Hardest working person in the Netherlands is...

Hardest working person in the Netherlands is (drum roll...) my postal carrier. When we moved to the Netherlands from the US, we realized life in the Netherlands could be and will be different, we just didn't know how different. After watching the postal carriers here in the Netherlands vs. the United States the clear winner, hands down, is the Netherlands! Between bending down every day, climbing stairs every day and riding a bike all day, regardless of the weather these are some pretty amazing people!! Living in the Netherlands as an expat from the US and watching the postal workers here in the Netherlands and what they do and how they do it has earned my respect! To say the Dutch life and the Dutch culture in the Netherlands is bit different than the US would be an understatement!

[@carolalookermans9372]

Thank you for acknowledging the Dutch postal workers with positive vibes. We love it!

[@RAWDernison1]

If you say the postal worker, I say the newspaper delivery ... they start at 4am and cover way more ground. Have you seen the size of a Saturday paper ? And there is a time limit, the paper has to be delivered before 7am. In all weathers, of course, six days a week.

[@H1SCOTTY]

Here 3 am

[@AdJOffCourse]

It was 4:30 to 5 am where I live, if you were lucky enough that the delivery to the depot was made in time. And nevermind all the very small streets with barely any side walk and lines of cars parked on each side you had to get through all while dodging cobwebs in the front yards every single time.

[@gert-janvanderlee5307]

I delivered newspapers and it wasn't a fun job on saturdays back then. You had to deliver them before 7 am while they were delivered later from the printer because the paper is bigger in saturdays and we had to put it together ourselves as a seperate extra weekend part was delivered seperately. So, you started later had to do extra work and because the papers were bigger it was Impossible to get them in the bags on your bike. I always had to strap stacks of papers on top of my bike or it would cost me about 30 minutes extra for a second pick up run. But it was a part time job.

[@mwlvranken]

Yeahhh Tammy !! Never let him forget who's running the SHOW....... whahahaha, U two are something else ! Always fun to watch your adventures, i really do. You 2 have a nice day , till next time

[@SwirlingSoul]

1. The low mailboxes don't conform to current rules anymore, and it's the goodwill of the postal worker to deliver the mail there. They don't have to. There is a minimum hight and size for instance. 2. If any mail is bigger than the standard 3cm thickness that fits our mailboxes, then it becomes a package, and it is usually also delivered to your door. If you MISS the delivery, you can go get it at the local collection point, (if they don't do a 2nd delivery round, they do here in Emmen, usually.) 3. I have a mail delivery friend, and usually she went to go get her mail at a depot, (where it was sorted into the routes) and usually it came with her in one go. If that didn't fit, she'd had to go back and do another round, or tell the boss they need to delegate because you can't. Or it stays till next day, but not all mail is allowed to stay. Death announcements for instance, will ALWAYS be delivered quickly. It's called Rouw post Aim is always to deliver everything. Pay is not always good, so...effort depends on region and boss and team and individual. 4. Most of our "postbodes" are a "social eye around the neighborhood" and they often notice first when something seems wrong. 5. The bike. Also depends on the boss/position, but usually there is a way to get a bike from work, either with a loan or a gift or a discount or you can use your own bike, and get the bags for them. Those are owned by the mail company. (as far as I know. my knowledge may be old. I'm old. lol) 6. The car. Here in Emmen, it's more rural (Drenthe) and they deliver by car for the longer routes. They don't have to cycle 17km through the windy fields to deliver the mail. (either that, or a more local depot is arranged.) 7. Great vid! Very enjoyable. 🥰 8. Bonus: If you really want to make your package delivery person smile....open the door while they're still walking towards you. It's something YOU can do, being aware of their arrival. It saves so much time! (when you're home that is. )

[@IliaKemp]

I never thought about it this way... you're right!

[@lizalawsky3055]

I worked temporarily as a postal worker during covid. They have a central point where all the post is picked up for your route. I got paid pretty well. They use there own bikes and only work for like 4 hours a day depending how much post is for that route, max 5 hours. I'm not too good with a bike so I didn't enjoy it but many loved their job and were doing it for years and everyone greets you and is so cheerful to you.

[@instabram]

Own bike , reload at designated places , single routes are approximately 350 adresses , with on busy days 200 kg of mail and multiple reloads , most have multiple routes .

[@fytos76]

Also depends on where you deliver, and your contract hours. my route has 653 adresses, in the south of Limburg with alot of hills.

[@Anna133199]

As a highschool student, I delivered mail on Saturday. It broke my bike. It was so heavy!

[@basanoniem9280]

Hi! You´re right, working as a postman/woman is quite hard. I did it for a year in 2015. Was quite fun and rewarding in terms of human interaction. Payment, not so much. But we got paid for the amount of letters that were sent in your area on average. So if you worked and walked faster than average your hourly payment went up so to speak. To get the mail we had to go to a depot where all the bags with letters were sorted by area and put everything on the bike. Generally we tried to take everything with us in one go, because going back costs time (your own time). So I had days where I had around 120 kilos of bags on the back and front of the bike and even a shoulder bag with a few bundles. The bike was your own and it needed to be able to carry heavy weight, so cycling was hard too (result: massive quadriceps and calves). And yeah, the weather... storm, rain, snow, 35 degrees.. didn´t matter. People expect their mail. Unless there was an actual dangerous situation (code orange/red). And normally you have your own area, but when someone is sick you can be asked to do another area as well. Depended on the situation. On average I worked there for around 2-3 hours per day for 5 days next to my other job.

[@ellenlaehnemann7361]

Indeed a postal carrier does work hard regardless where they live in the World.. The carrier in the Netherlands does not have to hit the gym in order to stay in shape. People in the Netherlands are used to keeping their bodies moving. What the Americans and the Canadians see as exercise the Dutch see it as part of their daily activities to get a job done. We North Americans could learn a lot from the active lifestyle of rhe Dutch and for that matter the Europeans. They also have a great sense of balancing their professional and private lives. The North Americans live to work, the Europeans work to live. In my humble opinion, I do believe the Europeans got it right. Thanks gor you'd video. Keep ☺ ☺ smiling.

[@harryraam9566]

There is no such thing as European. I agree with the rest.

[@mwlvranken]

@@harryraam9566 #IDontLikeEUPolitiics ☑👈⁉👉❎

[@gert-janvanderlee5307]

To be fair, most Europeans would probably be much less active in north America too, as everything is designed there for driving a car. Walking or cycling to any destination is practically impossible there. At least that's what I learned from some youtubers about urban design.

[@ikke5212]

😉😊😊 nice to see you back

[@gerbenmoljr]

yip, they are great, and a few times a year i give "de postbode" a drink, or some chocolate etc.

[@ericvanvianen2818]

Rain or snow they deliver the mail. Great isn’t.

[@Cristian-wk3fm]

Go to pork meat fabric and you will see the hardest workers rumanian polish, etc i am Spanish i worked there and I moved in my record say 40 tones almost in 11 hours superate this mannn

[@ingridwatsup9671]

Bravo Tammy! Loved the note you left Eric ❤️

[@jjinwien9054]

I wonder why she felt the need to put that information in a note for Eric to read to us?

[@ingridwatsup9671]

Yes absolutely right: the postal worker and the (self employed) guys that deliver packages and only get paid when the package is delivered. So I’m always the package drop off in my street. Loved this subject! ❤

[@H1SCOTTY]

That’s why I would think package deliverers, when I would go to a employment agency they always were pushing delivery jobs even it didn’t matched with my preferences they were still pushing for the time being.

[@wisecat.]

I'm Dutch and live in Utrecht. I used to have a morning paper round twenty-something years ago (I was 14 when I started untill I was 21). I was standing there at 3 or 4 AM at the distribution point 6 days a week with my own bike for about 7 years. Back in the day I had 200+ newspapers to deliver in one round. At mondays it was easy because the papers are thin and no supplements but on saturday it was an absolute hell, thick newspapers with extra thick supplements and sometimes magazines as extra extra supplement. Every day, in all weathers. From extremly cold snow storms to extremely hot summer nights. For a period of time I had a 2nd round so that's another 150-200 papers. During those years I took no day off or vacation whatsoever. I delivered 5 different titles of newspapers so you have to stay focused about which newspaper goes in which slot. Nowadays paper rounds are easy because no one reads the paper anymore or reads it digitally. Back then I got greatly rewarded and it was considered a real extra job, nowadays it's just a low-paid easy gig.

[@ingridwatsup9671]

Respect!

[@mikevandervegt]

yea.. hot, wind, rain, frozen streets..

[@maltesetony9030]

Another unsung hero!

[@kakatoe1965]

It used to be a fulltime job, but it isn't anymore. When it still was, you sorted out the post at the postoffice, and when you were done you went to a neighborhood (a postal code) where you had to deliver the mail for that day. Then you got back to the post office an did the same thing over again, mostly you a would have a smaller neighborhood. The first one could have around 300 to 500 addresses and the second one 150 to 250 addresses. We mostly rode our own bikes, but we also used mail carts (postboys) or cargobikes. I had 3 mailbags hanging on my bike, 2 at the back and one on the frontside, mostley chocked up with mail, and when you ran out of space in your bags, you continued on your luggage carrier on the back of your bike, or did you make bags that were then brought to an address in your neighborhood, so that you could fill your bags again. Nowadays i work as a mail distributor at the VBC (preparationcentre) in Rotterdam. That means; I start at 3.30 sorting the mail for the buisinessclients and postofficeboxes, than at 4.30/5.00 i go to my unit and sort out the mail for that day, make sure that my team gets there mail that must be sorted. At 6 o'clock my team starts sorting all districts until about 10 o'clock and meanwhile I provide them with the mail, and I dispose of the mail that is ready in roll containers (about 30 pieces full of bags of sorted mail) so that they can be transported to the depots. I can tell you that it does give you muscles, 1 bag weighs about 20/25 kg. When all is done (mostley it's a race against the clock due to staff shortage) i have to clean up the place and make ready for the next day so we can start fresh again ;). Arround 11.00 i'm finished with my work. I still think back to the good old days.......

[@SoultoSoulTravels]

Thanks so much for the insight and how things work and thanks for taking time to watch. Thanks, Eric

[@dutchyjhome]

Hey guys, nice video! Say what's going on with your friends of the Daring2godutch channel? It has been a while for them to post a video and I am very curious to know how they are doing...! Could you please find out how they are doing? And let us know, since I know for a fact that many people besides me are interested in the people of Daring2godutch.

[@remcohoman1011]

I used to have my newspaper route in a "wijk" like that.. every day evening newspaper delivery, ... I approximtely calculated to walk up and doen the Martini tower every day because of these houses, on ebelow, and on built on top with the door 3 metres above the street, you know which city I am talking about ;) .. I do admit, I never was sick, and at -4 Celcius I would walk in a t-shirt doing my newspaper route.

[@Retro_Care]

If the route is done they bring the post that didnt fit to a pickup point so that it can be picked up there, they throw a note that it can be picked up the next day and state the address on it where the package or post is that didnt fit. They have a place where they pick up the post and there is also some bike repair kits available. also there will be compensation in monthly salary for using your own bike (about 8 euro a month). Also they can use had push or pull carts if the pickup station is near your route some use those instead of a bike. im not sure if these repair kits or push or pull carts are available everywhere but where i live its a option to use whats necessary to do the job as comfortably as possible.

[@KootFloris]

Hahaha, lovely to see hard working people acknowledged, and yet soo American. On that note: Work Life Balance. Some people love working hard, for others it's a necessity because of lack of fair pay. Just applauding the hardest workers doesn't address these issues enough.

[@SoultoSoulTravels]

I agree 100%!! A lot of very hard working go unnoticed with no appreciation everyday Thanks…Eric

[@gert-janvanderlee5307]

I'd say you're wrong and that the people working the hardest are hospital nurses. Especially during covid they worked their ass off. Doctors too but those nurses do most of the heavy physical work. And it's emotionally hard too as they experienced all those people dying too. And the mail delivery is mostly a part time job. Often just a few hours a day. Delivering packages is a whole different matter. That is more than a full time job with more than 100 and sometimes 200 stops a day and extra time in the morning for loading the van and in the evening for unloading. I did it myself and I always started before 6 in the morning and was never done until 7 in the evening. And it paid like crap. I quit the job after a few months and it's the only thing I swore to never do it ever again.

[@angeloavanti2538]

Thanks for the clarifications. Especially about you. 😁😇

[@missitheachievementhuntres560]

Ps about your question with the formats of post. There is a max size that is allowed. Like A4 format with a height around 3cm. (I work in a webshop kinda close to Rotterdam). Personally I have the worst type of mailbox, it isn’t horizontal but vertical. Not fun with cardboard package that they still try to get in there and then my whole mailbox get stuck and can’t be opent.

[@SoultoSoulTravels]

Ah…thanks for the insight! Thanks for watching…Eric

[@missitheachievementhuntres560]

I woud haven’t thought of this till a docu about it a few weeks ago, but the baggage carriers at the airport would be my pick. Getting those heavy suitcases in and out of the belly of those airplanes. Mostly picking it up when sitting on your knees.

[@SoultoSoulTravels]

I totally agree…that’s a really tough place to be right now!…Eric

[@nuuwnhuus]

As far as I know from an ex who used to do it. There are distribution points in the neighbourhood, and they sometimes to have several pickups. You get the bags the bike you take care of yourself, though I'm sure they have a bikeprogram for longer term employees.

[@H1SCOTTY]

My nice was finished as she was done with her fixed routes she would get that day. Now there is a new distribution centre in Breda 25!km from here till a few years ago it was Dordrecht about the double amount but I don’t know if they would sort it in Breda. I was for work at that place and had the luck they had a haring party.

[@BeckyPoleninja]

UK has same slots in the doors too

[@jaapvandijk8701]

as a former postal worker,bike messenger,lettercarier i am gonna write the king and tell him to give you the knicht of orange nassau medelion next kingsday

[@RemiPut]

I'm from Amsterdam my home town where I was born (I live in the US now for 20 years ) My brother when he was 18 years old he was working for the post office in Amsterdam Bos en Lommer area. He did it it all by walking , pushing a little cart 3 wheeler for hours including climbing stairs . That was back in 1973.

[@renebosch5917]

Very good of you to appreciate their work, because it's not self-evident that their employer - the Dutch postal services (postNL) - does appreciate them. These guys and girls are not paid a huge salary and postNL tries every trick in the book: like saying they are not employees but contactors on a zero-hours contract. Therefore I don't think they get their bike from postNL. It's even worse for the guys/girls driving around delivering parcels (in their own van!). Their schedule is so tight that they are almost forced to drive too fast, jump red lights, etc. Obviously they will have to pay any fine they get themselves. Maybe things have improved recently, but I'm not sure about that.

[@sim-one]

And imagine all these dogs waiting for them… 😳 Finally they got a steady contract by now (is what I read), they didn’t even before…

[@ROTORKOTOR1]

Can we have more food videos please♥️

[@jboreel1936]

In the place where I live postcasts are placed at the beginning of the staircases. The postal person doesn't have to climb all those stairs. It is mandatory.

[@jokevangeldrop5876]

Hi Eric, very surprising to hear from foreigners what things stand out for them what is quite obvious for us and we don't really think about it. And it's true: you don't need to go to the gym with all these activities. In Rotterdam we have a saying: in Rotterdam you get born with rolled up sleeves. 😉😁 We're not a bunch of sissies. B.t.w.: thanks for the laugh, Tammy, it's a good one! 😆👍

[@H1SCOTTY]

There are official requirements for mailboxes so if they are to low a postal delivery can refuse.

[@Taco048]

Hahaha, good one Tammy lol

[@aliveldwijk-cornelissen6160]

Onely ön sunday.

[@basvanderwerff2725]

thankfully doors up a stairs is pretty rare in most places

[@vanderquast]

Free fitness for the postal cariers in Rotterdam 😊

[@ellend9739]

The mentality of the Dutch nation is different ! I tell you why , they will destroy those community boxes over night ! I was born and raised in The Netherlands and as much as I love the country it has changed dramatically ! Even where I am living now , in Vancouver Canada we have some neighbourhoods that mail gets stolen out of that system ! But indeed, in North America it is a cushy job , all though driveways are long and people here have their boxes mostly on their houses mounted ! Unlike the USA ! In Vancouver the start at very early hours and the are done by noon !

[@leendersc]

Could not agree with you more

[@mikevandervegt]

🙋🏼‍♀

[@RichardRenes]

I am a mailcarrier myself so I know what she is going through ;) Normally, a mailbox should be between knee and shoulder height so, yeah, we do not like the very low ones (or very high ones, we have those too).

[@jurrione]

Post people are tough for sure. I know a few. They grind their way through snow, wind, rain and the blistering sun. (As you know by now, that can all happen in one day here) But in general they love their job. Maaike is the one delivering my mail. Koos and Wilco used to come to the bar after work. And they wouldn't want to do anything else. They all say the same thing. "Verstand op nul en gaan!" The only thing they really hate is ice and snow. That slows them down alot. And falling over becomes a serious hazard. I was in Efteling last monday, and there are some people with tough jobs too, while they look easy. They walk or stand for hours , keeping an eye out for the safety of the visitors. Often in outdoor temperatures. With the same song playing over and over and over again. I guess I got the same feeling watching them as you did with the post-staff. BTW. I do not know if you and Tammy already went to the Efteling, but I know you had plans to go. Be aware that some attractions will be down for maitainance after summer season. And preparing for "Winter Efteling" You can find on the website the ones that are closed incuding re-opening dates.

[@gert-janvanderlee5307]

Walking the whole day on the job is no big deal. Lots of people have jobs where they do that. Me too. That's only hard for the first few days or weeks. After that you don't even think about it anymore. Standing or sitting on the same spot the whole day seems much worse to me.

[@jurrione]

@@gert-janvanderlee5307 I agree. But do you have the same song all day?

[@fytos76]

@@jurrione And, it's not just "walking" the whole day, don't forget you have alot of heavy loads on your bicycle and cary heavy bundels of mail constantly.

[@gekkegerrit933]

next is me your office coffee operator

[@gekkegerrit933]

we are a nuisance when you want a cup of coffee when we are there cleaning and refilling

[@elsvanzwoll]

Maybe you can interview her is she wants offcouse. If she wants to. So she van anwser your questions 🤷🏼‍♀️ Just an idea 👍🏼😃

[@robverbree4768]

My cat!

[@theooppie9615]

😄😄

[@theonijkerk3012]

It depends if it is letter post or package post. Letter post Tuesday throgh to Friday. Package post all days except Sunday. Those are different processes as Package post is usually deliverd by car/van.

[@juliazoutendyk5959]

Hahaha! Tammy is right! 😂

[@leendersc]

I'd say my bartender 🤪

[@SoultoSoulTravels]

lol lol

[@TheFreedutch2008]

They use their own bikes. I think that is stupid.

[@LMvdB02]

Food delivery is similarly intense on a scooter or bike.

[@wilco8729]

It is maybe the hardest working person in your Neighbourhood but not in our hole country men.

[@gerrygrouwe70]

I was a boner of beef and did 70/80quaters of cows ore bulls per day waying 80 till 100 kg each. We started at 6 and finished at 15.15 and all that that time it was just swet.on your back .so I think that is the hardest job you can do

[@deetgeluid]

The least hard working person is not you, there’s also Mark Rutte.😂

[@Gianluca-ROTTERDAM]

Nice video, its a important job but low payed. Take a look in the port of rotterdam thats real work. I am from Maastricht and my job is in a welding company (i dont know the english words). But the real hard workers are the miners You only see a stomach here in Limburg

[@Dutch-linux]

yeah well not just over there in rotterdan it is like that in the whole country here and in some area's even worse she is not the hardest working person one of the hardest working person yes i find this very short sighted !!!

[@theGoogol]

For a good giggle : look up Dave Chappelle's "hardest working" short. shorts/TKLOn7qjKeU