Reaction To What was your BIGGEST SURPRISE... on arriving in the NETHERLANDS?

Reaction To What was your BIGGEST SURPRISE on arriving in the NETHERLANDS?
This is my reaction to What was your BIGGEST SURPRISE on arriving in the NETHERLANDS?
In this video I react to Dutch culture and people's Dutch culture shocks after going to Netherlands including cycling, Dutch people, Dutch friendliness, Dutch food and more.
Original Video - • What was your BIGGEST ...

[@mdevries209]

I'm Dutch and I feel at home in Scotland. The people are quite similar. So is the weather, but the landscape looks better in Scotland!

[@rakrega]

Agree

[@maidenekker]

I agree too. I was once in Scotland, walking the West Highland Way and it rained so much that I thought we were going to drown. We slept in a small tent, all over the place and I really got sick, because everything was wet and cold. But I still remember the beautiful countryside, what a mythical country.

[@gertstraatenvander4684]

All stuff you can fall off! Dangerous.

[@user-rh4sq9cx1e]

Why in the Netherlands we often have to take paracetamol when we go to the doctor. Here we only get heavy drugs for serious cases, apparently they don't understand that in other countries That you eventually become immune if you use too much of certain heavy medication, and that it no longer works in a severe case.

[@jannetteberends8730]

Also antibiotics doesn’t work for viruses, so it’s useless in most cases.

[@TijmenZwaan]

It's not so much that you become immune but the bacteria causing infection can become immune or resistant to antibiotics

[@sandrajoseburger]

Well the outside countries may give antibiotics easily and yes.., too much doesn't work after a time, but here in the Netherlands they always go too far in doing the opposite, you die here first before they give it to you! Also other countries cause a problem with availability of the antibiotics and some have to do without!

[@annekathleen4498]

When I first moved to NL you could only get paracetamol on prescription. I was always asked to bring bottles of the stuff back whenever I when home to the UK.

[@eline5555]

I don't think paracetamol has ever been on prescription in the Netherlands, at least not since the 80'ies which is as far back ss I can recall from personal experience. You also mention "bottles", while paracetamol is typically administered as a tablet (although for children, a liquid version exist). Could it be that you are thinking of something else? ​@@annekathleen4498

[@DutchKingCobra]

The WooWoo sound is an air raid alarm this is tested always the first monday of the new month at 12

[@robvoncken2565]

and its a sport to tell foreigners the dikes broke

[@rakrega]

It will be replaced by the phone alarm.

[@borisvanweezenbeek3240]

​@@rakrega not true they wanted to but it was reversed. It would be retarded to only have it on phones, due to elderly and just people not having their phone with them on a walk, or sports.

[@voiceover2191]

@@ricardomeertens9165 It's complete bs, if a next war comes, their will be zero minutes to run and hide.

[@HedwigvanWuijkhuijse]

Does anyone actually know what to do when that alarm should go off for real? I asked at city hall the other day, whether we had any air raid shelters in our town anywhere: no one knew.

[@randolf84]

Dutch weather is like English weather

[@Snacksy-uv2lp]

No thé weather is much better in thé Netherlands

[@twanvorstenbosch]

ABSOLUTLY NOT , the weather in the Netherlands is way better then in the UK

[@BabzV]

Nahh it's better here in the Netherlands.

[@annekathleen4498]

I just love the answers from the Dutch people. I always get comments that 'it always rains in the UK' as if it never rains in NL........yeah right! It's been raining for the last months.....

[@robvansteijn9324]

Only a few hours later.

[@mrcarlotje]

I'm 53, never tried any drug, never went to a coffeeshop, all my friends and family either.... Although its allowed, never felt the need, its my freedom to choose...

[@bakfietspriester]

It is ur freedom too choose but 20 procent of dutch poeple are functional addicts Is it still bad yes but it shows it isnt the drugs fault its more of a its not for everybody situation

[@TheSuperappelflap]

It depends where you go. In smaller towns people are generally friendly, in the cities people are generally more rude, and no one says hello because youd have to greet 1000 people per minute just walking around.

[@MokumHVB]

Yeah there not from big cities!😅

[@Maho6137]

I think it depends on the city, where in the city, and other factors, like the weather. If it's suddenly a perfect sunny day I say hi to random strangers too, when it's crap out I'm not speaking to anyone. I live in a city and in the city center, shopping district etc. I don't greet random strangers, but if I'm in other parts with fewer people just going about their day, walking a dog etc. it happens more often, also the way the roads are made, if it's a small road and lot of people walk on it you might say hi, if it's a big one which causes you to be further away from people, the less likely I'm probably going to acknowledge someone enough to speak to them. I don't think its as easy as city and non city, but you're probably right mostly

[@Busfles984]

Many Dutch people have Scottish ancestory (sometimes related to famous Scottish nobility) because of The Scots Brigade (10 regiments) in the Dutch army from 1586 onwards. Later in the 17th century there were 3 Scottish infantry regiments in the Dutch army.

[@inialoane]

You are talking about Couoerus, Cooper?

[@saladspinner3200]

And on the other hand, many of the great Scottish houses had Flemish ancestry.

[@catokorstanje8341]

If you want to know about the weather you should really watch the video: how to survive the Dutch weather from survival guide to the Dutch. It’s a really fun video.

[@dimrrider9133]

Or the fireworks ;p

[@Alexje338]

Why not both, they’re short videos

[@Lord_RFAS]

The Dutch and the Scots, I feel, are kindred spirits 👍🏿

[@margreetanceaux3906]

It seems they’re talking about living in a village? Although people walking their dog tend to greet others - in cities as well. And we greet ‘in general’ upon entering a (smallish) shop, the hairdresser’s, or a waiting room at the doctor.

[@apie1977]

About weed, my friends and I tried it. Smoked a little bit, but it was not that special. It was not forbidden, so there was no excitement at all. I think that is the reason that most dutchies stop smoking it after puberty, or not even start.

[@saskiapanter]

I'm Dutch and a Roman Catholic, we celebrate carnaval, and after that we'll be fasting for 6 weeks untill Easter. They also celebrate it in Germany, Belguim, Italy, and in Brazil and in New Orleans, they call it Mardi Gras. It is a catholic feast, officially from Sunday after church untill Tuesday midnight. Then on Wednesday we have Ash Wednesday, you get a little ash cross in church on your forehead. Then the 6 weeks fasting start. Carnaval is from the latin Carne Vale, wich means goodbye to meat. It's in the winter and because many didn't have the proper way to keep meat for long times, so the meat rations would be gone. So 6 weeks of fasting...no meat.

[@Pasunsoprano]

Nope it comes from Car naval. Since they used to be ships pulled through the streets on wheels. And fasting...who still does that?

[@saskiapanter]

@@Pasunsoprano sighhhh, just look it up.

[@atropatene3596]

@@saskiapanter they're right though, it does come from carrus navalis. Also it predates catholicism by at least 3000 years. Just another fun pagan party that the christians claimed for themselves.

[@hanniesleegers8038]

Have family in Scotland. I feel very connected to Scotland. So do the Scots. The Christian festival that is called Carnival is 40 days before Easter. Starts Friday evening and ends Tuesday night at 12:00

[@black4pienus]

It's usually only clothing stores and such that close at 6. Supermarkets and places where you can eat/drink stay open longer. But even when the supermarket closes, there are 'night markets' that are open till midnight or even later. It's just more expensive there.

[@hannofranz7973]

If I remember correctly both countries have the same saying about weather that is: There is no bad weather. There's only inadequate clothing.

[@-_YouMayFind_-]

The south of the Netherlands(Brabant for example) is mainly Catholic (Roman Catholic) as I am. I am originally from North-Brabant and we are all Roman Catholic. Yet in other areas of The Netherlands people are more Protestant but as well some Catholics. We also have orthodox. I like the weather here. I am not so much made for too much heat XD haha. I can deal with it but I am becoming slow when its hot outside and inside. We do not usually have airconditioning inside, but our summers are quite warm as well. We have summers of 39 degrees at too, sometimes just 25 degrees celsius. Most of the times its between 25 and 39 degrees in the summer. In the winter its not that extremely cold but around -2 to 10 degrees celsius. In the winter we can have grey sky as well, but the summers are very sunny generally speaking.

[@rammes1]

in the south we celebrate carnaval, (sort like halloween). The alarm is a test alarm, and it sounds every first monday of the month at 12:00.

[@anouk6644]

Opening hours of shops depend on the region and type of shops. Retailers usually close at 6pm except one day a week when they close at 8 or 9pm citywide. The supermarkets in my area close at 10pm, even on Sundays, but in more rural areas it can be 6 or 8 pm.

[@Lord_RFAS]

Oh, and in dutch we have a saying: tijd is tijd -> time is time. I interpret it as "be on time and don't waste time."

[@fireshadowdark5462]

Never heard that one as a Dutch person. I'm not great with uitdrukking though. (dk the english word rn)

[@Lord_RFAS]

@@fireshadowdark5462 *expression 😉

[@evaeori5968]

There are hierarchies but they are less clear on the surface.

[@ianklinkhamer9720]

When I was young there was this joke that a Scot was a Dutchman who swam across the North Sea (or vise versa). I've worked a lot in the Aberdeen area (oil & gas) and I agree that attitudes are very similar. (Although the remark on drunks stands).

[@roykliffen9674]

We don't say hi to everyone, but when eyes lock you'll usually get a nod or a "hi". [edit] Shops like butchers, bakers, or fishmongers tend to close at 5 PM, pharmacies, convenience stores, shoe and clothing stores at 6 PM, and supermarkets between 8 PM and 10 PM depending on the location. closing times for the supermarkets in the weekends are often earlier.

[@fiskurtjorn7530]

4:58 She mentioned it around 4:44. Carnival. Carnival is celebrated for three days, it starts on Sunday and lasts until Tuesday. From Wednesday it is Lent for forty days until Easter.

[@user-pm1ji1vd2s]

4 days

[@saskiapanter]

​@user-pm1ji1vd2s officially 2,5 days. From Sunday after church untill Tuesday midnight

[@JC130676]

1:54 To answer your question: years ago I was on vacation touring the UK. In London, I was looking at my map (yes, it was _that_ long ago) trying to figure out where to go and people would just push me out of their way. Fast forward a week and I was in Edinburgh, standing on the street looking at my map. Within a minute someone came to me "Are you lost? Can I help you?" It wasn't just an incident either, you noticed it everywhere: on the streets, in stores, restaurants - you name it. Such a difference in attitude. Can you guess which part of the UK I visited several more times after that?

[@TriFeron]

I live in the east (rural / bible belt), it is different here. I will say this, the south (North-Brabant and Limburg) are more open and friendly. They make you feel welcome, polite and love to party and enjoy life. A bit similar to Belgians (Bourgons). The east are also friendly but in a different manner, more about respect and since there are lot of villages and farm areas here people usually know their "locals". The north and West are different, North is a bit the same as the east but still has differences and the West is depending where you go. When you speak about "directness" or "arrogance" It is mostly western dutchies.

[@atropatene3596]

I'm from the northwest and live in the south now. In the northwest, people will take a while to warm up to you but then they will jump through fire for you. Here in the south, they are "open" and "welcoming" and "friendly" but they'll never be your actual friends. Don't get me wrong though, I have been here for 15 years and have made great great friends. They are from Romania, India, Eritrea, Somalia, Bosnia and Poland. I have nog been able to make friends with the locals and I thought it was a me problem. But my friends all had the same problems with Brabanders as well. They're friendly on the surface, but won't be your friend.

[@hannekezijlmans6578]

The South of the Netherlands is mostly Catholic, the north is mostly Protestant. Carnaval in the South for most people isn't a religious thing, but there is some connection to the church. It's the days before fasting starts in the weeks before Easter (hardly anyone does that anymore by the way). People will dress up either just really weird or in traditional 'boerenkiel' (depending on the city, some celebrations are very traditional, others are more party and booze) and there's a huge parade.

[@Isdezenaambezet]

I´m dutch with a Scottish partner, so I´ve experienced the weather in both. Scotland is pretty similar in terms of weather, only about 5 degrees colder compared to the Netherlands, at least around Glasgow. I´d say scots in general are pretty similar to us as well, in terms of directness.

[@Busfles984]

I think she means "Carnival" by that festival. Carnival begins on the Friday before Ash Wednesday, the start of the 40 days of Lent. And lasts 5 days. Carnival in Brabant is different than in Limburg province. The most famous Dutch carnival city is Oeteldonk.

[@jannetteberends8730]

But Maastricht has the nicest costumes

[@devo2]

5:00 It's called Carnaval. It's not religious at all. Though it does crown a local Prince Carnaval every year. Almost the same thing as in Brazil, big party, lots of beer. Almost every cluster of cities will do it, but it is more done in areas with higher farm density. For the whole year groups and friends build a parade wagon, from paper-maché. It's the most crazy thing you can't find. Moving parts, spinning, dancing platforms, music, everything.

[@Centurion101B3C]

I love Irish Bar-Lounge / shop opening hours in County Galway in Eire. Since it makes no bleeping sense to make the distinction anyway, the Bar-Lounge opens when the shop does and the shop closes when the Bar-Lounge does. Very refreshing and convenient.

[@ianbeijen]

“How to survive carnival in Breda as an international student” from the account of Breda University of Applied Sciences is pretty fun to watch if you want to know more about carnival here

[@giannihenk]

I always say hi to folks when passing them when I’m walking

[@user-sn6ye7ws1f]

Gewoon aanpassen meer niet ❤

[@StateBicycle366]

I might be wrong but I think they were talking about the yearly party thing that happends in the south alot. Its called carnaval, it is literally just dressing up/cosplay with the weirdest stuff imaginable. They also do alot of custom giant designed trailers to do a tour around some cities. It is quite astonishing imo. I'm mean it's just a massive party

[@martinetralala1525]

Yeah, the south, the catholics below the rivers Rijn, Waal and Maas, celebrates Carnaval, 6 weeks before Easter. After Carnaval people used to fast voor 40 days. The north, above those rivers, is mostly protestant and doesn't celebrate carnaval in general.

[@superjobbe100]

the festival in the south is called Carnevall and its orignaly for the people in the south. But a lot of people from all over the Netherlands go there. To dress up as somthing and drink a lot of beer

[@Ramon609]

If anyone in the whole world visits The Netherlands make sure that when someone says ''watch out! Street pizza!'' (straat pizza) you better keep an eye on the ground because then you'll see vomit on the ground lol

[@conniemendeszoon9789]

Supermarket open late, maybe in small places is diffirent, and on sunday everything is open, love that

[@TheJoaveck]

In a very small town it's possible that the local supermarket closes around 6pm. Also on sundays. But in most towns they are open till at least 8pm

[@remcoasselbergs3298]

1st monday of the month is 12 noon; testing the air alarm, so it works. For now. It will be chqnged into Phone alarm... same time..

[@maryannecomment3302]

It depends on where you are in the Netherlands. In most places, shops are closed after 6.00 pm, only supermarkets are open until 9.00 pm.

[@dispiedark8682]

the weather: i been in scotland and well it is the same miserable weather, you have a bit more mist. Normal countries just have one word for rain we both have 10 or more and we complain about it all the time.

[@palantir135]

The best way to start a conversation is to talk about the weather; always works. The festival in the south is called Karneval. The south of the Netherlands was/is mainly catholic while the part north of the great rivers, including Zeeland, was/is mainly protestant. The vast majority of the dutch don’t smoke and therefore don’t use weed. Only part of the smokers smokes weed. It’s often tourists who search that stuff. The coastal areas are usually cooler, windier and wetter than the eastern and southern provinces. But not this year. The south and east got about two to three times more rain than usual. Most shops are closed on Sundays but many supermarkets are open 365 days a year and mostly to 10 pm.

[@ronaldderooij1774]

Shops only close at 6.00 pm in nondescript small cities. In the rest of the Netherlands, they close at 22.00 (10 pm).

[@wallyjansen898]

Only supermarkets are open till 22.00 .

[@polyliker8065]

Closing early is pretty normal but there are also stores that nowadays are open till 22:00. The bigger grocery stores (Albert Heijn, Jumbo, Plus, Lidl) mainly from my experience.

[@FishThatDavidBlaineSwallowed]

As a Dutchie it feels weird for me to look someone in the eyes passing by and not acknowledging them by saying "Hoi". On vacations I understand that not everywhere is the same lol!

[@sim-one]

And it’s not like saying “how are you” while NOT interested as a thing someone says over and over again. When saying hi… asking how you are… it’s truly asking how you are… (Unless it’s adjusting to the US standard 😅)

[@Fr-ron]

For the asprines i could give you a thousend reasons why its better for you, it just relieve your sympoms a bit but its doenst cure them, with that your body heals itself and it makes your immune sysyem stronger causing it to take way longer before you get sick again, also there is no change you get addicted by them (like with many other heavier meds) also if you take stronger meds to often it takes away the affect of them and makes them less suitable for serieus sickeness. So you dont cry and sit it out, makes you mentally stronger too. And if ur really feeling too bad, making a appointment for the docter is free for everyone who lives here. Takes you 1 day to make a appointment and if an expert really thinks you need them you get them for free (most of the meds) or a small contribute

[@Haroekoe]

Hi Mert, My niece wedded a Scotsman September 2023, her long time boyfriend. Ever since he's in our family, I have an even softer spot for the Scots. The accent....

[@weetjijwel050]

She was talking about 'Carnaval'. Its kinda the opposite of fasting (it being related to religion), where people go party for a couple of days and nights, all dressed up. Its mostly in the south of the Netherlands (maybe only even).And about the coffeeshops: i doubt more people in any other country has ever tried smoking pot, as most of the Dutch have tried it, at least. Most dont smoke in a coffeeshop tho, but they just buy it and smoke at home. Very, VERY, common, yet a lot of people just dont talk about it.

[@bakfietspriester]

Dutch are friendly but straight forward when we need too be

[@TheViper079]

the weather is very easy to explain: if you don't like it you wait 5 minutes.

[@OP-1000]

In the big cities people are more reserved. If I take a walk in my village I “have” to greet at least 15 people 😀

[@dispiedark8682]

Carnival in brabant, its parades with self made wagons out of paper or with flower decorations and they make some crazy stuff and the south of the Netherlands gets very drunk and wild. I am from Rotterdam we have a more traditional summer carnival parade like you see in brazil. But yeah look it up brabant carnaval you see a hole other side of creatief and loud.

[@nielsbuirma660]

in the first day of the new month the airalarm goes off in the NL. Its a test, but if you dont know this it can be scary :) Carnaval is the festival she talking about it all over the NL, but the do it bigger in the south area.

[@framegote5152]

The weather here wouldn't surprise you, I think. It can be wet, sunny, windy cold ..... on the same day. Just like in the UK. In smaller towns and villages shops can close at about 5 or 6 o'clock. In bigger places supermarkets can be open a lot longer, but smaller shops often still close at an earlier time. It must be profitable for the shopkeeper as well, I guess.

[@maryannecomment3302]

The south of the Netherlands was/is catholic, the rest of the country was/is protestant. But many people are not religious anymore. Carnaval is original a catholic festivity. So in the south of the Netherlands they party more on this festiity.

[@bnice1374]

The alarm that sounds every month is a test to see if the system is operational. It always bugged me that it's a pre-planned thing, seems like all a hostile actor would have had to do attack on the first monday of the month. Luckily this system is now more a back-up to the national phone alarm system, which provides information about the alarm.

[@dochouse6911]

We in the south celebrate carnaval. It has it's origins in religion but it's not that anymore. Every year for 5 days we celebrate and party all in costumes and stuff. Like halloween but for everyone not kids and for 5 days. But look up carnaval in Brabant or Limburg and you'll find enough. There a wiki on it as well *Edit: I've done a stint in Castle Craig near Edenborough and I agree with other people here that the Scottish and Dutch have a lot of similarities and I really felt at home with you guys

[@gember1382]

I don't think there is a thing as too polite. Ofcourse, you have to read the signs with the other person (if he/she is open to a conversation), but I try to smile to people I meet and greet strangers. Because I always think...maybe they just need that smile today ❤. And just help an older person out of the train of carry a suitcase for someone....why not?! You can make a difference just being polite and helpful ❤

[@willemthijssen1082]

Dutch weather is a lot like the UK, just 2 to 5 degrees Celsius warmer.

[@Thuras]

the slow whoop she was talking about is the air sirens, originally a warning to go to the bomb shelters, which we test every 1st Monday of the month at 12 o'clock. The weather is similar to the UK, we have a see climate and mostly western winds, which means rain, all of the Netherlands is wetter than London on average, but less wet then the UK's western coasts, somewhere in between the two area's.. it can rain on 180 days a year on average, which means every other day, where most of the rainy days are between November and February, we hardly see the sun on these days.. in spring (April specifically) it is technically dryer, but weather here, like in the UK is very unpredictable. and a beautiful warm period in the summer is possible, but also a very rainy summer is possible, you never know. I live on the eastern side of the Netherlands in a city and here we all say hello to each other, even in the city, but in the west of the country, where it is a hell of a lot busier this just isn't a thing. I find the Dutch are closer to the Scots than to the English in many ways

[@teunmichiels1108]

Haha the Dutch are very friendly, You want to know how friendly? Best to go stand in the middle of the bikeline during rushhour.......... Yeah we are very friendly

[@soneryazici6527]

As a Dutch in a small village i say Hi to everyone, if someone doesnt respont i wont mind, they dont know me and they owe me nothing, my mom thinks its impolite tho

[@soneryazici6527]

*respond

[@arjanvanraaij8440]

the original video is made by a langue school neer Groningen a more rural part of the Nethetlands. These expats are relating to village life of that region.

[@voiceover2191]

Smoking weed in holland is more a phase with young people, most after their 18th lose interest. It's mostly tourists/foreigners in coffee shops. Weather is very similar to the UK. Shops close at 6 during the week, 5 on saturdays, some open on sundays. Supermarkets are typically open daily until about 10 pm, sundays as well.

[@karinvandervliet8853]

Quite an accurate representation of reality. I would say Dutch and Scottish weather are similar, but nl is a bit less gray.

[@majid7925]

Greeting is for non Cities obviously if I walk past someone walking in a residential area and non busy saying hello is the polite thing to do

[@gijslangeveldt1038]

5 minutes in, she is talking about Carnaval!

[@MyKoekebakker]

In any smaller village or town people say hello to eachother.. If you do this for intsant in the centre of rotterdam people can respond to you as .. Hey who are you ... or why do you talk to me.. In the outer blocks or older blocks of Rotterdam you do have this way of interaction between locals. So i guess the more stressful environment, the less social interaction

[@Richardtv1968]

Forbidden things have an attraction …… when in the twenties alcohol was forbidden in the US, people starting drinking more because it was forbidden

[@ypey1]

Lol, nice.. have you done the “how to survive dutch fireworks?” video?! Its pretty funny

[@quinob]

With the guy that thinks that the Dutch are overly polite, you have to keep in mind that he is from Israel. Now I've met a lot of Israeli people in my lifetime and they have many redeeming qualities. But politeness is not one of them.

[@klm20079]

People arent friendlier. Saying HOI, will lighten up the room. If you dont know if someone is happy or angry say hoi. the tune you say it back will open an conversation or just too let know we no harm

[@devo2]

So dutch habbits and culture. We greet people: Hi. Hallo, Hoi, Yo, Mooi weertje, Kut weer, Hollands weer. It's fine to leave at that or if you are waiting anyway, small talk. Another very common thing, curtains. We greet people, but we also leave our windows unblocked. Very common to wave to a by passers. Are we that friendly? Yeah, but also direct. If you act like an diot, we will definitly call it out. Specially if you move a like a vacation driver.

[@lolololol7573]

It's always funny to see the difference how my boss is chilling with us and drinking a beer and all while the German visitors have this weird hierarchy going on. I prefer to be respected as an equal. Sure I don't earn as much as my boss but he needs me to do my job just as much. I'm technically easier replaceable but that doesn't mean I'm less deserving of respect. The idea that your boss is better than everyone else is wild to me.

[@googleaccountuser3116]

You don't understand, Closed at 6 is not 6.01 🤣

[@ravilagro7896]

In the city people don't really greet you at all in my experience. In more rural areas everybody does, which makes sense because you know almost everyone you come across. if you see a stranger of course you want to interact with them, it might be a new neighbor or family of a neighbor.

[@kevartje1295]

I think the difference between the bank account numbers in America and here, (and correct me if Im wrong) is that if you give out your number in america people can withdraw from that account and get personal info and if you give your bank account number here in the netherlands you can only add money to the account and only see the name from the person you sent it to. About Religion: According to CBS (Central Bureau of Statistics) in 2023: - 57,2 % didnt have a religion, - 18,2 % was catholic, - 13,2 % was protestant - 5,6 % was islam - 5,9 % other religions We used to be mostly catholic but nowadays most people are atheist or believe there is something bigger then us but not a god per se.

[@kimkaykae]

I'm from the tropics and find the weather in England and the Netherlands about the same, cold and lots and lots of rain, but the Netherlands is more windy. IMO the Dutch people are mostly kind, but the English are funnier 😊

[@Dannyvhulst]

We don't delebrate Carnival anymore like they did back then with the fasting. But nowadays it's just a few days of funny music, drinking beer, getting dressed up as something, parades with big custom made wagons to make people laugh, make a statement, win prizes for best act etc. This tradition isn't celebrated throughout the entire netherlands but moreso in Limburg and Brabant, the 2 most southern provinces, where we speak with a soft- instead of hard G, which was prodominantly catholic back in the days whereas the rest of NL was more protestant. I'm not sure about this but I think it has to do with the Spanish during the 80 year war having influence over this region, fighting the protestant Dutch. The rivers were an important border line and so here in Limburg we sometimes refer to the rest of the Netherlands as 'them from above the rivers.' Wikipedia says: Carnival or Shrovetide is a festive season that occurs at the close of the Christian pre-Lenten period,[2] consisting of Quinquagesima or Shrove Sunday, Shrove Monday, and Shrove Tuesday or Mardi Gras.[3] Carnival typically involves public celebrations, including events such as parades, public street parties and other entertainments, combining some elements of a circus. Elaborate costumes and masks allow people to set aside their everyday individuality and experience a heightened sense of social unity.[4] Participants often indulge in excessive consumption of alcohol,[5] meat, and other foods that will be forgone during upcoming Lent. Traditionally, butter, milk, and other animal products were not consumed "excessively", rather, their stock was fully consumed during Shrovetide as to reduce waste. This festival is known for being a time of great indulgence before Lent (which is a time stressing the opposite), with drinking, overeating, and various other activities of indulgence being performed. For example, pancakes, donuts, and other desserts are prepared and eaten for a final time. During Lent, lacticinia and animal products are eaten less, and individuals make a Lenten sacrifice, thus giving up a certain object or activity of desire.

[@dawatcherz]

every first monday of the month, at noon, the air alarm system is tested. that's the scary sound that woman talked about.

[@helenooft9664]

I get sick from the smoke and tearing eyes, so i dont use it, never did, i am Dutch.

[@user-vm7io3sg4x]

im 65 years old and never smoked weed or did drugs. Although using soft drug is condoned, the usage is lower than for instance in the Uk.

[@kevartje1295]

Im dutch But I dont like human contact (autism brain or something) so I like to be alone on the street if I go out. If theres people on the street i usually wait to go out or pretend to search for something in my bag before I walk to my car. But yes, other people do say hi or good morning/afternoon/evening if you meet them on the street. My bf is the opposite of me, He'll get out of his car, see someone and he'll start talking for an hour. About Shop times: Most Shops (flower shops, hairdressers, tailors, clothing stores etc) close at 5 or 6 but supermarkets are open untill like 8 or 9 depending on the city youre in. Restaurants are open late (like 11 or something), would be bad business to already be closed at 6. I guess what you said about having a laning at 2 at night and wanting a snack sound resonable but I think the airports have restaurants open 24/7, that would be my guess at least, I've only flown twice and that was to spain so not that far.

[@jannetteberends8730]

The average rainfall in the Netherlands is 900 millimeter per year, in Scotland it’s between 1000 and 3000 mm per year. So yes, it rain more in your country 😀

[@janwanders3542]

Weather is the same as london weather.

[@jacquelinevanderkooij4301]

In more denser Catholic regions/cities the people celibrate carnival. This is mostly in the south and east of the NL.

[@FamilieKouwenberg]

I find it not more than normal to say Hi/hello if there is eyecontact. It would be rude not to say anything and turn your head.

[@nicoledb341]

Carnaval in Brabant en Limburg in Nederland 🥳 Yes we have an alarm and now it goes via your phone. It is every new month the first monday around 12 o'clock. It is just a test. To be safe. And it only smells like cows in areas where are farms 😂 we do not have farm in the whole country 😂 there are cities, and beach areas etc. Most of my friends do not smoke weed. I always dislike the tourist way of linking the Netherlands to weed and Amsterdam 🤪 the weather depends... With high buildings or at the coast it is more windy. But not in cities or closed off places. The weather is gettinf warmer. We have really soft winters now... and spring is already warmer. But now there is rain. We get more extreme weather like tropical like. With warm temp or thick raindrops. The supermarkt stays open till 21h also some drugstores. But in cities it can be till 23h. It depends where you live. In utrecht clothingstores can be open till 20h. Just really depends where...

[@sem_tb]

Well, public transport really depends on the company/location, for example in Amsterdam you've got R-NET and GVB, which may be on time etc. But here in Twente, you've got "RRReis", which doesn't show up like 3 days a week, or we get buses from other provinces in the netherlands, because the other ones are into maintenance again... Since the old company "Twents" (by Syntus) has been taken over by "RRReis" (by Arriva/DB), we got shit public transport, with the old company, the buses always showed up, and on time, now it is just total shit, buses don't show up, are barely on time etc. We all wish the old company Twents would be back...

[@JRvonP]

once during a clanmeet in Edinburgh we went for a night of partying, it was a load of fun however my two Engllisch an my Scottisch mates where a drunk as fuck and i was joking with the cabdriver on our way back to our respective hotels how bad they could hold their booze... suprised me a lot white me [Dutch] and my German clan mate where still more or less functional :)

[@doublejan]

Yes, I always say hoi/hallo to other people which I cross closely.

[@andriesstegeman]

You should watch - How to survive the weather in the Netherlands 👍🏻😂

[@rammes1]

one can not be over polite

[@Richardtv1968]

The guy saying overpolite has a lot to learn in communication……he probably communicates via social media media

[@radejong013]

Down south, south of the main rivers, the majority is catholic, up north more protestant. I relation to the catholic religion there is a 4 day period called "Carnaval", usually around February.

[@audreysuter4315]

They're friendly at greeting but not open to including outsiders into their circle of friends and family.

[@Magnetroman]

In the past all shops had to close at 6 pm sharp. They would get a fine if tehy were opened even 1 minute longer. So if yo uwere single and worked in another town it would be a challenge to get your groceries. Now opening hours have extended to 8 pm in many places, but your regular mom and pop shop usually still closes at 6 pm. The local bakery where ibuy my bread usually runs out of bread around 3 pm and after, say, 2 pm there is not much choice left. The viaducts for airplanes are rare. As far as I know we only have 1 where you actually see the planes cross the road, and another one is a longer tunel under the airport. Both at Amsterdam airport. The weather here is much like in England. It rains often, it can be sunny, it is usually not too hot or too cold. Scotlands weather is much worse. I think greeting habits are different in the city and in the country. In the city people don't greet everybody. In the country we greet neighbours we don't really know. Sometimes a stranger walks by in a quiet street and you may feel obliged to say hello. Not of politeness, but to break the tension a bit. It feels weird to just look at eachother and not say anything.

[@drekruizinga8696]

I think its just normal to say hello when you pass someone on the street. Its strange to say nothing at all and turn your head ( my thought)

[@VeryCryptic]

we not friendly we just say hi xD