What an OG American Expat LOVES about the DUTCH & the NETHERLANDS, part 1

[@fredcadee8653]

I'm Dutch and moved to the UK 30 years ago. I've learned a lot about myself today 😂

[@bertvanvliet4841]

The bigger the car the smaller the pippi

[@abel6846]

Yes, we are direct, but we’re also benevolent with it (for the most part).

[@ACwebseries]

The Dutch do give alot to charities and the 555 funds, etc....

[@GabberPinda]

That Chinese men is a legend in the Netherlands. We all ❤ him😃

[@randolf84]

i love the chinese guy, and i know he lives here a long time and get well paid for the performance.. we dutch know how difficult it is to learn our language, they want to prove its not about the text of a song but the melody ;)

[@jussie1998]

After living in the Netherlands for so long, have you implemented any of the 'directness' in your own values? To rephrase, if you would move back to the US, what traits or principles would you take with you?

[@ACwebseries]

Great question. As I’ve never been a politically correct person, the one thing I would try to do more is be more direct and put more priority on pleasing myself. But that might be difficult as that isn’t in my DNA and in the US that is less accepted.

[@urbandiscount]

makes sense now. thanks.@@ACwebseries

[@triplecorn]

Refreshing outlook you have ❤

[@ACwebseries]

Thank you!

[@PickupthePieces76]

A well constructed telling of your thoughts on this. However, without the context of living here or being Dutch, it might come across as we don't consider anyone else. We do. However the balancing act of our own and others needs is slightly different then elsewhere. To our mutual benefit mostly. We don't always get it right of course, but that's just being human.

[@ACwebseries]

Thank you for your note. There are certainly exceptions, like my Dutch husband puts others before himself… some things are incongrous, like the Dutch donate to causes and charities… 555, etc.

[@janvandoren8910]

Why did KZbin put your video in my list… you are completely ignorant. Try to get out of Amsterdam and live a proper Dutch life.

[@urbandiscount]

When. When do "we" do that. I see rather the reverse.

[@aadb159]

spreek je ook nederlands! na 15 jaar hier te wonen?

[@ACwebseries]

natuurljk wel

[@tetaomichel]

Fake people create their own ego. Real people do not need stuff to look good. To be good is better. To be is better than to have.

[@JanuzTrance68]

Nice video Jer. Groetjes Arjen

[@ACwebseries]

Dank je Arjen!

[@berniewinnicki6638]

Occam’s Razor!

[@jetfromholland4533]

Oh my….I’m a Dutch woman, and i would like the NO…NO-boards on the beach….I don’t like too much directness…I think I should come out and say “I identify as an American”!😉😆

[@ACwebseries]

They’re always exceptions! Nothing wrong with that! 🇺🇸🇳🇱

[@patrickscholten222]

nice to hear your talking about the thinks, ben het met veel dingen eens

[@ACwebseries]

Dank je wel!!!

[@Linda-hs1lk]

I'm not sure what beach you went to but the few times I go to the beach there are signs horses aren't allowed, dogs aren't allowed etc. Never saw something about loud music but it surely would piss me up big time if someone even BRINGS something that makes loud noise (they call music). The rest might be true but then again, I would rather die than sitting on a beach with a couple of thousand others...

[@ACwebseries]

Loud music isn’t restricted, but I used that as an example of what certain people might do or what some find annoying. Unfortunately lots of restrictions at beaches and don’t get me started about parking. You need a lawyer to go thru all of those!

[@nickw22689]

The looming threat of getting sued in the US is totally embarrassing if you think about it! I'm an English expat in America and the English have a similar attitude towards this as the Dutch do. Do shit at your own risk, pal! Don't come after me if you do something stupid or something unlucky happens to you.

[@ACwebseries]

The worst was the lady who sued Mc Donalds because she burned her lip while drinking hot coffee. She won and now every coffee to-go comes with a warning. Recently a woman sued Burger King because her baby burned itself with a chicken nugget. She won $800K. Embarrassing indeed.

[@rjdverbeek]

Having 4 times as many lawyers per capita in the US says it all.

[@buddy1155]

I found it very interesting what you said about own responisbility, I have seen that in the US as well with fenced in swimming pools. What I do find strange that several US states, counties and cities have "vision zero", that comes from Europe, it basicly means that the government is responsible for the safety of people in traffic. That why roads are continously upgraded from save to more saver, the goal is zero traffic fatalities. Why has the US so little protection for cyclists? Arent they afraid they get sued?

[@Bruintjebeer6]

No. The US is a car driving country. Public transportation and bike riding like in the Netherlands is not a common good over there Because of the 2008 crisis and covid 19 economic crisis in the US more people are started to use a bike to go to work. Even if the supermarket is around the corner so to speak. You can't get there by bike or walk Only in big cities and still it is difficult. As soon as you get outside a suburb or neighborhood the road are designed foe cars only. A bike is a cars enemy in the US If you right your bike on the road anyway you have to watch out that cars try to drive you of the road. Bike riders have rights what so ever and bike on their own responsibility. Cars are king in the US. Pedestrians and bikers walk and bike on their own risk on roads ment for cars and will have a hard time getting any money in case of an accident

[@ACwebseries]

the fenced in swimming pools is a great example. Did you see the last season of "Curb Your Enthusiasm? It's a major issue and plot point that is hilarious.

[@ACwebseries]

@@Bruintjebeer6 agreed. My Dutch husband laughed at me that I drove one block to the grocery store. Although the younger generations are biking more, most don't even think about cyclists when they are driving. One of the worst hazards for a cyclist is having a parked driver opening their door as your biking by. Ouch. Also roads aren't constantly being upgraded in LA... no money..... that is a topic in my part 2 video coming up

[@buddy1155]

@@Bruintjebeer6 you might be right, it looks like the US government want to protect everyone against everything except guns and cars.

[@buddy1155]

@@ACwebseries I think the car door issue is overexaggerated, never happend to me, never seen it happen and never heard about it. 99% of the time people get out of their car right after they arrive and you have seen them parking, if not you see them sitting in a car. Also people don't swing their door all the way open at once, they open a bit put a feet on the ground and open the rest. More than enough time to react. I drive a motorbike, if you are lane splitting on the highway some people do it on purpose and nobody managed to hit me (yet). ps. lane splitting is legal in the Netherlands but not everyone knows as it used to be illigal.

[@EJannings]

What does OG means? If just googled it and I got the result that it's an abbreviation for "original gangster"..

[@ACwebseries]

That’s me… original gangster… lol. 😂. Slang meaning “old school”

[@pipperik]

Original

[@EJannings]

@@pipperikThanks. I really didn't know.

[@DenUitvreter]

I don't watch the show, but it's generally accepted as a fact that lots of people in the world don't speak Dutch at all and people moving here have trouble with, especially with such a distant native language as Chinese. There is no embarassement in not speaking the language well unless you were born and raised Dutch. That also has to do with just seeing it and taking it for what it is. We don't have to pretend he's speaking Dutch well because he can't be expected to speak Dutch well. We know he knows we know, whithout the BS in between there is nothing to embarass him.

[@ACwebseries]

Exactly!!! And I like that….

[@robbitter9524]

THE Dutch don't exist I would say... There might be a general consensus or code of behaviour, but it is also based on the nuances within that group interaction and the right to be yourself. I think that a lot of Dutch people are interested in a foreigner or new contact and he/she gets the benefit of the doubt as long as he/she is (believed to be) sincere. When someone isn't they get the axe soon enough and run the risk of getting shunned. I personally like the open approach where both can have their values and still communicate - try that in US politics...

[@rmyikzelf5604]

Not being offended is not a human right.

[@666Maeglin]

Yeah The nethertlands is not really a country for intersectional Wokees.

[@arjanpaans654]

hou difrent kan wester cultjer bi Its a scheem amereca is nut douwn to urth

[@cphcph12]

A thicker skin is important. More important still iis th ability to accept no answers to political correct questions. Lower your expectations.

[@velascog]

American inmigrant, inmigrant…

[@royaldutch4208]

Your totally wrong Woke sheise

[@har3036]

Please, don't call yourself an expat. It sounds pretentious.

[@ACwebseries]

Is dual citizen less pretentious? 😉😂

[@mhfs61]

It isn’t pretentious if you know the meaning. An expatriate is someone who temporarily or permanently lives in a country other then the one they where born and grew up.

[@j.vanderson6239]

I always hear foreigners talk about our directness, but I never understand why it is polite to lie

[@flower_power]

Een leugentje om bestwil? Als iemand een kledingstuk draagt waar hij of zij heel blij mee is, en jij vindt het lelijk. Wat zeg jij dan? Ik zeg of niets, of ik zeg dat het leuk of apart of zoiets. Of je krijgt een cadeau wat je niet leuk vindt. Ik bedank dan netjes

[@j.vanderson6239]

Ja, daar heb je wel een goed punt. Privé is inderdaad iets anders dan zakelijk. Ik heb veel zakelijke gesprekken met met name Engelsen gehad en die zeiden dan dat iets “interesting” was of “potential” had. Later hoorde ik dan dat ze het helemaal niks vonden. Dat was toen erg verwarrend voor mij. Wellicht zijn Amerikanen wel wat directer. Leuk KZbin kanaal heb je overigens. En dat meen ik 😀!

[@ACwebseries]

Good point

[@RedbadvanRijn-ft3vv]

@@flower_power Ik kwam Henk tegen die had een nieuw pak aan. Ik zei,goh Henk wat een mooi pak heb je aan,alleen jammer dat het je niet staat. Dat is helemaal eerlijk en netjes hoor.

[@lenieamels1270]

@@flower_power het hangt er van af wat je krijgt en van wie. Als een oude tante jou een lelijke vaas geeft zeg bedankt en stop dat ding in een kast. Is het een goede vriend dan zeg je gewoon "heb je de bon nog". Dan weet de gulle gever meteen dat die vaas niet in de smaak valt.

[@WikkeSchrandt]

It might be a good idea to add a disclaimer, mentioning this concerns the urban Dutch in particular. I understand your point of view, given the name of your channel, but most of these things you refer to aren't a thing outside of the "Randstad". People being loud, inconsiderate and unwilling to give up personal freedoms for the greater good are very implicitly urban phenomena. I realise most people who visit the Netherlands will never venture outside the cities at all, but it's important to be aware of the very distinct attitudes held by city-dwellers and village people.

[@ACwebseries]

That’s an interesting point. But aren’t many Dutch Amsterdammers from smaller towns originally?

[@henkormel5610]

As a Dutch contryboy i am not willing to live in the Randstad. I like my peace and quiet. People with ghetto blasters do ruin that (the beach scene). Noise polution is a real thing in rural the Netherlands.

[@RealConstructor]

@@ACwebseriesThose are the worse if they act like they finally are in the big league (capitol city) instead of little league (countryside/small town). Sadly a lot of them do.

[@Linda-hs1lk]

no @@ACwebseries

[@XxXx-Evo]

I grew up in/around Amsterdam and I moved outside the Randstad. I think there is some sort of natural selection. If you don't fit in the randstad, you probably leave or not going to live there.

[@rolandboerhof9391]

Just grow a thicker skin. No cancel culture

[@jacquelinevanderkooij4301]

I've always said and say what I think. People can listen to it or not. But I warned 😊

[@fritsmosselman4597]

12:49 the TV show isn't looking to humiliate anyone, it's celebrating things that are funny as hell. The Chinese guy who butchers the song is very much a loved character and the fact he gets invited to the show proves the dutch don't take offense in his non- proficiency in Dutch language. Also, note they don't ever make fun of him personally. "Grow thick skin" is just another expression for "be tolerant enough to let everyone be and actually allow them to have their opinion", because that is freedom in its purest form: allowing people to be who they want to be. Political incorrectness is the sincerest form of honesty.

[@marcusfranconium3392]

Mr chung is actually quite a famous chinees cook . He loves singing and realy enjoyed Ik hou van Holland . 1 great advertismetn for his restaurant ,and 2 he loves karaoke .

[@ACwebseries]

You can see he’s having a blast. He’s not embarrassed at all. Unless you lived here awhile you could have the feeling that he’s not aware that people might be making fun of him. Like Borat did with the American “simpleton”. But in reality, that wasn’t the case at all.

[@marcusfranconium3392]

@@ACwebseries Exactly , He was actualy quite a public favorite , A nice gentleman that loves to sing . There is a youtube channel called Mingfang Wang Tijgerkop : Meneer Cheung maakt gefrituurde hele kip I would recomend watching it as hes an amazing cook . The whole foreigners/tourist reading a dutch text is not new , it has been around for a while ,in other shows . Its quite a postive thing as dutch people will actualy make an effort to listen to what is said. We have over 300 different dialects and belgian dutch speaking part about the same , And it forcses us to actualy listen and learn how to interpret variations of what is spoken . So if some one speaks dutch but is still learning or is not as fluent . people still understand what is said and often give some advice on pronunciations . And for dutch people the effort of trying or learning , is good enough . some one living here and not bothered learning or trying to speak dutch after many years living here , that is a true sin .

[@qualitytraders5333]

Yep, if a Duch person falls into a canal he or she will hope nobody saw, scramble out (most Dutch know how to swim), go home and get dry. Sue? I don't think so. The judge will probably laugh a Dutch person out of court. If you're a foreigner and can't swim, somebody will jump in after you and get you out (together with 5 laughing bystanders). And the foreigner will have a new Dutch friend.

[@ShaneVesuvius]

"fear"is a word you use alot when it comes to describe american habits.

[@frdml01]

About the Chinese guy being "used" in the quiz show: I think a young US generation is far too snow flakey, worrying about being rude, offensive or needing safe spaces, I remembered a video of an American dressed up as a caricature Mexican, where US students were appalled and disgusted where as Mexicans loved it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/f4WVhnttadCmgJY

[@MLWJ1993]

Mr Chung is just golden, we love him even if he doesn't speak Dutch. Also, isn't everyone essentially "used" in a quiz show? The end-goal is to make a profit after all 😅

[@bertkassing8541]

I'm seeing you on KZbin for the first time now. I now know that you know the Netherlands very well and that you are also Dutch. A question: Do you also follow expats from the US who have not been here that long on KZbin? I do and I have to say that sometimes it produces very entertaining videos. I think your analysis of Dutch culture is very correct. Makes sense if you've been here for so long :-) If I listen to it like that, it's Land of the True Free. Btw I am Dutch, an Amsterdammer, living in Hoofddorp. I assume you know where Hoofddorp is.

[@ACwebseries]

Dank je wel for your nice words. Yes, I watch some other expat KZbin channels. I have also worked with a few of them…

[@Bruintjebeer6]

On most beaches it is not allowd to take your dog with you on the beach between april and oktober in the daytime And we want people to respect us as well and compromise In the US they want small government but at the same time they have the opion that the government should protect them from everything But if the government makes policies to protect them they protest against it.

[@ACwebseries]

Thank you for your thoughts. Certainly some rules are needed to keep some order. But I was at the beach last weekend and there were plenty of dogs. So maybe some people aren't following the rules. In LA, the police enforce, so people heed the Draconian laws. I wish you can post photos in the comments, I would post a sign from an LA beach. Certainly there are Nederlanders who think about others...my husband does... and as one commenter noted, maybe it's less common in urban areas and more common in smaller towns. Americans are definitely conflicted and they don't realize how tiring it is or how it limits their freedom.

[@christinarodriguez7508]

The canal bit got me , as the dutch would say this is the dry part that is the wet part . If you have wet feet you in the wrong place.

[@jetfromholland4533]

And a bit off topic: I think your glasses look really good on you!

[@ACwebseries]

Why thank you! It’s almost time for some new ones!

[@alfonsstekebrugge8049]

I had to pee so I clicked on your door to pause the vid. Worked. 10/10 functional door. Love it.

[@jsb7975]

Of all countries in Europe The Netherlands is far-out the most 'woke' society. (Media, education, art etc.) Living so many years in Holland and you come up with common clichés makes you think. O.K. this was the 'positive side'. Curious for the 'bad side. You had it coming, this rude and direct reaction from a 'typpical' Dutchman. 😊

[@ACwebseries]

It’s definitely under the influence of other world countries thru social media etc… But if you think the Netherlands is woke, don’t live in the US, lol

[@ACwebseries]

Oh and these were only 3 things. I’ve already filmed another 3 and more are coming… plenty more time for you to 🙄…. 😂

[@jsb7975]

@@ACwebseries Love it. Thanks !😎👍

[@janvandoren8910]

You reaction is so woke.

[@jsb7975]

@@janvandoren8910 are you ?

[@mhfs61]

I like to watch these kind of video’s to see how the Dutch are perceived, however, most video’s are actually about Amsterdam. Love Amsterdam, but like every capital it doesn’t represent the rest of the country.

[@jwmderooij]

Use different glasses to improve your view

[@ACwebseries]

Echt waar. Nieuwe bril is erg nodig! 😂

[@Justquitthebs]

OMG Individualism is definitely one of the worst characteristics of the Dutch. Complete autonomy without any responsibility. It is an almost sinister way to avoid taking part in society. It encourages blown up ego’s that they can only maintain by denying reality. The reality that you live in a society which will only improve if people only would have consideration for others once in a while.

[@pipperik]

You must be american. Individualism is definately not a negative word. It doesn’t mean that you are not social. But you take care of ypurself. Be responsible for your own actions and understand that it means, you have to be tolerant to someone else. Treat someone else as you want to be treated yourself. No judgement.

[@darkjannn]

You're welcome to think that way and contribute way more to our society than the rest of us. I enjoy having to only take responsibility for my own problems and leave the rest to their own. If everybody looks after themselves, everyone is being looked after - as close to a translation I can come to for "Als iedereen aan zichzelf denkt, wordt er aan iedereen gedacht."

[@Justquitthebs]

@@pipperik nope. Born and raised in The Hague. Tolerance has nothing to do with individualism but everything with having consideration for others.

[@jennyvoorhaar9547]

Also Dutch here and totally agree!

[@Justquitthebs]

@@darkjannn yes we saw that during COVID. I want this, I want that. Me, me, me and f**k the rest. If you lose your job you expect society to pay your bills. As you have every right to. If you would be left to your own devices, you would end up in the gutter. That’s why society will take care of you and your family.