Questions Dutch folks ask me about being American & life in the United States

[@genericdragon7260]

I emigrated to the USA from southern Belgium in 1968 and the first thing I said to my grandmother was, "Why is everyone so loud?" And she said, "They're just born with an excess of personality."

[@DutchAmericano]

This says it all 😂

[@FrankHeuvelman]

Some call it ego.

[@evanherk]

Re: Loudness: Maybe not even loud as measured in decibels, but the wanting to be heard is certainly a part of it. The sharp twang of the American voice, the use of vocal fry, the intonation is so much sharper than in other English-speaking countries. Re: obesity: point to ponder, the (to us) ridiculous portion sizes you are served in US restaurants.

[@bli2008]

aother issue what i really believe about obesity (next to 4x more sugar in everything) is "groei hormones" they put in beef (it seems not in pigs and chickens). It makes people also growing faster en bigger. I think In Europe growth hormones are prohibited

[@evanherk]

@@bli2008 superficially persuasive but incorrect: growth hormones are polypeptides and are broken down in the gut like proteins. They need to be given by injection to be effective. For the same reason there are no insulin pills.

[@expatfamilylive9041]

Thank you for another great and honest video, Eva! Hugs from Almere 🏡 What a sunny Sunday today ☀️

[@DutchAmericano]

Thanks, and indeed, hope you and your family enjoy the sun today! 😊

[@enkuzen]

About driving to the supermarket. If you live at a village at the countryside in The Netherlands you have to drive that far as well.

[@lws7394]

10-20 minutes ?! that's not true. It is 5-10 minute max. Even in Friesland and Zeeland most villages have a grocer. In Drente and Groningen there are quite some without, but the distances are short. Like Pieterburen, near the Sea dike, takes a 7 minutes drive to Eenrum. And you are talking about the country side , not (sub)urban areas. The term food desert applies when you are 1 mile urban or 16 mile rural away from a supermarket. And more so when you practically cannot reach it other than with a car . That is nowhere in NL. Even the Pieterburen example is well doable on a bike (15min), and the bus probably ..

[@jangoedbloed2141]

About the flag, out in the other provinces, you do see a lot of flags. But not the Dutch flag but the one of the province. There is still pride, but more of where they where born instead of the country. Simply said there is an unseen division in the Netherlands.

[@hvermout4248]

Americans being loud is not "a bit of a funny one". Believe me ... And I think that your explanation about it is a very good one: they want to be present. No matter how many other people there are in the room.

[@ArrowRaider]

American culture values the individual self over the group.

[@jbird4478]

I have a sneaky suspicion the overweight issue in the US also has a lot to do with the political influence of the food industry, and in particular the sugar industry. Food regulations are much stricter in Europe. Kellog's for example has different recipes for cereals here, because otherwise they weren't allowed to market is as breakfast and had to market it as candy instead.

[@vogel2280]

Part of the Dutch flag protocol is that it you must take it down at sundown. It would take some dedication to put is up each morning and take it down each night.

[@Woekkie]

Casserole is stoofpot in dutch, stampot implies it's gestampt basicly mashed before serving.

[@Frahamen]

Here's a food related question: Why do Americans think apple pie is something typically American? It's like a thing pretty much every country have a varriaty of. That's like saying bread is a typically Dutch thing.

[@colibri1]

Some of what you said about Americans talking or not about their salaries and job positions reminded me of things that US writer David Sedaris has said. He travels a lot and has talked about how he really likes to talk about money and can't relate to countries and cultures where that's not considered okay. He's very American in that he proclaims himself rich, only half-jokingly, and doesn't understand why Brits, say, consider it unseemly to be that crass, nor why they seem to recoil from him proclaiming that he has a home in an extremely wealthy part of the UK. To Americans, bragging about wealth like that is sort of acceptable (these days, anyway), particularly for a humorist like Sedaris. If the Dutch are surprised that Americans drive fifteen minutes to a grocery store, they'd be even more appalled to learn that Americans will drive to a grocery store that's literally right next door and would only be a five-minute walk. Americans are not only lazy but anti-environmental, often explicitly.

[@RealConstructor]

Americans are ambitious in work and money, and Europeans are ambitious in life and happiness.

[@guidoferri8683]

Many suburbs are forced to have only single-family homes, with no mixed use

[@ralphb7401]

I don’t know any vegan burger restaurants in Utrecht, but in Rotterdam I really advise “The Vegan Junkfood Bar” and “Burger Trut”

[@picobello99]

When I think of good American food I think of pumpkins and corn. I had a plain, freshly picked corn on the cob in the US. One of the best things I ever tasted!

[@gnomealone350]

I read once that part of the reason Americans are so loud is because of the accent, the way the vowels are formed means the mouth is wide open so the voice is louder. You’re a linguist right, maybe you know something about that? Also, as far as the flag goes, they are all over the country, but certainly not all over the people when they leave. Whereas here in 🇨🇦, it super common to label yourself as Canadian when you travel internationally (the ubiquitous flag on the backpack). And that has way less to do with patriotism and a lot more to do with letting everybody know that we are NOT American.

[@jasper265]

On the matter of the flags: in the Netherlands, there are rules for when government buildings raise the national flag. While civilians aren't bound by these rules, most people do follow them. As for the amount of flags in the US, I think it has to do with the blind patriotism that Americans are taught and has a strong focus on symbols. It is different from a sense of national pride that is far less unanimous and less focused on symbols.

[@MrFlatage]

Blind patriotism to the Chinese flag yes.

[@jasper265]

@@MrFlatage or, more relevant to the comparison between the Netherlands and the US, to the American flag. If you don't see that, it's because you lack perspective.

[@MrFlatage]

@@jasper265 No I do not see any 'American flag' cos that does not exist. US citizens pledge to their Flag with a capital like their God. So you do not see the US Flag which is the Stars & Stripes. And relevant to my comment? Anyone in the US who bought one Made in China? Can read that on the label? I do agree you lack perspective. You did mention 'blind'.

[@jasper265]

@@MrFlatage you sound pretty incoherent...

[@roykamaaina]

For me, depends on where they come from. It is a wide choice. Depends a lot on your background also.

[@penwithoutasword9459]

Hi Ava. I might have an interesting topic for one of your videos. The suffix -je. It can turn a boys name to a girl's name. Kees becomes keesje. And for family a zusje is a younger sister, despite the size. A nicht and nichtje are two different family members. Also odd ones like mat and matje. Gat, gatje and gaatje. And the reason why Dutch people likely will rarely use the word for a little roe deer. I bet you might find more odd usages of -je.

[@VeryFastRodi]

If you happen to come across one, Meat This Some very good burgers and good portions sizes too, not some tiny burger (for Dutch standards) From having been in America, standard Americans i saw are not skinny at all. Most are on the heavy/overweight size

[@BNJ24]

i don't get the loudness thing. I've been here for 5 months and the Dutch are by far louder than my American neighbors! Not to mention the partying until 5 in the morning with no regard to neighbors and the constant fireworks.

[@Harry_PP030]

There are a lot of assholes in the Netherlands too. We cannot blame americans for being loud, since lots of Dutch people raise their voices while standing next to each others. In my experience especially younger people do this.

[@joebloggs2473]

"Not Just Bikes" looks in great detail at car use.

[@usmub]

I second this recommendation.

[@MusicJunky3]

You'll also find that when students (specifically from high schools) finished their studies and received their diploma's ,out goes the flag with their satchel (or whatever they used to carry their books) dangling on the mast !

[@paulinaarevalo7203]

Thank you Ava! Based on your Indian background could you share some family dishes?

[@davidvandenbroeck5068]

Believe me when I say that many of us Americans have no idea why many Americans talk and act like they do. Recent US history defies explanation. That is an additional reason for my decision to retire in Netherlands besides the fact that I think it is a wonderful country.

[@gideonp9762]

The flag thing in my opinion is just how we like to show support. It is like bumper stickers for houses. Most don’t have them but when they do you notice them. I have a american flag, a dallas cowboy flag. I even have an air force flag in my game room.

[@mavadelo]

I have some very good and close American friends from different places in the US. Rural, Urban. West Coast, East Coast. The people that live in cities tend to tell me the same thing I tell them about shopping. "Have to run to the store, be back in 30 minutes". The ones that don't live in a city tend to be the kind of people that drives to a wallmart or something like that once every week/ 2 weeks because the closest shops for them are a 30 minute drive minimum. (we are talking rural Georgia for example) As for the obesity I think I saw a good explenation on the channel Food Theories, it has to do with the way the US has set up the "food pyramid". This monstrosity, borrowed from the original Swedish one, was not so much set up to bring a balanced diet but was more set towards steering the American people to consume in a certain way. First due to wars and such the emphasis was on carbs and butter and such because the Americans had to be BIG and STRONG in case of a Russian invasion, later revisions became a target for the different food industries like "Big meat" and "Big dairy" (food theory video kzbin.info/www/bejne/enWtXqqMg8eUf9U )

[@FrankHeuvelman]

Talking about the relation between fructose syrup, as used in the American food industry, and the obesity/diabetic epidemic in America: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mnPRn5yrlptgpa8

[@Antoon55]

Food and drink portions in USA are huge. Maybe that has an effect..

[@gordonwallin2368]

Cheers from the Pacific West Coast of Canada.

[@luk5464]

What about stuffed Turkey? That seems pretty American to me.

[@nlfiets]

Try next week to explain "NK Tegenwindfietsen". Good luck1

[@cobynonamegiven842]

I heard in America there is even "fried butter".... How? Why?

[@davidharris3391]

I've lived in the USA most of my life, have visited nearly every state, and I have never seen that. It is a thing, yes, but exceedingly rare.

[@Frahamen]

Funny thing is that the Dutch are kinda known to be loud in comparisson to other Europeans. Maybe Spaniards are even louder.

[@FredtheFrisian]

What comes to mind to me and I think to most Europeans is that there is just so much inequality and a lack of social economic safety net and there is so much reluctance towards taxes. Where does that come from? Also my opinion or prejudice is that there is so little knowledge about the rest of the world and a lot of focus on the U.S.? Is that how you see it and why? Another difference is the influence of religion, how big is the influence actually? Where does it come from?

[@davidharris3391]

Re: social safety net. Long story, but short version is : "rugged individualism" Re: rest of world U.S. is size of Europe and we only have 2 immediate neighbors that have never invaded us, unlike England, Germany, France, Spain, etc.. We have the 'luxury' of not being forced to learn much about the outside world. Japan is similar. Re: religion Right-wing American politics, i.e. the GOP, have recruited extremist Christians. They are loud and more influential than their numbers suggest. Compared to nearly every EU political party, the right-wing in the USA is indeed more religious. It comes from - ironically - Calvinism, evolved many times over. The USA was founded - literally - by people the EU kicked out for being too religiously strict and extreme.

[@FredtheFrisian]

@@davidharris3391 Thanks for sharing your insights!

[@robertboender5816]

Ooh Sliders with the warning on the back "causes cancer"?

[@ArjenHaayman]

in the Scandinavian countries (at least in Denmark and Norway, don't know about the others) you'll also see a lot of flags

[@Snowshowslow]

Really? Huh, I never noticed that. I mean, flags on logos or products: yes. But large quantities of flags elsewhere, I really don't recall that. But then I've only been to Norway, Sweden and Denmark a couple of times - I may well misremember.

[@lws7394]

@@Snowshowslow you've never been to Denmark ! A lot of houses in the countyside will have a flag pole in their garden ! With a flag , regardless the day. Often just a narrow one.. ( 'vaantje'). Maybe it is a regional North sea thing because in NL , in the northern provinces Friesland and Groningen have also often a little regional flag at ordinary houses in the countryside. More so than in the eastern NL , at least..

[@Snowshowslow]

@@lws7394 I have actually, like I mentioned in the post you replied to. But only in the cities, if it's a rural thing that makes sense.

[@sherlockhomeless7138]

Huh? How come other dutch people think ten minutes drive is a lot? I'm from the Netherlands and I drive ten minutes to the Lidl. It's nothing.

[@Lilrom2003]

In a bar in USA, Americans stand further apart and therefore need to speak louder to be heard. Regarding work, in Holland tax rates are high so earning more through extra hours does not translate into money in hand. Saving money through DIY is more effective in retaining more money to spend

[@jolandaew7083]

Americans live to work, Europeans work to live.

[@ronnydeboer9014]

goed gesproken heb veel vrienden in de us en als je geen fox nieuws kijkt haha scheelt het echt

[@vogel2280]

About suburbs... In other video's of other Americans I've learned that in most states a "residential area" leaves no room at all for any exceptions, *housing only* ...that means no supermarkets, no restaurants, no shops, no schools. That means there are no destinations to go to on foot....so no need pavements.

[@wil2lem1]

how about just a walk

[@I.Toverheks]

'not just bikes' is a great channel that explains just that. made by a canadian that lived all over the world ( including the US) and landed in the Netherlands.

[@joebloggs2473]

Regarding food I think people are talking about quality. Hormone meat and chlorinated chicken are good examples. It is illegal to do that here.

[@FrankHeuvelman]

In the realm of Family Guy, The Simpsons and American Dad there is at least one person per episode who convincingly tells us "I hate my job." Okay, I know it's just a caricature but nevertheless, you know. I think that Glenn Quagmire is the only one who truly loves his job as an airline pilot but that's because of his uniform that seems to attract a limitless amount of hot girls, giggity...

[@bornwithoutprivilege2050]

Americans are loud but so are the Dutch as well as the Germans and the Spaniards and the Italians. Americans being loud is a cultural myth/stereotype, that is louder than other cultures. People who have not met many Americans still carry this stereotype because they are taught by their society that Americans are loud.

[@RFGfotografie]

Great video

[@eddys.3524]

Ava, thanks for this informative talk about the USA.. Being accustomed to a rather small country like The Netherlands it's sometimes hard to imagine the USA almost being a continent easily leading to unjustified generalizations about the USA and it's many people..

[@FrankHeuvelman]

Ahhh...

[@wimsoetaert3806]

Interestingly, when the dutch come over to visit Flanders and other neigbouring places, they are generally considered as way too loud and occupying too much space.

[@bastiaan4129]

Thats mainly people from the west and especially Noord-Holland. Most Dutch people can't stand them either.

[@wisecat.]

Americans live to work, The Dutch work to live. About the many flags in the U.S. I always joke about Americans really need a constant reminder of which country they' re in. Otherwise they'd just forget. Haha. Or maybe it's a lack of inspiration of what to do with empty spaces.on the street or in stores, or public transport, schools etc. "Just put an American flag there." "Okay!"

[@mattpickering4223]

We’re not loud everyone else is too quite lol

[@bellies1000]

Just have one question. How is it possible that a country that is made from ALL SORTS of immigrants (jeez the population comes from all over the world) has only a 2-partysystem? And i am not saying that our system is better because our system has the opposite! To many parties that are allowed to take a place in our system ( that is why i am for a kiesdrempel (electoril treshold) of at lest 6 seats!))

[@colibri1]

Americans didn't used to be so eager to work overtime and extra-long hours all the time. That was one of many changes that came about in the eighties and became normal the way it is today by the nineties. There was a narrowing of the American mind during that period to be more narrowly materialistic and also an elimination and reduction of many social supports and kinds of regulation that had enabled Americans to live a more relaxed, normal life without having to worry that they'd end up on the streets before the eighties - yeah, modern mass homelessness is another phenomenon that started in the eighties, precisely due to a now-normal reduction of social supports and regulations in the country. There used to be more rent control in the US before the eighties, for instance, and it used to not be legal to engage in mass firings, another now-normal phenomenon that started in the eighties. And I would attribute Americans seeming to like working long hours to their twisting their thoughts around so that they can always be thinking "positive," which results in them claiming that they love to do things that are unpleasant, since that enables them to cope with the difficulties of life more easily and also because a lot of Americans actually believe that thinking negative can make you physically sick and even cause cancer, which is a weird thing to believe. Anyway, that's part of the background to why Americans work such long hours and claim to enjoy it.

[@RoderikPlas]

You might be interested to know that I can hear the first signs of Dutchification in your English pronunciation.

[@TimWil]

I’m a New Yorker who visited The Netherlands over the holidays. Yeah, I know, not the smartest choice (I admit I did get to Belgium and Germany for some of it). One day early this month I was in Haarlem in front of a Hema which was only taking click and collect. I found myself struggling with an elderly employee who didn’t seem to speak English at all. In my frustration I raised my voice when trying to get my question through. I don’t think I sounded belligerent. I did think I was being polite but OK, my voice may have been tinged with some exasperation. Anyway an elderly customer nearby turned to me and snapped “Can you PLEASE not talk so loud?” And this was most certainly not in the friendly, helpful, direct tone I admire the Dutch for. I was sort of shocked by how she directed that question at me, excused myself and walked away. I still look back on this with sort of hurt feelings even though I know I shouldn’t. I remind myself that by this point the poor Nederlanders were REALLY fed up and pissed off by the lockdown restrictions. Not happy people at all by then. And I don’t blame them. And OK, I’ll fess up-all I wanted was a rookworst sandwich. I even think I used the term “broodje”! I love your videos, by the way. I hope to be back for King’s Day where I plan to see a LOT of flags, heh heh.

[@hansk9285]

Frustration because someone doesn't speak your language while you are abroad 🤔 What an arrogance.

[@maartjewaterman1193]

I personally think too that Americans can be annoyingly loud but it wouldn't cross my mind to say that to an American coz I tor me that would be kind of rude. Besides that, Italians can be much worse. My sister has got Italian neighbors and when the entire family is visisting mty sister often has go inside and close the garden door coz they constantly act and yell as if their house is on fire.

[@jaredlash5002]

The American flag is part of American civil religion. Of course, we don't usually call it that.

[@halapunjete]

The negative questions and stereotypes are a result of being envious of the American lifestyle which is understandable. Americans, in general, have it much better than the Dutch which is a hard pill to swallow for most of them.

[@usmub]

Statistics seem to suggest otherwise. The Dutch are among the happiest in the world n the 2021 UN ranking - ranking #5 in the world i , with the US coming in at #19 - and consistently outperform the US in similar lists. If anything it´s based on the more general notion that the way you are used to things being and being done is the best way and anybody doing it differently is weird. That's not typical for the Dutch though, as that's part of human nature in general. At least that's the feeling I get from the amount of times I have had to explain to non Dutch people that not all dutch people smoke large amounts of pot, you can't get drugs on every street corner and the Netherlands isn't some communist country full of debauchery in general.

[@halapunjete]

​@@usmub I agree with the notion that, in general, anything different than your way is perceived as weird followed by a negative reaction. Though I think the Dutch have slightly more trouble comprehending these differences. By the same token, scoring high on the happy charts isn’t necessarily indicative of being well off. On the contrary, poor people seem to rate their happiness very high when their lives improve slightly, which is also the case for most Dutch people. Just one generation ago, the average Dutch person didn’t even have a bathroom, could only afford to eat meat twice a week, could not afford a car, TVs and radios were anomalies back then. So, it’s quite understandable why they would rate their happiness higher than Americans as Americans always had a much higher living standard. They never had to struggle as most Dutch people do and take pretty much everything for granted.

[@usmub]

@@halapunjete The thing is that we have a distinctive different attitude to what it means to be means to be well off. Welfare, unemployment, a decent minimum wage and health care among others are as much a part of standard of living as possessions are. I don´t know of many Dutch people who´d preferred the American systems over the socialised one´s we have over here. And even if they weren´t my generation and younger, I was born in 1976, have had those things in general all of their life. The 1950´s were a rebuilding phase after world war 2, but from the 60´s onward the Netherlands has prospered. The main difference being there that the general dutch attitude is that if you can´t pay for it, you save money until you can. The US way is buying it on credit and paying afterwards. We have less big tv's on the wall, but don't have crippling credit card debt to deal with. And that´s not even considering things like wealth disparity, which is far greater in the US than it is in the Netherlands. (GIni index US 41 - Netherlands 28; in a range from 60 to 25 / lower being better). That means that if you don't have all the stuff chances are you have more stuff in the Netherlands than people in comparable situations in the US. Yes rich people might have much more, but I don't think the wealthy of the Netherlands care that much about that, as they have plenty of their own. In general: it might have been true (the Dutch in general were envious of the Americans at some point, but if they were, it's certainly not the case any more. That doesn't make the US a bad country, but just not the exceptional country they seem to believe they are. Nor are the Netherlands in the way the Dutch think they are. But that's a different story for another time.

[@willy4170]

I don’t think anyone in Europe is envious of the American lifestyle, in what Americans have it better?

[@halapunjete]

@@willy4170 on average 3 to 4 times higher salaries, larger homes, larger back yards, space, cheaper prices, lower taxes, beautiful and very diverse nature, convinces, freedom, opportunities……….

[@blindbrick]

That 'people are fat because healthy food is to expensive' is a myth. For 15 years I am living (literally) almost exclusive on pizzas, French fries, frikandellen speciaal, coffee, chocolate milk and candy. My weight is 73kg by 176cm. People are fat because they eat to much, not because they eat the wrong things.

[@SideWalkAstronomyNetherlands]

We here have respect for our flag. So we only raise it on special occasions.

[@MrFlatage]

Sorry I do not respect it. Never will. Gonna make me? I am a citizen with rights. I will stand above you.

[@reneklinkenberg8271]

Hallo Eva, is the real reason that the americans work hard not that they are not really protected by laws and they can be fired fore any reason on the spot. If you are fired you could lose your house and become homeless.

[@Paul-iq6pw]

Q to Ava: Is it really common when you go to see a movie in the US to talk out loud and comment what goes on on the screen with big blockbuster movies? Here in the Netherlands it is pretty much silence throughout safe from some laughing or a shriek. Oh and on great American food, I got one you hardly ever see over here and I really like my own version of it: Sloppy Joe! Not that healthy, but you can almost wake me up in the middle of the night for it. Yes really.

[@gert-janvanderlee5307]

The first question could also be asked about people from Amsterdam. Here in the south they are considered to be loud and obnoxious by many. About those little supermarkets in the city. Are they still there today? As I understand that realestate prices have gone up a lot in those cities and it seems that it would be impossible to afford to buy or rent the space for such a store in the city. Especially those small ones from different cultures. I don't think hamburgers and fried meat should be considered as "good" food. 😉

[@DutchAmericano]

Haha, interesting to hear Dutch perspectives on Amsterdam. Not sure about the supermarkets, and indeed, the definition of "good" is debatable 😆

[@SideWalkAstronomyNetherlands]

Good American food: Tacko!

[@Anonymous-sb9rr]

Some Americans eat bison, I wonder if that's exclusively American.

[@moshemordechaivanzuiden]

I think lots of people love this vlog, but only 10% remembers to give a thumbs up. Just do it! * I found Americans - yes - obnoxious, until I went to the Sates. Americans are lovely! They are warm, hospitable, humble, generally. Then I realized that the obnoxiousness of tourists I saw in Amsterdam was not American but Middle-Class and up. People that have money and time to waste. And, of course, the humble ones don't stand out. * I don't think that USers are extremely obese. Rather, there are extremely obese USers to a degree you'll never see from the Netherlands. Probably from endless amounts of Cola plus hormone-laden meat, I suppose. * I think your last question says more about the Dutch than about Americans. Maybe therefore you don't have an answer? The Dutch are traditionally anti-nationalistic, anti-militaristic. It's changing but that's how it used to be for centuries. I guess that is because you make more money in trading when you hide your chauvinism and arrogance. If you ask a Dutch person what they are proud of, 9 out of 10 will not have an answer. One will say: the dykes, the Delta Works. But then the other nine will say cynically: yeah, after first thousands drowned. But, when a USers says something derogatory about the Dutch, we are enraged in a split second. We do have our national pride but it's hidden, even to us.

[@MartijnHover]

Because Americans believe that "working hard" will make you a rich person, which is how they believe the "pursuit of happinees" works, they are not morally allowed to not want to work hard. Often they work hard in the sense that they make lots of hours, but often they do not work very efficiently. On a per hour basis, Americans tend to be less productive than peope in economically comparable countries.

[@ottot3221]

The funny thing is most of them don't work hard (except for the service industry). An American gets done less in a 14 hour workday than a Dutch person in 8 hours. It got all to do with efficiency and the lack there off.

[@CarlosHuiskens]

I honestly suspect that most Americans make big sacrifes for their work because from what I've seen there seems to be a ''Get Rich or Die Trying'' mentality in the U.S. You either make it big and live the American dream or you don't. This is partially fueled by the differences on taxes I persume. From what I've heard regardless of how much money you make in the U.S your taxes don't really change which makes it easier to get rich as opposed to our lovely Netherlands where you pay more taxes the more money you make hahaha.

[@erikmulder2574]

American food, I love crab cakes.

[@RFGfotografie]

We are people that are very curious xD

[@DutchAmericano]

Indeed!

[@moshemordechaivanzuiden]

And honest.

[@Paul_C]

@@moshemordechaivanzuiden Debatable if that is true...

[@QUENTEMY]

Love your videos. Re "Loudness" of Americans You mention the fact that Americans are teached to speak out, let themselves be heared in contrast to i.e. the English/British are tought to be "polite". From over 60 years personal and business experience with Americans in the USA as well as "abroad" in dozens of countries, I feel you forget one very important aspect. "You" are not teached to LISTEN! Just observe private, business and political discussions between Americans. Everybody talks, nobody listens!

[@FrankHeuvelman]

I think it is reasonable to add to your statement "You, as an average American, are not taught to *THINK"* No offense, but public education sucks in America.

[@QUENTEMY]

@@FrankHeuvelman Having also "enjoyed" 3 years of American high school (aged 13-15) and combining that with my experiences with Americans over the years, I tend to agree. As a Dutchie my parents always learned me to be critical about every thing, questioning every thing and to always never take anything for granted and always seek alternative sources of information befor you form an opinion on any and every thing. Having been a coach to junior and senior management for 2 decades my method included the tip/rule "laat OMA thuis", "leave grandma home", a metaphor for open up your self by not blocking your self with "old" experiences. "OMA" being the abbreviation of (O)ordeel, (M)ening, (A)annemen, or in Engish Judge, Opinion, Assume. So, do not Judge any one, do not have an Opinion and do not Assume any thing BEFOR you know all about what has lead to that point. On top of that I might add that we in The Netherlands have something called "a life long learning" programme, propagated by the goverment and included in our CAO's, our Collective Labour Agreements that are made in all sectors of work between employers and employees and have the working as a law!! The CAO's not only cover wages, yearly inflation corrections, amount of holidays etc etc ON TOP OF the basic "rules" set by official labour rules and laws, but also how this life long learning is effectively done and financed (by the empoyers!!!) EDUCATE, EDUCATE, EDUCATE!

[@FrankHeuvelman]

@@QUENTEMY Have a clear and open mind with a fresh intake and learn how to think, think, THINK for crying out loud!

[@FrankHeuvelman]

Well, something like that anyway.

[@lindaijland4759]

@@QUENTEMY hangt af van de oma. De mijne was openminded. Haar lijfspreuk was aan iedereen valt wel wat aan te merken of zo als zij het zei "ieder gek hef zien gebrek"(dialect).

[@blindbrick]

Americans are fine people who saved Europe in three wars.

[@charlesvanderhoog7056]

I don't think "Americans love America" gives the right answer to the flagging question. Perhaps it should read "Americans love to love America" and then add to it, in a low voice, "but they have a hard time with it". For America is only paradise if you are really well-off, wealthy or rich. And then even so. It was brilliantly exposed by Tom Wolfe in his bestseller "The Bonfire of the Vanities".

[@cobynonamegiven842]

Flagwaving is something our German neighbours did in the Nazi-time. So... It is frowned upon. Like a red flag. Whitch was actually the color of the nazi-flag. One thing is accepted; soccer-time flags and with a very few celebrations. Before the nazi's came to power, there were nationalistic tendencies in Europe. A lot. It was a bombastic thing and filled with fake stories of pride and such. Nearly all countries did this. They invented and distorted stories of the past and presented them to make their subgroup "proud and strong". Before that, the masses were mostly told to be docile and listen to their betters. Like a good serv should. Upper and lower classes. When that did not work as good anymore, they needed a different tool. Which was nationalism and a different kind of hierarchie. They were afraid that the bad treated masses would rise up and kill the higher classes. Fascism and natonalism were considered tools from the higer classes to prevent this. It could give the lowest people the sense of belonging to a bigger thing, even when in itself they would not matter, their thing did. It made them better controlable. Even with sports you see it working. "we won".🤣🤣🤣 No we did not. These soccerplayers won a game. We watched it. We did not even touch the ball. The "we" is imaginary, a construct. But the feelings can be real and are there regardless. Maybe Americans have a lot of need for tokens of this feeling? And Europeans have a nasty reminder of how this nationalism can escalate against them. You were not overrun by flagwaving people who thought they had a right to do this because of them being better than any other. In America it is actually normal to be taught they are better than any other... 🙃It is like Americans saw a WW2-movie and thought; Yess!! we like this first part, never mind the outcome. It is kind of strange. But we usually do not hold it against individuals. I get that it is not ment to be hostile. But stating You are the best, means you think others are less. So they matter less. (think upper/lower class) In Europe it is not a wise thing, because you do have to at least act like you are on equel footting and respect the other. (same class.) You might pretend you consider the other as being a little better to gain more. And the other will pretend the same to even the field. You never say You are better. It is not done. 😉 And in comes the American boasting like a gorilla in the zoo... 😉

[@MrFlatage]

You personally frown upon it? Or are you doing the Nazi-time tactic of speaking for all like some kinda great leader? I can speak for many here I personally know and factually proven history how it is frowned upon that the Netherlands cowardly surrendered without a fight and bend the knee of facism. Which is why I proudly fly and salute my mighty red, white and blue each morning. Waving it around for all to see and honour. As a warning to all to stand against us. Just like those 3 words broadcasted through every radiowave those many years ago ... Zeeland Vecht Door!

[@cobynonamegiven842]

Just wondering, which red/white/blue flag? Because the Dutch flag is red, white, blue, but so is the American flag. If you salute the Dutch flag and stuff in the Netherlands , you will get laughed at, a lot. Probably behind your back because you would be considered a crazy person. Also, if you would salute any other flag, in the Netherlands you would be considered a crazy person. And creepy. The neonazis are the only ones who act like that here. And we do not like them.

[@MrFlatage]

@@cobynonamegiven842 Haha yes losers who surrender would hurl slander and call those who stand and fight facism ... crazy. Same like the facist policians. And when asked if they are speaking for all? They avoid and deflect from the proven historical facts and do not take their resposibility. Now if you knew your flags by name throughout history? You would know there is no 'American flag'. Anyone educated would know they pledge to their Flag. Written with a capital letter. The name of that flag is the Stars & Stripes. Not red, white and blue. Now if you were educated you would know names of flags throughout history. But not if you were ... indoctrinated.

[@MrFlatage]

@@cobynonamegiven842 Awh now we can all proof read and fact check that you are in fact editing like the Nazi-time tactic. Now we know for a fact that your words cannot be trusted. A clear red flag as they call that. Which you did mention as being your flag they flew back in the days when they invaded. See how someone who stands with his flag and his word will face you headon? You can be the person who attacks people ad hominem for all to see. Then you can lie and change your words. Bring up you are a 'neonazi' word for word and ofcourse hide behind a fake name. As you do things behind people's backs. Luckily the entire Royal Netherlands Navy all salute the Geuzenvlag. Which a so called ''neonazi'' would deny troll. Even though everyone not from Germany like you and lives in the Netherlands? Knows is true. Remember we beat you guys. Be salty all you like? My flag stands at the dawn's early light in my lands of the free.

[@cobynonamegiven842]

@@MrFlatage I am not taking the time to answer serious to your talk, because I do not think talking to a flag waving person is worthwhile. I have not one ounce of so called respect for flags. It is just cloth. Also, I like the flag of my people. It is also red, white, blue, but in a different pattern, diagonally with red harts. Kind of. I do not like Holland that much. Just lighten up.

[@bentels5340]

Here's one: Given that in the US: - education costs a fortune - healthcare costs a fortune - most people live paycheck to paycheck and/or are in debt up to their eyeballs - there is no effective social welfare or social security net - and large swathes of the US government at different levels are actively trying to dismantle the American middle class Why hasn't there been a socialist revolution in the US yet?

[@sultankamysbayev1937]

Red Scare/McCarthyism where any welfare spending is automatically considered "evil Communist dictatorship that will make USA into USSR/North Korea/Venezuela"

[@marielvanhees9531]

Because people work for their healthcare if their jobs provide access. People don't want to share the large amounts of their money that's meant for themselves that they worked hard for, to provide for a stranger.

[@jackvandersluis1723]

I think the Americans are little like the Japanse, to have a job is the best you can get in live. To have a job is important for your friends and family, but will this make you happy? 🤔

[@jeroenvanzwam6991]

Good american food: Shrimp & Grits!

[@MegaRebel100]

de winkelsluitingswet in made because before ww2 store owner drop dead behind ther counter ..so we have more laws , on the road a tachograaf ( 90 hours in two weeks no more ) if jpu work ATb-vervoer ans so one .. so rust and breaks are in te the law so you can,t work tillthe dead ( if ypy one a big store by your then its allowed to break thos laws ) flags ar not allowed after dark ( you get a ticket) no offical flags ( teams voetball) ans so on may .., but if get a bad cop it will come down .. In my place , geldersch eiland , achterhoek , land van maas en waal isthe battle flag of the conferdation too see on rara places and houses ..im Hollander and my nae is Rebel but.. it is for my also a suprise ( or the state of the land ???) 2 years back i was i cochem and al the (cruises )came in to the littele town .., the man and woman from the usa loud and claer too by seen by voice attiude and behahvvoiur .. Hope a helped a littke bit ..greatings from the border ..

[@bffnbffn]

Sorry for my bad englisch my not educated. Something to contribute to the world was a joke right? America is cause of many things we see as bad. People in general dont like america. But find it interesting and fasynating and its entertaining. Its the land of opurtunaty. I would love to go there some day its like going to a big zoo or a national park where you can travel for months and be shocked and amazed and of course there is a lot i want to see and go i already no i want to see. Sorry for my bad englisch my not educated. And yes i am bitter😉👿

[@adpop750]

My question would be: how many guns did you own 😀, just joking. But I do like to know how it feels knowing people around you might be wearing concealed guns, does that make you feel unsafe or is that something you are simply used too in the U.S. and you don't even give a it a second thought?

[@joblesstess]

Your lighting ain’t great

[@RFGfotografie]

Wait a vegetarian that is positive/likes meat? IN what kind of world have we changed xD?

[@mavadelo]

Not weird at all, it is all about personal choices. I like Whiskey but made the choice not to drink alcohol. I can understand and respect someone that loves meat but looks at the bio industry and makes the decision not to partake in that.

[@jbird4478]

There are many vegetarians who like meat. I'm a vegan and I love meat as well. People aren't born vegetarian. We know how meat tastes.

[@silentwilly2983]

The big mystery remains: What have you US-ians done that makes Canadians not wanna be American while they clearly live in the Americas just to distantiate themselves from US-ians?

[@jbird4478]

That depends on who you ask, but in general this is not really a mystery. Large parts of the world have some history with the US, while Canada has stayed to themselves more. And in general people don't like other countries meddling in their affairs.

[@Wolfe1966]

Well the US invading Canada in 1812 might have soured the relatioship between them🤔

[@genericdragon7260]

Good American Food: Barbe Que.

[@DutchAmericano]

Very true!

[@genericdragon7260]

And I live in San Antonio and people are fat! Very fat. It was the first thing I noticed.

[@moshemordechaivanzuiden]

And that could never be Dutch because there is always rain in the forecast.

[@moshemordechaivanzuiden]

@@genericdragon7260 Not everyone! But how fat the extremely obese are, that's what stands out. Some might have some illnesses but generally, it must be from differences in what they eat.

[@SideWalkAstronomyNetherlands]

The meek shall inherit the earth.

[@jpdj2715]

American patriotism is a federal organized manipulation of the populace to try to turn an extremely divided federation into a union. You'll see this in many "recent" nation states. Italy, France, Germany or Spain have a rather recent federated aspect and are still working on becoming a union. (And then "Europe" ...). It takes several centuries to overcome a divided origin.

[@Jila_Tana]

Some large difference between Americans and Europeans is in their identity. The US are a bunch of states in a union. The EU are a bunch of countries in a union. A US citizen will identify as American An EU citizen will never identify as European. I wonder if that will ever change, will my childrens children ever identify as European first and Dutch second? I somehow doubt it. So my question to you Ava, do some Americans identify as Texan or Californian or 'fill in any other state' ?

[@sewthuis9659]

je moet echt eens je vriendin laten zien wil ze nie als ze nederlands is maar toch meid

[@Uytarein]

Pfff, though I don't doubt your sincerity,I think your stereotyping. All these equasions. America is not my ideal, though the Netherlands certainly have their weakspots, the united lands of the Nether we ain't either. I smoke like an American Dragon( child of the greenconomy, a word I just made up, Germany is legalizing, I propose to the word: Wietschaftswunder.) I'm not a car and if you can't beat em you have to join em. An autobot? Like Diogênès maybe. Greek roots do . The Netherlands are a Pac-Man ghost in the shade of the great bride, great Britain. The Dutch are allright. We have some culture(cheese,windmills, tulips) as do the USA, (burgers? cars? Does mr Rogers approve of this? Obese and such. Or perhaps dreamcatchers and smudging) but the whole world(a religion, I believe) is scarred (as I am) by wars and such. Hollywood products are such a wars. Do you listen to Doe Maar or Normaal? Or is it Bløf... really it isn't of much concern. Or Guns ' Roses and Jimi Hendrix. Jazz was it's base( with all it's copper trumps )but deeper into jazz, I found flamenco, a shorter wave, more into Spanish culture. Darned shame los conquistadores killed it, Natively Americanly spoken I'd say, how I wish that Native Americans'd be more worshipped, not as export product, but for their relationship with mother earth. . I'm into Wapiti, Sioux and Cheyenne and Hopi and more, listen to native music and world music, also prayers from Shiva. Watch Oren Lyons speak on how little time there is left on this planet if we keep wasting. You're a Lesbian veganist who adore's meat, my name is meat, ik, Arne Haverschmidt, and I happen to share your point of view on meat, but vegan is better, weather I'm homo or rather omnisexual, I ain't blind for animal suffering. I Suffer, I've been single against my will, for 10 years, just my Christian faith heh. I believe in God, though my initials are ATH.. burgers and babies. A mom has milkburgers face it, I'm a regular at mom's burgers no matter cheap prices at mac or king. Let's get down to bussiness.

[@markrutte5637]

gebaseerd

[@dannyboymac]

lol there is no american food

[@davidvdbergen]

69% of the US is overweight, so yeah..

[@dutchyjhome]

Jeez, how on earth is it possible for those poor Americans to be considered obnoxious and extremely loud all over the globe, except for in their own country? Typical American loudness: An American in any country besides the USA can step into a room full of local people and loudly declare that he is American... like this is of any importance... In Europe we are tempted to say; yes.. well.. so...? Because we consider this to be this particular persons problem and his personal disadvantage. In the rest of the world besides the USA we talk to each other in a way that only the persons whom actually take place in this conversation are able to follow this discussion, and nobody else (speech table volume). Being loud and obnoxious basically is a sign that someone is drunk or looking for a fight or a combination of these facts. In any way, it is being considered to be rude, and everybody basically wants the loudmouth to shut up, since we don't like shouting airheads. Usually besides the loudly declaration: "I am an American"..., in general nothing intelligent will come from this American and no depth discussion is possible with this American because Americans tend to stay on the surface in any discussion. They shout a lot but they really don't say anything. Exceptions of course do confirm this rule.

[@CorporateG0th]

I dunno man this seems like the bum rap Americans get, I can't relate them being "loud" at all. If anything they're skittish about being perceived as loud.

[@CorporateG0th]

Caveat for the "good ole boys" who are usually looking to start shit, but those won't be caught dead outside of America.

[@problu9586]

Not long after Pangea split up into the 7 continents, I was visiting a childhood Dutch friend and his then young family in Deventer. Friends of theirs called to invite them over to a BBQ. My friend asked them if I could come along. My friend was told an American was NOT invited to attend. My Dutch friend had to explain I was not like a stereotypical American. Us Americans have a terrible reputation.🤠🤩😎

[@Snowshowslow]

Ouch 🙈 I think this story is more embarrassing for the Dutch than the Americans, but I might be wrong. Just wanted to say: I love how you opened the story 😁

[@problu9586]

@@Snowshowslow Slightly embellished how long ago that visit happened.👴

[@Harry_PP030]

Probably people who never have been in the usa. If you have been there you know that americans are very friendly. Just don't talk about politics 😄

[@problu9586]

@@Harry_PP030 Enjoyed a nice BBQ and was invited to return. Couple years later, we got together to visit Bussloo, one warm sunny day. Sadly, their youngest (8?) contracted an amoeba infection from the lake, which proved fatal. Until that tragedy, I was totally unaware of such parasites.