9 Things Not To Do In The Netherlands:Dutch Culture Shocks

9 Things Not To Do In The Netherlands:Dutch Culture Shocks
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Intro (00:00)
Standing In The Cycle Lane (01:00)
Do Not Be Late (02:04)
Spontaneously Showing Up At Someone's House (02:28)
Not Recycling (03:04)
Driving On The Left Lane On The Highway (03:45)
Do Not Use The Train Without A Ticket (04:08)
Do Not Expect Small Talk (04:38)
Do Not Expect Free Water (05:08)
Do Not Expect To Wear Clothes In The Spa (05:44)
Outro (06:23)
#netherlands
#dutchculture
#dutch

[@bas7492]

In The Netherlands one thing you're not supposed to do is to stay yourself at a child's birthday party when your child was invited by a school friend for his or her birthday. You bring your child to the party and leave. I heard that in some countries all parents stay at the party, but in the Netherlands that is not the case. Often your child will be brought home at the end of the party. Another etiquette is this. If your child was invited by another child from school, then you're supposed to invite that child in turn to your child's birthday party. It's kind to also invite a child that is not invited often by other children, and not only children that invited your child

[@livinglife.digital3399]

This is a good one!

[@Iflie]

The invitation wasn't the same where I live, some kids would have a big party and invite more people but we only invited close friends. And yes it's quite strange to have akids party and the parents are there expecting to be served too. makes it far less of a kids party. Afterwards they would drive us home, often in quite unsafe numbers in the same car. I think that last part would get you in trouble these days but it was quite normal, you'd end up in the trunk (eh not a seperate trunk one connected to the backseat, you'd be looking at and talking to the other kids, not like a kidnap victim, haha

[@har3036]

I consider myself pretty Dutch, but I never really plan my free time, so if let's me know they plan a spontaneous visit it's fine with me.

[@hayati6374]

As a German where this seems to be said about as well, especially visits from neighbors ringing the bell for a little life update is super common ☺️

[@lostammer7866]

Spontaneous visits is a no indeed, but you CAN give a call 5 minutes before you want to drop by. Short notice would be okay.

[@lizalawsky3055]

With regards to the train my daughter lost her ticket. I had a receipt and the conductor wouldn't hear of it. We had a choice pay a €50 fine and buy a ticket from her or get off the trein, so we got off the train 🤣

[@livinglife.digital3399]

WOW!

[@aliekegeerse]

Love the number 9 one, it’s definitely a big one for Americans.

[@livinglife.digital3399]

It’s definitely different than what I’m used to😅

[@RFGfotografie]

Actually about the small talk, I do see this changing a lot nowadays. When I was a child it didn't happen at all. But nowadays it happens way more often. Though still not on the level as in the USA.

[@livinglife.digital3399]

Good to know!!

[@nonexistingvoid]

I'd like to add to the no free water point. This goes for restaurants, but most train stations now have water taps outside, where you can refill your water bottle or travel cup with fresh, clean tapwater. Restaurants hardly ever serve tap water, so they have to charge for the bottled water, which makes sense. They want to make a profit, after all.

[@alcidesforever]

Usually, when I order a coffee (or two), I ask for a glas af tapwater (kraanwater) at the side. I explicitly ask for that kind of water, so no bottled water. I always get it, no fuzz, and when the check comes, the tap water isn't charged. I wouldn't never order just tap water, without the coffee. If I just wanted water, I would order bottled water.

[@damiettes7140]

Restaurants in big cities like Amsterdam REFUSED to serve tap water last time we were there. (And the tap water is excellent!) So we just took our own hydroflask everywhere

[@releasethekraken5039]

Also, all tapwater in the netherlands is potable. No need to buy bottled water from the grocery store when you can get the same clear water out of your faucet for free

[@geertjem5232]

I loved to watch this video as a dutch.😂 First the spa, if you want to wear a something, there are special days fot this. Small talk, there is small talk if you go to your local supermarket where people know you. It's such a mirror to watch a amerian talking about our habbits. It's funny, thank you. Doei doei.

[@livinglife.digital3399]

Glad you enjoyed it, Geertje!

[@hildelouisevrijs774]

Hi Fiona, unexpected visitors have always been welcome in our house, and I am a dutchie! And Fi, I was hoping that you told us something about your newborn…..and how you both are doing. Next time? ❤️Hil

[@livinglife.digital3399]

Thanks for sharing,Hil!! Baby and I are doing great! Thank you so much❤. I’ll definitely make sure he makes an appearance on my next video😊

[@walterbulkens5096]

hi, i have to say you are right on all your topics. Driving on the train or bus without a valid ticket will indeed result in a fine, in addition to the normal costs. Recycling is good, and landfill is stupid.

[@thijsvandalsen2989]

Sound advice! Several things here boil down to two principles: practicality/clarity and valuing other people's time (and/or privacy). In that regard, I'd like to add: "Don't beat around the bush". We don't like to listen to a five minute intro to your charity organization, or a one minute plea explaining your reasons to ask for a day off and me to cover you, or two paragraphs of what I did right to then ask me what I should change. Be brief, be clear (some empathy is still appreciated, obv :D)

[@livinglife.digital3399]

Well said!

[@NinaW1n]

About driving in the left lane: its simply a traffic rule that you keep as much to the right as you can, also you are not allowed to overtake on the right, so if you are driving in the left lane it basicly means everyone behind you can not pass, not even when there are 2 empty lanes on your right. I know in America the rule is to ‘stick to your lane’, whatever lane that might be, but there you are allowed to overtake on the right, so thats very different. If i am driving i will not expect traffic to pass me on the right side.

[@RFGfotografie]

About number 8. This is somewhat changing nowadays. Outside, certainly in big city parks. You can now find tabs just on the most random places. Where you can just get free water out of.

[@FacelessJanus]

I can only agree with all of them. I will however add a bit more info. Driving in a left lane, when not absolutely required gets you a fine of 220 euro exc. 9 euro admin costs. Joyriding in public transport is 50 euro fine + the cost of a trainticket to wherever you are going. Also, as far as I can check at least, as pedestrian standing still on a bike lane/path falls under code R 307 and can get you a fine of 45 euro exc. 9 admin costs. (I might be mistaken here, as it is not easy to find the exact text explaining the last one.)

[@livinglife.digital3399]

Very insightful!

[@eddys.3524]

the fine for driving in the left lane is €240 in 2023.. Also overtaking on the right side is a violation and costs €280

[@RFGfotografie]

Very well made video. It went so fast, but not to fast.

[@livinglife.digital3399]

Thank you! Glad you liked it!

[@RFGfotografie]

At most stations nowadays you can't even enter a trane without getting trough a gate where you pay for the ticket. If you have a truly good reason or just extremely lucky, then there probally is no controle and/or the conducteur is kind enough to let you get out at the next stop. But most of the time you will get a fine and it's not a cheap one. Though with NS Flex/OV Chipkaart I do not get why people not have one with them. Only criminals should do that nowadays. (Really take the OV Chipcard with a NS Flex subscription, it's free and so much easier!)

[@thernymous]

Not walking in cycle lanes is, I think, primarily a residentials area thing. If there's a sidewalk right along the cycle lane, use the sidewalk. If you're outside of the 'bebouwde kom' and in an area with a bicycle path but no dedicated sidewalk (which is very common for cycle paths connecting towns), you can walk on those as well, but it's strongly suggested to walk against the traffic flow. (that way nobody will surprise you by biking up behind you). Same goes for cycle paths that are in the bebouwde kom, but act as scenic routes/shortcuts.

[@rudolphinawelles3440]

Hi Fiona, Nice to hear from you. I do wonder though what did you do at the Spa. 😅 Have a nice weekend

[@livinglife.digital3399]

Thank you, Rudolphina! I actually stuck around and had a pleasant time😅 Have a great weekend!

[@RFGfotografie]

The one with driving on the left lane of the highway, it's actually so this can get you a fine, not just angry/agressive drivers, as it's not allowed to drive to long on 1 lane to the left. Mainly also because this causes dangerous situations and you may not take over someone to the right. It's annoying though as there are more people in the Netherlands, this rule seems to get less followed by the day. And if you drive 130 and suddenly have trucks going 90 on the left lane, it's quite the dangerous nightmare. In germany where there is no speed limit if this happens sometimes there are even very deadly crashes. So, it's not just because it's now allowed or rude, but also for safety reasons.

[@livinglife.digital3399]

Noted!!

[@Gee_Jay]

On #2: When you're 5-10 min + late, and they Don't call/text you, But Do criticise, they're Unfair. On spontaneity: Just call 'em, 1st Ask if Now's OK to phone, and IF Yes, thén ask how & what they're doing & propose what you have in mind. -- On tapwater: Just ask for some to take your Meds. If they refuse that, Throw a FIT !! -- Spontaneous Talk is Not a no-no -- Just not All fish will bite, OK?

[@livinglife.digital3399]

Great Input!!

[@jonescar8240]

Hoi Fi , als het onaangenaam voelt heb je nog in de spa waar moslim vrouwen komen nog wel een optie . die is alleen voor vrouwen en als ik het goed heb gekleed . er zit in in schiedam . groet

[@ikkelimburg3552]

I think you didn’t go to a spa but to a ‘sauna wellness’. In a (beauty) spa people walk around in bathrobes and flipflops and when lounging they dress in some kind of kimono. It’s not acceptable to walk around naked in a beauty spa resort (also: very, very few males in beauty spa’s)

[@damiettes7140]

It’s not a spa! It’s a Sauna and it’s a completely different animal than a spa

[@conniemendeszoon9789]

Nice to see you again Fi, hope your boys are doing well, Naked at the Spa will be a Culture shock for me too, thats not my thing🤣🤣🤣 Anyway you can buy a ticket in the train also,it will be a view EURO'S more, but you will be ok.. If you have your OV card, you can check-in at the platform, before you enter the train Anyway nice to see you back again, Enjoy your family time

[@livinglife.digital3399]

Thank you, Connie❤! It was definitely a culture shock😅

[@alcidesforever]

Will you go back to that spa, or will you seek out a spa were clothing/bathing suits are mandatory?

[@livinglife.digital3399]

I had a good time!! So I believe I’ll be going back😊

[@GeorgeSaint666]

Yes you will get fined.

[@erikmulder2574]

Americans are rather tied up about nudity and relate it to sex and therefore it is a taboo. The Netherlands is much more liberal, nudity in the sauna and topless sunbathing at the beach is not uncommon. I think the Dutch way you will get used to pretty quickly. A sauna in cloth is not really how a sauna is intended to be. Let us know if you felt fine with it once you got a bit settled in the sauna.