American Reacts to 7 Culture Shocks as an American in the Netherlands

American Guy Reacts to 7 Culture Shocks as an American in the Netherlands
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[@missitheachievementhuntres560]

When people ask questions in other countries, what do they expect as an answer? For this Dutchie it is so weird to not get a honest answer. What is otherwise the point of asking?

[@JustS0meK1dd]

I think that over-politeness is actually more common specifically in the US and UK. A lot of people I know from other European countries are much more direct than we are in the UK, and I suppose we are just exposed to more US/UK media overall, which gives the impression of America being "the norm". People usually only ask questions to reinforce how they already feel/think. They basically want you to make them more confident in their choice, so when they get another answer it is a bit of a shock. Of course, the inability to give a direct answer is even worse in Japan! The world is an interesting place.

[@pauljansentextor1788lx]

I agree. Get used to it or dont ask. Right?

[@Johan91NL]

There is a difference between answering and answering. You dont always have to be direct as we often are here. It doesnt mean that people abroad arent giving an answer, they just arent as blunt.

[@MrEvers]

@@JustS0meK1dd it's not just over-politeness. Right across the border, here in Belgium, we also consider the Dutch to be very direct. I think we like to contextualise more, give certain credence to what we're saying. If you ask a Dutchman for directions, he'll either tell you he doesn't know, or just say "2 rights and then a left", bam: the answer to your question. A Belgian would go "let me think about it" and then offer you options and suggestions, perhaps it's better not to drive there at all, but to park over here, and take the tram, or else you're stuck in traffic, oh, you want to visit the museum? oh no, then you better take this whole other route, and by the way the cathedral is also very beautiful, and free to visit.

[@JustS0meK1dd]

@@MrEvers One of my oldest friends is actually Belgian (Flemish speaking), and we have always commented on how similar our cultures are... Reading what you just said, feels so familiar. English people go about things in exactly the way you described Belgian people doing.

[@Maya9396]

Living below sealevel isn’t something we think about. People live in areas where there are eartquakes, tornado’s, avalanges, deadly animals 😉. The curtain thing... we like to look outside (also a great social control thing) and let the light in. That is why most houses have big windows.

[@tvs26]

Yeah when you are a kid in the Netherlands and learning about that is that you’ll panic for about 10 minutes and after that you forget about it and don’t care anymore

[@LizaS70]

We close them at night though!

[@bishplis7226]

"dont you worry someone will fly a plane into your home?" "dont you worry someone will shoot you?" "dont you worry some homeless will stab you with needles?" "dont you worry you will get run over by an suv?" "dont you worry you die from drinking polluted water?" "dont you worry you die from cancer from gmo food?" "dont you worry you get fired and lose your home wife kids dog and sleep illegally in your car?"\ thats why they use prozac

[@Bruintjebeer6]

The Netherlands is not connected to an ocean but a sea. The North Sea. You don't realise you live below sea level until someone is mention it. The risk of land washed away by water is extremely low since the Dutch government keeps the infrastructure up to date.

[@ajvanmarle]

I'm already impressed that she pronounced Schiphol correctly. That's pretty rare. The alarm is not typically Dutch, though. Most European countries have those tests once a month. The windows, keeping blinds and curtains open, to show that you have nothing to hide, that's partially true. It's also been used as an expression of wealth. Back in the day, poor people had to close everything as insulation, because they could not afford enough heating. And, no, you should not ask a Dutch person if a dress makes you look fat. We will tell you the truth.

[@chubbymoth5810]

Yeah,.. you might be told, it doesn't depend on the dress

[@janharml]

Sure we would tell you that dress does not make you look fat. It's the box of chocolates you ate last night.

[@JohnDoe-xz1mw]

the more i learn about the dutch the more i think you guys are essentially flat austria, my american wife learnd a while ago not to ask questions she doesnt want a real awnser too, inner cities are off limits to cars and the main transportation are bikes, i understand about 30% of spoken dutch and 50% of written dutch if i spell it out in my head and my reaction to all "shocks" not limited to this video my reaction was ...yes...obviosly....the only thing i dont get are the tulups...just...why?

[@notmyrealnameify]

@@JohnDoe-xz1mw We produce around 50% of all the flowers in the world, the tulip is just a small part of that. It come from Turkey but grows well in the Netherlands. The reason for flowers is people want to buy them so.. $$$ is the reason ^^ .

[@AA-pd4pz]

Bullshit..i am dutch as well we dont even asked women age . U re racist

[@Hrn250]

I hear it every time about those birthdays how they are celebrated in the Netherlands. It is not THE truth. it seems they are all talking the same, without knowing the facts how it really is . At some parties you sit together and greet everyone when you arrive and entering by raising your hand and saying hello. the birthday person you congratulate .Sometimes you also congratulate the partner and family. At many birthday parties you just standing , talking, with your glass in your hand, dancing, eating etc and there is mostly music. It matters whether you visit old people or young ones of course. Family or friends or both. Furthermore, I think it is rather exaggerated that she/ they are shocked by everything. For example a large part of the Netherlands is below sea level. In countries where this is not the case, but which are located by the sea or on large rivers and where there is no or bad protection, there is the risk of flooding at high tide much bigger and worse than here because they have not the protection we have here. Many don't realize that it makes a difference. They think they are safe because they live above sea level but they are not. Just look at New Orleans at the time and also Thailand and Indonesia etc where many people drowned

[@berth2647]

I agree 100% The American dream is a dream ,,,whe in the Netherlands are awake

[@janvisser4132]

The birthday thing she described is exactly how birthdays in my family went. All sitting together talking, new people going round congratulating everyone. It did go exactly like that. I don't do it anymore when it is only friends I know and from my age or younger. congratulating everyone was also a way of learning everyones name very quickly btw.

[@Hrn250]

@@janvisser4132 ‘went ‘yes. I've been to a lot of birthday parties in the recent years but it's almost nowhere like this anymore. Older people celebrate it often this way. Sitting al together in a circle etc. and in certain communities also, but a lot has changed since the past in the way of celebrating a birthday over the years. Didn't you notice that the lady reads it from a piece of paper…or something like that…..?

[@erwindegroot8760]

In my 57 years in the Netherlands I've never experienced birthday parties like she describes.Maybe they do this in some families, but not in mine.

[@AnnaMaria-zm8cv]

In far old days they would also separate in male and female circles. I know those circle birthdays happened in my family, with the infamous cube of cheese with a pickle on it going around, but with young people it tends to become more Americanised. Another typical thing is or was is the candy goody bag we give to kids when there is a birthday, at least when a kid has birthday. Also, I heard in US the guests pay for the party while in Netherlands its the birthday 'pig' who does.

[@petervandieren]

When you greet everybody on a birthday, it is not only congratulating everybody but also a great way to introduce yourself to people you do not yet know. I grew up with this and I find it a way of politeness.

[@confriepanda1959]

Just having confersation and talk about things in life👍

[@thezetes]

In which cities do you congratulate everyone on a party? I never heard of it!

[@janvisser4132]

@@thezetes My parents originally came from Rotterdam and Leiden, but now live in the Betuwe, a region in the centre of the country. We do it in all those places.

[@confriepanda1959]

@@thezetes It depends is on birthdays where mostly family shows up. If you celebrate with friends we don't do al that.

[@theGn0rp]

i grew up with it also, and i hate it lmao

[@giovannilugas3639]

That sitting in a circle is old fashion and (in my experience) not everybody use to do that anymore.

[@chenandorlandoaroundtheworld]

We do still, but it’s ok

[@chenandorlandoaroundtheworld]

@peter piet I am Roman Catholic but I did not know that was a thing. Not that I am offended by calling me member of a sect/cult. We sit on chairs or couches and talk. But we can stand around a table. You always are in a circle. That is the thing I do not understand. When you talk to three other people you are in a circle..

[@farecious]

Before you go and move to the southern/eastern part of The Netherlands, just know that floodings occur more often in that part of the country than everywhere else. Those parts of the country are exposed to much more river floodings from rainwater (collected from Switzerland, Germany and Belgium). However, when shit does really hit the fan with a huge storm that occurs once every 10 years people living near the coast are exposed more than people in land. But the single most biggest risk you have with all that being said is drowning in a bathtub, pool or lake/river, hence the importance of knowing how to swim when considering living here. :)

[@noadehaan6796]

I found your channel like a week ago and i love the fact that you’re so intrigued with the Netherlands and really doing your research. Im dutch so it’s cool to see how you get surprised by things that for me are so normal😆

[@manitabusser]

We don't beat about the bush, but being direct doesn't mean being rude. When you ask a question you get an honest answer/opinion, why would you ask otherwise.

[@xXTheoLinuxXx]

Sometimes we don't like to make some fools of theirselves and rather tell them the truth.

[@SwirlingSoul]

Tot Ziens litterally translated would be something like "Until Seeings". Which of course clearly means: until we see each other again. And it's used as a goodbye, even when you're not ever going to see that person again. ☺ "See Ya" in American I presume?

[@matthijshannink]

Haha it’s so funny to realize how freaked out foreigners are by the monthly disaster alarm test.

[@MichelR67]

The whole always raining is getting old by now. It has been dry for a very long time. Now currently having a country wide alarm due to drought. People have to limit the use of water. River levels are dropping, farmers see their crops dry up and die. Measures have to be taken to secure drinking water. This week again heatwave up to 30 degrees Celsius and above. People/nature are waiting for it to rain again. Been going on for years that there is too little rain in the autumn/winter to fill up the natural reservoirs.

[@Hrn250]

Agree

[@tvs26]

Yeah I can’t count the days since last time it rained personally I love the rain so I miss it

[@thedutchest]

Dutch bithday party's with the youths: A few standing tables, usually 3, the old people on the couch in the living room, party tent in the yard. one table with booze, cola, fanta and plastic cups and a JBL speaker with those build in lights. Every birthday party i go to nowerdays

[@xXTheoLinuxXx]

In the Lower Saxon part of The Netherlands changes are high that they don't have a party tent but a cabin in the backyard and not a JBL speaker, but something larger than that. It's more like a private bar 🤣 And don't be surprised that in the neighbourhood of the cabin are some tables and chairs with a bbq. Oh and it isn't only youth that use it :)

[@thedutchest]

@@xXTheoLinuxXx Yes I'm from Brabant and I know "Keeten" But thats more in farmers villages, not the small cities

[@xXTheoLinuxXx]

@@thedutchest it isn't only a thing in small farmer villages :) In Drenthe (where I live) it is also a thing smaller cities or the outskirts of larger towns. They have larger gardens, so they have them too :)

[@thedutchest]

@@xXTheoLinuxXx you're talking about the lower Saxon part, then saying you're from the North?

[@xXTheoLinuxXx]

@@thedutchest Drenthe is part of Lower Saxon just like Groningen, Twente or the Achterhoek for example. There isn't a huge difference between those areas (cultural and dialect).

[@rinynewton8297]

you said "tot ziens" in the right context and perfectly pronounced...you are sooo ready to move to the netherlands you will be welcomed. 👍

[@chenandorlandoaroundtheworld]

I have to say that you only say gefeliciteerd to the relatives. Not all the party invited!

[@Hrn250]

When you ask someone a question, you want an honest answer, don't you? If you don't want that, don't ask the question. It's that simple

[@dennisengelen2517]

Yes, but if someone asks you what you think of their dress you can either say they look like an ugly slut or just say you find it not pretty. There's a difference between being honest and being a jerk. You can simply be honest while still being polite and respectful.

[@Hrn250]

@@dennisengelen2517 you can give an honest answer without being abusive or rude. Suppose the dress looks terrible, then you can say that there are dresses that you think look better on her than the one she is wearing now. . Or you say, ask: Honest? I like this dress less than others you wore before. I would never say it looks beautiful if it isn’t

[@AnnaMaria-zm8cv]

Im Dutch but not living in Netherlands, my collegue the other day came down in something that looked like a bathingrobe. She lives there in that building so I was like asking her if she was having a pyama party. Turned out she was on her way out to visit somewhere and that was her dress, overcoat or whatever it was. She never talked to me again. Dutch blunt honesty for her. She never put it on again.

[@LAU-ik6dp]

Amsterdam is also intimidating for me (Dutchy from another city), so much traffic chaos😱 Keep your eyes open when crossing cycle paths, the bikers come out of nowhere and will not stop😂🤷🏽‍♂️

[@patjeplebs]

try Ho Chi Minh 🤣

[@chrishakoningswijk9354]

I’m Dutch; it’s intimidating to me too!

[@AnnaMaria-zm8cv]

Try Bangkok. If you dont take the first step no one wiill ever stop to let you cross. Luckily they mostly do, but its a step of courage.

[@linnea323]

Local from Amsterdam here, biking here means you can just go on your way, without many traffic lights, for example, compared to when you're driving a car. Everything is easily reachable by bike and it's very annoying to stop, the only time bikers want to stop is at sections where you have to stop or official crossing for people. Over the years, Amsterdam got more crowded, especially with the tourists. It's nice for Amsterdam's income, but it would be nice if people just understand the cycle path lane. Whether you're a tourist or fellow Dutchies, we just want to continue our way, there's not for nothing a cycle lane and walking lane separately😁

[@ruhalfoyls]

As a dutch guy when i go to the party i always congratulate 2 times 1 time the birthday person and 1 more time i just stand there say hi loudly congratulate every one at once and take my seat. Sometimes i spend extra on the old folks around goingnto them etc. But i just cant be bothered. Some people think its rude i think it fits my character so i can get away it it and most people really dont care all that mutch.

[@silla-je9od]

I love the birthday circle idea, seems very quaint.

[@irissupercoolsy]

as a Belgian... I get culture shocked by this video too... Birthday circles? Congratulating everyone? Blinds open? Emergency alarm??? What kind of witchery is this and why??

[@lisannewetzels9672]

You said ‘tot ziens’ in the right context! It means like ‘see you later’ or ‘see ya’ since its a not a full sentence.

[@pietergreveling]

I think the Netherlands is the safest place to be with the sea levels rising and with the increase of extreme heavy rainstorm, because we also controle the overflow of the big rivers, they call it Room For The Rivers, so that the populated areas don't flood! 🤓👌🏼 The birthday circle is only when the whole family comes like aunts, uncles and grandparents, so everybody can mingle with each other, but when you have a birthday party with friends, it's totally different, at least in my case! ✌🏼

[@antiqueinsider]

Under sea level? Like Coachella, New Orleans and Death Valley! When I moved house in Amsterdam it was to a new-build place that I passed every day on my way to work. Every day I loaded my bike with books, records, kitchen equipment, etc. and dropped it off in the new house on my way to work. When moving day eventually came I only needed a small transit van to finish the job (plus an electric ladder to get my big sofa out through the 4th floor window, and deliver it about 1km),

[@espfan9841]

One thing I don't hear at birthday parties is that the cirlce is also used for introducing yourself to people you don't know. About congratulate everyone is towards relatives and maybe very good aquaintases of the birthday boy/girl. So mostly that comes down to everyone. I always make a group congrats in one go to everyone in the room because I find it bit strange/akward. You have to see the latest video from 'nost just bikes' what they transport. :D And yet we still complain about people being not direct. lol

[@jlk6315]

Although the Limburg provincie does lay above sealevel and isnt close to the sea its actualy not intirely safe from flooding due to rivers and in the summer of 2021 there were floodings in for example the town of Valkenburg. In my region living in Naarden Noord-Holland its indeed not realy something we are afraid of. I also keep my curtains open but its not realy to show I have nothing to hide, more to let daylight in. And I consider it very weird if people are realy trying to peek inside.

[@arturobianco848]

Go to the South or east then its above sealevel. I would suggest the south but i might be biased because i'm from the South.

[@howaboutthatdutchflavor]

Same. Biased but honestly we drive to Efteling in 20 minutes, bike to the biggest Kermis (famous) in 8 minutes, live just outside the center so no noise or parking problems, but still walk to several restaurants within 10 minutes. Beach or Amsterdam are 1 hour 15 minutes away, and yes, we think that is really, really far, which is ridiculous but it shows how close all the fun things are.

[@nielssterk2957]

Ik kom uit Holland en was in LA, Californië. Ik reed de 101 en de 1 naar San Fran. Het was fantastisch, de mooiste vakantie ervaring EVER!!! Ik was met een vriendin in LA. En mijn cultuur shock was door rood licht rijden in bepaalde buurten in LA. Omdat als je stopt voor een rood licht daar loop je het risico op een pistool op je hoofd, en dat je de auto moet afgeven. Welkom in Nederland, hier maken we dat gelukkig nog niet mee. Vooralsnog. Onder de zeespiegel leef ik ook niet graag, want de natuur is krachtig. Ik ben verhuisd van Amsterdam naar Twente. Leuke video 👍

[@justcurious4678]

I’m Dutch and hate birthday parties where you sit in a circle. 😱😂

[@mvd4749]

Birthday parties: As a rule of thumb, if there are already a lot of guests, you don't need to congratulate everyone. Personally when there are already a lot of guests, I find it easier. You say one friendly "Hello" in general on a normal volume, and search for the person who's birthday it is. You first congratulate this person, then the wife/husband, children, and it is good manners to congratulate the parents (grandma and grandpa) too. The man/woman of the house will find a chair for you. It would be unpolite from them if they'd leave you standing (longer than 5 minutes). It is acceptable to ask (after 3-5 minutes) Do you have a place in mind where I can sit? (Dutch directness.) Usually naturally the other guests make room for you to sit. It could create a circle, but don't focus on the circle. It is a sign of politeness / hospitality, that you are equally, welcome to join them. (Like the Knights at the Round Table.) If there are not many guests such a circle can feel uncomfortable at first. But it reasonably enables everyone to chat with everybody. As I said, it is easier if there are many guests already. A circle probably doesn't exist. There are several tables or little groups of persons sitting or standing and chatting while having some food and drinks. (Probably much like you're used to in the States.)

[@guuskaitjily8581]

Hi Charlie so nice to see the pedestrian bridge swerve over the canal.I can almost see it looking out the window here in Utrecht.

[@peterkeijsers489]

The test alarm (every 1st Monday of the month) originates from WW2. It's indeed meant to sound whenever there's a real disaster = sometimes even local, like a toxic spill that was airborne somewhere in the 1990s in Limburg - so that the alarms still work if necessary, and it reminds us Dutch (and Europeans) that a disaster can still always happen.

[@MickeyM2002]

yep at 12 pm.

[@erikloupias7642]

Come to South Limburg.

[@erikloupias7642]

You get not wet feet!🤣😂

[@eaglerider1]

that alarm first monday of the month is actualy on old alarm for incoming hostile airraid, there is a version for the beginning of the raid, and a ending sound, that first monday of the month is for testing the system

[@seisl202]

Oh great the little soundbite of the alarm set off my dog again, just those few seconds were enough to get him riled up for a minute. Every month we hear it and we both hate it. He barks&barks and I just sit until its over, I'm autistic and get overwhelmed by the sensory information. Having said that, I do understand why we do it and it does make me feel safer in general. It just sucks when it's that time of the month again :P

[@bkz9755]

You are welcome in the Netherlands we take care of you bro no worries we got you!! Greets from Utrecht ❤️

[@phoebs69]

you said it right " Tot ziens" .

[@Esmeralda72]

Ohhh those circle birthday parties! Always hated them. But I hate birthdays anyway 😂 Some Dutch habits should dissapear. Like these circle birthday parties or even worse, kissing people three times on the cheek

[@mvd4749]

Covid-19 put a stop to the give every woman three kisses pretty well.

[@RocketJr.]

The circle on a birthday and going round is awesome and pure to get a bit loose and especially good for ppl who are new or dont know about, because if ur on a big birthday, you gonna sit in a corner all of the evening will stare across the room and look at you irritated not knowing who you and why you are here and makes them gossip and all gets awkward really fast. Alot get ashamed doing it and all know how that feels but it shows friendlyness and your spirit or braveness. If its protiate they well let you know. If you dont do it, some dont like you from the get go. But then against, why not introduce yourself to strangers? With ppl you know you can do a quick handshake and not say much. Mooi man!!

[@linnea323]

Nice video! I experienced sitting in a circle at school and birthday parties, only when I was a kid as well. In parties nowadays it's normal to sit or stand, have a drink and food, chitchat with other people, also to strangers. If you ask how a dress or jeans or whatever suits you, you should be aware of people who work in shops, nowadays, they can also lie, so that their target will be in for the month or even a bonus. For the below sea level part, I feel more safe here than when I visit my family in South-East Asia. There they live in between or on the mountains and lots of flooding happens yearly, so the height of a place where you live doesn't say anything, it's how it gets managed by people and the government.

[@StephanSpelde]

"Tot ziens" litterally means "(until I) see you" and you can therefore use it the exact same way.

[@hironagamura8074]

omg her thumbnail background is my tiny tiny village, thats awesome!

[@stefandavy5719]

just a random fact , the french poeple call the Nedetherlands , les Pays-Bas ,if you translate it in inglish means low land or flat land

[@chaokai3606]

I'm dutch living in the southern part of The Netherlands and i've never ever met someone that would congratulate everyone on someones birthday party lol That's just super weird to do, we dutch don't do that at all, we only congratulate the person that has his/her birthday and sometimes if the parents are present we congratulate them with his/her child's birthday, that's all haha Also those birthday circles are just for very old people because they can't stand for too long, most people just have a party with some standing tables around.

[@justaregularbattlecat2127]

In overijssel we congratulate the birthday person and their family but not everyone

[@AnnaMaria-zm8cv]

We did (yes Im Dutch) but if the room is full we usualy just shout 'gefeliciteerd' one time and only direct to the birthday person personaly and the direct family.

[@rogerelzenga4465]

@@AnnaMaria-zm8cv thats my way to go too, even when introducing myself to a whole party :D , Hellooooo! im roger, and i will learn all your names overtime during this party :D

[@Erger.]

you used the tot ziens the right way charlie hahah I had to rewind because I was like wait what does he say XD

[@mirjamvond1731]

Southern part of the Netherlands is the best part anyway 😜 Also I have my curtains open because I want light inside my house 😄

[@SwiftySanders]

I love my windows open to the point that I have floor to ceiling windows and I didn't even purchase curtains.

[@vorcanvorcan9032]

Wait what? I know when children have their birthday it's pretty common to congratulate the close family members as well. But I honestly have never once witnessed a birthday in which literally everyone got congratulated. 🙄 If it is a thing, I think that might just be a regional thing or something. As a Dutch person though, I too would feel uncomfortable. As it kind of reminds me of funerals, where we do go around giving condolences to basically everyone. Introductions, or simply saying hello to everyone in attendance, sure. But congratulating everyone regardless of their relationship to the person having their birthday just seems weird to me. Same when I'm the one being congratulated when I'm just visiting a friends birthday party or something. Like, sure, it's a happy occasion, but it is hardly "my occasion", so being congratulated just feels weird.

[@janvisser4132]

birthdays in my family always went exactly like she described, you went around and congratulated everyone. Great way of getting to know everyones name. You always only knew your part of the family of course, not the family of the man/women that married your aunt or uncle that was also there.

[@silasb1982]

Same here, only the close family you congratulate but not everyone in the room... Limburg Noord

[@robinheemeijer5905]

Its quite normal in my family to do the rounds, its true you don't know every person at first. But since youd visit 2 times a year if its a couple, you will get to know those people also eventually, even if its just on a basic level. I would find it weird to only congratulate the people you know, and basically ignore the people you dont know, as if they are not part of the party.

[@thezetes]

As Hrn250 already pointed out, a dead giveaway for you being a foreigner is to congratulate everyone at a party! You congratulate the family only! Partner only when married or when they've had kids. Don't congratulate friends. They will be nice about it but it is super weird. When entering you can just raise your hand and say hi to everyone like that. In conversation though, it is accustomed to introduce yourself! The exception is when there're not a lot of people, let say six for instance. Then you will be seated around one table and you will shake everyone's hand, but for hells sake, don't congratulate everyone xD

[@MurrayDagostino]

I’m living about a mile from the beach here in the netherlands and I am 6 meter (18 feet) below sea level and I’ve never really worried about it. Nothing ever happened either in the last 47 years of living here, so there’s practically no reason to worry.

[@Amy12breda]

If the sea levels scare you consider moving too Limburg. It's the only place that has "hills". You're also far away from the sea.

[@naerys87]

The alarm doesnt go off anymore.. Since a few years

[@Spechtie]

Those birthday parties aren't really all in a circle though. if you're going to a kid's or young adult's birthday, it's just the American way.

[@KeesKouwenberg]

58 here, and I stopped doing it the moment I went living on my own (in 1989). So not just kids/youth.

[@colin4869]

Her pronunciation is so good!

[@jeffrey0415]

we congrat the family member of the person cuss its their family member it's like saying hey congrats whit your family's birthday

[@svenkroesen]

The first time I heard the air alarm as a Dutch guy, scared shit out of me. Now, I'm not even noticing it, which is not a good thing I imagine Xd

[@timba1181]

Dude the sea level is nothing to worry about. Come live in Amsterdam and hit me up! We can check out some nice parties in the summer :) The Amsterdam festival scene is commonly regarded as the best in the world!

[@MissBTarot]

At birthdays you don't congratulate everyone, just the people directly related to the birthday person :) So like the birthday person, their parents, their siblings, their partner/children if applicable. It can seem like you congratulate everyone as at most birthday parties you will find that people are all related. But you wouldn't congratulate friends of the birthday person, or aunts/uncles, neices/nephew's etc. At least I've not seen that happen.

[@Warlordalexi]

You used your 'goodbye' pretty well there! Tot de volgende keer (Until next time)!

[@frankbarkmeyer1168]

The bday-circle.... Usually is because of small rooms, or houses. With family it's usual Ike that. With Friends we often have options. Remove furniture if we want to dance or a big table we all get wasted on. Lol. Or Just go to a pub.

[@JacobBax]

Sitting around a big table (and get wasted) is also sort of circle.

[@axelotl86]

This birthday circle sounds like a typical German Sunday afternoon with friends and family.

[@manitabusser]

Mit Kuchen 😉🥧

[@axelotl86]

@@manitabusser na klar! 😀

[@xXTheoLinuxXx]

@@manitabusser back in the day I had some family in Dinklage (in die nehe von Osnabruck), and yes you are right about that :) There isn't a huge difference between The Netherlands and Germany in general. Only one thing I remember.. You can't drink beer without 'schnapps' hahaha

[@manitabusser]

@@xXTheoLinuxXx I am Dutch but my brother lives near Bremen for about 15 years now, I hear a lot of differences specially the working culture is so much difference.

[@dannym817]

Congrats everyone on birthdays? I dont do that.. Yes you congrat the parents with the birthday of the child or brothers/sisters (so very close relatives) But not everyone.. And not every party is sitting in a circle. Usualy only happens at birthday parties with only close relatives in a small living room. Only because it is the most effective way to get all people in and everyone can talk to eachother. About the curtains open.. I living in the south, i dont like other people looking in, so i dont do it myself even if they have curtains open. But i have roller shutters and they go down when it is dark outside, and open to let light in only. But with the very warm weather lately with almost all days +30 degrees i keep them almost completly down even during the day to keep the keep it cooler.

[@cecilevl]

The monday-alarm does start with the "all clear" sign so everybody knows it is just a try out for the system. After that comes the sign that bombers ar coming or an other danger. That sound ís alarming but she seems not to hear the difference.

[@rveboeken4657]

If your girlfriend is to afraid to live under sea level, you can always live in the east. Where I am at it is 80 metres above sea level.

[@Astri_B]

Last year Limburg was flooded due to heavy rain actually

[@dewilton7712]

Some places in the US like Kodiak, AK have a tsunami alarm test on Wednesday in the middle of the day.

[@Weener927]

She read about Dutch birthday parties, she really prepared herself and she was a little bit afraid of it... Come on! It's not something like a visit to the dentist. Yes, sitting in a circle and make the circle wider when new guests arrive; very tipical and I went to numerous parties where it exactly went that way. And seats are not fixed. When you arrive late, you accept the free places. Though after a while it is not unpolite to switch to a different seat. And yes, it is very common to say goodbye to everyone, in person, as soon as you want to go home. Gives you also the opportunity to have a little talk to people to whom you want to talk on the party, but had no opportunity to do so.

[@Tsuma_Vento]

The birthday circles are awkward even to me sometimes. There can be more than one of these circles though, especially as the evening transpires. They can be rectangular too...hexagonal... with kids running within the circles and ransacking the food bowl on the tables... Hiding under the table playing hide and seek... The circles do encourage you to step out of your comfort zone... But I'm kind of an introvert and prefer my conversations to be initiated in more spontaneous fashion.

[@rogerelzenga4465]

these circles are the best, you get to know all the little awkward moments of your friends told by their mom's :D ive heard some seriously funny stories ;)

[@mellchiril]

Until recently I wasn't quite aware that closed curtains were a bad thing. Then a potential new neighbor showed up in the street, a girl who'd been living with her mom up to that point. The mom was there alongside her to see if she'd end up in a good place if she went here. She asked me some questions like: is this neighborhood quiet, is there ever any violence, are the neighbors kind, etc. Since I never really had trouble living here I was mostly positive about it. The lady then asked why most the curtains in the street were closed. She asked it in a way that sounded very put off by that fact. I told her it was mostly because of the fact that there's houses directly across the street, and you'd be able to look into their houses from your living room, and they'd be able to do the same. I don't mind people seeing me, or my house, but for example from my living room I can look directly into the opposite neighbor's bathroom and I don't wanna accidentally see something if they forget to close the blinds there. She sounded a bit more understanding after that, but seeing as the daughter never moved here I figure that the closed curtains were a big hurdle for her. Not sure why, but alright.

[@MrEvers]

Want ziet, hoe rijk het leven is, ze zien de televisiequiz en wonen in betonnen dozen, met flink veel glas, dan kun je zien hoe of het bankstel staat bij Mien en d'r dressoir met plastic rozen.

[@mellchiril]

@@MrEvers Dan zijn ze bij mij snel teleurgesteld haha. Geen rijk leven, geen televisiequiz, wel een betonnen doos met redelijk wat glas, een tweedehands bank en absoluut geen rozen, plastic of echt haha. Ben niet zo op de hoogte met NL muziek, is dat een liedje, zo ja, welke?

[@MrEvers]

@@mellchiril komt uit "Het dorp" van Wim Sonneveld.

[@mellchiril]

@@MrEvers dank je!

[@aliveldwijk-cornelissen6160]

The Maas overflows too,all water from all other country. Comes too the Netherlands.

[@sdejong9165]

She's very polite... usually it's just one big roast...kudos for her

[@ThirstyTunaTaco]

Lol The biggest recent floods were in the South of Limburg. :)

[@gurbenatordnb]

At 2.35 You say that the south of the Netherlands is safe. There was a recent flood in the south of the Netherlands, which had nothing to do with the sea. A lot of melt water from the Alps and Ardennes was the problem, the waterworks were not build for that.

[@Hadewijch_]

Avoid Dutch birthday parties at all costs! 🤣

[@baronvonlimbourgh1716]

You clearly never been to one of mine lol.

[@zerobeat2020]

When I was a kid I used to be terrified of the monthly general alarm siren tests. I am surprised they are still doing that (I haven't lived in the Netherlands for over 25 years).

[@StefanVeenstra]

It's the perfect time to invade too.

[@handigeharrie9550]

@@StefanVeenstra We have already bin infested/invaded by corrupt bureaucrats, no alarm is gonna prevent that.

[@AnnaMaria-zm8cv]

Do they? I thought they could test now in silence. I also dont live in Netherlands anymore, but happened to be there on first monday of both May and June this summer and dont remember I heard them.

[@DrCatdeJong]

The congratulating everybody is because we're happy the relatives get to celebrate the birthday of the family as well. Like my dad will congradulate me with my kid's birthday, and i'd congradulate him for his grandkid's birthday.

[@MasticinaAkicta]

Most people in the netherlands life pretty much in the west. A few big cities, villages in between, great connections by road, rail and bicycle paths. Also houses goverment, trade, culture and a shiteload of jobs. But yes that isn't everything. The north is more business and fertile ground related, a lot of food comes from the northen part. The east indeed rises up above current sea levels, and has its own charm. Very close to germany for instance, a few nice big hub cities swarmed by smaller villages. Beautiful nature and more. South is interesting too. Limburg give access to France and Germany! And that is a boon! Also as in-land as it gets. For vacation I suggest the islands, Terschelling, Texel and the others. It gives a real vacation feel in those areas. Though, down west/south around middelburg it feels very vacationy too. And the best for canadians and americans... it is small. You want to visit a whole other area or maybe one of those big museums about 1 hour to 1,5 hour car drive or train travel away. Good times.

[@lowie267]

On the birthday this out respect for the families the Mother and father zeg you happy birthday with your zoon ore dochter

[@LunaJo67WDHTMJ]

You really don't experience or realize or even think about living below sealevel. I wouldn't choose the area where you want to live based on that! Base it on what is the most convenient. Besides, living close to the ocean is great! I would not choose the south of the Netherlands. There are way more floodings and the crime rate is higher. (Sorry fellow Dutchies, but that is just true). I think it's sweet to also congratulate the family: Mom, who gave birth. Dad who became a father that day. Some became aunts or uncles. The whole family was impacted by your birth. I think it's a sign of the bond between people and that someone else is also happy with the day you were born. Nothing strange! I love on the second floor so my curtains are open when it's daylight. Get some light into the house. And no risk of people walking by my window anyway. :) So why would you keep the curtains closed and then you sit in a dark room all day? Blinds I can understand. I also think because we have "vensterbanken" (windowsill?) where we display stuff like plants or sculptures in front of the window ( or cats laying in the "vensterbank" :) ) it's not a big empty window anyway. LJ

[@palantir135]

The southeast isn’t that flat; Heuvelland Limburg. We’re very good at getting rid of water but that has to change because of the increasing droughts every year. We have to learn to keep all the water. We have the blinds up to get a lot of light in the living room. We close them if it gets to hot. The bakfiets: new video by NotJustBikes. We are direct because we want to be honest.

[@StevanOutdoor]

She's not wrong in general. I usually just congratulate the one person and than say hi, congratz everybody and done. But I'm an exception I guess. Even if women ask me if I like their dress I often respond with 'do you really want to know' LOL

[@kajbkkm]

The southern part of Netlerlands(Limburg) actually got flooded by a river that got way to big, while everything below see level was fine. Water is our nemesis, its constanly trying take our land. It was last year.

[@hdlokerse8923]

Sitting in a circle means you can talk with everbody

[@boomdelted]

Tbh there's a difference between a party with the family and friends Vs the afterparty

[@baronvonlimbourgh1716]

The party stuff is really old fashioned. Our generation does things a lot more casually. Just have a beer with friends.

[@Be-Es---___]

Don't take to long thinking about moving to... At the moment it isn't hard finding a job. In a few years this might change again.

[@evelieneckenbach2458]

I can see from everything that you are completely crazy about the Netherlands you cheer up when you talk about the Netherlands, I hope you manage to settle in the Netherlands I wish you success

[@iSilvus]

Checking your video's once in a while, enjoying it every time tho. Coming from a dutchmen

[@maddy01010]

About the birthday circles: im dutch and even for me its akward. No clue why this is so eighter...

[@cryptocrypto8736]

Ik feliciteer de jarige zijn gezin en ouders.En voor de rest zeg ik in de kamer iedereen feli verder.

[@maddy01010]

@@cryptocrypto8736 ik feliciteer de jarige en dan zwaai ik meestal maar een beetje. 😬

[@cryptocrypto8736]

@@maddy01010 net zo makkelijk👍gelukkig denken wij ook in oplossingen😉👍

[@cyrielmartens3575]

@@maddy01010 Hahaha same! I feliciteer de jarige, en dan zwaai ik hallo tegen de rest. Ik ga niet de hele kamer en de hond en de kanari en de melkboer feliciteren lol :D

[@ilonkagootjes858]

The reason we sit in a circle is due to the simple fact that we don't want to exclude anyone in conversation. So if you are talking about something with the person next to you, it is easy for someone, couple of seats futher, to engage. Much easier than to walk up to a group of people standing in their own little corner, and you don't know what they're talking about. That's akward to us. Like the curtains, we keep it open for everyone. 😁 And by the way poor people didn't close their curtains either. In lots of old dutch houses you will see a frontroom (streetside) and a backroom. The frontroom was the "fancy" room. There you had visitors, like the doctor, or the pastor... and no matter how poor you where. That room was spotless, and neat. The backroom however, was litterally the livingroom, for the family.

[@daantjemaantje]

You could also check out the channels of Jovie's home and Dutch americano. Both expats from thr USA living in the Nethetlands. 😁🥰

[@dobberdop]

Her dutch "g" pronouncing is really great..

[@gastonberg1345]

I saw the Heineken beer sticker. Maybe its fun to react on one of the bigeste kidnaping case from the Netherlands “De ontvoering van Heikenen”.

[@sim-one]

According to the birthday parties (weddings etc are the same): the family and friends are congratulated to their loved one. It’s sharing. It seems strange, I know. But it’s more then being polite.

[@maxgainz8406]

You all think Amsterdam is the Netherlands. Amsterdam is it’s own weird place. Full of people who have nothing, live with roommates at 35 without a car. Yet they feel better than us 😁

[@patjeplebs]

in my experience its usally between family members when we tell everybody at the party ''gefeliciteerd met je moeder, oom of wie dan ook (congrats on your mom, uncle or whoever)''.. when celebrating with friends i never really see that happen. the sitting in a circle thing is true but not for all of us, i think thats more of an old school way to celebrate and also mostly happens when together with family. like your videos!

[@22Isolde]

I moved from my student room to another student room by bakfiets! Granted the rooms were 2 km apart. And as to the birthday parties, I still know a lot of people that celebrate their birthdays that way and I try to avoid going or staying too long. Even though I know most attendants well I also find it awkward. I do agree that this tradition is (thankfully) changing.

[@mrgrumbledor1809]

At a dutch bday party you do not congrats everybody present., what we will do is congrats the direct family like parents and grand parents ( its their prestige after all )

[@antiqueinsider]

Here's my 'Cultural shock'. I went to a wedding (in a 'traditional' Dutch family). At the reception suddenly the families gathered at opposite ends of the room and one side started singing a song. Everyone laughed (although I didn't speak good enough Dutch to understand the jokes). Then the other family sang a song back to them! The bride explained that the lyrics were jokingly insulting to the other family and intended to 'clear the air' before the marriage began. (My guess is that this is a bit like Sinterklaas poems, but I'll leave it to an ethnic Dutchie to explain the background properly).

[@Be-Es---___]

It's a first to me. Maybe a family/regional tradition

[@boomdelted]

Only time I seen that was with Romani marriage

[@toaojjc]

Making fun of the other family on a wedding isn't a national Dutch tradition... but "stukjes" (little play/sketch) or "liedjes" (songs) are in my expierence. My wedding had something from my firends, something from the friends of my husband and my family and my husband's family had worked together.

[@janvisser4132]

I have never seen that, it is not really a traditional dutch thing.

[@Johan91NL]

Thats not a Dutch thing.

[@koeniepower]

You don't felicitate everybody, only the parents and the ones that are closest related like brothers sisters.

[@woutoboy9039]

Licht eraan waar je heen gaat, maar meestal maak je wel een rondje en feliciteer je gewoon iedereen.

[@koeniepower]

@@woutoboy9039 rare mensen