Interesting Things About Living in the Netherlands

[@buddy1155]

Steep stairs are great if you are drunk, just remember to fall forward when going up and fall backwards when going down.

[@ChelseaandMurphy]

😂good advice

[@tomvanaarle2622]

The angle makes it perfect for going on all fours sure enough.

[@wjay8854]

Lmao im dutch and yes this is sooooo a thing ugh xD

[@TheRealTricky]

Well, I am Dutch myself and I can make a few notes. When it comes to scooters on the bicycle lane (I'm a scooter owner myself), we have 2 categories, recognizable by the color of the license plates. Blue (up to 25 km/h max speed) license plates are always supposed to take the bicycle lane regardless if it's bike-only or mixed. The yellow license plates (up to 40 km/h) may only use mixed bicycle lanes. Now I must note that some of my countrymen don't quite understand that one either. The recycling thing is getting more and more controversial as garbage processing companies hate it, as their sorting robots are far more efficient than a human could ever be, not to mention that all town's authorities have their own rules on what should be sorted where, and the garbage processing companies have to sort it by the national rules, which makes them having to mix what you sorted anyway, and then let their robots do the job. It is just a matter of political prestige rather than actual environmental protection... unfortunately. Those shades, well, they are a luxury you got there. I wish I had them on my apartment. really. NONE of the houses in which I ever lived (and I've never lived outside the Netherlands except for some vacation trips). So I envy you for that one.

[@nitwit999]

Bikes: Bike theft is the nr 1 crime in the Netherlands, so certainly get yourselves some extra locks to chain your bikes to lamppost or bike racks. Alcohol: Anything above 15% cannot be sold in normal stores. But forget about the hard liquor, enjoy the specialty beers and wines you can get! Roller shutters: For safety reasons there always has to be one door that you can open without electricity. If you have an fire the electric shutters may not work. Enjoy your stay in continental Europe. I don’t know where you are living but shopping trips to Germany and Belgium might be fun and a chance to get local specialties.

[@ChelseaandMurphy]

Thanks so much for your comment. Definitely getting another bike lock! Makes sense about the liquor, there are states in the US where it is similar. Shopping trip added to my list of things to do:) Thanks for watching!

[@TheSuperappelflap]

Port wine up to and over 20% is sold in supermarkets. Other fortified wine as well. Its just hard liquor thats in a seperate area, like gin, wodka, whisky etc

[@archmilan]

On the dogpoop situation; it really depends per municipality, though I think it is mandatory to pick up in most places. Reality is that a lot of people won't bother at the risk of a fine if they're caught Things like scooters/mopeds/dirtbikes should be on the road in the built environment and on bikepaths outside of that, but yeah they do often go on the bikepaths illegally, but that isnt really policed. If there's an accident there is a clear fault because the vehicle doesnt belong there, but accidents between those modes are very uncommon which is why policing isnt very strict.

[@ChelseaandMurphy]

Thanks for the comment! It’s always interesting hearing they why or background information from people from here or that have lived here. Thanks for watching:)

[@-_YouMayFind_-]

Exactly. When people look at them then they clean it because they are watched by someone XD haha, but when they see there is nobody they will just walk away and pretend the dog didn't poop haha.

[@RealConstructor]

Cardboard can often been brought to sport clubs, the collect it to have some extra money. They often have a container at the parking lot where you can leave your cardboard. But boxes need to be flattened before leaving them behind. I don’t know if sports clubs in Amsterdam do the same, but in many towns there is the town football club, hockey club or tennis club which collects cardboard.

[@mavadelo]

Not sure where you are living but cleaning up after your dog is basically mandatory in most if not all places. The only exception is when you make use of doggie fields (Honden Uitlaat plaats, they will have a sign saying this). And dogs playing with eachother is compltely normal. We do expect the dogs to be well behaved and trained. If your dog "comes on strong" that is "on you" and you should train him/her not to do so. Your dog responds to your behavior so if it comes on strong or is a barker, you give him reason to do so. This might be completely subconsious so don't see it as blaming you or saying you doing things "wrong" but please take it in consideration for the well being of your dog. Ringlock for bikes: I am sorry but I have that lock cracked in no time. Rule of thumb is that your lock should be more expensice than your bike (Unless it is a brand new bike of course) Bikes will often be sold with just the ringlock, in some cases with an intergrated chainlock. ALWAYS have a chainlock, if it doesn't come with the chainlock, buy one. U-locks are not recommended in the Netherlands as it can be hard to use them in busy parking lots. As for the scooters... you get used to it. On many cyclepaths they are allowed. I am more annoyed with fatbikes. Whoever invented those should be banned from the country. There is not a market to steal: Oh sweet summerchild.... Every year about 500.000 to 750.000 bikes are stolen for a total damage of about 6 miljoen euros. The chances of seeing it back is about 1 in 20 (sources Fietserbond and BikeFair) Every bike in the Netherlands is either: Stolen in the past, currently listed as stolen or will be stolen somewhere within the next year. There will be very few people, especially within cities, that never had their bike stolen. I think that in the last 5 years I lost 3. Now, a new bike costs maybe 150 but I also have to buy new locks each time. It is basically so common that people don't take out insurance on them because it would be a waste of money. Restaval means residual waste. So yes, everything that doesn't go into glass, paper, food or chemical waste. (different mucicipalities might have different rules and places to get rid of chemical waste and electric appliances. Check your municipalities website for the rules and regulations in your town.) As for the glass container. Just for fun, check if it are actually tubes. Some places give the illusion of seperation while it is just one bin. The bottle machines in the supermarket now also take soda cans and if the store sells bottled fruitjuices they often are also with "statiegeld" Grocery stores are not allowed to sell liquor. I take it you live in a somewhat smaller town if things close early on Sat and are closed on Sun. In the major cities many shops are open on Sunday but yes, many shops that are not supermarkets or large chains will close around 5 or 6 depending on town/region. Most places will have a "Koopavond" (Usually Thursday or Friday) where they are open until 9. Staircases: totally depends on the home but historicallyy yes, they are narrow and steep. That is the nature of having small homes. I promise, you be running down those stairs in no time. It is just a matter of getting used to them. Sunshades: Not a "normal" thing, in fact I would say not something you see often. Probabky a choice of the developer. The Dutch are notorious for the "no curtains/blinds" look.

[@tim3440]

The liquor store closing at 17:30? In the cities (like big ones) the stores (also hard liquor stores) are often open until 22:00. But outside the big cities most stores are open until 17:00. A big chain for hard liquor which is often in or nearby an Albert Heijn is Gall & Gall . You can look it up :)

[@ChelseaandMurphy]

Ahh thank you! I figured it was specific to where we live. I’ll look out for Gall & Gall. Appreciate the insight 😀

[@TheSuperappelflap]

In smaller towns the supermarkets that are open on weekdays until 9 or 10 in the evening, often close their liquor stores at 8. To avoid issues with drunk people trying to buy liquor at night. On sundays most supermarkets close at 6 at the latest outside the large cities. If you do want to buy alcohol after these times you go to a night shop which is more expensive but they are open until midnight generally. Also, most small towns dont have dedicated liquor stores, we just go to the supermarket and they have a seperate liquor store that has a gate and you need to call for an employee to let you in.

[@TheSuperappelflap]

Padlocks for bikes here are generally called U-locks because they look like a U.

[@Ralph_NL]

Supermarkets can't sell hard liquor. I think a maximum of like 10% alcohol or something. Maybe 12%. A lot of supermarkets have a separate liquor part these days, at least in my city. And are open until 20.00, Sundays till 18.00.

[@ChelseaandMurphy]

Makes sense, it’s that way in some states in the US as well.

[@TheSuperappelflap]

White wine is generally 11-12% and red wine up to 15% so no, they can sell above that amount in the general store. Port and other fortified wine up to and a bit over 20% is also sold in supermarkets. Hard liquor is sold from a seperate ministore inside the supermarket and you need to wait in front of a gate and call an employee over to service you.

[@Ralph_NL]

@@TheSuperappelflap then the limit is higher, but they do have a limit in what they are allowed to sell.

[@TheSuperappelflap]

@@Ralph_NL the restriction isnt on the percentage but on the type of drink

[@FoodTravelShowMatt]

Nice video! Thanks for sharing!

[@kevartje1295]

I walk my parents dog sometimes and I only clean the poo if its in the middle of a path or on a mowed grass field. I live in a village and we have lots of nature here so if he poops in the bushes I let the wildlife clean it for me.

[@ChelseaandMurphy]

That makes sense and sounds like other people’s thought process by where I’m living. Thanks for the comment :)

[@hernantibolla64]

Hi guys! Have just found your channel and I am already bingewatching, after subscribing, of course. My husband and I are moving to The Netherlands next year so I really appreciate this kind of videos from a personal perspective. I can see that you have a dog, and we have two, so I would be very interested if you ever make a video about how difficult was the process to find a house owning a pet. It's the fact that worries me the most. Have a great journey :)

[@ChelseaandMurphy]

Thank you for the sweet comment! I will definitely keep a video about the moving process in mind! Let us know if you have any questions!

[@hernantibolla64]

@@ChelseaandMurphy Thank you so much! I understand if you don't want to share personal information but I would really like to know how the landlords react to having pets. In the meantime I'll keep watching the blogs :)

[@TheSuperappelflap]

@@hernantibolla64 Its vey rarely a problem unless you are a student living in student housing. Lots of people have dogs and cats in rental apartments. As long as you take good care of your dogs and the whole apartment doesnt smell like dog, landlords wont have any issue with it. Their main concern is making sure you arent growing weed in your apartment.

[@hernantibolla64]

@@TheSuperappelflap thanks for taking your time to reply! And for the hopeful information haha. We wouldn't have my dogs in an apartment because they're not small, we would be definitely be looking for a house with a backyard... So I guess that adds some extra points for the search. Thank you again!

[@Bruintjebeer6]

I have no idea where you live in the Netherlands but in Alkmaar most people clean their dogpoop. Everywhere you find a vending machine with free dogpoop bags. You will not find dogpoop on the sidewalk. Most shops are open 7 days a week. You must be living in the South. You will not find them in the Randstad, the west of the country. I like those blinds and wish they would be normal here as well There are big differences depending on where yiu live in the country.

[@ChelseaandMurphy]

That’s so interesting. I would not have thought it differed based on region for it being on the smaller side of a country. Thanks for watching and commenting 😀

[@Bruintjebeer6]

@@ChelseaandMurphy yes there are big differences in culture between the west, east and south of the country. With the North as well but less

[@TheSuperappelflap]

oh, there are many people in Holland who dont clean up dog poop. Sometimes I see them from my roof terrace and yell at them. Tokkies :)

[@ErikJan4]

Grocery stores have no liquor. It's illegal.

[@strikeformatik]

Technically mopeds up to 25 km/h have to be on the bicycle path. You can reach those speeds with a regular bike as well. Then theres mopeds up to 45 km/h should ride on the regular road within city limits. Outside and on certain roads they have to share bicycle paths but legally cant ride faster than 30 km/h. Speed pedelecs (electric speed bikes) have the same rules. The new fad are electric fatbikes.. and they almost all are amped/rigged to a much higher speed. That said, a lot of people just don’t abide by the rules. It is a byproduct of everyone using bikepaths all of their life so they feel extremely comfortable going fast.

[@koosvoogd6210]

Get real. Bike theft is on the Top5 of petty crimes. You need at least 2 locks.

[@nicollevisser8141]

Like the others I also wonder where you live in the Netherlands. As I experience almost everything different than you two. Dog poop?? No where to be found. It is obliged to clean after your dog. Unfriendly dog owners? I see always dog owners together in the dog park talking all together with their dogs. This is the only place where you do not have to clean after your dog. The window blades, unfortunately, are not common for the Netherlands. You see them everywhere in Belgium and France. Bikes always use 2 locks! As they are always stolen. Especially e-bikes. So buy a separate lock, always lock it to something like a pole or something. And pro tip close your current lock next to the air vent (i'm not sure if that is the correct term in english) as there it is much more difficult to cut your lock open, as they have the risk breaking the air vent and than the bike is useless. And also the closed liquor store.. I really wonder where you live. I hope your opinions change in the coming months for the better. Welcome bye the way!

[@ChelseaandMurphy]

Thanks for the comment! I don’t think dog owners are unfriendly but maybe less forthcoming than we were used to in the USA. Could also be that their dogs don’t care to socialize with other dogs. Speaking about on walks, not at the dog parks. We are definitely loving it here and those are just some things different to what we are used to but not at all negative.

[@TheSuperappelflap]

The "air vent" is called a valve in English.

[@arturama8581]

Those 'things' to cut locks are called bolt cutters 😁 Nice, a Dutchman helping Americans with their own language 🤣 The problem with the scooter on the bike lane: we had

[@Treinbouwer]

The most interesting is: there are no houses! The aim is to build 100.000 houses per year (while netto imigrasion is 200.000*) and they are not making it because there is no place to build and because of environmental policies on the few places where you could technicaly build. Companies and universities wont tell you because they need enplotues and money from student funding resoectively. *CBS

[@williamgeardener2509]

It would be nice if companies and universities would have to build housing for their employees and students. "You want 20 000 foreign students?" "Ok, build housing for them. No housing, no students."

[@Arnaud58]

Your point would possibly be valid if imMigraTion did have zero families. Conclusion: you do not have a point other than a false one.👴👎🧐😏

[@helena19741]

Please buy another lock for your bikes. They do get stolen, and they will look for the ones with one lock. You should always attach your bike to something!

[@ChelseaandMurphy]

Appreciate the comment! Definitely will buy another lock. Thanks 😊

[@TheRealTricky]

@@ChelseaandMurphy Stolen bicycles used to be one of the most common forms of theft in the Netherlands. That moved now a bit more to scooter theft, although bicycles are still stolen. And Helena is right, although it depends a bit per settlement. Those locks are handy for a quick stop, but when you stay somewhere longer than a few minutes having your bike attached to something is definitely recommended.

[@FoodTravelShowMatt]

Absolutely Right!

[@Sangit_Basnet_]

Can you make a video for international students?

[@ChelseaandMurphy]

Happy to! Anything you’d really like to know?

[@henkhemming6674]

almost everybody cleans up dogpoop where i live (used to be much worse) and san francisco is covered in >>HUMAN POOP

[@ChelseaandMurphy]

It seems like most places that is the case. I swear I have not seen one person in my area pick up their dogs poop. So right about SF.

[@ErikJan4]

Never assume a dog is friendly.

[@eelco_de_haan]

on the dog poop. we are manditory to pay taxes for our dogs by our governments. paying taxes implies facilities and service provided for said dogs and their owners. instead we are just used as extra income without any reciprocity from the state. so if i pay dog tax, i consider that a free pass given by my state. i could pay dog bags or even a high tech poopscoop with the money i give the state anually. also they could raise a paid poopscooping brigade and create jobs in one fell swoop ! but they didn't.... so my dog can poop where ever, within reasonability.

[@brownsuga]

😊 Ure a cute couple

[@ChelseaandMurphy]

Thank you!!

[@willemdederde6669]

pls . . stop promoting our country . . . we have enough people from abroad!!! . . oh . . and we like to keep on speaking Dutch...

[@ChelseaandMurphy]

I can assure you that us alone is not bringing copious amounts of people here. In fact, we are sharing our experience for those than maybe can’t travel or move abroad.