Netherlands vs USA...who does it better?

0:00 Intro
1:37 Air Conditioning
4:14 Neighborhood Green Spaces
8:08 Grocery Stores
12:07 Bathrooms
15:50 Kids Quality of Life
19:40 Culture
Netherlands vs USA...who does it better? There are definite differences between the Netherlands and the US, and Tammy and I are exploring some of these differences today. When Tammy and I moved to the Netherlands from the US these were some of the differences that stood out to us. Things such as, kids' quality of life in the Netherlands, culture in the Netherlands, air conditioning in the Netherlands to the grocery stores in the Netherlands! I can tell you this if living in Rotterdam has shown us anything, it's that as two expats living in Europe, we can adapt to just about anything! So, if you're going to be on vacation in Holland (or the Netherlands), come along with us here on Soul to Soul Travels as we explore the differences from the US to the Netherlands! Because life in south Holland, life in the Netherlands and life in Rotterdam is awesome!

[@bcvanrijswijk]

Ever considered many people here do not WANT airco? I definitely don't.

[@fbabarbe430]

Heat eastcoast and southern US is extremely humid and makes high temperatures unbareble. It is most of the time humid in the Netherlands by low temperatures as well but when temperatures hit 25+ it becomes dryer. If not it won't last long. Thunderrains follow fast. The 30 C are more barable in the Netherlands than in most parts of the States.

[@bcvanrijswijk]

@@fbabarbe430 I live more than 6 months of the year in Southern Italy and I have also been alover the US. I know what heat is, but stil I cannot help considering airco a pampering. Western man has become too weak and without resistance. But luckily everyone can (still) do what he/she prefers.

[@liavanson8687]

Yep. What he says

[@Iamsanni]

​@@fbabarbe430but the ac makes the air far more humid! Makes me sick all the time.

[@deetgeluid]

I do,it’s 30 degrees, in September!

[@albertlay8927]

For the few days that it's really hot, it's not worth the trouble of installing airco in the house. And if houses in the NL would have airco, then people would stay inside their homes on warm days, instead of going out to the parks and out on the streets. So maybe the absence of airco helps keeping our cities more alive. But I can imagine that it's different when temperatures are going in the 40's (Celsius). Also, I notice that Eric is not yet fully cured from the American mindset of "bigger is better". But he's making progress.

[@floriskoot4210]

Indeed!

[@dutchman7623]

Just look at a map, Miami is as north as Casablanca, New York as north as Madrid. The Netherlands are as north as far into Canada and Alaska, you'll find less airco's there as well. If temperatures reach between 20 and 25 degrees Celsius, we have SUMMER, eat in the garden and go outside. It only lasts three weeks, and you'd better enjoy it.

[@Blackadder75]

What use are 47 varieties of cereal if 45 of them are CRAP, barely edible ? This goes for most of the processed USAa food imho. it's worse than EU food and we have problems here already with too much salt, sugar and fat. junk! As for AC, I notice that it is getting very popular in the Netherlands and most homes in the middle class and up have it already. Even in social housing neighbourhoods (where I live myself) more and more people start buying these portable AC units (which are terrible btw, do NOT BUY THOSE)

[@Blackadder75]

@@dutchman7623 tbh, since 2018 we have had a heatwave almost every summer ( except 2023) and plenty of 30-35+ days

[@dutchman7623]

@@Blackadder75 Yes, but they do not last for weeks on end. And in the night and morning you can open the windows for cool air. Rarely it's warm during the night.

[@markhellemans3440]

I have been to the US more than 20 times for longer periods. Supermarkets in the US have a larger quantity, but quality is better in NL (and continental Europe in general). But more important is the large amount of specialized shops close to home in Europe. Trying to find a good bakery in the US is almost impossible.

[@dutchman7623]

Simply look at 8:35, 100 feet long, 7 feet high, marked as 'bread' but contains nothing that deserves it. And in a Dutch supermarket you'll never see 6 packs wide and 3 packs high of the same product. Only one row that has to be resupplied constantly by special refill workers. The density of product tags in a Dutch shop would be at least ten times higher.

[@jtb357]

AC is not wrong but it is often on so high, in 2 days I have a severe cold.

[@mareiketje4899]

@@dutchman7623 Compared to Germany I don't see anything deserving the name "bread" in Dutch supermarkets either though. 😆

[@robvandenberg5242]

@@mareiketje4899 Ah, yes, but that is different. That's because Germans prefer different types of bread compared to the Dutch. And that's actually true for most other countries as well. Bread is different in France, Spain, Greece, Turkey and Italy as well. Each culture usually prefering what they are used to at home.

[@jaspermooren5883]

@@robvandenberg5242 indeed, I heavily prefer Dutch over German bread. There's a lot of German stuff I like, but bread is not among them. In the end both Dutch and German bread are at least fresh and relatively healthy, which you quite often can't say of American bread.

[@inge6280]

Honestly I prefer to have a choice of supermarkets close by, than having to drive to a huge supermarket by car. In the center of town, use the toilets in the Bijenkorf, they’re clean and free, also if you walk into the Beursgebouw with confidence, they have great toilets too..and free

[@888records]

Having supermarkets everywhere is the best. So often I hang with friends and end up getting cheap snacks or drinks thanks to the supermarkets. It saves me a lot of money

[@ESCAPE.THE.MATRIX.589]

Also for a very big assortment there is the 'Makro' and the 'Sligro'

[@dustylong]

​@@ESCAPE.THE.MATRIX.589Isn't that more for big packages though, bulk shopping? And don't you need a card for them, that you're shopping for a business? It's not for everyone 🤗

[@ESCAPE.THE.MATRIX.589]

@@dustylong yeah but its more like the warehouse supermarkets like wallmart in the USA and the card is not hard to get... any kvk company number will do, and if thats not a posibility you can just use someones card (everyone knows one with a card).

[@dustylong]

@@ESCAPE.THE.MATRIX.589 Nope, not anymore... I used to know someone, but... nope, not anymore 😅🫣

[@user-db5fn1rv2s]

You're so RIGHT about the kids having a better life and being happier in the Netherlands 🇳🇱 . I work at a daycare center and the kids are cooped up in a room all day. They might get out to play on their "playground "a few times a week. Once I told them that when I was a kid, my cousins and I would ride our bikes around town all Summer as long as we stayed off off M-60, and they said, "By yourself!? I truly felt sorry for them. We have let our country become so dangerous that children can't go out and play.

[@r.a.h7682]

I do think the husband (sorry forgot your name) still think like a American, the reason smaller stores like here in Europe are better is because you can have more smaller stores per km and makes you being able to walk to them also possible.

[@andymill8552]

As far as I understand it is the purpose of this video to have a friendly competition between USA (left) and The Netherlands (right). Hence left is trying to to make a case for the USA and right for The Netherlands. So it makes sense that the left side is trying to take an 'American' point of view. Take it with a grain of salt.

[@r.a.h7682]

ah i skipped somewhat thru the video and didn't hear that. It was not a attack from my side, just try to explain to him way i think smaller stores are better.@@andymill8552

[@user-xi6nk4xs4s]

I've had a smile on my face during the entire video, despite the feeling I got that the jury wasn't entirely fair. Thank you for the entertainment!

[@MichelBaek]

When it comes to supermarkets we don’t want 47 different kinds of the same product. It is not necessary and only important for spoiled people (i believe they are called Americans 😉). Airconditioning is getting more popular here and still not as necessary as in the US since the US has many states where heat is much more of an issue than here. And when it’s a little hot we still go outside instead of sitting in front of the AC. That’s why we are not as overweight as the average American. NL is better for your physical AND mental health. 🇳🇱🥇. ❤❤❤

[@IesKorpershoek]

Let's be honest. We have AC in every room but only use it for approx 30 days a year. Living in Fort Lauderdale, we used it 24/7 365. I totally agree with the Green Spaces. I hate the US grocery stores like Publix, Walmart, etc. I Love stores like Whole Foods. All the bathrooms in the Netherlands are way better. US bathrooms are terrible, have no privacy at all, and are most of the time very dirty. Children in the USA are taught to live in fear, it's simply terrible. Look at a US-school!! they look like WW2 bunkers. You disappoint me with culture, museums!!! Culture is so much more. faith, food, music, dance, clothing, traditions, customs, norms and values, language etc. etc. a cultural characteristic is all the traits and behaviors found in the culture of a people. Love you both

[@user-db5fn1rv2s]

I live in the US and totally agree that the large US chain supermarkets offer quantity over quality. Fortunately for me, there is a small, family owned store nearby. A few friends asked me why I shop there, because it's more expensive than the large chain stores. I've discovered that the food is fresher in the small store. I feel more confident buying groceries there. The family that OWNS the store EATS from the grocery store and deli. Because I see them every day, we've developed a good repor over the years. However, it's still the US, and I have to drive there. ☺

[@Ralph_NL]

I've never even thought about public toilets when I'm out. There are department stores, cafes, restaurants, McDonalds, Burger King, public restrooms sometimes. Train stations have toilets. How many times do you have to go when you're out

[@1969JohnnyM]

With the KZbin channels of Americans like Soul to Soul Travels, T And T Go Dutch, Daring2GoDutch, Buncharted, Amsterdam Calling living in the Netherlands, its clear Europeans are getting the very best of America living here, they are all such lovely people.

[@RFGfotografie]

In Paris near the Eifeltower you have amazing public bathrooms. You don't need to pay for them, just wait, get in, do your thing. And then it just, cleans itself fully. It's so cool when I first saw that. I wish we had those in the Netherlands to. But sadly the public bathroom availability situations is a extreme disaster here.

[@RFGfotografie]

About the grocery stores, if you want a more USA feeling with this, just go to "Sligro" and/or "Makro". These are what's called "Groothandels", like in the USA basically every store is. The XL stores also do quite a good job in this. In the Netherlands however they are more for businesses that need to buy in bulk then actual normal people like you and me. Though I don't even like the whole idea, needing to buy everything in 1 place, it's kinda boring and also we got very cozy shopping streets for that. Way better then 1 huge mall you HAVE to drive to with a car. Also here you can get a bag of simple groceries for every day in walking distance. While there you need to plan a head for weeks or more. So I do actually like the European way, way more. (Not to forget the quality/freshness/healthyness that's just better here).

[@Doggettxx]

The Sligro does have some excellent meat though, I sometimes just go there to buy a bunch of meat and throw it in the freezer.

[@dustylong]

​@@DoggettxxYou do need a card for that, don't you? Can't just walk in and shop, right? 🤔

[@jeroenkramer2286]

I prefer the Hanos store more in terms of quality and expierence, altough it is a bit more expensive

[@hunchbackaudio]

To be honest I’ll trade 200 kinds of cereal for one descent loaf of bread any day. That’s probably the Dutch in me. Have to agree on the availability of toilets, remembering my wife being pregnant needing to go every half hour. That was absolutely horrific, planning all the time to be near a public bathroom took away all the fun of roaming around the city.

[@wallyjansen898]

Every shop or café in the Netherlands would allow a pregnant woman to use the toilet. You only have to ask.

[@leendersc]

I prefer Dutch grocery stores over Canadian. The choice and availability out performs the ones here in Canada

[@pvdppvdp6638]

There is no real need for air conditioners in the Netherlands due to the climate. There are not a massive lot of real hot days you would need them.

[@viderethevaccinatorfromhol7536]

We heat our entire home with them during the winter. 0 gass

[@Lilygirl283]

Aircons are a must in Australia, i live in the sub tropical area, but cost a lot of money to run, especially these days, I had never seen a aircon in the Netherlands before i moved to Australia...

[@RealConstructor]

I bought a house last year and it has two airconditioner units, one for the living room and one for the bedroom under the sloping roof. I dismantled the one in the living and brought it to the environmental garbage street in my town. The other one I kept, because under the roof it can get real hot. This summer I used it 3 times for only 1 hour before going to bed to lower the room temperature so I can get to sleep and during the night it was off. I really liked that, it helps to get your sleep on hot nights. The temperature can get up to about 35°C in the bedroom, while the outdoor temperature is only about 27°C. After I get the roof insulated properly, I’m getting rid of the last airconditioner unit.

[@Rinzwind79]

Ironically I think a large part that makes Kids happier in the Netherlands is: Freedom! They can do so much more without needing the help of their parents. One of the things the US loves to claim seems a bit lagging in this and some other areas. And I do understand your point, but I have been supermarkets in the US as well. No way I would swap.

[@jfverboom7973]

It is not good for kids when the parents are hovering over them every moment of the day. When will they then learn to solve small and larger problems. For safety you can provide the kid a watch with communication facilities or an SOS button. It is up to the kid to contact their parents.

[@jaspermooren5883]

Yeah US supermarkets suck imo, but that's also because I'm used to Dutch ones. Even here I prefer the smaller ones (my local supermarket is so small that it has a smaller size cart, the big carts don't fit in the aisle), a lot less searching around for the thing you are looking for. I personally don't care about a lot of options, if I want broccoli I want broccoli, I don't need 7 different types of broccoli. But to each their own.

[@alissan69]

You guys are just the cutest! I'm 22 years old and from the US. My boyfriend and I really want to live in the EU and want to travel to see which country would be the best for us to live in. I'm glad you guys are so authentic and open to sharing your opinions as former Americans.

[@gijsbertuslaurensvandevooren]

Our Airconditioning is free: it's called a "WINDOW"

[@doosenco]

That's an arko.....alle ramen kunnen open. ;)

[@roy_for_real2674]

That's when it's cold outside and warm inside, barely ever happened here😅

[@roy_for_real2674]

Except fresh air and maybe wind

[@renevaanhold]

Great video again! Yes, quality of life is better in The Netherlands but when i visite the National Parks in the USA I'm very jealous. And the Getty Museum is one of the most beautiful I ever visited.

[@Tuinierenopstrobalen]

If you have a good look around the Netherlands, especially outside of the bigger cities, you will see many houses with airconditioning nowadays. Pretty much always combined with solar panels. We use them for heating mostly, although they can cool as well (obviously). Electricity is much cheaper than gas, so in the past few years a lot of people invested in it to lower their bills.

[@H1SCOTTY]

Yeah in my family it’s 50/50 my parents and sister have one and yes they’re using them as heating. I have mixed emotions I hate the heat and that’s about fout days maximum in a year. Airconditioning is also heating up your surroundings and however powered by solar power they are wasteful and heating air isn’t efficient

[@eskiltester3913]

More climate control systems than AC. The AC systems used in American homes are not comparable really. Our climate systems are adapted to the type of houses we have here

[@jaspermooren5883]

Yeah and the nice part about solar panels with airconditioning is that the solar panels are at a very high efficiency when you need the power for airconditioning. So instead of overloading the grid with power that nobody wants (negative energy prices are already a thing at certain times in the year) you can actually use it for something nice.

[@H1SCOTTY]

@@jaspermooren5883 the highest production isn’t when it’s warm or cold, it’s in spring when it can get rid off the heat. Heat is loss.

[@jaspermooren5883]

@@H1SCOTTY that's why I said very high efficiency, not the highest. In the Netherlands at least it's usually in June that production is the highest because of the long sunhours. In autumn the maximum efficiency in the middle of the day might be higher because it's colder, but you still need those long unclouded days to have really good production. And nowadays in May or September it can get pretty hot as well. In the end whenever it is hot the solar panels are producing significantly above average, unlike in december, when you don't need airconditioning anyway.

[@RFGfotografie]

Awesome yet again. This demands a part 2.

[@bvanbiezen3008]

In Noordwijk there is the Space Expo, a fun museum to visit sometime.

[@MartijnFrazer]

One thing that's not talked a lot about is the abysmal banking situation in the USA. Here in the EU it's super common to use your bank's app to check your accounts, transfer money (instant & free across the entire EU), pay at shops (no card required). I feel America is lightyears behind when it comes to what we've got going on here!

[@markjacobs1086]

We use a US VPN at our work & I sometimes get ads for chase bank when listening to music on KZbin. They just go on & on about this great app that only costs X amounts of money extra to use & it makes life easier. All I could think about is how that app is just part of the common service here without any hassle, not even between different banks 😂 Also the sped up voices for side effects from medicine on medicine ads are hilarious 🤣

[@jaspermooren5883]

I never thought about that, but that is quite interesting. Been to the US a few times, but only on vacation, so I never had the displeasure to have to use American banking options. Indeed over here banking apps and paying someone with a 'tikkie' in 5 seconds have been the norm for about a decade now.

[@bradsan]

More and more homes have installed Air conditioning that can be used as a heater and as a cooler. I have one at every floor so three outdoor units. It's popping up more and more. Also most new construction projects,houses/appartements and other new buildings, are designed with a system that can cool and heat the whole building/home. And yeah we need more public bathrooms.

[@angelawilson120]

Love to watch you both … Very entertaining and informative too!!😊

[@vexisonline]

I'm just so glad to see you enjoy it so much here and did I catch with your family next year? That's so lovely

[@leendersc]

Love it do more of this comparison plz

[@marlloyd]

So fun!

[@ljclauson]

You guys make me smile so much! My grand girls have a great life there for sure!

[@CaethesFaron]

I love that smaller grocery stores means there are more of them. There's a small AH near my house and I love being able to go there for my normal day to day shopping and I stop into the bigger one once every couple of weeks. In the U.S. is took me 12 minutes to drive to the store. Here it takes me 10 minutes to do the shopping from leaving my house to returning. I love it!

[@geetraveler5870]

You're such a fun couple to watch. I love your channel! It makes me appreciate the positive things from the Netherlands which I intent to forget so easily.

[@GoldenNugget777]

There are a lot of homes in the Netherlands has a airco, mobile airco’s u dont see it from the outside… here also have airco’s like split units, not always u can see it from the outside like in America. Hanging unit out the window😅, I got here a mobile airco, it has 3 options , swing fan, heating and airco.. 18.000 BTU

[@dmang0]

Please share more pics and videos of Nederland. We got to visit for the first time this year and your videos keeps the connection open.

[@paulnobel6241]

i love watching you 2 enyoing the dutch life-style , parents with kids on their bikes is allways interesting to watch

[@kucnimajstor2901]

Air Conditioning, there is a huge difference in weather between southern Cali. and Netherlands so people don't need them, however in southern europe they are everywhere.

[@duizeltjeeekhoorn6890]

About museums, lot's of them have special programs for children. My daugther lives in Leiden and she has a museumcard and goes to a lot of musea, often, with her now 5 year old daugther.

[@JacobBax]

Here in Gorinchem, all the grocery stores are air-conditioned.

[@winterswijk1970]

I really enjoy the video Erik & Tammy!!,, 😘👊👊

[@bertschalk1798]

Thanks for another fun video !! The airco thing......I suppose it has a lot to do with temperature conditions in general....can only remember just a few ocassions where an ac would have been a real nice asset to have. Mostly not really a "must have" over here I guess. And.....not real cheap either, both in purchase as well as operating cost (electricity bill going through the roof). But......I think the situation is improving slowly but gracefully....😀

[@fredkempe6043]

Love it that you're speaking more Dutch Eric. Good job. And of course Tammy also.

[@winwinmilieudefensie7757]

Also i see lots of portable aircos everywhere these days especially in vacation houses and those types of building’s that get really unbearably hot on the hottest summerdays Dutch houses are like ovens when its that hot because they are so well insulated it makes it very hard to be cool at night

[@Wielie0305]

Ach meneer en mevrouw… Another video I really enjoyed. Dank jullie wel!

[@mjp3186]

It is nice to listen to your experiences. Thanks for your video.

[@MartyYoung-ish]

Your family is going to live here next year??? 😮 That would be BIG news, but I guess I misunderstood. Probably you meant they are going to visit, which is also great 😊 Loved the video as always!

[@HoofCreaition]

Loving the Dutch words you throw in! I will always watch your vids when I see them pop up. I even work in Rotterdam (live pretty nearby in Capelle), so a lot of things I recognize. And fun!

[@HoofCreaition]

By the way, I was in and around California with my daughter who finished her exams in June, and I recognized so much of what you guys reached me. Like the endless adverts for lawyers near the highways. I really soaked up those videos before we went there. I do want to go back, but I feel blessed I live over here nonetheless.

[@clifffan3]

so , I live also in Capelle.

[@rinynewton8297]

Great video. On the airco..tip: keep your windows and doors closed on a hot day. Just open them early morning up untill the temperatures go up. Then when the sun goes down open doors and windows. It really helps. And keep hydrated...thats with water though! But i guess you know these tips. Again enjoying your video's.

[@FoxInClogs]

WIth regards to AC: It's becoming a lot more popular now, as people are switching from gas to AC inverters (heat pumps) to heat their homes. Especially in combination with solar panels, which then gives you the advantage of free cooling on the (8) hot and sunny days we get here each year,

[@connieholley1124]

I shared this video to Mr. Dale to let him hear about your like in the Netherlands. Good seeing y’all!

[@doortjedartel9009]

Dear "Souls", try a grocery store in France; they are much larger than ours and you can buy clothes, etcetera. Bye the way: everything is bigger in the States.

[@liavandewijngaard5029]

just come back to live in my hometown ( after 40 years ) and found out that there are 3 !!!! private museums ( free entry ) radiomuseum, schaatsmuseum, and stained glass museum !!!!!!!! and this is only a medium sized town in the east of the netherlands !!!!!!

[@danweldanny5039]

Bedankt voor de tip over de "hogenood" app. Mijn vrouw is jullie daar dankbaar voor. Door haar handicap moet ze vaker naar de wc. Hoop nog mooie video's van jullie te mogen zien. Groetjes Corrie & Danny

[@Nitzpitz]

I have seen some museums with my museumcard because I needed a free toilet. Love the museumkaart

[@nas4apps]

Arlington County, Northern VA is absolutely beautiful! Either along the Potomac or more north of the Key Bridge. But admit, this is not in every county. Arlington is a relatively affluent area. Wasn't always so though and the smaller parks are great too! On shopping NL offers (more) smaller shops and street markets, US has more of a one stop shop but at a distance - too often a good grocery store requires quite a drive, zoning can be very rigid. Bathrooms in NL: not at all like in the US! Albert Heijn and other grocery stores often have a service bathroom. Why? Well shopping in NL means you're at home quickly: shop frequent, fast and nearby. So bathrooms are in cafés and such. Great and fun vlog!! Again!

[@jeffafa3096]

About the bathrooms: Yes, there are a lot less public bathrooms, but you will find one at most gas stations here as well. Also, every restaurant or bar has bathrooms for their guests, and if you ask, they will often let you use them even if you are not buying anything there.

[@winmachielse1233]

Sometimes, if you look well, the Netherlands is one big museum by itself. 😁

[@ronaldderooij1774]

I was a bit triggered about the museums. The Netherlands has over 600 museums on the space of the greater San Francisco area. And we also have a space expo in Noordwijk (granted it is the European Space agency....). And a big aviation museum in Lelystad. In the same city you have a museum on found WW2 wrecks and the EXACT copy of the 17th century ship "De Batavia". Still waiting for someone to film its gruesome mass murder story in Australian waters. Plus some more aviation in Soesterberg (military museum). Plus some museums that the US certainly will not have, like the museums (plural) on the Delta works (you know, controlling the rivers and the sea to keep our feet dry), Neeltje Jans artificial island and the visiting center of the Maeslantkering in Rotterdam.

[@markjacobs1086]

Muzieum in Nijmegen, where you can experience what it's like to be blind. That was quite the unique experience.

[@svenvanwinsen344]

If you ask at any restaurant/bar/café to use their restroom real quick it should be fine without having to buy anything. Or just walk in and go to the restroom, I don't think anyone would mind.

[@zusannehobers2488]

Take a trip to France for your loved megastores, Eric! They are called Hypermarché (for instance Cora). An hour by hyper speed train and you are there😃

[@harrystevens9521]

Groceries in the States won't talk about taking down salt or sugar in products, I guess.

[@leendersc]

I have had central air in my house for the last 46 years. Canadian Sommers can reach temp of well in the 40 c

[@harrystevens9521]

And we have the artists: Mauk Escher. Oxenaar. Rembrandt, van Gogh.

[@maryannecomment3302]

We love air-conditioning as well. Especially when it is getter hotter these days than a few decades ago. I have one mobile one, but when I have been to Spain I would like to have one of the inside ones, like they have over there. My house gets really hot in the summer. If it is too hot, I use the mobile one.

[@fafaenmiel]

Thank you for the Hoge Nood app suggestion! You are right, I think we need more public bathrooms in the Netherlands. Especially when my kids were toddlers and potty trained for less than a year, shopping was a risky experience 😅

[@Iamsanni]

We used to have them, but they got dirty or used by drugs users. Now there are more inside buildings, so you need to search. Or go into a bar/restaurant.

[@deheermailmum5036]

yeah, family coming to see how you live your life here

[@MagereHein]

I agree with the public toilets. HogeNood seems to work. Showing your family around here should be fun! Thanks for another very nice video. Nou doewie!

[@vinniekay0967]

'Why am i makin' your case?' Tammy: 'Im just lettin' U ramble' Hilarious!!

[@TheBab63238]

I believe those sunscreen-dispensers were used as corona-soap dispensers 2 years ago.

[@owenmaddocks1506]

Love your cheerful and positive vibe about The Netherlands

[@jacquelinevanderkooij4301]

Tammy is the brighter one in this 🤗🤗

[@dannythenanny]

About the grocery stores. Having everything available in one store kills store diversity. Having specialized stores that sell one product alone boosts local business and brings "gezelligheid"...

[@sabaidoodkorte820]

Hey Erik, if you are looking for a big store, maybe check if someone in your circle has a Makro card. There’s one in Delft. Best to go by car or by train to Delft Zuid. It used to be a store, just for retail/offices and restaurants. But nowadays, you can also do your groceries there. But only if you have a card. Maybe your friends at the café have one for you to borrow.

[@jtb357]

I love my Dutch supermarkets but I have watched a lot of American walk through supermarket videos, it is an experience I would like.

[@rudyloedeman5730]

Congrats on you 22nd wedding anniversary🎉❤

[@arturobianco848]

You forgot one thing about the grocery stores. The availibilty of the stores themselves. Been in the states this year for about 8 weeks travelling all over the US. Good luck finding a decent grocery store in a walking distance or even in a lot of places a couple of minutes driving. Yes the bigger ones do have about everything and even some reasonable quality food. But you are lucky if you don't need to drive for half an hour to find one. I do agree with you on the public bathrooms they are a bit sparse here.

[@arjanpaans654]

im nederlands love your videos and live neer bij in zwijdrecht

[@masclem]

For real good public restrooms, you should see the “Sanifair” ones along German highways! Superior! 70 cent (50 return as discount in the shop). But always clean, always kept up with supplies, hot water for your hands…. As an NLer I always enjoy those when traveling Germany 😊

[@zusannehobers2488]

The blast of hot air, only with cool temperatures is an ‘air curtain’. Ik prohibits cold air from getting in to the store, keeping warmth inside. Saves fuel!

[@Capibaro]

Cool video. I love the supermarkets in the US. So much options. When in NY a supermarket in NY across the street had 8 types of foie gras. I love it. My company hated that I wanted to spend 5 hours in there checking out all the options

[@erictieman7425]

A few month ago I perchased 2 airco, s 1 for 2nd floor (sleeping) and 1 for 1st floor (living room.. etc) (Split unit /Dual - so for cooling /heating/ventilation/dehumidify). I onw my own house. Have 12 solar panels. This is the best investment i' ve ever done.

[@kirathal]

about the nivea thing its not a satelite dis, its a sun panel to collect a little electric power for the pump

[@TheJolanda01]

Airco and yes I have a cold,we have a dealingfan in the livingroom,and I open my gardendoor yes thats just great

[@AlbertZonneveld]

Thew locaction of the grocery shopping matters as well. I can walk to the grocery store.

[@wimschoenmakers5463]

Family is coming over next year? You better start finding them a house, because they also want to stay here!

[@nerina97]

Great video :) As a Dutch I heard some background information about going to the bathrooms in stores. I heard this as an adult, not as a child. so I don't think it's common knowledge. Apparantly it has to do something with insurance. There are bathrooms in stores but it's most of the time staff only. If the bathroom is not in the same room as where customers have acces to, then the store insurance doesn't cover it if the customer gets hurt, like boxes fall on top of the customer, or the customer falls over a box and breaks a leg. Also in case of calamities, I can imagine it's not convenient to have a customer walking through the storage because they don't know a way to an exit. I have never been to the USA, but the public toilets here are indeed not so good.

[@mandje2002]

4:42 the device works on solar energy !!

[@remconoordermeer7015]

Right at the start, I knew Tammy would win. Nothing to do with your arguments, because knowing you guys: the wife is always right. Nice pronunciation on the Dutch by the way, “meneer” and “mevrouw.” … btw, I have a mighty fine airco, it’s 1500 euros split unit, but it’s a worthwhile investment.

[@peterang6912]

Thanks to the climate we have real summers here in the Netherlands, when i was younger we only had 4 or 5 days in the summer with hot and warm days, we had real white chrismas and the rest of the year it was wet... in the last 10 years there are more houses with airco bild because of the climate....and here in the Netherlands moste building with airco are shops...And thanks to the USA we have now longer opening times for shops specialy the supermarkets... when i was younger we only had 6 days the shops where open, on sunday all the shops where closed, opening times where from 09.00 open and at 17.00 closed ..and on monday the shops open at 13.00 , now it's 7 days open ftom 8.00 open and 22.00 closed..

[@larsp5109]

When does Tammy get to do an intro to a video?

[@Busfles984]

I do not understand why Soul to Soul Travels is not yet a show on Dutch national TV with you both as hosts. There is a huge shortage of teachers in The Netherlands. I hope your friends Tracy and Travis are okay.

[@DerkJanKarrenbeld]

As someone who has lived in California for a while and thus is well aware with Molly Stone's, Safeway, Tesco, Safeway and so forth, Tammy was absolutely right. Bigger, not better. Half of the isles are frozen in the states; you also mentioned the quality. And even though we (me) feel that Albert Heijn (among others) is extremely expensive, trying to eat healthy and fresh when I was in Austin or Dallas... THOSE PRICES 🤮. So excited that you got your permit "renewed"

[@JeffPietersen]

Actually Albert Heijn might be at the upper band of the prices, but there are quite a lot of cheaper grocery stores where you can buy your basic stuff. Albert Heijn admittedly has the biggest range of products which is why many people go grocery shopping over there. But if you have the time for it you can buy everything thing you need within 10 to 15 minutes of your home address against reasonable prices.

[@DerkJanKarrenbeld]

I absolutely agree with you,@@JeffPietersen . My point was is that despite AH being on our higher end, it pales in comparison with the lower end in a lot of the states, especially when it comes to fresh produce ;) -- it being much more expensive over there than it is in our AH!

[@frankteunissen6118]

I live more or less round the corner from you guys in a big old house. Don’t need no airco. House is warm in winter, cool in summer. It takes a hell of a lot to move the temperature in this heap of stone.

[@tommiejack]

If you want to think about energy waste and climate change, AC is really a bad option as it is not that hot here. I am American with Dutch parents and lived here and there for many years before settling here, and glad that I don't need to live in AC cooled houses and offices anymore. Awareness of climate impact by AC use should be taught to everybody especially in the US

[@bertoverweel6588]

Hallo lovely people, I have a airconditioning in my bedroom for 20 years, I can go to a grosery store on my bike insted need a car to get a pack of milk or vegetables. I have an other one for you guy's, public transport, when I get to Rotterdam I go with public transport, it takes about 20 minutes from where I live. Great video, love you guys. Groetjes.

[@mariaslokker1841]

You could view the shoppingcenters in the Netherlands like a shopping mall.....

[@corriedebreij2989]

I remember the airco in the states was always TOO cold.

[@remcohoman1011]

22:04 Reason to come to groningen.. Rolling Stones exhibition that goes around the world, rare Stones pieces to be seen, a temporalily show it is.

[@jandirkvanleeuwen]

Hey Tammy and Eric. I can't thank you enough being so positive about the Netherlands 🇳🇱 I sometimes even get the feeling, you're overdoing it. But then again, when I stop and really think about it, you can compare it life in the USA. Half of my family is English and I live now 14 years in Germany. So I myself can compare a bit. There are plusses and minors in a lot of countries, but in the end, it is not bad at all in the Netherlands. Although it could be a bit better if the politicians in the Netherlands would look a bit more further than their own program and really be at service to the public. The last 20 years they all have really stood up for big companies and themselves and put the people on the second or third place. Hopefully it'll be better after this years election. But until then, thank you both and keep on going 👍👍❤

[@jacquelinethijsen272]

Any commercial place where you can consume food or drinks is obligated to have a bathroom for customers. They may charge a fee, like what HEMA does, but the average café or restaurant won't charge anything if you buy something to eat or drink. And more often than not, they'll even let you use them even if you're not a customer if you ask politely. Source: I live in Arnhem and have done this lots of times.