

Ok i really love this awnser..... HAHAHA rediculous... but very nice :P

[@arposkraft3616]

one of the most densely populated places on the planet but ok

[@jokevangeldrop5876]

😂😂😂

[@stuartredman1550]

There are stopping signs, but not that much.

[@Freya76]

😂😂😂

[@jjakjjak5231]

The traffic from the right has priority. With opposing traffic, or traffic in the same direction, the person going straight has priority on those who turn. The latter includes pedestrians. So if you turn in your car or on your bike, a pedestrian crossing the street going in the same or opposite direction of your original direction has priority on you. Mmmm.... I should be able to formulate that more easily. Basically, learn the traffic rules. Will be helpful.

[@glompie]

Sharks teeth painted on crossings and priority road signs (yellow lozenge). And the first one on the roundabout has priority. And there are far too many traffic lights that could be changed by stop signs.

[@JaapGinder]

@@glompie The first one on the roundabout has priority? No, all traffic ON a roundabout has priority. That is why all rounabouts have thos 'sharkteeth'. About the 'no stopsigns': easy, all traffic comimg from the right, has priority, unless yoy are on a priority road, but then the (smaller) crossing roads have sharkteeth. O, and and take care with bikers: even when not bhaving priority, they'll take it 😜 But try to learn about the traffic rules here, not difficult, really and better than thos in the US.

[@fransezomer]

THE most important rule is shark teeth. Then right has right of way.

[@glompie]

@@JaapGinder I meant the first one if there's only two people on it. You're right.

[@Be-Es---___]

If you go to the local hardware store for a hammer you'll walk out with an hammer 10 min later. If you go for a hammer to Wallmart, you'll also take home a drill, a tool shed, some kitchen appliances and an air conditioner 3 hours later.

[@damouze]

Zwarte Piet is definitely becoming more and more controversial in the Netherlands as well. The main thing to remember that this is a children's holiday and that most children are blissfully unaware of the more controversial aspects of Sinterklaas (who lent his name to Santa btw) and Zwarte Piet. It wasn't as controversial when I grew up. I used to sometimes celebrate Sinterklaas with a family from Suriname. The dad was a teacher and he was dark-skinned. He would dress as Sinterklaas (incl. white face paint) and the children around him did not think anything of it. Nor did he. He played the role as if born to it. He even used to joke that there was no shortage of Zwarte Pieten in his family. As an adult I now realize how offensive that would sound if said by, for instance, a white person. As a kid I simply took it at face value and thought nothing more of it. Other times I would celebrate Sinterklaas at school, with "traditional" Zwarte Pieten. Never in a million years would I have associated them with slavery or racism. That awareness simply did not exist in me and my peers when I grew up. That came much, much later. The color of their skins was simply never an issue for me and it still isn't. In my opinion, someone's ethnicity should not be a reason to think any less of him (or her, or them). Nowadays, people are generally more aware of the controversy around black face stereotypes. Dutch society and the views on what is appropiate for this holiday and what is not are changing. And I don't mind. What I do mind is the extremist views on both ends of the spectrum of opinion. There a people who believe that the very idea of Sinterklaas and Zwarte Piet in any form is racist (and they are ruining the children's holiday by holding what can only be called terror campaigns against it) and there are people who hold the opposite view and oppose any change to the holiday whatsoever. Neither party is rational, let alone sensible. They make a normal discussion about the topic nearly impossible, because of their loud mouths. Truth be told, my opinion tends to veer to the more traditional side when it comes to Sinterklaas as a holiday. The rational part of my brain realizes however, that everything changes over the course of decades, in particular a children's holiday such as Sinterklaas and that people and their opinions should gradually change with it.

[@LunaJo67WDHTMJ]

I would say that the pro-Piet people are the ones using the most terror of everybody. The opposite is understandably passionate because it's an fact of life that truly effects their lives. Yes, it's racist and the fact children aren't aware, is no excuse to keep it going in the way it is now. I was 10 when I saw Roots on TV and from that moment I understood. Just as you can learn children to accept a black Piet you can also learn them to accept a Piet that's a bit different but still the same one who brings candy. Why does it has to be a stereo type character that hurts a lot of children too? Because saying kids don't know, you talk about mostly white children. Teach them about racism instead of keeping something going that isn't fair to all children or adults. Sinterklaas was awesome when I was a kid, but knowing now what I know now, I can see it's based on old and outdated way of life. Actually the Piet in the picture in the video is already a tone downed version. That's a good thing. Just as we as kids didn't understand what black Piet stood for, so will future children not be aware there ever was a black-face Piet. They will just embrace the one that is there to bring candy and make them smile.

[@Species6079]

Hear hear! 👏

[@rikavanderhofstad]

i feel you and im with you for the most part. i was extremely against the idea of having black face there. but i slowly got to where i am now and id be ok with whatever we settle on. indeed in the end its a childrens holiday and they really dont mind what they look like. so as long as they are having the time of their lives im good with that xD

[@Iamsanni]

Nicely put. I agree except I promote the change and the coloured Pieten or just the ones with the hats on and no earrings. Btw, there is also some really old footage where the Pieten have no colour at all. So it has changed before. In the end they are the servants of Sinterklaas and you can tell by the way they dress.

[@VincentBitfactory]

Hi, like your channel and videos. I have American friends as well and live in Rotterdam. I am from a black family and we always celebrated Sinterklaas. We have to realise that "black face" is a remnant of a sad American past that is projected on us now. But we have our own past and history. And it has nothing to do with racism. But because of these outside and online judgements we are changing it slowly. And that is frustrating because we do not want to comply through outside pressure or become afraid for our jobs like in the land of the unfree.

[@nonexistingvoid]

the caricature it turned into was racist, but had nothing to do with slavery. It portrayed black pete as black people, when his origins say he's not actually human or human looking. I agree that people equate it to slavery too quickly, but the blackface was definitely real. We're now trying to turn away from that caricature, but the damage has been done. And no matter what we do to change it, people will never think it's enough. Just look at this guy's reaction to people with soot smears on their face!

[@regineb.4756]

Thank you for your common sense! This this relaxed and down-to-earth attitude is unfortunately becoming eroded by virtue-posing

[@sanderdeboer6034]

Small companies contribute most to the Dutch economy providing 71 percent of total employment and 62 percent of value to the economy. I feel our mixed use environment has a lot to do with that. Businesses don’t need to build huge properties outside the city with large parking lots to get customers. A walkable and bike friendly environment promotes quick shopping trips to smaller shops. And the Rhine economic model also has a lot to do with it. The anglo Saxon economic model is more geared towards short term gains.

[@captainchaos3667]

It's a conscious choice and concerted effort by the government to keep it that way. Businesses aren't _allowed_ to build huge properties outside the city with large parking lots. Otherwise it would quickly go the same way as in almost every other country: city centres bleeding dry of small and independent businesses.

[@meredithheath5272]

@@captainchaos3667 💯💯💯👏

[@mariadebake5483]

Traffic coming from the right has always priority, unless otherwise indicated. So no problems. And yes this is valid for every mode of traffic, so when a bike is coming from the right you, as a car driver, have to let the bike go first. Simply because the bike is coming from the right therefore has precedence over your car.

[@dutchdisney]

But not when it is an 'uitrit'.

[@mariadebake5483]

@@dutchdisney On 'normal, equal' roads, yes. An 'uitrit' isn't a road.

[@Stargate-command]

Not Traffic, Only "drivers" Example, a pedestrian has no priority when comming from the right. There are actually a lot more rules than only "right has priority".

[@aeiouaeiou100]

This was actually made law in 2001 with the 'geef het door rechts gaat voor' campaign. Before that fast traffic aka cars always had priority over slower traffic aka bikes on non priority crossings.

[@AudieHolland]

*Never hit a bike or pedestrian* when you're driving a car. Or else you'll be in a world of hurt.

[@richardbreur8862]

Black Pete is definitely a no go area in the U.S., but that's something that 'histerecally' grew in the U.S. because of it's racial tensions. The picture you showed isn't really blackface, it's what we call soot/smoke face (according to the original narrative black pete was a chimney sweeper). And that's actually a recent compromise to the 'original'/'real' blackface, which really was black. Sinterklaas is also being 'celebrated' in Curacao for instance, where the natives are coloured themselves. As far as I know, never has been a problem really, until 10-15 years ago. Until then (almost) nobody experienced it as being racist.

[@bandijk5934]

Did you ask coloured people 15 years ago about the subject? No, so stop writing rubbish

[@00wheelie00]

@@bandijk5934 I know people of colour that celebrated it 15 years ago and today that didn't find it offensive. I also know people of colour that found it as offensive then as they find it now. I agree with the latter on the full on blackface pete, but those complaining about soot pete can just sod off.

[@richardbreur8862]

@@bandijk5934 If the intentions were wrong and most people would feel offended by it, I wouldn't have experienced the coloured kids 40 years ago the way I did. And like I already stated, Sinterklaas wouldn't be a thing in Curacao for instance. But as the tone of your response shows, it's definitely different nowadays.

[@Roggen45]

@@richardbreur8862 not just that, I have always known it to be a kids "event", kids aren't born racists, they do not see colour, they do not care wether your purple, yellow, green or whatever colour ( unless raised that way ). It's the adults that make it something racist, we tend to overthink way to much, personally I do not care what colour they are, but I also do not think it's a racist kids event.

[@Be-Es---___]

Whoops, you touched a nerve there. 😬 & I wonder how coloured people are painted as "soot-pete"

[@johnalexander8682]

We don't need traffic lights/stop signs in our neighbourhoods, because they teach us on school what the rules (traffic lessons) are and to become a driving license, you must get your theoretical and practical exams (two different examns). Because we are a small country with a lot of traffic of any kind we are used to overlook the situation before we cross the road...

[@bastonor]

Maybe not so much 'overlook' as rather 'look at' , as 'overlook' means 'to not see'.

[@Centurion101B3C]

Actually, with the book stuff, I used to live in MN and set up a curb library (in an old dollhouse that I had built for my daughter when she was young.). I had stocked it with whatever books that I thought appropriate for a general audience, however some of them had my ex-libris still in them. My big surprise cam about a year later, when I received a friendly letter from Alaska by a kid who had really liked the book that she had received from a friend who had gotten it from another friend, but she was looking for the sequel to it. She then decided to get into touch with the address on the ex-libris. So the book was well read and had travelled from MN to Alaska.

[@dikkiedik53]

so.. you don't want to know the back story about our German/Nordic firtility rite ? :-) Who is older? Sinterklaas or zwarte piet? Maybe it is good to have some origin of these mythological characters... In the North of the Netherlands, now North-Holland, Friesland , Groningen and the Northern parts of Germany live(d) the Frisians and other Germanic tribes. They were believers of the Nordic Mythology. In Scandinavia as well. They celebrated their ancesters and or a firtility rite and the main character was Wodan /Odin the uppergod. Old drawings portray him as an older man with long white hair and a long white beard. Dressed in a cape. He rode a grey, eight-legged horse named Sleipnir through the sky and over the roofs. He had a spear in his hand. He was accompanied by two black ravens, named Huginn and Muninn representing memory and thought of the uppergod. The ravens were all year under the population and registered and reported bad behaviour to the uppergod. During the festivities the ravens threw nuts and grain through the chimney. The uppergod was known to take his enemies and bad behaving people in a jute bag to Walhalla. Also bad beahaving kids were punished by the ravens with a bunch of twigs, the roe. Even today on the Wadden island Terschelling young women are hit by black figures with a bunch of twiggs on the ass to make them more firtile. Then came the Roman empire and the pagan Nordic Mythology rites were forbidden. The Frisians started fights with the Romans about that. To get peace back again, the Roman Church created a replacement rite, Saint Nicolas. He was portrayed as the bisshop of Myra in Turkey, in those days part of the East Roman Empire. Later the Netherlands were under Spanish rule during the 80 years war. From that moment on Saint Nicolas came from Spain and his black helpers became Moorisch noblemen. Still a lot of kids were frightened by these mythological figures and were affraid to go in the bag. A Dutch schoolteacher wrote the Saint Nicolas story down and made the helpers more friendly and more human. In the 1970's descendants of in the former colony Surinam enslaved people with a black skin came to the Netherlands. Some unknowing people and some children named some of these people zwarte Piet (black Pete), what, off course, irritated the people with the black skin. Still today the black Moorish looking black helpers of Sinterklaas wear a large feather on their hats... this symbol means it are still the mythological birds of Wodan. Piet in Dutch language is another word for bird. The yellow Canary birds are called "Kanarie piet" in Dutch and a "Bonte Piet" is an oystercatcher bird. So "zwarte piet" literally means black bird. The black figures of today still have the same function as what they had when they were Wodans black ravens, memory and moral of Sinterklaas. They are part of Sinterklaas and help him, as helpers, NOT as servants. I hope we are able to save this Sinterklaas tradition by changing the zwarte piet back to a more recognisable black mythological raven, where nobody has any problem with. In central Europe there are also Sinterklaas rites with black helpers, but those helpers more look like "black devils" in the Czech Republic or are Krampus in Austria and there nobody even thinks it are slaves. By the way, the black face is essential... as a kid of 4 years old I didn't recognise my dad as Sinterklaas nor my niece as zwarte piet :-) when they visited our house and gave me presents. Google on the names Odin, Wodan, Sleipnir, Huginn and Muninn and draw your own conclusions.

[@lindaraterink6451]

Thank you for this.

[@A3aan1959]

Dank je voor deze duidelijke uitleg/thans for this insight

[@raticide4you]

As a PhD historian, I find this story much more credible than the link to the Dutch slave trade. Most festivities like Eastern have a Germanic/Nordic background and were later modified. Sometimes with odd results like eastern bunnies and painted eggs while it is supposed to be an important Chistian event. I suppose all the people who refer to the slave trade are historically dead wrong. Sinterklaas is a Wodan/Odin-story to celebrate the return of the evening light that takes place around december the nineth. The shortest day of the year is December 21st and became Christmas. The return of the morning light takes place on the 4th of januari which happens to be Driekoningen (three kings celebration). They were all three pagan festivals coinciding with the turn of the winterlight from waning to waxing and later turned into Christian festivities.

[@dutchman7623]

@@raticide4you And the two raven of Wodan have to be replaced by doves with a little bit of soot. But you are correct, the origin of a lot of christian holidays lies in much older Germanic and Celtic tradition. Even the Jewish days of celebration are older than the stories connected to them. Decorating the house with evergreens in mid winter, with fruit baring branches, and little lights to celebrate the darkest time of the year and the rebirth of light is millennia old. The egg, symbol of the circle of life, a new beginning, has been connected to Easter. Together with branches that sprout new life. Out of a seemingly dead things, life starts again. Even eating the last stored meat when days get warmer, to prevent it from going bad can be found at the beginning of lent. Last time of abundance followed by a step back before new food can be eaten.

[@bentels5340]

With one minor correction: the Romans didn't forbid the Nordic religions until they became Christians, about 4 centuries after arriving here. Regarding the supposed link to slavery days: note that Zwarte Piet is dressed completely the wrong way to be a slave in the Dutch colonies. He is dressed as a Moorish noble and wears shoes. Now, Moorish nobles certainly were involved in slave trading -- they regularly kidnapped European women and children for that purpose (which probably ties in with the now abandoned stories about naughty kids going into the sack and off to Spain). But they were not themselves slaves.

[@robmostert7329]

I can reccomend the yt channel "not just bikes" he is a Canadian living in Amsterdam.

[@pietergreveling]

Especially for the stop sign video! 😁✌🏼

[@mrjules1982]

They even did a video answering that first question: kzbin.info/www/bejne/amPSgoFtm96Sm68

[@TheNewPatsyBailey]

Yes, he should totally watch that one, it explains practically everything 😊

[@jellezwaag]

The big point I get from his (NJB) video's, escpecially those about urban planning / stroads/ zoning / car dependency is that it is NOT about a culture difference alone. It is about choosing how you want to live as a society.

[@pietergreveling]

@@jellezwaag Exactly! 👍🏻 It's like the Netherlands isn't a bicycle country, because it's flat! ✌🏼

[@margreetanceaux3906]

Eh… the Pieten (Pete’s) you saw, are the watered down (no pun intended) of the blackface Pieten of the not-so-long-ago past. Piet is helping Sinterklaas - who rides his white horse over the rooftops; Piet is the one who drops the gifts down the chimney. Btw he also miraculously achieves this if you happen to be connected to the city’s municipal heating system. So, past blackface, we now have Piet with the chimney soot on his face. The debate over blackfaced Pieten started over 30 years ago, and I’ll never forget, because I was making an exhibit on Sinterklaas, in the Wereldmuseum. If you want to know more about why Piet is there in the first place, just drop me a note, through my Fb or Twitter account.

[@KatjaTgirl]

Black Piet represents the child Saint Nicolas saved from slavery. He then employed him to help with his philanthropy. Piet is a happy camper.

[@ronaldderooij1774]

It seems you are ripe for the channel "Not just bikes" from a Canadian living in Amsterdam about the differences between USA/Canada and the Netherlands concerning traffic, city planning, and culture. Very interesting channel for you. It will make you understand a lot more about Dutch traffic and city planning and why the USA/Canada suck at it. I think he even has a video on stop signs. As for black pete (NOT black face!) it is highly controversial here nowadays. My position is: It is a children's party. As a child I never saw black Pete as a black person, more like a fairy. Before the sixties, black pete was there to punish naughty kids and bring them to Spain to work for Sinterklaas. But nowadays he is the "force for good", joking around, giving out sweets and presents and helping out a slightly senile Sinterklaas. The first time I heard about black people being offended by it, I was very confused, because it did not relate to them at all. Now that I am older, I can kind of see their point, but I still find it way over the top to complain about it as it is besides the point. Black Pete is getting lighter by the year, by the way. So I think the "problem" will solve itself. But that gives another problem, how can you now play Black Pete without being recognised by the children as the uncle/aunt/teacher? So, I think it will spell the end of "Sinterklaas" a tradition from Germanic tribe times in some form or the other (Sinterklaas is a christianized Thor, I believe).

[@AndreSomers]

This is the video on stop signs referenced above: kzbin.info/www/bejne/amPSgoFtm96Sm68

[@hcjkruse]

Do watch that channel indeed!!

[@ZeNN-Music]

And here's the explanation video about Sinterklaas from 'notjustbikes': kzbin.info/www/bejne/j6fOl2Orrr2dm6M

[@Tweeteketje]

The problem is that quite some dark-skin children were bullied because of the blackface Zwarte Piet. I think the transition is good. I think a transition to colourful Pieten would be even better, so that the risk of recognition is smaller and colours make it even merrier. I think Sinterklaas will remain.

[@ronaldderooij1774]

@@Tweeteketje People get bullied for a lot of things. It is very important to stop that, first by talking and if that doesn't help, by severely punishing. Even a jail sentence for those children would be in my book. You cannot get rid of all things people were bullied for. So, that argument also is besides the point.

[@johanwittens7712]

Since everyone comments but neglects to actually explain the rule concerning stop signs: Rule is if there is no stop sign or yield sign, you give priority to anyone coming from the right. This includes bikes, scooters and such. If there's a yield or stop sign, same rules apply as in the USA. The "priority for the right" rule applies pretty much everywhere in Europe I believe. And yes, pretty important to know the rules of the road if you're going to drive in Europe. There are a lot of other tiny but very important differences. Like for example, you're not allowed to stick to a lane on a highway. You always have to move to the right lane if possible and safe. Other lanes are for overtaking only. This is a rule many Europeans seem to ignore though. And secondly you're only allowed to overtake on the left on all roads, EVEN on a highway. Overtaking someone on the right is not allowed unless you're in a traffic jam or really slow moving trafic at for example a trafficlight. And There's other differences that apply to bikes, pedestrians, and so on. For example you're allowed to cross a road as a pedestrian if there's no zebra crossing within 20m of you, when in the USA that would be considered jaywalking. Here that's perfectly legal. But then it's illegal here to ride your bike on the sidewalk here (even though many tourists or exchange students do anyway), when that's legal in a lot of the USA. Slight disclaimer: I'm speaking from a Belgian perspective, so there might even be slight differences with the rules in the Netherlands. But generally the rules in the Netherlands and Belgium are pretty similar. They're pretty uniform across the EU for that matter, especially for the general rules like priority from the right and overtaking etc.

[@MyTubeSVp]

Hey, I love watching your videos. Thank you for making them. Small issue though : I listen with good in-ear headphones, and the audio contains a lot of noise (hiss). Up to the point your voice is almost indiscernible … Maybe you could look into that one day ?

[@SoultoSoulTravels]

I’ll check that out…thanks for letting me know.

[@erwinamesz7642]

Most of the Dutchies are genuine interested in other people!

[@Peacefrogg]

I hope you know the dutch rule: at a crossing the driver coming from the right goes first. If you don’t know that rule, you have no place in dutch traffic! Another important rule: only drive on the left lane if you drive faster than the right lane.

[@BeckyPoleninja]

Little Book Libraries are really popular in the UK too. During lockdown there wer book boxes and tables put outside houses, and I set one up in a locker at my gym. I found it very odd on my U.S visits that I was asked what I did for a living and how much I earned before anything else. You will also find that no one really knows what square footage their homes are.

[@alcidesforever]

Zwarte Piet discussion, now you have poked the bear. Be ready for some heated discussions and comments below. My advice, read some good, objective and verifiable information and sources about the origin of Sinterklaas and Zwarte Piet and the ongoing discussion in this country since a couple of years now before you get tangled up in those discussions.

[@WvhKerkhof]

The racist view comes from America, dutch are not racist, we talk to iraqis as friends and to others too. We don't need the racist view here. We don't judge people by the cover, we are the Netherlands.

[@richardbreur8862]

@@WvhKerkhof I think US (or any) people are not more racist intrinsically, but circumstances (e.g. polarization) in society as a whole may influence thoughts and views, and eventually behavior. But in recent years a substantial part of U.S. politics more and more are becoming an unfortunate example for that matter, that doesn't help...

[@ronnyseffinga7950]

thx for your awesome videos, i just saw the reaction to these 5 things at HxC channel, and i subbed... grts from a dutch cheesehead, living in Germany, moderator of Highlys discord server ....

[@ronkrijbolder437]

There are stopsigns but often not in the inner neighbourhouds of citys wich are aranged in living areas called "woonerven" . You probably have allready noticed that in these areas there will be a 30 km limitation and many "verkeersdrempels" that wil force you to slow down. When you leave these areas there will be a double striped "verkeersdrempel" and you are supposed to stop and look at the crossing for other traffic untill it is clear so you can pass the crossing.Mind you in many citys the policy is to expand the 30 km limitation with the mainroads as a border. In Zoetermeer the city i am living in there is a complete development called "Entree" (enterence) to limit traffic and traffic speed in favour of new housing ereas. In many dutch citys the stopping/trafficlights have been replaced by roundabouts. "Sharkteeth" on the road will show you who has priority and when to stop. I have to say though that localy the interpretation can be different wich is confusing but in general people will know when to stop and that is the reason why you will see little or no stopsigns. they simply is no need for them.

[@tarquinmidwinter2056]

I saw something like a mini book kiosk on a country road in WA. Not sure how well used it was, but it was nice and stocked with good books.

[@Timotarius_]

There's a good video about why we have very little amount of stop signs. i recommend looking up the video "Stop Signs Suck and We Should Get Rid of Them" by "Not just bikes"

[@nitwit999]

Also check out the video about "Lively & Liveable Neighbourhoods" by "Not just bikes", that gives an answer about the small businesses.

[@geertbosch2778]

The Netherlands has historically required businesses to limit their opening hours, so large businesses couldn't take advantage of their scale to stay open during extended hours and out-compete businesses with very few (or no) employees beyond the owners.

[@chubbymoth5810]

Sinterklaas is a very ancient tradition that has many form all around Europe. The idea is that the current version of this comes from the feast where evil spirits would come and kidnap the young girls in the community. That was not a children's feast, but a fertility ritual. The island of Texel still has this variant with Sunderklazen. This old tradition warped into Odin riding his white horse who subdued the evil spirits. Odin also was a protector of children. Then Christians started to come in and warped him into the shape of a Saint Nicolas, a protector of children, who originally also subdued evil spirits, but turned them into his servants for good measure. At some point those evil spirits became converted Moors as evil spirits fell out of fashion as they were too scary for the children. They would still snatch the kids to take them to Spain though, but the most prized treat were oranges which came from Spain. Hence Saint Nicolas, bishop of Mira in what is now Turkey, became associated with Spain and Moors whom happen to be black. For a lack of Moors to play the part, black Pete was given black face. Though there were also racist undertones in how Black Pete was portrayed, in general he was a very positive figure who embodied good, honesty and a slew of virtues. In that way he was a positive discriminatory figure and every kid wanted to be Black Pete and throw around peppernuts, oranges and give away presents. He also is the one who goes down the chimney to put the presents in the shoe, hence the soot you saw. He won't let Sinterklaas do it who is way to old for any of that type of frolicking. So the association of black face with slavery and Jim Crow, doesn't exist in the Netherlands and as such doesn't have the negative association that comes with that. Quite the opposite really and I think it may have helped black people here to integrate, The wokeness in the US is a as hysterical as anything. I've heard the most absurd concepts that will try and paint everything in that extreme context of white supremacy, domination and power that often is just complete nonsense. Mainly by people who themselves have extremely racist views and project their own culture on everything. I do not deny there is racism here, but we've long come to grips with our colonial past for the most part, though I concur there are the nationalist dickheads that play the xenophobia card and have success with that. We have the nationalist toilet brush, who is a whining nin like Trump and a slick willy who read too much Goebbels for his own good and fool people into giving him a seat in parliament to do nothing useful. People like that exist here as well alas. Fortunately our political system doesn't allow for those followers of the turd reich to sell their services to special interest groups like you have in the US. The blessing of PR is more scrutiny on corruption excesses. But the US culture of hyperbole and sensationalism does tickle the underbelly of Dutch society as well and as such the black face of Black Pete has come under scrutiny from a perspective it didn't have at all. With the result being the soot Pete, you took for black face. Some made them grey Pete, I heard some green ones showed up as well. Sinterklaas will adapt to it no doubt and I expect colour Pete to become a thing, with purple, green, yellow etc, like the LGTBQ flags you can find in order to stop the debate until the time that a boss and employee relation is considered not done, any religion is an affront and riding horses is considered a sin. At some point it may revert back to its original state of kidnapping the willing young girls again to get savaged by evil spirits. Any excuses for a party is a good one I would say.

[@HladniSjeverniVjetar]

The whole black slavery thing is mainly american culture, in my history... Turks were the enslavers and colonizers....we still hold festivals over the victories over Turks in my country but we also don't discriminate Turks when we see them since we know Ottoman empire is not present day Turkey and new generations don't have anything to do with slavery Moors and Turks did back in the day. That's why i simply can not find any empathy toward this kind of behavior canceling everything some thin skinned individual finds "problematic" due to ideological or even racist views. Blacks are also racist same as whites or any other race or sub race. It's coming from American culture that racism is suddenly only an white European thing...when in reality Europe is more accepting than any other place in the world. So pardon my lack of polite expression fuck american cultural imperialism and their lack of common sense.

[@solarwinds9363]

I'm the opposite of you. I come from Rotterdam (Kralingen) and I've moved around the world and currently I'm in SoCal (for about 5 years) Things I noticed: * So many stop signs! I thought it was hard to keep track of who arrived first to the cross point and who should go first. I did notice there's hand gestures used to sign "go ahead, you go first". I had trouble not always letting the person on my right go first. * People just don't know what to do with bicycles. And whenever I tell them I have no car but cycle everywhere, they think I'm crazy. * I STILL freak out when people on the freeway pass me on the right side, that's just not done in the Netherlands - you always overtake on the left lane. * The size of stores here blew my mind, and the fact that they are open 7 days a week and until like 10PM. Very convenient, but I always wondered what it does for the workers. I guess that might be part of why mom and pop stores are struggling as well. * The weather, rain vs drought. Also, I freaked out when I felt my first earthquake and I had to evacuate for wildfires a few years ago. I miss the water! * The size of everything, a street near where I live in a suburban area has 4 lanes which in the NL would be considered a highway. First time I had to cross a street walking, that was intimidating. The cars are bigger, the portion sizes for food are bigger (and I heard in other states that's even bigger than in SoCal) * My condo here has 3 bathrooms... 1 for each bedroom, and they're included in the rooms. In all the houses I lived in in the Netherlands, you had 1 single family bathroom and a separate toilet for guests. * People giving a standing ovation and applauding at cinemas while watching a movie. I never saw that in the Netherlands, except maybe in Amsterdam when Americans were in the cinema.

[@ewmlloyd]

We've got two Little Libraries in our neighborhood here in Tempe, AZ. Not nearly as many as what you showed there, but they're starting to catch on a bit here.

[@jaronimo1976]

6:20 You have an 'English' look. You seem like more of a gentleman than most British lads. And your English is calm and neat. So, some could think you're English. But most Dutch probably would pick up on your American accent sooner or later.. 😉

[@rikakemme]

About stop signs: I didn't realise this until I was driving around with someone from England, but 'haaientanden' (lit.: 'shark teeth') are apparently an exclusively Dutch traffic sign. He got around quite a bit but assured me that he'd never seen them anywhere else. Look out for rows of white triangles (the 'teeth') painted on the road at junctions. If they're pointed in your direction, the crossing traffic has priority over you. You don't have to come to a complete srandstill if it isn't necessary though. It's true that traffic from the right has priority unless otherwise indicated, but it's almost always indicated, usually with these shark teeth, sometimes with a white stripe painted across the street, and very ocasionally with a stop sign. Judging by a cursory glance at the comments most other Dutch people don't know that shark teeth are a Dutch thing either or I'm sure they would have mentioned them.

[@1D6nl]

Not just bikes (an expat) has a great episode about the lack of stop signs

[@edwindesert9317]

Yep: kzbin.info/www/bejne/amPSgoFtm96Sm68

[@vincenzodigrande2070]

Even though you can argue about the racial implications, the character Blackface has a different origin than "Three Kings" in Spain, Hajji Firuz in Iran and Zwarte Piet in the Netherlands. Personally I find it almost more racist to wipe out all history of slavery, but it being a childrens holiday I do think it is also confusing to children. I remember well when I was a small kid I would call a black person Zwarte Piet in the street, meaning no harm, but it was just confusing to me as a kid. Therefore I do find the soot smudged version better, although I can imagine this still implies racism to some people and especially Americans that associate it with Blackface, which was a flat out intended mockery of black slaves at the time.

[@Crogatho]

Those are american problems. Keep em there, the EU should be free of US problems.

[@rinynewton8297]

Zwarte piet is a helper of sinterklaas. This tradition is very old . His face is black because he goes down chimneys to deliver presents. My generation never has seen or even thought about this as being racist? After all the black came from the suit of the chimney! People nowadays take this to a place it never was and call it racist. I love this festive time for the kids and have great memories of it myself. Like your blogs. Keep them going.

[@cynthiamolenaar770]

@@rinynewton8297 right and for me as a child and also for my children we couldn’t wait to meet zwarte Piet. Weloved the character cause he brought the candy, the toys and a lot of joy. Sinterklaas himself was not at interest for me…. We never ever associated zwarte piet with normal black people. It was just a different fairytale like character that only existed around sinterklaas.

[@SDA704]

@@rinynewton8297 Right, he's entirely black, even his ears and has big lips, afro wig and gold hoop earrings and acts a fool but that wasn't playing into stereotypes at all, right? At the time of the creation, the Dutch were making huge amounts of money in the slave trade so don't play stupid. If it is changed to a chimney sweep, the kids will be fine. No more red lips, wigs and earrings.

[@RosesAndIvy]

@@rinynewton8297 Sorry, but the tradition you love so much obviously does have racist origins. "Helper" of sinterklaas? That's a euphemism for slave or at least a servent. He's not black from the chimney soot either, that was just a later invention to cover up the fact that zwarte piet was, in fact, black. As is quite obvious from the afro hair, big lips and golden earrings which are typical features of blackface. The fact that you or your generation doesn't see it as racist doesn't mean very much. I assume you are white, so you are not the target of this racism. And I'm sure there are black people who don't have a problem with zwarte piet. But there are also people who feel hurt by this tradition because it reminds them of a very painful past. We cannot deny this. The fact that children love the tradition and of course don't mean to be racist is also kind of irrelevant. Of course kids don't know any better and it isn't their responsibility. But as adults, let's acknowledge that some things that we love can also have a dark side. And let's also acknowledge that we can change traditions to be more fitting to the times, while keeping the good parts that everyone loves. Also please understand that I am not calling you racist, or anyone who loves zwarte piet. But unfortunately historically the tradition is rooted in racism. That isn't any one person's fault, but it is our responsibility to change it.

[@darkaether2798]

Rechts voorrang / priority to the right. At a road junction where there are no signs or road markings, you have to give priority to traffic from the right, including cyclists. It doesn’t matter what the road layout looks like, which can be counter intuitive sometimes. These junctions are in areas up to 60 km/h speed limit, I’ve never seen one where the limit is over that anyway.

[@Vincrand]

Stop signs in neighbourhoods are rare and mostly used (for as far as I can tell) for places where line of sight is too limited to know if traffic is comming.

[@lindaraterink6451]

About 20 years ago the village where I lived in had one stop seign. because of limited sight. Because of reduse in speedlimits this crossroad became a lot more saver and the stopsign could be removed. So speed has a significant role in it too.

[@Vincrand]

@@lindaraterink6451 In the end it's alway about maintaining a low risk environment.

[@arjenvonk7690]

There are some general rules which work when ther are no signs. One of them is: traffic comming from the right hand side goes first. And that means all traffic, pedastrians, cyclists, cars etc.

[@hcjkruse]

I mentioned and highly recommended the book "Why the Dutch are Different" by Ben Coates earlier. I am now rereading it, or actually listen to the audiobook version. It gives a very good insight in Dutch culture, Dutch history including slavery and colonies, the influence of the Dutch on the world and the USA in particular. It also has some parts on Rotterdam that might interest you.

[@wharpblast264]

When I first drive in the USA I found many crossroads with Stop signs. So I stop, wait for the traffic to pass, but everyone else stops too. All routes have stop signs. Confusing too until you know the rules.

[@HladniSjeverniVjetar]

it makes no sense.....

[@rikakemme]

About Black Pete... Ok, the history in the nutshell of nutshells: back when the feast of Sinterklaas still had its original pagan elements, linked to the winter solstice, there were the black days before the solstice, there were the black ravens of the Germanic god Wodan (or Odin in Scandinavia), later there were one or more black devils that accompanied Saint Nicholas on his yearly visit... until one day in 1850 some Dutch school teacher decided to reinvent the story of Saint Nicholas and gave him an African servant. This was fine for years... until it wasn't (for reasons you would expect). Now the completely black Pete is seen less and less and the Petes you showed are becoming more and more common. The smears on their faces are supposed to be the soot from the chimneys they climb down and up, thereby eliminating the racial element. If you're interested, google 'Krampus'. It's the devil-like creature that predates Black Pete in The Netherlands and still accompanies Saint Nicholas in certain German speaking regions. I vote we bring him back. He's way cooler than BP. [EDIT] For my fellow Dutchies: yes, I realise I'm leaving out a ton of history and detail, but I didn't want it to turn into a lecture. [/EDIT]

[@Freya76]

What he said🔺

[@Wrecker3D]

And they lost the demonized aspect, they no longer give you coal, hit you with sticks (de roe), nor put you in Sinterklaas' bag to take you to Spain if you've been bad this year (Although being a Turkish saint his residence is a castle in Spain according to the stories, I believe Netflix's 2nd Christmas Chronicles movie with Kurt Russell makes a reference to this as well, and there enough where Santa calls himself Kerstman Dutch for Christmasman or Sinterklaas because the US Santa came forth from a cola company (wonder which 😉) twisting the story a bit, Petes became elves and he left a warm Spain for an ice cold North Pole for some reason, the birthday shifted 20 days to align with Jesus' Anyway the Soot Petes we have now throw candy and help give out the presents so you DO NOT get a bad experience with them.. Changing a tradition isn't easy and might go a tat slow, but we learn at young age skin of color, religion or sexual preference should not matter The Netherlands is an All-Inclusive community (and there's always some who might think differently most people just ignore those)

[@autohmae]

@@Wrecker3D kind of funny: if you turn on the auto-generated English subtitles on this video they have Santa Claus instead of Sinterklaas.

[@henrybroekhof7273]

Sorry bud the storry of the Pagans has nothing to do with Sinterklaas, but has everything to do with the what the called now Christmas. And also had nothing to do with Santa Claus...what is started as a commercial thing from coca cola back in the days. The Pagans put the tree and smuck hom up to celebrate the first apple harvest. (This is the short story) Now Sinterklaas was a bishop from the old Turkey and moved later to spain. He buy African slaves free and let them work for him for a salary. His birthday is original 6 December. The story tells that he start 2 or 3 weeks before his birthday. He goes around with some of his workers to give the children presents. There is the name goed heilig man (goed heilig man) coming from because he did good things. Now by tradition is Sinterklaas every year coming in! Nobody see him leaving accept in the place Monickendam at 6 December. And some where in the province of Friesland the celebrated Sinterklaas in februari i believe! To see the most spectacular incoming of Sinterklaas you have to go to Volendam. He arrived there in the evening with a big firework show! The neighbor place Monickendam where he is leaving is also with big fireworks. There are some groups like "kick out black Pete" who say it is al discrimination what is not it is a tradition. And the most of the people who are against our black pete the are coming from a other country and have to respect our traditions. Because of this people a lot product and street names have to be changed. What is to stupid. I hope you can do something with this information.

[@Baroest]

Hi at a crossing with no stop signs a driver of a vehicle (auto, bike) from the right has right of way. Its different from the US were the first cone first serve principle is used.

[@MarceldeJong]

Those people in the photo have soot marks on their face. It used to be full-on minstrel type black face, this is a less offensive alternative. Zwarte Piet is a helper of sinterklaas, he climbs through the chimney (hence the soot marks) to deliver the candy/presents (and in the olden days also the coals in the shoes as punishment for bad kids).

[@harryfloor7998]

About the stop signs you might find this video interesting (made by a Canadian): kzbin.info/www/bejne/amPSgoFtm96Sm68

[@Nienke131]

The 5 December story is that the Pieten deliver presents through the chimney of your house. And because they go through so many (dirty) chimneys everyday they become black. From the soot.

[@stopandlisten6070]

Besides another comment I read here about determining the right of way from relative traffic direction, we also have "shark teeth" painted on the roads. Those mean you give the other traffic the priority. It's basically like a stop sign, with the exception you don't need to stop if you don't see any traffic coming. We do have actual stop signs, but those are reserved for more critical situations. Traffic law states you NEED to stop there, regardless whether or not you see any traffic coming. Only after re-confirming when you've stopped, you can go. It's usually found at crossings that are prone to oversight.

[@dvandeun]

Sinterklaas = Nico Laos (turkish origin, holly man, saint of the children, fishermen, prostitutes, etc.). Nico Laos means "he who wants to see the people thrive". used his wealth to free slaves, some of them decided to follow Nico Laos in his holly path. it is a story of friendship, and imo a beautiful one.

[@viviandenotter3467]

Before we can drive a car we need to take drivinglessons. And that is about 30-40lessens before we get our license (this is incl. Theory of how to drive) learn the signs near the road.

[@3deverything690]

First of all, I realize that this video was posted a year ago. When I moved from the Netherlands to the USA, I noticed the stop signs at all intersections. There are stop signs everywhere. I even failed to notice a stop sign during my driving test. It cost me 3 points and I thought that I had failed my driving test miserably 🥲, but my passing score was 97 out of 100...... That was easy. The stop signs are everywhere in the US and conversely moving to a country with no stop signs can be confusing at first. So, I know where you are coming from. Literally and figuratively.

[@dobberdop]

The rule is by a pedestrian crossing, the traffic ( car, bike, etc,) that use the road needs to stop for the pedestrian. By dangerous roads, where traffic is going (faster) the speed limit, or a very crowdy roads and by crossroads there are stop signs ( traffic light for pedestrians) The book exchange boxes it is actually new. I saw it for the first, I think 5 years ago. Now it is everywhere. I love it. Actually my first thought was the same: who will use it. But actually a lot of people. I don't know the source.. but it is fun How more stop signs ( or

[@ttaquang]

nice perspective from your point of view.

[@paulbode2154]

Actually I have seen these book kiosks here also in Richmond, VA, USA

[@instantlocal3657]

"Little Free Library" ... a search will show a world map of locations...we have many in Santa Cruz...thanks for your video!

[@Arnaud58]

At 1:15 : Rule 1: Know the rules in order to prevent the confusion 🤔😉 At 5:28 : Not only community wise a backbone, but moreover specialisation and service I think. Glad you noticed.👌 - In one period I lived and worked in the US several times for a longer period of time. For me, it was a culture shock every time until I realized that cultures inevitably differ. A small but clear example: Arriving in England, you can be surprised every time driving on the left. It's easier to simply accept it. The most important difference between the US and the Netherlands, in my opinion, is the sense of solidarity, the ability to sacrifice part of one's own interests for the benefit of society, or as far as the US is concerned, the lack of this.

[@kaydesign]

Check out the fascinating channel ‘Not Just Bikes’ from a fellow expat. He explains why small stores/communities not work in a Car country like the US. And the channel also explains a lot about Dutch traffic. I think you would like it!

[@Skard01]

No signs at all: Traffic coming from the right has the right of way :)

[@Malaila17]

For the completionists out here: And for the situations someone is coming towards you: 1. the person that goes straight has right of way over the person that wants to turn. 2. If you both want to turn into the same street, the person with the smallest turn (right turn) goes first. When multiple people enter the intersection at the same time you go over the rules in this order:: 1. right goes first, 2. straight goes first, 3. shortest turn goes first. Even if you don't know all these rules: the first one gets you through the majority of situations. Dutch kid learn this somewhere between the age of 8-12. Oh and this: directions from a person (e.g. police officer) go before directions from traffic lights, which go before signs (yield signs, shark teeth) which go before the rules described above. That's why intersections with lights often also have signs and shark teeth. Those are to look at when lights fail or are out of service.

[@lindaraterink6451]

@@Malaila17 Dutch kids learn this from the moment they get on the front or back of mom/dads bike.

[@Tweeteketje]

Wait, except for 'uitritten' (exits). There are no signs, but if the level of the street changes (so you're going 'down' a 'threshold'), you need to give priority to the traffic on the cross street, including pedestrians. Also at 'zebrapaden', pedestrians are prioritised. Oh and there is a difference between 'paved roads' and 'unpaved roads', but unpaved roads are rare in Rotterdam :)

[@PJGEON]

Another place for you to visit: Eethuisje van Delfshaven. That's where you meet lots of locals and talk to Bea and Martin as well. Honest, open, warm, friendly, but very direct and clear. That's also Rotterdam! Watching your stories, I bet you guys will love it!

[@Haroekoe]

Ik heb daar tegenover gewoond. Naast Soif, toch?

[@PJGEON]

@@Haroekoe correct!

[@Linda-hs1lk]

Funny what you say about us telling eachother where we come from, grew up etc. I'm originally from Rotterdam but we moved away in the eighties. Only a few weeks ago I went back there with my sister and two of my cousins. When my sister and I wanted to park the car near a subway station outside Rotterdam we had a kind of 'stand off' with a colored man who also wanted to park in the same spot. Problem got solved pretty quickly because another spot got free and we both had a place to park. Anyway, we started to talk and before we were at the station we knew where he grew up, what he did for work and where he was heading, lolol. Because it had been awhile we used the subway we were fighting with those bloody machines for a ticket so he helped us and decided to travel with it to the Central Station. We really had a great talk and he really helped us. So yeah, compared with what I know and see from the States, what a HUGE difference. We started a bit weird but finally we shook hands, wished eachother a great day and when our own way. We had a great day btw but I could never live there anymore. I loved it for a day but was very happy driving back to the east.

[@highs_and_lows4665]

I never knew zwarte piet was racist until someone told me so

[@baronvonlimbourgh1716]

Exactly.

[@jiriwichern]

There are definitely traffic rules in the Netherlands and most road crossings have clearly defined road infrastructure to regulate various streams of crossing traffic. Goes something like this (most important first): -Always follow directions of (official) traffic regulators in function. -Do not block emergency traffic (police, fire dept., ambulances). -There are certain situations where public transport has right of way (when they are departing from stops within city limits for example). -If you do a full stop, you lose right of way to traffic still moving and crossing your path. -Obey traffic lights. -Follow any official road signs and drawings on the road. -Slow traffic on equal roads have to give right of way to fast traffic (example: bike vs. car) I explicitly say equal roads here, because road signs/drawings or other infrastructure can make roads unequal, like the give way triangles, explicit pedestrian crossings, traffic slowing hills, stop signs, driveways, continuing sidewalks, paved vs. non-paved etc. etc. There is a lot of road infrastucture in the Netherlands made specifically to slow down or remove right of way for specific traffic to, for example, make crossing roads easier for vulnerable road users. -Traffic crossing your path from the right have right of way -If you meet traffic from the opposite direction and you want to turn left, in their way, wait until they pass. There are some other things to note. When you cause an accident as a driver of a motor vehicle with vulnerable road users (like pedestrians and cyclists), you have the burden of proof, not the vulnerable road user. In many cases, even if you are (legally) innocent, you (or your insurance company) is liable for (part of the) damages. This is one reason why car insurance is mandatory. Also, in the Netherlands, you see way less road use 'entitlement' compared to other countries. And various road users will actively try to anticipate other users usage. In such a way that they will slightly slow down, or speed up or alter their path to avoid a crossing conflict situation and therefore attribute to increased traffic flow.

[@markb6978]

No such thing as slow traffic - on an equal intersection, all drivers (including bikes, scooters, etc) are equal and you have to give way to anyone with the right of way regardless of what you’re driving. Been like that for at least 20 years now.

[@jackvandersluis1723]

Nice video! 👍

[@woutertje62]

Small businesses only work in areas where you can make easy trips to the business. US infrastructure is laid out in a way that its often better to go to the big box stores once in a while and stock up for weeks. in the Netherlands its often easier to wait until you need a product. then you'll jump on your bike and go grab it. I walk to the grocery store 3 minutes away almost every day. I buy what I want to have for dinner that day (or wats on sale). I don't stock up for the week. for stop signs I would refer you to the channel Not Just Bikes. its by a Canadian in Amsterdam and he makes video's about infrastructure and personal transport.

[@Freya76]

Hi, I have been enjoying your videos. It's always fun to see how foreigners, and especially Americans, perceive the Netherlands. Do check out Not Just Bikes, like someone said, it is a Canadian guy living in Amsterdam and telling why he choose the the Netherlands to live by mainly videos about Dutch infrastructure. Great content! He also has a nice video about Sinterklaas. Going breefly into the whole zwarte Piet/black face topic, but it's a very hot and touchy subject here. Has been door years and years. But het Sinterklaas feest really is a great holiday for the whole family in the end.

[@eliansieben4183]

So interesting to hear about these topics from an American perspective. Usually, these are things we just don't think about twice in the Netherlands. Good to get some perspective. Glad to show you around in Maastricht, if you want to visit! Just a two hour train ride away from Rotterdam, but a fully different city. A lot more French influences, as it is located at the cusp of three countries meeting each other. 👍

[@delsi027]

Really like your videos, small suggestion maybe 'clean up' the white noise with a program like audacity. Keep on the good work!

[@Ralph_NL]

I love small shops all around town. Bakers, butchers, bike shops etc. There is always something closeby.

[@dutchyjhome]

You have not done any research yourself on the subject of Zwarte Piet before you have served yourself with an unfounded opinion and have ventilated it through your youtube channel. To avoid misunderstandings, especially on the basis of arbitrary assumptions, as a Dutchman I feel called to provide things with the much-needed nuance. In my presentation I am basing myself on facts, not on an opinion. To be able to judge Zwarte Piet you need a lot of background information. to begin with, Sinterklaas was a man of Turkish descent. Sinterklaas is only a ceremonial figure, just like our king, and it was always Piet who did all the work and in fact he was the CEO of the distribution network where he led all the other Piets. In fact, you can compare Piet to the CEO of UPS. The Zwarte Piet icon existed centuries ago and he was always a white person, or possibly a person with slightly tinted North African color; he is probably of Moorish descent. Piet got that black color on his hands, his face and on his suit because Piet went into the wood or coal-fired chimney to put the presents for the children. So Piet could not escape at a given moment becoming as black as soot by climbing in and out like those chimneys. Similar to a coal miner who has a full shift after 8-10 hours of work in a coal mine and then leaves the coal mine. That coal miner can also be white, and yet work with coal makes him look as black as soot. This, and absolutely only this, is the reason that Zwarte Piet is black. You have to understand that for centuries people with a color in north-western Europe did not or hardly occur, while the Sinterklaas party with Zwarte Piet had been around for a long time. When dark people were introduced here, the link was made very quickly with Zwarte Piet, because we had known Zwarte Piet for a long time, and the association was of course quickly made. When Sinterklaas celebrates his birthday on December 5, black painted white people walk around in the typical Zwarte Piet clothing, not to imitate and provoke dark people, but to express the "real" Zwarte Piet, the actual bringer of gifts. to children. Because it's not White Pete who brings the presents, no, it's Black Pete who does that, because he's as black as soot because he keeps climbing up and down those chimneys. The appropriation of a discrimination problem by black people is therefore unjustified and the whole fuss about it is completely unfounded. However, dark people (especially from abroad) claim that Zwarte Piet should only be seen as a dark colored slave to Sinterklaas, which is abject incorrectly; Piet does not have a dark skin color; he's black because of coal residue in the chimneys. The dark fellow man therefor had no role whatsoever in the development of Zwarte Piet. Zwarte Piet is appointed as a servant and portrayed as a bogeyman while he functions as CEO of the Gift Distribution Center. It is absolutely wrong, to assume that Zwarte Piet is just a helper of Sinterklaas, make no mistake about it! In fact Zwarte Piet basically runs the show and the old man Sinterklaas suffering of amnesia really will not be able to pull this important night off with out the guiding force of Zwarte Piet. However, if we look abroad; Sinterklaas is also celebrated in other countries in Europe, then our Zwarte Piet is still a mild appearance compared to the Austrian assistant of Sinterklaas; Krampus Go see: kzbin.info/www/bejne/o6DNo5mtbLh9Z5Y So if our Zwarte Piet has to leave the field, I say: Good, Zwarte Piet out, but then Krampus in! Now that you have some background information, you should carefully consider forming your own opinion about Zwarte Piet and Krampus. In the Netherlands it is like this; you have the right to your own opinion, but you also have the right to keep that opinion to yourself. So it's not that if you have an opinion, you have to share it with everyone; that's where you go wrong! We don't like shouting airheads here in the civilized part of the world.

[@autohmae]

While I think this probably has a lot of truth to it, at some point in the Dutch tradition many depictions of Zwarte Piet looked like black slaves (big red lips, big golden earrings similar to traditional ones from Africa, etc.). So I think their is a real issue. And I've also heard the arguments: they are freed slaves, which is the history I've heard in the past. I don't know what happened, if it was that was from the start or not, etc. My guess is at some point it got mixed in with our slavery 'heritage' (for lack of an other word). I think the tradition should change slightly, but we can keep the tradition just fine. Just to make it clear: this doesn't make us racist, at most just ignorant to the feelings of others.

[@WesleyQuint]

Nice video thx for the video iam from holland so very cool to see videos about people liking mij country hope to see more

[@ericbarendrecht2641]

Having lived in the states for the last 10 years, I have observed all those differences. But let me give some feedback. Do let me respond for a moment. Regarding the stop signs: there's two reasons that it works in the Netherlands. 1) there's a different set of rules, that mostly takes care of the question who goes first. 2) Dutch drivers, on average, are less egocentric and more willing to cooperate. That's not absolute, but taking the average. Regarding mom&pop shops: there's a whole slew of differences between the US and the Netherlands that explain the differences. Most cities in the US don't allow mixed use areas. So outside of stone compact cities like New York, Boston or San Francisco, you won't find many areas where that setup is allowed. But it also comes with some legislation. You cannot have stores in a neighborhood that cause a lot of noise and that stay open very late. So there are some limitations that would be harder to require in the US or would make that the smaller stores cannot compete with the larger ones. Another reason is the car culture. As Americans drive everywhere and need to park, it's more convenient to make only one stop at big market where everything is available (Walmart, target etc.) In the Netherlands, more is done walking or biking, so that's less of a problem. Another problem with that is that because Americans always drive from destination to destination, small curiosity shops would go unnoticed and/or are passed by. For example, you are more likely to go walk into a store that got your curiosity if you didn't have to find parking first. As for black Pete: recently he has been controversial in the Netherlands too. It's a reference to the Moors people from North Africa, who serve(d) Sinterklaas. Over time, black Pete has become more of a mythical creature then a representation of black people. (At least I've never considered them as In addition, most parents tell a different explanation: that black Pete is black because he's going down the chimneys to deliver presents.

[@mypointofview1111]

Please just watch "not just bikes", it's a great channel that explains a lot about how life in the Netherlands works, particularly roads. I think you'll like it. Book boxes are a thing in the UK as well. They appear in all sorts of places and are a great way of exchanging no longer wanted/ needed books. It cuts down on landfill and many of these books are still useful to others. There are a few in my area. Very useful

[@jlpack62]

I'm seen those little kiosks for both books and as a food pantry for the hungry in Raleigh, North Carolina.

[@erwingobee3890]

In Holland, all vehicles from the right have right of way, including cyclists. But watch out: many drivers are unaware of this rule! Traffic at roundabouts always have priority.Elsewhere traffic coming from the right has priority, although priority rules will be needed only scarcely.A roundabout allows major changes of direction.

[@HladniSjeverniVjetar]

What about Brabant?

[@gerardscheffer8848]

I am really supprised to hear all the good things about our country. Thank you for that. But I am sure there is lots of cool stuff to tell about SC. Regarding the ‘STOP’ signs, maybe you should watch ‘Not Just Bikes’. Probably someone mentioned it in the hunderds comments below.

[@bli2008]

I see a lot of people commenting on traffic rules, let me add mine: Usually you can see by the type of street (lanes, asphalt, bricks etc) which road has priority. Almost everywhere the priority lane has a "voorrangsbord" (a square yellow + white border or a triangle with a fat arrow representing you). The lower ones has a reverse triangle (sometimes with a thinner arrow representing you) and always also the reverse triangle painted on the street. If none of these signs are visible (usually on equal priority lane in 'quiet' area), motorized traffic from right has always priority. And bicycles has higher priority because the are more vulnerable than cars, even if they are in the wrong. You watch the channel "Not just bikes" episode "Stop Signs Suck and We Should Get Rid of Them"

[@robin.n]

"motorized traffic from right has always priority." that changed to include bicycles coming from the right around 15 years ago

[@LoekiNL]

We do not need stopsigns becouse we follow traffic rules, and also the sequence there of. 1. On crossings of inequal importment, the importand one goes first. Inequal: road vs parking lot, concrete or stone vs gravel, voorrangweg vs yield sign, and so on. 2. All roadusers (including pedestrians) on the same road as you, that go strait ahead, while you want to turn off, go first. 3. Roadcars go first. 4. Traffic (without pedestrians) from right goes first 5. When 2 cars comming from opposide possition on same road wanne go into the same side street, the car who can take the shortest turn goes first.. Also, on a roundabout: 1. Traffic on the roundabout, that stay on the roundabout, goes first. This includes the cyclepath arround the roundabout, becouse it is part of it. 2. Traffic on the roundabout that want to leave the roundabout. 3 oncomming traffing that want to join the roundabout. And so on and on. All the kids learn these already at primary school, and are a huge part of the driving exam. Also there is a rule about the sequence of traffic sighs 1. Traffic controller or traffic cop 2. Matrix signs and traffic lights 3. Normal traffic signs like yield signs. 4. Traffic rules. So when the lights are off, follow the signs or rules. If the lights are on, but there is a traffic controller, ignore tge lights and follow the hand signals of the controller. In the Netherlands we do have stop signs, however mostly becouse you have to stop becouse you can not see the traffic from other streets before you hit them. After you stop, normal traffic rules apply, so you might go first, or someone else might be. There are many rules, and we try to keep them. That might be the reason why European driving school is so more difficould than American. And also that might be the reason way less accidents happen here, while speed is higher in some cases. (E.G. autobahn in Germany)

[@leandratel2466]

Regarding traffic, pay attention to the marks on the road! When approaching a line of white triangles on the road, aka "shark teeths", this signals that you have to give priority to the traffic coming from right or left!

[@lifetimeexpat3905]

Small businesses in Europe survive because of walkability. In a car dependent place, where you have to drive everywhere you go, you want to drive and park once and get everything you need. When you are walking past your baker, butcher, cheese shop, and other little stores in the course of your daily life, on a walkable street - it is super easy to pop in off the street for 3 min and quickly get what you need. And have it fresh every day! I don’t even own a toaster here, we get delicious fresh warm bread every day. It is way better! But in the US, even if I found a good baker making quality bread, I would probably go only occasionally because no way I would get in a car, drive somewhere for 20 min or more, park it (parking may or may not be easy) and than drive back every morning just to get bread, or better quality meat or anything small. No one has that kind of time. That’s a big part of the reason small business do better in Europe.

[@bentels5340]

Okay, traffic rules for priorities (see if I can still regurgitate them, it's been a while since I took driving lessons): First off, you have to realize that there are two categories of traffic in The Netherlands: Drivers and Traffic. - Drivers are people who are operating a vehicle. Cars, trucks, busses, tractors, mopeds, cyclists, quads, bicycle bars, etc. - Traffic is everybody, so Drivers plus pedestrians (which includes people walking with but not riding on a bike), equestrians, people in wheelchairs, etc. Priority is something that only relates to Drivers. There are rules about yielding to all other traffic but that's not priority. For priority, in practice the rules are: 0. Before all else, obey directions from traffic wardens (people directing traffic); then 1. Emergency vehicles have priority over everything else; then 2. Obey electronic traffic signs (traffic lights, matrix signs, etc); then 3. Obey fixed traffic signs (stop signs, yield signs, priority signs, etc); then 4. When lanes are separated by block markings, traffic on the left lane has priority; then 5. Rail vehicles (trams) have priority over Drivers on crossing roads; then 6. Drivers on paved roads have priority over Drivers on dirt roads; then 7. Yield to Drivers coming from the right Regarding crossing the street: - When rounding a corner, all Traffic has to yield to Traffic that is continuing in the direction you are leaving - When crossing the street, you have to yield to Drivers on that street unless you are using a crosswalk (then Drivers yield to you) - When coming out of an exit ("uitrit"), Drivers must yield to all crossing Traffic - When performing an extraordinary maneuver (pulling into a parking spot, leaving a parked position, reversing, driving backwards, etc), Drivers must yield to all Traffic That's basically it.

[@raatroc]

The reason small businesses in the Netherlands thrive = bikes. Look at your neighborhood store see and if you can park a huge pickup truck there!

[@Ballebek01]

Stop signs are only used at dangerous crossings. There are many in Rotterdam as well, but not in the center, more on the outskirts of the city.

[@19wladimir56]

No stop signs; it’s easy the street on your right has priority to you if you’re in road with a yellow diamond shaped, traffic sign yellow you have priority you don’t need stop signs for that

[@ErwinBlonk]

Local shops: I go to them all the time. One of the local music stores, the toy shop (one that has board games, lego, wooden toys, but no video games), the library restaurant and a restaurant where people with working disabilities work all recognize me when I come in. They know what I like (sometimes beyond what they sell) or even a bit of my background. Sinterklaas/Black Pete: no one, or at best very few, really know where it came from so mostly people pick, choose and form these things to suit their opinion. It used to differ in time and place but as nation-states were from late 19th century these nations, made up from different cultures (The Netherlands has, or had, at least 3: Franks (which the Hollanders but also Limburgers are part of), Saxons and Frisians. To melt them together a common history and set of traditions was invented. Keep in mind: up until the 18th century different parts of what became this country would fight with each other although it became less of direct war (more common in for example the 14th century) and it wasn't the united country that it has been retro-fitted to be in the public memory now. By which I mean to say the Sinterklaas definitely hasn't always been with Black Pete or even red-robed. Early 20th century sees him unaccompanied in white garb in some towns. In the 19th century one of the songs said not-so-nice things about what a Jew would get from Sinterklaas (a kick to be precise). In the 16th or 17th century he would be accompanied by (someone dressed up as) an army officer here and there. Nothing changes so constantly as traditions do. That's traditional. When I was a kid in the 70s the Black Pete I know was generally a clueless type needing guidance from Sinterklaas and speaking with a dumbed-down Dutch-Carribean accent. Later, in the 80s I think, they were portayed more independent but the accent remained for a while.

[@ingridb1524]

The picture you showed is actually the amended version of Pete that is to represent “sooty Piet” or “chimney Piet”. The black smudges are supposed to represent the dirt from the chimney that Piet goes down to deliver the presents and not (no longer) intended to suggest that Piet is black. But yeah. Very controversial topic. The entire discussion has basically ruined the tradition itself. When I was a child I never even considered that Piet was a black person. When I asked why he was painted black (because of course a child can see it’s paint) I always got the “it’s soot from the chimney” story. So personally I have zero problem converting Piet to the sooty Piet we have these days.

[@TTTzzzz]

No stop signs keeps you awake and force you to value your life. It is not stressful, it can be invigorating.

[@eugenefeur7844]

Interesting, your take on Sinterklaar/Zwarte Piet. I suggest you have a look at "La Candelaria". Happens in Spain and in parts of South America (usually in february)....... be warned....... 😊😊....... Love your channel...

[@irenehabes-quene2839]

We have give way signs that tell you that you need to stop if a car is coming on the other road. Otherwise traffic coming from the right has right of way, cars from the left have to give you the right of way.

[@lejanvandijk4743]

in the netherlands we have the more child friendly Zwarte Piet , in Germany they have "krampus".

[@gerhard6105]

We go to the smaller shops because they are nearby so you can walk or cycle to them and so it saves time and the looking for a parking spot. Yes, maybe the think you buy is a little more expensive but it saves time. So, things cost time or money. Time is money.

[@SoultoSoulTravels]

So true!

[@daluzsoares]

you're still alive!!

[@superfly2449]

The book kiosks have replaced garden gnomes in my (US) neighborhood. They’re on almost every block.

[@gwaptiva]

No stop signs is due to the fact that priority rules are organised differently here. Traffic from the right has priority if there aren't any. Please don't drive until you've understood that :) Btw, Little Free Libraries is a US organisation that spread to the Netherlands

[@Elisabeth19031978]

I know this video is meant for Americans, but I have no idea what you mean by stopsigns everywhere. 10 years ago there were no book kiosks. it's fairly new. Americans always mix up Switserland and Sweden, in Holland we only know where Florida, Texas and California is situated.

[@Rein_]

in a lot of places in amerika where they have a 4 way crossing all sides have a stopping while in the netherland it is the person on your right goes first.

[@donnakaye6919]

Yes we have mini libraries in some places in the states. I wish the apartment complexes had them, in courage kids to read more. Love the videos full of information about the Netherlands!

[@wimschiphorst8541]

Zwarte Piet is, as you said, the helper from Sinterklaas. He delivers the presents. Children put their shoes by the stove. Nowadays Central heating. But in the old times, coal stoves. When Piet crawled down the chimney, he became black with soot. In recent years there has been a heated debate whether this is still relevant today. That is why now sees more often light colored white, brown Petes. Or even green and yellow. And with the next generation, this Piet becomes the standard. And that it is controversial is apparent from one of the comments here. "Long live Black Piet

[@bandijk5934]

It was and is racist

[@wimschiphorst8541]

@@bandijk5934 Sure it is. But that's the view we have now. Progressive insight. (voortschrijdend inzicht). Like the MeToo movent for the womens right. That in my opion now (still) is and was always a inequality. And how you think and react to these things depends very much on your social position. Education level, Good income, influence on the things that happen around you. Do you not have it or do you feel that. Then you react more conservatively to this things.

[@berthoogenboom8458]

There are some rules in cossing roads without stopsignes. 1: traffic comming from your right go's first. 2: traffic going strait tru go before traffic turning left(cossing you). Simple rules to obey

[@catherinejohnson4889]

There are "Free Libraries" all over the country. There are 5 in my neighborhood alone.

[@carlavolkers1862]

Yes I miss my home country too go back every year but lived in Michigan the last 50 years

[@hcjkruse]

Suggestion for a next video, try some Sinterklaas Candy ;) Or try bake some. Most you can at the supermarket or even the Saturday street market.(worth a visit any way, next door to the Markthal). - kruidnoten - pepernoten - (stuffed) speculaas - banketletter - chocolade letter - borstplaat (hard to get) - Sinterklaas marzipan

[@dutchman7623]

Borstplaat, hard to get, easy to make! Taai taai and eh.... taai poppen.

[@goodsmile5170]

Rotterdam for me was hysterical I walked in city hall for the architecture the female security guard politely informed me I was in a government building and I was suprised the male was sooooo annoyed he was like “ohhh good nooo Jesus “ I could not-help but laugh 😂 and value his candidness