9 Ways to Make Enemies with the Dutch (Americans in the Netherlands)

Don't Make These Mistakes: 9 Things You Should Know Living in The Netherlands
This week, we are in the pretty city of Delft talking about things you can do or say to make The Dutch upset, mad, or annoyed. These are useful if you are planning on moving to The Netherlands from another country, or are even planning a visit. Some of these things are small, like showing up uninvited, and some are more serious, such as starting a Zwarte Piet discussion right off the bat. Of course, all of these are in good fun and are just our opinion observing from afar and talking to our Dutch friends.
Check out our first Delft video here: studio.kzbin.infoK4sR...
00:00 Intro
01:44 Bike Lane
03:41 Silent Car
04:59 Show up Randomly
06:28 It's not all Holland
07:33 Tikkie
09:59 Not all Amsterdam
11:17 Being Late
12:37 Insulting Dutch Cheese
13:54 Zwarte Piet
14:58 Conclusion
If you like our video please subscribe for more food, travel, and life as an ex-pat! / tandtgodutch
We're Tracey and Travis, an American couple who moved with our Miniature Husky, Tabasco, from our home in Houston, Texas to the city of Leiden, The Netherlands. We love food, travel, history, and exploring our new home. We hope you enjoy us sharing our adventures all around The Netherlands with you!
If you'd like to see more:
The vlog continues on Instagram! Follow us @tandtgodutch
Or, visit our Facebook page: tandtgodutch
#expats
#thenetherlands
#enemies
#upset
#angry

[@bentels5340]

The first one is definitely true. Dutchman: "Welcome to The Netherlands!!" Foreigner: "Thank you." Dutchman: *EX-TER-MI-NATE*

[@TAndTGoDutch]

LOL! We are dying laughing. 😂😂😂

[@michaelburggraf2822]

That's in a similar way true in Germany. And with the number of e-bikes growing it seems to become even more serious.

[@cyrielmartens3575]

LOL!!! 🤣

[@rjh00]

@@michaelburggraf2822 whenever someone gets on the Autobahn and drives show.

[@Knightjagerackerman]

@@rjh00 💢

[@rodsnash56]

How to annoy a Dutchman? Tell him you have important information to share and then beat around the bush for five minutes.

[@Marianneduetje]

Oh yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@MiguelLopez-mu1ss]

Solid, ain't nobody got time for that

[@arturobianco848]

Brilliant way if you wanna get throttled.

[@ricardomeertens9165]

Hahaha defenitly i hate this personally. Often i say: can you make this story shorter please🤣 i only do this with friends and family otherwise its pritty rude.

[@CarinaSapawi]

Precies!! Wat een tijdverspilling zeg

[@dehaan714]

When people think the Netherlands is an area in Germany, no! WWII ended a long time ago, we are no longer occupied and we speak Dutch not German!!!! 😅 And people who say Fan Gooooo instead off Van Gogh….hèhè that’s off my chest 😉

[@TAndTGoDutch]

Those are great additions!

[@marietjejansen]

Precies!!!

[@FutureFairytale]

I don't know why but what annoys me is that 99,9% of all the youtube videos about Dutch food I have seen, people are saying 'stroupwaffles' like if that is thé corrent pronounciation while I say loudly in my own 'nooooo, it's stroooopwaaaaafels' 😂. When someone says it right I am so relieved and happy!

[@willemdubbeldam9285]

Showing up randomly and everybody paying its own part is more of a Randstad thing then a Dutch thing in general. Here in the South of the Netherlands (Limburg and Noord-Brabant) this is less of an issue. I lived in The Hague for several years and was surprised that everyone paid for his/her own drinks when we went out. I'm used to us taking turns paying or making a pot where everyone puts in an amount of money. Where I live (a small town near Eindhoven) the back door is always open during the day and people come and go without announcing it first. So there are regional differences, even in such a small country as the Netherlands 😁

[@TAndTGoDutch]

That’s great to know, thank you for sharing!

[@christinarodriguez7508]

Its a bit different than you make out as , i lived in the randstad for a few years as a student and its more of every one putting money in a pot and use that for the evening . and what is left is send back to the others .

[@Hrn250]

@Willem Dubbeldam. I don't agree with you that it's a suburban thing. I have lived everywhere, in the south, many years in Amsterdam and in several other cities and towns in North Holland. It mainly depends on with who you are going to have diner with and what you arrange. Bills were also shared in the south and there could always be a person who insisted on paying for her or himself who didn’t want to share the bill because he or she felt that he or she had spent much less on food and drinks than the others 😂 Every person is different and it certainly matters with who you have diner or drinks with etc and not so much in which part of the Netherlands this happens .In the south you are certainly no more hospitable than in the north-west where I live.

[@70ed81]

I totally agree with that👍that's exactly what I was going to say, but didn't see your comment until I scrolled down.😀😉

[@jsb7975]

@@TAndTGoDutch it's a self-forfilling profecy that leads a own life. In most places and circomstances one is generous and subtil enough to balance finances in a sympathic way. The clichés are stubborn....

[@DidierWierdsma6335]

Both of you where not negative but honest and direct and as a Dutchman myself still living here i love it well done no hate here only love ❤ This was a awesome and fun video well done T and T keep up the great work👍 En nog een prettige dag toegewenst😊

[@salipander6570]

Similar to Gouda Cheese: Say that Heineken is "The Greatest Beer". It's not offensive, but many Dutch will react that they know of much better beers to drink, for example Belgian beers.

[@TAndTGoDutch]

That’s a great one to add! So many great local brews and yes, Belgian beers too!

[@DrQuatsch]

In some places you basically have to walk on the bicycle path. One thing I was always taught is to walk on the "wrong side" of the road so you can see the cyclists coming, and you and cyclist can make eye contact and you either shortly step aside, or the cyclist will go around you. If you walk with the flow, cyclists will always come from the back, and unfortunately humans do not have eyes in the back. So then the cyclists have to ring their bell to tell you they are coming, and it just becomes more messy. Unfortunately I have seen this habit disappear and more and more people are just walking wherever when on a bicycle path.

[@knelia2]

Exactly how I see it as well: you see the upcoming traffic and the upcoming traffic is aware of the fact that you've seen them. If you come from behind and signal (with your bell) to warn pedestrians on the righthand side of the path, some first stop, turn around, even step aside (sometimes even towards the middle of the road!!) causing all kinds of dangerous situations. The walking on the 'wrong side' (i.e. on the lefthand side) is actually how it is/was being taught in the 'verkeersonderwijs' (traffic training/education) in elementary school (at least back when I was young, which is quite a while ago). Still, like DrQuatsch, I see a lot of people walking on the righthand side of the road, probably because the idea of 'keeping to the right' is what is being taught regarding all the other traffic (cars, bicycles etc.).

[@DeDoentje]

One thing that can really piss me off is when people are walking or running directly towards me on the cycle path, because they are walking or running on the wrong side of the road. The situation is than often that I have nowhere to go with my bike, because on the other sides you have other cyclists cycling towards you. If people going with the flow on the right side of the road you can cycle at least slowly after the person who is walking or running there and passing them at the moment when it's possible, instead of crashing into people because they are walking or running straight into you. Especially for runners it's better to go with the flow. You're as fast as a slow riding cyclist. I had almost a crash 2 weeks ago, because a runner ran almost straight into me when I was cycling on the cycle path when he suddenly popped up. The bike path was meandering so you couldn't see far ahead and it was also dark.

[@SwordOfHeimdall]

About going Dutch: not all Dutch people do the tikkie thing, all the time. It really depends on who you're with, how high the bill is, and how well off you are. Amongst a small group of good friends the round systems persists ("you'll do lunch next time, ok?"). But with larger groups it's a whole lot of money to front, and true friends won't let you go through that. When you don't know a person that well, like colleagues, you do the tikkie thing because it's well understood that that's just a transaction and you're done. No further stress. You sometimes hear about people asking back like 1 euro via tikkie, but that's more of an exception than rule. Most Dutch will frown upon that as well.

[@BartRunning]

This was a great add-on! And very accurate.

[@theodorakelders93]

One that upsets people or even scares the crap out of them, is call them after 10 pm or before 9 am. Don't do that unless there is a death in the family. Younger people won't have this problem because they only talk trough whatsapp, but for a lot of older people its a big no no.

[@TAndTGoDutch]

That’s a really great one, definitely universal too.

[@eddavanleemputten9232]

@@TAndTGoDutch - Exactly. Unless you’re working and office hours start at 8:30, don’t call before 9 am. As for evening/night, it’s best to not call after 9pm. Even though I’m only “half” Dutch I can be quite irritated. I’ve taken to using the following script when someone calls at ridiculous hours. P = phone M = me C = caller P: Ring! M: Hello, (insert name) speaking (or I simply snarl my name) C: Helloooo… I was just blah… blah… blah… M: Erm… may I just ask you something? C: Sure! M: Whatever you’re calling about… is it on fire or is fire involved? C: Erm… no? M: Does it involve severe bleeding! C: Good heavens no! M: Nuclear disaster? C: Of course not! That’s ridiculous. M: Oh. Then I guess your call isn’t urgent. I’m terribly sorry for your lost time but you’re going to have to call back later. Goodbye. P: click! Please note that I’m the volatile combination of Flemish politeness (25%), Dutch directness (50%) and German bluntness & efficiency. To add insult to injury I’m a single Mom with a stressful job and a special needs daughter.

[@sander_bouwhuis]

The same with ringing someone's doorbell after 22:00. I've had deliverymen as late as 23:00 ringing the doorbell! I filed a complaint twice that they were responsible for waking the children. DON'T DO IT!

[@PauldeVrieze]

Or on Sundays (when you don't know them well enough). And weekend is more like 10am

[@wimbuist]

You guys didn’t offend me at all. There will always be people that have a problem with opinions other than their own. I think it sad to see a trend worldwide that we can’t have a discussion without our eyes popping out and having foam on our mouth because you have a different point of view. I love hearing how you and others like Soul 2 Soul travel and Dutch Americano look at my society. I learn a lot from you guys. Keep those videos coming!

[@TAndTGoDutch]

Thank you so much for your kind words!

[@spoonwinnipeg2021]

Yeah, Ava's great, isn't she?

[@commandbrawler9348]

I agree with you, just saw a video of pownews where they where interviewing people that where protesting against fascism. There where people interfering with the interview and being agressive against the interviewer like come on that pisses me off. People cant seem to have conversations anymore

[@dutchladylover]

@@commandbrawler9348 Oh people are great at having a 'conversation', just don't you dare to disagree with them! 🙈

[@Hrn250]

Nice one 👍🏻, but I do want to give a respond on having a diner or drinks and the payment : ‘Everyone pays for ‘ and sending a tag, ( tikkie) , that usually happens with acquaintances or colleagues from your work. When you go for dinner with family or very good friends then it is usually agreed in advance whether you share the bill or that 1 couple pays and the next time the other. That is exactly the same as in your country. For example : when a family member comes to visit and you take him or her out for dinner then you really don't say "you pay for yourself ", that would be very indecent. It goes without saying that whoever invites also pays the bill. The person who is invited will offer to pay his share, but then it is usually said " next time you may offer us dinner if you like ”

[@Rinzwind79]

There is one thing to add to the "not walking on the bike lane". Almost always there is a sidewalk next to the bike lane. When there is not a sidewalk (like the Broekweg, from the railway into Merenwijk, in Leiden) people walk on the bike lane without problems between them and the bikes.

[@TAndTGoDutch]

Yes, that makes sense!

[@Lars_erik]

General rule when you have to walk on the bikelane/road is to walk in the opposite direction of the traffic so you can see the traffic coming and make room for each other when necessary. That’s one people often tend to forget these days and also ******* annoying 😂

[@Rinzwind79]

@@Lars_erik On a road yes, but on a bikelane you are better of walking in the same direction as the bikes. I ride and walk on a bikelane every week and the problem with walking in the opposite direction is that sometimes there isn't enough room and the bike and pedestrian end up standing still facing each other. When you walk in the same direction it is easy to hold back a bit on your bike to wait for room while behind the pedestrian (especially runners) And yes ending up standing still does happen and that is also ***** annoying. The idea behind walking opposite direction is that you can make room, in reality that just doesn't happen on bikelanes very often. (and there isn't always room to do so) Though there isn't actual rules about it I would strongly recommend just walking the right way on bikelanes, unless you get a scare when someone passes.

[@rjh00]

A bonus one is, Be loud. (Except if it's King's Day or Soccer day.). Dutch people are very calm and chill and if you come around and disturb that, they will get very annoyed at you.

[@flitsertheo]

This is only valid within the Netherlands. Abroad you can always hear Dutch tourists from a mile away.

[@rjh00]

@@flitsertheo haha it's true. The Dutch love to go to foreign countries and get stupid drunk and be loud and annoying, maybe they are making up for not being able to do it at home.

[@eliezer1060]

Absoluut!

[@lolalilolily]

I'm excited to see you're in Delft and for your next video! 😁💙

[@estherscherpenisse4806]

I feel like number 10 should have been number one. People are way more touchy when it comes to Zwarte Piet than they are about cheese. And one that annoys me often is when people say they want to "do" the Netherlands in a day (because they're "doing Europe" in a week). And that is a visit to the Rijksmuseum, the Anne Frank house and Keukenhof or Kinderdijk - I mean 😤😤

[@TAndTGoDutch]

Yep, that’s a very American way of thinking! Before we moved here, we operated that way (I think it may have to do with limited time off.)

[@mavadelo]

psst, Esther... het is nummer 9 🙂

[@matthijsbouma]

All of them are true, but I have some others: 1. Crossing the street, and suddenly stop while crossing. Usually all bikers take your trajectory in account so they change the route how to cycle. But if you suddenly stop, people dont expect that and will crash into you. 2. Get offended by Dutch people being direct. Usually internationals take it the bad way, in a rude sense. However, most of the time it's very neutral. This also coincide with asking questions about what they are doing or going to do, because the Dutch person wants to know that to plan something with you. See whether the agendas align with eachother without. 3. Not communicating important information. Dutch people are direct and open, so communication is key. If you dont like it, say it clearly otherwise we just assume nothing is wrong. If you work or live together, communication is very important. 4. Not taking initiative, since we are direct Dutch usually take the initiative. If you don't take initiative in making plans it could be the people you want to engage are already planned for the entire week. It's rare for Dutch people having actual free time, and the free time is usually accounted for in the planning. 5. Walk the wrong way. Since we are driving and cycling leaning to the rightside of an area or path, we tend to walk the streets/stairs like that aswell. If you walk the wrong side, people that are in a hurry will bounce into you. And if you tend to walk slowly, you should walk on the uttermost rightside (same principle as on the highway). 6. Cancelling last minute. Don't cancel plans last minute or even on the same day without a good reason. Waiting for a package will not suffice.

[@matthijsbouma]

Do have to say I wasn't offended or something :p good video!

[@sander_bouwhuis]

Wow! You are describing us (at the very least me) perfectly. I work with mostly people from other countries (some even outside of Europe), so it all sounds extremely familiar.

[@ashleyftcash]

I like that you mentioned cancelling plans. I took the time to plan and I hate planning. I am looking forward to meeting up and then you cancel... Big chance I am not going to take the time to make plans again.

[@markschattefor6997]

I know and understand that a lot of foreigners call Dutch food bland. But on the other hand why does a dish need so much spices that you can't taste the original flavour of the meat and/or vegetables anymore? Could it be that very spicy food comes from regions closer to the equator where they didn't have ( or still don't have) efficient cooling? I don't know, but it is something to think about. And yes overcooked vegetables were something that my grandmother did, but she was happy to have enough food to feed her children, even during WW2.

[@nispen]

I find it hilarious if Americans call Dutch food bland

[@EelcoHillenius]

@@nispen there are a lot of immigrants in the US, especially in the cities, and there's typically lots of international options around. Then again, most Dutch people I know, while they like their stamp pot, will also eat spicy Indonesian and Surinam food. I don't know many Dutch people who don't like to mix things up tbh.

[@Dutchbelg3]

The only thing annoying about the Zwarte Piet thing is to have an opinion by hear-say information or even worse by some foreigner on youtube ;-) (No I am not talking about you 2 my friends!) Some people draw parallels with all kind of racist things they experienced or what they heard from 3rd parties and then have an opinion without knowing the background story... The Amsterdam thing is very true especially when people think that all Dutchies smoke weed and do cocaine and have a Red Light District in every 2nd street of every village. It's like telling that all Dutchies live in a windmill wearing woodern shoes eating stamppot. Owwwww!!! I know another one to piss off Dutchies! Telling them their food is just deep fried crap and bland stamppot.. Just because (some) tourists don't look further than the stereotypes: Stamppot , "raw" herring, Fries with frikandel and black licorice.. There is sooooo much more! It's like telling Dutchies drink only Heineken ;-) OK, it is Dutch yes. But there is also Grolsch, Bavaria, Oranjeboom, Amstel, etc. etc. - Well OK nothing is better than the Belgium beers... Of course! 🙂

[@flitsertheo]

The Zwarte Piet controversy is also a very Dutch problem. In Belgium where Sinterklaas and Zwarte Piet are also popular way less fuss is made about the subject.

[@arthurkortekaas7357]

as a Dutch person i really don't care whether people call it Holland or The Netherlands. what annoys me a very little bit is how everyone thinks it annoys us XD (but maybe other hollanders feel differently about it) What annoys me more is everyone confusing Pennsylvania Dutch with Netherlands Dutch. btw Holland is so much easier to type so i get why people overseas use that more.

[@Linda-hs1lk]

I obviously don't like being late and expect others to be on time. That goes far. I needed an operation a couple of years ago and had that pre check thing. They sent me into the doc's room but no one showed up. Ten minutes later, no one. At that point my bloodpressure is rising. They expect ME to be on time, that's what I expect from them too. I understand something can come in between, it's a hospital, but don't just let me sit there but warn me saying what's going on. But no, nothing. So after almost half an hour I started packing my stuff together and right at that moment the doc walked in like nothing was going on. He saw me packing my things though and asked me what I was doing. I told him I was going to leave because I don't like it when people just assume they can let me wait like that, no matter if he's the doctor or not. The doc looked a bit surprised but he apologized and ok, he did the check up after all. But I won't accept it, I just leave, no matter where I am.

[@beauwolf5729]

As an American who has lived a long time in the Netherlands and who speaks fluent Dutch and know the people very well; first of all, there a regional differences. In the south were i have lived a long time, " going Dutch" was uncommon. A spontaneous visit was not a problem. And being a little late, no one ever made a fuzz about it.( Brabants kwartiertje). But when we moved to the west i encountered more of the stereotypes. A lot of Dutch stereotypes are based upon the Netherlands " above the rivers". I currently live in Belgium and compared to the Dutch..... my God. It makes me miss the Netherlands.

[@BartRunning]

You gave a very big smile. I’m from Brabant. And I’m happy you got treated the right way! Cudo’s to your mention of the Brabants kwartiertje jonge!

[@user-dj8ir5dv3y]

Amsterdammers in general are a bit cocky (maybe you've heard about Amsterdam's bluff), Rotterdammers are cheeky, Hagenezen ( a Hageneese is someone born and raised in The Hague ) coarse in mouth and Limburgers are reserve Dutch. Zeelanders are frugal, Frisians are asos who don't teach their children normal ABN (Algemeen Beschaafd Nederlands wich stands for civilized/proper/refined Dutch ) and Groningers are as stiff as starched table linen. People from Brabant are usually seen as Burgundian and it seems as if there is a Brabant claim to the word 'gezelligheid', which is not inextricably linked to alcohol. For those who are born and raised above the rivers, they are considered as lazy peasants. Groetjes uit Amsterdam.

[@EelcoHillenius]

@@BartRunningin my experience going Dutch wasn't common above the river either (kinda made you look bad if you'd insist in sharing the bill). But maybe because technology makes it so easy to share, it's the typical thing now...

[@dionkoffie]

Have you been to Texel yet? Really cool place you can visit in an entire day. The ferry is cheap and easy too. I'd recommend renting some bikes or bringing your own though. It's much more fun that way.

[@cyrielmartens3575]

I personally don't mind talking bad about dutch food. Because I know it's a bit boring and bland. But there is a little truth in there I guess. When you insult a countries food, you insult part of their culture. And going to a different country and say their food is bad. Is always going to be a bit sensitive. But kuddos for bringing it up about your previous video.👌 I DO get very tired about the zwarte Piet thing. I'm a dutch person of color, I don't mind zwarte Piet at all. But some other people do, and I get it. But there's also mixed origin stories. So it's always going to be discussion. And I'm so so tired of it hahaha.😔

[@gammaraygem]

Born and raised Dutch, after 50 years living there I decided to move to Portugal. In Netherlands, I used to get irritated when someone was 5 minutes late for an appointment. And not call. Here at times they never show up and dont call either. And they do not understand why you are upset. If a party starts at nine dont arrive before ten, because nobody will be there. In my first years in Portugal I had many awkward hours with uncomfortable hosts ... But I have come to appreciate the "looseness"...it is more organic and in some strange way, it also works. But, to be honest, somehow I do think that co ordinating speech and action is (as in speaking the truth) a more reliable way to instill confidence, or build a society.

[@JaapGinder]

Good video! Nice edit too!

[@TAndTGoDutch]

Thanks so much!

[@petra73]

If you are late in the province of noord brabant it is called a Brabants kwartiertje. It is normal to be 15 minutes late.

[@sylviasmits9275]

We try to eliminate that problem whit people who have a tendensy of doing that by just add another 15 minits to the actual time they have to be there

[@user-pv1to4nt1u]

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

[@dannyvandervelde1000]

You pretty much nailed this one! :)

[@pbilk]

Oliebollen is my favourite! A regular tradition half my family does at New Years in Canada.

[@BartRunning]

Way back I also was like: I’ll pay this time, you do next. But if you both mean to split the costs, it’s way more effective to just do a Tikkie indeed. One person pays, the rest pays that person back. We don’t look at the bill if someone had an Irish whiskey at the end instead of a normal coffee. That’s all good. This way you can order what you want all night and still end up satisfied on all sides :) It’s fun to watch your videos as a Dutch person. As I can’t see what I’m used to sometimes. You’re awesome for exploring our small but awesome country. Hats off to you friends! Ps: if you’re ever in Breda again. I’d love to treat you for coffee or lunch. (I won’t send a Tikkie afterwards tough).

[@toinkyfloof5637]

The bathroom calendar got me! That’s one of these things that’s in a lot of households indeed but never felt ‘typical’

[@sander_bouwhuis]

I think that is for elderly people. I don't know any of my friends who have something like that (and I'm almost 50). My 70+ year mom and 75+ year mother in law... yes, they do.

[@annetbakker8770]

I recognize a lot of your list, haha. Short history lesson: in 1579 an alliance was formed between 7 countries. Those countries were called low countries. In 1581 thoses countries formed the federal republic of the seven united Netherlands (from neder = low, lands = countries), including the countries Holland, Frylan, Overijssel, Utrecht, Groningen, Brabant and Zeeland. This explains why many outside the region Holland don't like to be called Holland. I really enjoyed this video, thank you so much for making them.

[@annetbakker8770]

@@bishplis7226 You're right, I had better called them provinces. The provinces had an unique history and culture and dialect, Fryslan even has an official language up to this day. I literally translated the word "land" and "landen" in the Dutch Republic's name into country and countries. The Republic still was a federal state with specific provinces.

[@davidben8426]

As a dutchie, ow yea the time appointment is something you have to communicate. If I say ' ik ben er rond half 7' means I try to be at 'half 7'. But if I'm later "sorry Tracey" I will say "ik ben er bijna denk 10 over half". Tho if ya make an appointment and you're late just app them, mostly they understand but if you show up 1hour later your probably not meeting them.

[@Linda-hs1lk]

The Amsterdam thing is very annoying for us. I grew up in Rotterdam, I have American friends but even they often talk about the Dutch woman from Amsterdam. I never lived and never will live in Amsterdam, lol. Then again, living on the other side of the country is still pretty 'near' Amsterdam for Americans, although for us it's on the other side of the country, lol.

[@Marianneduetje]

Oh, yes!

[@EelcoHillenius]

I lost count how many times I tell people I'm Dutch and they start talking about their visit to Copenhagen or how some family member was stationed in Germany!

[@Kees247]

Great video. You nailed it all :) If you ever go back please make a video like this about the USA. If it is made the right way I love some nice dutch "stamppot" (sauerkraut or kale or endive) with Dutch smoked sausage and bacon. O and don't forget the hole in the middle filled with gravy :)

[@NL-001]

As a Dutch person I think it’s quite okay when foreigners talk about the Zwart (black) Piet issue. Please confront us with this terribly traditional which should stop immediately. Many people here are just frozen in a old fashion system and found it hard to change. The other points you mentioned: the tourist Gouda cheese is just bad quality, from a factory, colored etc. Yes, be on time when you meet people. Nothing wrong with that. You should not let others wait. Don’t stop on the bicycle lane, talking, looking on you map or whatever. It’s dangerous, the cyclist have to make a emergency stop or could bump into you. And for the other point: nobody is perfect, every country has its habits.

[@janvanleeuwen2535]

Again a great vid👍. No worries, I can't imagine that you offend or piss off anyone 😅. Those were all facts 👍😅. Keep up the good work 👍

[@TAndTGoDutch]

Thank you so much! ❤️

[@brianaustin7113]

For #5 - I've noticed that one of my friend groups in the US (almost all born and raised in Boston or New England) behave similarly. It might be that we have a wide array of dietary preferences that impact prices, or maybe regional. Or we could just be weird for Americans 😂 Also, I'm going to be visiting the Netherlands in June, and now I will (hopefully) annoy Dutch people in fewer ways. Dankjewel Tracey and Travis!

[@TAndTGoDutch]

How fun! Hopefully you’ll be checking out more than just Amsterdam! 😉

[@brianaustin7113]

I will indeed! Utrecht pride is during my visit, so I'm going to check that out, and maybe the Spoorwegmuseum.

[@TAndTGoDutch]

Yay! We can’t speak to pride in Utrecht, but the train museum is AMAZING!

[@charleneakse5606]

In Limburg, the very south of the Netherlands, one would be highly suprised if you send a Tikkie for small amounts of money (say under €5,-???) without prior consultation of explicit instruction ("Please send me a Tikkie!") of your friends or company after a nice evening out. We would take turns like you would.

[@charleneakse5606]

For a future video, would you please visit the very very south of Limburg for Carnaval this year! It's an unbelievably amazing event, especially when you watch a parade or "carnavalsoptocht"! Please visit Kerkrade (on Monday 20-2), or Sunday 19-2 in Heerlen or Maastricht!

[@mikehes2257]

The problem is with the Zwarte Piet discussion is that a small group wants to fors their will towards a group of people who have a different opinion. (that's what the Dutch don't like, your not going to fors or tell me what is right or what is not okay). We Dutch are proud on having a opinion.

[@RFGfotografie]

Great video/list. True to.

[@JL-hn6hi]

I have a vintage 22 page travel brochure in English published by the NL board of Tourism titled HOLLAND, that is clearly about all parts of the Netherlands. There’s an ad inside it for KLM that talks about visiting Holland, while describing upcoming events in various NL locations. Another ad inside for Avis says, ‘The easy way to see Holland.’ Looks like the publication date was 1989 or 1990.

[@dutchdykefinger]

plenty of dutch football shirts were made that said "holland" in those older glory times too in many languages they call it some variant of oland(a) too

[@AudieHolland]

*Getting Hit By Bikes* if you feel you've made a terrible mistake and a bike is going to hit you, don't put up your arms to wave or anything! Keep your arms straight, pressed tightly against your body. Else, your arm might get caught by a bike or by the cyclist's body and that may knock you over or drag you a bit. When it comes down to it, bikes are inherently unstable contraptions. The only thing preventing a bike from crashing is the bicyclist's skill and the speed the bike is going. So if you get hit by a bike, you'll probably remain standing and it's the bicyclist who will have a nasty accident. *Some other essential Dutch survivalist advice:* Don't go sit in the silent train cabins. It's not worth the frustration. Just sit in any regular train cabin and you'll find those are pretty quiet too. And if someone is loudly talking (on their phone), you're perfectly entitled to tell them to turn down the volume. Because a regular train cabin may not be a silent train cabin, it still isn't a bar.

[@eefaaf]

Do you know the side of the Klokpoort going towards the Hooigracht where the bike path and goes behind the bus stop? The sidewalk there is usually, if not permanently, clogged by parked bikes, so pedestrians can't help but walk onto the bike path. I've been in both roles, biker and pedestrian, there and it's annoying (if not dangerous) for both. An other reason you would walk on the bike path would be when you have to push a wheelchair, as that's often smoother, not having curbs and such, than the sidewalk.

[@RH-ro3sg]

1) I guess we Dutch take bikes as seriously as cars. In most countries, you'll probably get just as many angry reactions if you walk on the car lane without necessity. 2) 'stiltecoupé'. Talking there (or playing music) without necessity there is just generally inconsiderate of others. I would suppose that kind of behaviour would annoy most people, not just the Dutch, if they have something similar to the 'stiltecoupé' in their country, that is. 3) Culture thingy. We're planners indeed. 4) Would probably be similar saying to the Scottish, Welsh, or Irish they live in 'England' and it will get you the same type of reaction. (Even though Scotland, etc, are really different countries and we're only talking provinces here). 5) For me it's mostly the other way around. I don't mind paying for someone else's dinner and then forgetting all about it. In fact I do this every few weeks with a friend of mine. One time I pay, the other time she pays and we trust it will globally even out. But I _hate_ being in someone's debt when I don't know when I'll be able to make it up, so this happens mostly with someone I don't see often. So in that case if the other pays I prefer to _receive_ a 'tikkie', so that I can pay my debt and then all forget about it. In case I pay the meal, in many cases I'll say it's OK this way, but if the other wants to pay me back, I will send a tikkie , because then I'll assume it works the same way for them. The money itself doesn't interest me. Well, within certain limits of course. I suppose I'll not be too happy if I have to pay for a group of 25 people and no-one is even acknowledging perhaps they should pay me back. 6) Is a variation on (4). Netherlands is more than Holland, so it's certainly more than Amsterdam. 7) Is the other side of the coin of (3) - _not_ appearing when you _don't_ have an appointment and appearing on time when you _do_ have an appointment. Basically not respecting someone else's time (both private time and public time) is seen as offensive. 9) Talking about Zwarte Piet doesn't offend me. I think many Dutch people recognise that in itself it's a perfectly valid discussion topic, but most are _tired_ of it by now because we've had years of discussion about it, all arguments have been exchanged, and some people are very set in their conviction. However I might get slightly annoyed if a foreigner starts attacking me for our racist tradition when it is clear (s)he didn't even do a basic reading up on the tradition. Even though I'm one that thinks we'd better leave 'zwarte Piet' to the history books from now on. But I can't stomach (8) our holy Dutch Cheese being offended! That's an attack on our national pride!

[@dutchyjhome]

A foreign Zwarte Piet standing on the bike path, not minding his own business, laughing his ass of of Dutch culture, yeah that will be the day that the poked bear will get him. It's a bit like teasing Bokito; one day one will find out it would have been better if one would not have teased Bokito.

[@alicia.3740]

You are such a nice couple. I'm not offended but can't identify myself with some of the statements. People come to our house unannounced and I like that. I only use a tickie when I'm out for dinner with colleagues and it has been agreed in advance that everyone pays a part. The bill is then divided by eight people if you are with eight people. We're not going to be difficult and look back at who ordered what. It is different with friends, one time one pays and the other time the other. And about the cheese, that's everyone's right to say it's not tasty right?! Tastes do differ. I'm Dutch but I don't like Dutch food, I find it tasteless. I'm curious how you like it, and I don't mean bitterballen and frikandellen haha.

[@henrischutte1968]

Hello, nice video. but there are many like this. Maybe you should explore item #4 some further. Although you stated that there is more to the Netherlands than just Holland, when you dig in deeper you might conclude not only the Netherlands is but even the Dutch are even different outside of Holland. Some of the stereotypes might not even apply to some regions outside Holland at all or you'll find complete new ones.

[@1970liesje]

some more about the food. We are master in taking foreign food and adapting it. Great example : Rijsttafel. It's Chinese/Indonesian food transformed for us ;-) You get a big bowl of nasi/bami with a load of little side dishes. One of them big square pieces of Kroepoek (prawn crackers), 3 of them make one A4 paper, instead of those tiny ones everywhere else. Also shoarma, using the herbs and technics but mostly not the lamb. Pork and chicken are cheaper, so those are used. Peanut sauce happend to combine great with frietsaus and fries. Patatje Oorlog The worst invention (my opinion, my kids disagree) Kapsalon. That's shoarma, fries, salad and cheese together in one bowl and reheated in an oven.

[@Ozymandias1]

There is an exception to #7. If you have a party in the Netherlands and tell everyone that it begins at 19:00 you can expect the guests to arrive at 20:00. That’s quite normal.

[@InWeCome]

Probably because there is also no end time, there's a lot of people coming and it's very informal. However some guests may still actually be there at 19:00 so it's not a rule.

[@Linda-hs1lk]

I'd be there the moment the clock strikes 7, lol. My sister on the other hand, MIGHT show up a hour later...

[@gerritvalkering1068]

However, if the party is at a club at 21:00 but first some drinks in a nearby bar at 20:00, don't show up at the bar at 20:55.

[@nielssterk2957]

Ik zou er stipt om 7 uur zijn. Zo toon je dank voor de uitnodiging, en misschien kun je nog een helpende hand toesteken voor het feest los gaat 😉

[@lysannedrop3092]

You can usually tell how strict the time is by how people say how late something starts. If they say "be there at 19:00" then they usually mean that you should be there at 19:00. When they say "around 19:00" then it's absolutely fine to show up later, but not much more than an hour late. At least that is my experience with my family and friends. It might be different in other families. So quick overview: "uurtje of 7 / rond 7 uur" means somewhere between 7 and 8 7 uur = 7 o'clock

[@bertschalk1798]

What you described in this video makes perfect sense to me and I do not feel offended at all ! Wrt to the cheese thing.......honestly, I couldn't care less how Goudse kaas (Gouda cheese) is pronounced by foreigners.......as long as we both understand what we're talking about then we should all be good, right ? Now....if someone comes around and tells me that Cheddar is just great and Gouda is not....then I would still not be offended. But I would in fact feel sorry for the guy (or gal) as he/she is clearly totally clueless :-) :-)

[@kkemp221]

The netherlands are very organized. This goes for almost everything and infrastructure is one of them. So there is room for pedestrians, bikes and cars. As long as everybody keeps on their part of the road the chances for an accident are small.

[@loesursem-timmerman6702]

I think you were honest about things you heard or experienced. The only thing that makes me angry, is when someone says that they still think that everything is better in the USA. My favourite food is still patatje mayo.

[@TAndTGoDutch]

Exactly! After living outside the USA for over a year, we can confirm that it’s not the case at all. The USA isn’t all its cracked up to be. Every country has its issues, of course, though.

[@Busfles984]

8 of 9 things mentioned don't annoy Brabanders or Limburgers. Only sales person at our front door annoy us too. Favorite foot: White Asparagus or also called White Gold, fresh only availabele from May to the end of June. So go in this two mounts to a restaurant in Limburg province and order Asparagus. Maybe the town of Margraten would be an interesting option to visit.

[@TAndTGoDutch]

Yum! White asparagus is something we’d like to learn more about so we can cook with it! What are your favorite ways to prepare it?

[@Busfles984]

@@TAndTGoDutch : Asparagus with Hollandaise sauce and salmon baked on the skin and boiled new (baby) potatoes (krielaardappeltjes) or firm potatoes (vastkokende aardappels). In the Hollanddaise sauce put firmly baked smoked bacon strips (gerookte spekreepjes) and crumbled hard boiled egg(s).) Optionally an arugula salad with croutons, olives and an olive oil dressing. Asparagus as thick as your pinky finger doesn't need to be peeled, just cut a small piece off the end. Asparagus as thick as one of the other fingers must be peeled. Asparagus as thick as your big toe are only good for asparagus soup.

[@Snowshowslow]

Yeah, walking in the bike lane (more specifically, stepping into it sideways without looking) and being late without notification will work on me for sure 👌 Most of the rest I'm not too fussed about but they are mostly culturally not done.

[@bikeamour]

You can make Rotterdammers mad if you say it is boring, windy or dirty with only concrete, lacking 'gezelligheid'. Germans can make us mad when asking where the city center is.

[@hanhenderikse]

Youve bombed in 1940! Next thing is about remembrance day on the 4th of may and then you ask the Germans tourists to be quiet at 20:00h for 2minutes because of all alies that died during WWII, and then they ask " what about all the Germans that died?" and then the answer is "we're gonna celebrate that tomorrow! (may 5th, liberation day in NL) ouch!

[@michaelburggraf2822]

@@hanhenderikse unfortunately German pupils hardly learn anything about the destruction caused by the Wehrmacht during WWII. As a German I would prefer that German visitors would be sufficiently mindful on such sensitive matters.

[@chubbymoth5810]

@@michaelburggraf2822 Well,.. the Germans bombed the centre, the allies bombed the port. I always suggest US citizens to visit the Plein 1943 in the Delfshaven area of Rotterdam, to reflect that war just sucks when you get bombed out and it sets bad blood regardless the cause. There are some other examples of places that got flattened by our liberators. It was off course due to you lot being here at the time, so yeah,... The most vexing thing for the Germans to do was steal our bikes though.

[@scarletr.7753]

Dutch tend to not like braggers and boasters. Don't like people coming round unannounced (everyone's busy and likes to plan social things - this even applies to the North of the country, but perhaps less so in the gezellige South). True also about not being late. Interestingly, in (the South of) France it is considered rude to actually arrive on time for a dinner invitation 😄 Because you have to grand the hostess 15 extra minutes in case she runs late with preparations. Dutch also as a whole don't like to waste money, and do like bargains or splitting bills.

[@AlbertZonneveld]

MY favorite Dutch foods are: Dutch pie soup Smoked eal Dutch shrimp Common sole Plaice Smoked mackarel Zeeland Mussels and or Oysters Stamppot, potatoes mashed with cale or with carrot and union (Hutspot) or with sauerkraut A bit fish heavy but hey we are a coastal region. Snackfood: Kroket, Frikandel, Bitterbal Pastries Oliebol, Dutch apple Pie Cookies Stroopwafel, Bitterkoekje, Café Noir

[@70ed81]

Someone already beat me to it with the same answer,......but I also think that arriving at someone's house uninvited is considered annoying especially in the west of the Netherlands, in some parts of the Netherlands such as the south, it has always been quite normal in the past to visit someone without calling first, even if you arrived an hour before dinner time, .... usually you were asked if you stayed with us for dinner without it being a problem ,.....so you see,every province has or had its own habits and customs.😉

[@biancawichard4057]

you get me really mad when after i tell you im from the Netherlands (or worse Amsterdam) you ask me how much drugs i use on a weekly base or asume that im easy to get or ask me how it is to work at the red light district (a bartender in Boston litterly asked me that even before serving me drinks, well he lost me as costumer and a good tip as well) so assuming that everybody over here uses drugs

[@albertlay8927]

Americans are special because they can annoy the Dutch in a way that nobody else can: telling (loudly) that America is the best, that everything is better in America, and being surprised that we have electricity here too. However, Germans have something like that too. I sometimes hear Germans pointing at things and saying that they do that better in Germany.

[@TAndTGoDutch]

What? Surprised about electricity? That’s absurd (and embarrassing to Americans!) America isn’t all it’s cracked up to be at all.

[@albertlay8927]

@@TAndTGoDutch Meaning of course that there are Americans who seem to be surprised that NL, and Europe in general, also have modern things and systems. They seem to think that a visit to Europe is a visit to the past.

[@flitsertheo]

One way to shut up bragging Germans is to tell them what they are bragging about was invented/introduced/promoted by the Nazis. Such as motorways.

[@suzannetwigt2240]

😂 so true Also when you take a walk anywhere and someone passes you by. If the person looks straight in your eyes and you greet them with a ‘hi’ or something and they don’t even have the courtesy to reply and just look away🤯 especially when they walk through the block your living in, it’s like your giving them a friendly welcome and there giving you the bird. Another.. Sometimes when you go to a store, seconds after you’ve just stepped in the shop assistend directly dives into your space if you need assistance.. excuse me I’d like to look around first. Feels like: Excuse you.. what’s your deal?! Should I leave right now? Are you really that bored or uptight? Handhaving: not really a cop, drives around in a car all day with a camera on top. At the end of the month you’ll get your parking fine in the mailbox. They used to walk around and put the fine by hand under your screen wiper. (You could see them coming) also, there used to be a lot of parking meters on the streets of Leiden and the rest of The Netherlands but now when you’r phone battery is down and you can’t use your parking app it can really be a search to find a meter sometimes.

[@Marianneduetje]

I am surprised no one mentions in the food category: bloemkool (met een wit sausje) en verse worst; princessenboontjes met een karbonade; gehaktbal met andijvie. And all of these with gekookte aardappelen en jus. Very traditional and maybe " young" people dont eat this anymore, but this used to be standard basic menu.

[@jokiep65]

"ever present aggressive bikebells"? That bell is for warning you, it seems a good thing to me.

[@aislingbooks]

Well done, you, especially the Tikkie suggestion, yes. As for noise in the train 'stilte kamer', it is most definitely rude rude rude. For the most part, I see us all just putting up with it without commenting our irritation at their thoughtlessness. Noise cancelling headphones are the best while travelling. One thing personally annoying me are those who indecisively loiter around entrances and exits of metros and train stations. There ARE passengers who can be late for work and/or other venues and need to hurry off to make other connections. I try not to be aggressive, myself, but I get so annoyed if I'm about to miss a connection and am jostling around others not moving aside when they see someone in a rush. Or maybe they don't see them. Some stand around and block these passageways, checking phones and staring into space looking stupefied. Perhaps they are jetlagged. I don't know. The few times I've elbowed my way through a crowd because of being late - which is often due to train delays or disruptions - I am truly embarrassed to be so obnoxious. To avoid this happening, I often plan my routes by taking earlier trains/metros/trams/busses. And there are some not courteous enough to get out of another's way by simply standing on the right side of lifts/escalators. So, yes, we do like tourists. We're all tourists somewhere sometimes. And it's nice when people touristing remember too that not everyone else is doing so, themselves. On the flipside, after a mechanical train delay, I experienced a woman jumping the check-out queue by quickly swiping her card underneath mine and exiting the station. I was so mad that I caught up and purposely bumped into her on the way to the metro. Okay, this wasn't nice of me either. All in all, I think awareness and mutual courtesy can go a long long way.

[@schiffelers3944]

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

[@jkenzo87]

I think one common annoyance across the Netherlands is using the bicycle bell without reason. Personally I'm also annoyed when foreigners assume I smoke weed because I'm Dutch. 😅

[@nataschaolannion]

You did not offend me, and true what you said. In other parts of the Netherlands. Mostly the door is open and yes now a day's everything is planned, but I've a friend comes at te door. Always time for a coffee and a chat. You asked form some Dutch food to try? A fresh erwtensoep of stampot met rollade.

[@jayanouni]

I had a Brazilian friend, always 2 hours late . I tried going late , it was genetically impossible . Best foods : Dropjes : dubbel zout and mannetje pis . There used to be much more choice then there is now days and only the swedes share a similar like of liquorice . Good Indonesian food in NL. Dutch kitchen : potato, ( over cooked ) veggies ,meat fried in butter . Bread and cheese food culture big time.

[@mwpbogaerts]

Maybe good to also take a look at "being upset" in the Netherlands. I feel like we might be a little upset and be pretty harsh in our statements about that topic and we will tell you if we think you are in the wrong however I also see (in general) that after this disagreement and the harsh statement is given all is fine from that point on. Don't do it twice and all is good and well :)

[@christinarodriguez7508]

For food , i would say dutch peasoup they call snert . with rey bread and katenspek . I perfect winter dish i loved it when i visited the Netherlands . Also in Zeeland they serve exellent mussels .

[@adema1978]

Regarding Tikkie or splitting the bill. It depends where you live...I for one rarely use Tikkie o mind if you miss out on being a round down the pub. If you do that weekly than it is an issue for me...

[@anitalast3647]

So treu. Funny to hear all of this.

[@geneiwanskijr5957]

There was one thing that really concerned me in the video. I’m visually impaired. and I know a friend who is totally blind and has a seeing eye dog. I ride my bike, walk, and use Transit. My friend would walk with her seeing eye dog and use Transit. But when you said that if a pedestrian wandered into the bike lane, they could be yelled at or even hit, how would a blind person know if they’ve wandered into the bike lane? Are the lines between the bike lane and the pedestrian lane raised? And the other thing was that if we as pedestrians wander into the bike lane, as a pedestrians, we could be hit or yelled at or whatever, but if a bicyclist wants to wander into the pedestrian lane, they feel entitled to do so. That very mentality or sense of entitlement is part of the reason why I want to leave the United States. But if bicycle riders in the Netherlands have the same attitude, then it doesn’t seem to matter where I go to get away from the entitlement of the majority, regardless of whether they’re on two wheels or four wheels. In the end, it comes down to mob rule.

[@ReneHaveman]

city life issues, in the rural parts, and in the north and east it is different, the door is always open even if you come just before dinner, be part of it!

[@hcjkruse]

Regarding the Gouda Cheese, a lot of crap window sealant is labelled Gouda cheese sometimes made outside the Netherlands. Good Gouda cheese is nice. There are more interesting Dutch cheeses to explore. Perhaps do a more broad cheese testing with a few fellow US KZbinrs living in the Netherlands. Have fun.

[@gino_58_nl24]

Love your video's and try some other cheese like Edammer, Leerdammer or Old Amsterdam and so much more very good cheese we have here

[@sylviasmits9275]

In my hometown we have combined lanes for bikes and pedestrians. I don't ride a normal bike but an electrical trisicel and so I'm wider than a normal bike. I always ring my bell because people tend to walk in the middel of the lane and I never know whitch way they are going to move and because they asume there is enough space for a bike to pass they are ennoyed. But as I said, I take up more space than a normal bike so very often I have to ring my bell again and that pisses people of. But then they see my trisicle and realise wy I dit it. What pisses me of the most however here in the Netherlands are the rightwinged people who consider every refuge a fortune seaker. I agree that our system isn't perfect. But I meet refugees from Syrië and the ukrain on a dayly basis and I can assure you they came not here in the persute of happyness. The lives they left behined where mutch better than what they have here. They want to go back but they have nothing to go back to. There houses and buisnesses are destroied. I'm getting mad just writing about it knowing people just don't want to see the facts. But that's what pisses me of

[@schiffelers3944]

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

[@schiffelers3944]

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

[@Linda-hs1lk]

My siblings and I try getting together at least once a year. That's not much but we're kinda 'on our own' and we don't mind. It's fun though and I love that day. Most of the time one of my brothers will pick up the bills. But you can be sure you'll get a tikkie in the evening so you can pay your part of the bill, lol.

[@Loudipou]

Hahaha omg its sooo true. Love your vids!

[@AvanToor]

About going dutch: it ties in neatly with our tendency to plan and our directness. I you want to pick up the bill or, for any reason, need them to pay, just bring it up! But do it in time, before you even think about asking for the bill.

[@yumpjeb9089]

3:18 near lammerschans? There is a complete neighborhood build for students there. So yes, a lot of bikers going to university and stuff. (My son lives there 😅)

[@framek5736]

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

[@InWeCome]

Showing up unannounced, being more than 30 mins late and not splitting bills (in your favor - the Dutch will keep a tab in their mind) are really the worst. These will annoy people so much you may actually lose friends. And you won't know until you realize they've stopped calling you.

[@jsb7975]

That's really bull shit. Here in Brabant everybody fits in nicely when it comes to the "BRABANTS KWARTIERTJE" meaning that no-one is on time at an appointment .

[@knelia2]

@@jsb7975 I think that depends. If you've actually agreed on a time to meet, I would expect you to be on time. Otherwise, I would find it rather disrespectful.

[@jsb7975]

@@knelia2 well finding that disrespectful is at least here concidered as rude, charmless and a lack of suppleness...

[@antopetcu500]

I would say that as a rule when submerging into a new place and culture , as long as one follows 'When in Rome, Do as the Romans Do' which refers to the importance of adapting to the customs of the people who are in a certain place or situation and behave like they do there will be no challenges.

[@sixpackpilot]

I read an American article that was clearly about a Dutch company, but called it Danish. Not the first time this happened. Apparently the Danish and Dutch are difficult to tell apart for some (non-Europeans). Is it because both are small countries bordering the North Sea, both start with a D and both speak gibberish?

[@robertwemmers8562]

Hi it the old Dutch - Canadian again, i was about fourteen years old ,that my old lower grade school ask me to play zwarten piet for the lower grades, that was in nineteen fifty four, and i loved it Maybe . i told you that Delft is the city ware the first prince of orange was living and got killed. My parents wear born there. I like your stuff..

[@gerritvalkering1068]

1: yes 2: Not really 3: yeah, once, sure, but don't do it too often 4: Growing up in Holland, I can't care too much about it :D 5: That really, really depends on how good friends you are. When I go out with a good friend, neither of us keeps track who paid what. If it's a group where I'm friends with most but there's also a few people I'm not too sure about, yeah. Especially since I don't drink alcohol and don't want to get saddled with the bill of someone ordering craft beer, or special wines, or whisky. 6: It's like thinking the US is either like New York or rural Texas. Yes, it's annoying 7: Yes. Punctuality is one of the most important virtues. 8: Yep. Don't roast the food. 9: It's a sore point. Not sure if people would become your enemy over this, though. Agree to disagree is acceptable.

[@schiffelers3944]

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

[@coverhoeven2904]

Most of them are so true. I just hate when people come unannounced or show up late. We plan a lot so both those things get in the way

[@anniek4681]

If you go out for dinner and the amount is reasonably the same, it will be agreed upon to split even. Some people will pay a little less, some a little more then they actualy were owned. But noone will complain because it was agreed upon to split even. Because sometimes it's easier to do and people (i am at least) are not so cheap that i will complain if i have to pay a few euro's more then i would if it was calculated.

[@benitomartin9193]

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

[@roccoandmurphy]

you forgot that as a foreigner you are not allowed to think that anything is better in your home country than in The Netherlands. When I moved here 21 years ago I made the mistake to say that certain things like e.g. the educational system are better organized in the country I was born and the response I got from the Dutch person I was talking to was " if you don't like it here and everything is better in your country you should go back" The hospitality ended right there. The funny thing is that the Dutch themselves complain about everything. Klagen (complaining) a Dutch thing so how come that they get offended if a foreigner does it? Btw if someone sends you a tikkie for 5 euros they are cheap af also for Dutch standards. In other countries it is possible to get multiple checks per table at a restaurant. In The Netherlands that is not common. You will only get one check per table and these days most people including me don't have cash in their wallet hence the tikkie but it is not a typical Dutch thing to pay for what you consumed.

[@jasper46985]

Hahah, Yeah we are pretty chauvinistic overhere😅

[@Hensepens64]

Whatever you both are saying..you are too nice and sympathetic to make enemies. You are a pleasant addition for our country 💋. To reply on your end-quote "thit we ofevd you?" . No way.. not in the way you are discussing all the items (and yes, zwarte piet is delicate in the Netherlands). Ps. To be Dutch-direct .. you used The Netherlands as description in your Holland vz Netherlands item. To be completely right it's "the Netherlands", no capitol T. Sorry to be Dutch direct 😁

[@jusssie010]

De beste manier om iemand uit Nederland te irriteren is wanneer iemand je iets persoonlijks of negatief over jou wilt vertellen, maar diegene er lang om heen gaat blijven draaien uit beleefdheid. Zeg het direct of blijf stil😂

[@jboreel1936]

About Dutch food: for the Texan our food may be quite bland compared to all the fiery spicy Texan delicacies. But Americans don't realise that the Netherlands are on the same latitude as Alaska. Thanks to the Gulfstream we enjoy a rather mild climate but can't grow the same things. We have to import them or grow in heated greenhouses. Fresh herbs you find in summer. For something really spicy try Indonesian sambal, you can get at the toko. I bet that Travis will be conquered by sambal setan (setan means satan), the hottest of all the sambals. Enjoyed your videos as always.

[@TAndTGoDutch]

I may force Travis to eat that sambal for a video. 😂😂😂 Thank you so much for the suggestion!

[@carolinavanderlande4904]

Zwarte Piet is definitely still a controversial topic, although it used to be much worse. The public opinion has gradually shifted towards change. Although I’m pro change, I do understand where the anti opinion comes from. People, including myself, just never perceived it as being racist and by changing the tradition they feel like they are accused of being racists in the past. Also, Zwarte Piet is actually the fun and likeable character, while Sinterklaas is just a grumpy old man. I have actually even played Piet in a public event two times. I don’t regret it but would certainly never do it again (the old fashioned way). That’s due to advanced insight.

[@TAndTGoDutch]

Thank you so much for sharing your insight with us! We appreciate you!

[@bertkassing8541]

Ha, I'm 63 years old and my favorite Dutch food is: Krabbetjes (in English it's ribs). But you make Braadkkrabben differently.