Things You Should Never Do In The Netherlands / Diary of An American Living in The Netherlands

[@ItzSKYVlogs]

Yooooo Happy Thursday!!! Whats something you should not do when you travel? What did i miss? 😎

[@mauritssteemers389]

Please come to Enschede. Cool vid

[@mavadelo]

16:50 That is not a Sprinter my friend. That is the ICNG or InterCity New Generation. It currently only runs between Amsterdam and Rotterdam as far as I know and uses the highspeed line. It is nicknamed "the Wasp". All Sprinter services have the white/blue livery.

[@frostbite4954]

Don’t forget to try the local food.

[@AndreSjoberg]

Aaaah, Rotterdam, worked there for 3 months back in the early 2000s, commuting every week from Norway on mondays and returning on fridays, worked in a converted auto shop that had been remodelled into an internet design company office, using the oil change pit for the printers and fax machines, good times :) The customs officers in norway always gave me the evil side eye every friday though, «Why is that 20-something dude traveling to and from the netherlands every week» type looks, pulled me in to check my bags a couple of times too - good times indeed :)

[@basangelier6963]

First time I checked your content and must say it’s surprisingly fun and easy to watch💪 I was born and raised in Apeldoorn and i wonder, have you ever been outside the Randstad? There are so many less-touristic-nice places you could check out to get to know the Netherlands a little better. I’ll name some suggestions: Medemblik, Harderwijk, Appingedam, Veerle, Ootmarsum, Ameland and I can name more but I leave you with these. These are all pretty small places but they’ll show you some history

[@joranvanvelzen3287]

Not gonna lie, Amsterdam is considered a tourist trap by Dutch people

[@ItzSKYVlogs]

@@joranvanvelzen3287 yea! I agree! Oh my gosh.. I almost compared it to Hollywood Blvd in LA but felt like it shouldn’t even be compared because amsterdam is so much nicer lol

[@ItzSKYVlogs]

@@joranvanvelzen3287 I mean there are a lot of really really nice places in amsterdam.. but the Netherlands is just sooo nice !

[@sebastiaanbarends]

I live in Amsterdam and, regrettably, I have to agree

[@tammo100]

Agreed, I used to visit Amsterdam regularly in the past but nowadays I don't do that anymore because of all the tourists.

[@martijnkeisers5900]

No they don't.

[@margreetanceaux3906]

On the trash… my mom always said: if you brought something ‘full’, like a food wrapper, milkshake cup whatever, you can also take the empty stuff with you.

[@ItzSKYVlogs]

Oh I love that! Yea my mom and grandma said something a lot similar :)

[@gert-janvanderlee5307]

Also worth mentioning is the big difference between the northern part of the country and the south below the rivers. And why do we still need to tell tourists not to walk on the bike lane? Try walking in the middle of a busy road in any country and you get run over in seconds. A bike lane is the same; pedestrians don't belong there.

[@michieljuta976]

The difference isn’t that large.

[@gert-janvanderlee5307]

@@michieljuta976 The difference can be very big. In some places probably more than others.

[@camillebaksteen95]

1. Be on time! Always! 2. There's more than smoking weed and 'red light district' 3. 'How are you?' -> Not a short greeting/conversation starter, but a real question. Expect a serious/longer answer. 4. We drive with a stick shift here 5. Wear multiple layers of clothing, the weather is changeable. 6. Lunch breaks at work are half an hour, no longer. Mainly in company canteens with brought along bread. 7. We cycle here without helmets.

[@ramacharya7843]

Yes.... Hoe are you means something in the Netherlands. We Dutch people take that question seriously. When you ask that question we will actually answer it. It is not a way of JUST saying hello 😂😂😂

[@Johan-ig9jf]

7 The normal ones do, left leaning "males" you see alot with helmets ( many times those people wore masks outside in 2020, you know, those people)

[@JORISGUY7XD]

​@@Johan-ig9jf I find that tourists (usually Germans), kids, older people and race cyclists wear helmets. Political background isn't the biggest factor for wearing helmets. And there's nothing wrong with wearing a helmet or a mask, it's only safer.

[@Johan-ig9jf]

@@JORISGUY7XD Safety first ;p

[@Johan-ig9jf]

@@JORISGUY7XD i bet you left leaning voters are more into masks and helmets than regular people, look in any city of Holland....

[@itsyaboyRobbie]

Another thing Dutch people generally don’t appreciate is stopping by their house unannounced. Dutch people often schedule most things.

[@ItzSKYVlogs]

@@itsyaboyRobbie ooooh that’s good one! A friend of mine told me that.

[@ItzSKYVlogs]

@@itsyaboyRobbie thanks so much for sharing.

[@Max1weber]

Hmm I love surprise visits but if it does not suits I just say it ...

[@jsb7975]

Well that is a cliché repeating it's own tale. The Dutch are far too individualistic to fit in that not too bright of a format.

[@Feeburgproducties]

Haha thats my problem, I like doing unscheduled things and surprising things, but the people around already planned everything 😂

[@evastapaard2462]

DO NOT LIE BECAUSE YOU DON"T WANT TO OFFEND ANYONE! Dutch people are very direct and respect honesty a lot. do not get angry when they speak their mind. They're not trying to be rude, just honest. Do NOT behave entitled in a shop nor anywhere else. People will not bow for you even if you are a paying costumer. And I say it again; never EVER walk on a bike path. people WILL hate you!

[@raisan5989]

@@evastapaard2462 very true, shops rather loose a obnoxious customer to elsewhere than bow to their wishes

[@JasperS.-wv3ig]

To lie is to offend if you ask me.

[@ramacharya7843]

Yes. Never Tel lies to a Dutchman. You will regret it. Even stabbing a Dutchman with a knife while telling the truth will give you more honor and maybe give you redemption for telling the truth, than telling one lie...

[@ArnoModelstate]

When you hear a bell, you're walking in the wrong spot. Move for sure !

[@tinus411]

As a dutch I confirm this is 100% spot on.

[@germainemartens4778]

I really love your uploads, your enthusiasm is contagious. Proud of our country and Dutch mentality. Try the Rotterdam Pass, anyone can purchase it. This allows you to get to know Rotterdam in an affordable way. As a single mother in Rotterdam with 4 kids, there is always something to do in our beautiful and amazing city. Experience it and enjoy, thank you Sky 💜

[@ItzSKYVlogs]

@@germainemartens4778 awww thanks so much! So happy you enjoy the videos! I really really love it here! Im a little jealous you live in Rotterdam heheheh I almost moved here but it’s a bit too far from the office when I need to go into work

[@ItzSKYVlogs]

@@germainemartens4778also can you recommend something that would be fun for a family to do here.?

[@HansKlaverwijden]

​@@ItzSKYVlogsI'm not from Rotterdam myself but I went to the Maritiem museum with a five year old and a three year old and they enjoyed themselves very much.

[@nicodesmidt4034]

When they’re a bit older might be fun to visit the “Maaslandkering”. Think you would need a car though

[@user-wp7zn8ii5u]

"This is not the place to stop, think, and get your life together" ...best line in the video.😅 I love your videos. Thank you

[@ItzSKYVlogs]

@@user-wp7zn8ii5u hahaha it’s true!! I’ve seen so many Americans just chillin and talking on the phone, takin pictures.. and doing it all in the bike lane.. like.. get outta here! Hahahah

[@ItzSKYVlogs]

@@user-wp7zn8ii5u just all up in the bike lanes! 🤣

[@DutchXFangirl]

Yes, people live in the Markthal. There are 102 appartments in there.

[@ItzSKYVlogs]

Wow!!! 102 apartments!!! That’s crazy

[@thedutchhuman]

I say it so often in other videos of foreigners who come to visit the Netherlands, ''there is more than Amsterdam'' and the Netherlands is not just ''the west'', go to the east, north or south of the Netherlands by train (or you must have friends in the Netherlands), the culture is different everywhere

[@ItzSKYVlogs]

Yea I totally agree! I mean.. the country is just so amazing!

[@thedutchhuman]

@@ItzSKYVlogs thanks! Tourists usually go to well-known areas/attractions, but also think of nature, defenses from the Second World War, the flood defenses, castles, what the infrastructure is like, the inhabitants of the Netherlands themselves, nightlife, etc. and that can be found (almost) everywhere.

[@tobbetextin3799]

Dude, I have to say : I Love you man ! Absolutely genuine and real. As a Dutchman I'm proud to have you with us here 🫡

[@MrHarrie74]

Go to Maastricht, Breda, Utrecht, Nijmegen, Groningen and many more. Every larger city in the Netherlands is a well kept Museum. They are all Medieval. But also hundreds and hundreds of smaller towns of city's. In northern europe roman times are just around the corner. Castles everywere, Even my local church is at least 1000 years old.

[@sanderdeboer6034]

Avoid the restaurants in the toerist areas in Amsterdam. They are horrible, dirty, bad food and service. In stead try restaurants in ‘de Pijp’, Oost or Westerpark. Or go to Haarlem or Zandvoort on the beach after you visit Amsterdam. If you haven’t booked Anne Frank House, then try to visit ‘Corrie Ten Boomhuis’ in the centre of Haarlem. She is very famous in the USA (from movie ‘the hiding place’). In the back of the house above the watch shop they hid many Jews behind a fake wall. (My uncle Pieter Hartog was part of her resistance network in Haarlem and Amsterdam)

[@GerbenV90]

The Dutch do have specific amounts of time to go out for lunch. But it is considered rude to offer the check when the guest hasn’t asked for it yet. It’s a sign of the staff wanting you to get out while we are perfectly capable of deciding ourselves when we want to leave. And when we do leave, we’ll ask for the check and at places where you sit down to eat and get served you’ll leave somewhere between 5% and 10% tip by rounding it up. Sometimes when you know this is all you’re gonna order, you order your food and tell the staff that you’d like to have the check with it right away.

[@traggerhippie]

Don't force interactions with fake interest, we don't like fake interactions and small talks with people that are not truly interested, keep it real. Don't try to be everybody's friend.

[@sylviahelder1259]

Definitely! 👍🏼

[@GtownMuzik]

Keep the energy and good vibes going SKY!

[@ItzSKYVlogs]

Ayyywww thanks so much!!! :) I definitely will. I’ll definitely keep up the energy! I have so much when I’m filming

[@dutchman7623]

The pick pockets in Amsterdam, and other bigger Dutch cities, are not violent but very well trained. A nice lady tips you on your right shoulder and on your left side your wallet disappears. Before you notice your valuables are gone... So be aware, and the more 'tourist' you look, the bigger the chance of being robbed. No money or phone in your backpack, but under your cloths and zipper.

[@theflyingdutchguy9870]

absolutely. they are a lot more sneaky here than in most places. they arent on the nose like in a lot of other countries

[@Dafoodmaster]

if you wanna chill, get out of the bike lane, sit yourself down on a terras, under a parasol, out of the hete teringzon

[@sanderdeboer6034]

If you need to be somewhere soon after diner in a restaurant, like a theater or concert, just tell the waiter beforehand. They will get the check right after diner, and make sure you achieve the deadline.

[@raisan5989]

Beforehand being when you make your reservation, decide on a starting time which is doable for the staff and be on time

[@sanderdeboer6034]

@@raisan5989 Better tip!

[@ramacharya7843]

Yes, Just be honoust about it and the waiter and kitchen staff will help you. For real.

[@Vanders456]

My top-tips are: 1. Indoor voices, please. You are in a small cafe sat 2ft away from another table. Try not to be so loud. 2. You normally don't need to ask before you take a seat at a bar or cafe. If it's busy and every table is taken, sure, but otherwise just sit down and someone will be with you. 3. Almost every single bar or cafe will have their menu available in English. Hell some of them will have menus in French & German! Just ask.

[@user-qq1pj1zg8b]

As a dutch born in Amsterdam, it's really annoying to have so many tourist talking loud in the trains. We don't like to bother others, and we consider one a nother. Thank god voor headphones, too many tourists in Amsterdam, give us back our city!

[@raisan5989]

To Americans outside of the USA, use your inside voice and wait until the person speaking is done, take turns, getting your turn by being louder is annoying

[@Dumageems]

Ever seen a drunk or on drugs walking Amsterdammer? Far more worse than some tourists.

[@BabzV]

​@@DumageemsBut at least they're from here, unlike the tourists.

[@frostbite4954]

Amsterdam is by far not the most beautiful city. It’s popular for the museums, the red light district and coffee shops. Doesn’t mean it doesn’t have its charm. Personally I love Nijmegen, Den Bosch, Rotterdam, Deventer, Maastricht, Leeuwarden to name a few.

[@evastapaard2462]

Leeuwarden! yups

[@evastapaard2462]

én Utrecht

[@Lilygirl283]

Delft..

[@Lilygirl283]

En leiden...

[@tammo100]

En Dordrecht

[@TheTwan85]

Great video! The "it's safe but don't put your phone down in plain sight" is the realest advice I've seen in these types of videos 😂

[@ItzSKYVlogs]

Wow thanks so much! And yea. Neeever put your phone down in plain sight 😂

[@MrPAlberst2]

So funny!! as a dutchman watching the first minute of what not to do, i thought: do not stay in Amsterdam!. LOL

[@ItzSKYVlogs]

Ahahahaah

[@nicodesmidt4034]

There are so many nice cities in NL, indeed Haarlem, Utrecht, Alkmaar, Leiden, Gouda, den Bosch, Zwolle. And that’s only the bigger ones. There’s lots of very small villages with very nice town centers. Harderwijk, Amersfoort, Wateringen, I mean the list is endless. Also coastal towns are nice: Katwijk, Bergen. And then we didn’t even include the islands, both the western ones in Zeeland and the Northern ones like Vlieland. Thanks for the video!

[@annoholics]

I have seen this channel a few times and it is mainly about city life but of course most of the Netherlands is not cities and there are a lot of amazing places outside the cities. In a lot of countries like the US when you are outside the cities you are also really in the wilderness. That is different in the Netherlands. Outside the city there are very few spots where you can walk more then 300 meters / yards without bumping in some kind of road or something else man made. There are a lot of villages with their own culture and its own unique beautiful places. I live in a place called Oirschot, it is a very small place in the southern part of the Netherlands, but we have a really nice authentic marketplace where there is often a lot going on, especially in the summer. Just check it out, it is really beautiful.

[@hjonker79]

I have two points you can mention in other videos: 1. Should a restaurant employee come to you during or after your meal to ask if everything is or was good, stay friendly and tip if possible 2. Disposing of your waste in the Netherlands, which is seen, can lead to a fine of up to 450 euros

[@AlexanderVanStraten]

In the Netherlands we don't tip 'if possible', we tip if the service was really good. And not the American 20-25% tip, but just roundup the bill, or do max 10% if the service was exceptionnal. Not tipping in the Netherlands is perfectly fine! The wages here are much higher than in the US.

[@ItzSKYVlogs]

Ayyye thanks so much for the advance!

[@nicodesmidt4034]

Also, the Netherlands is pretty clean compared to its southern neighbor 😮

[@TheAdamToy]

When I first got stationed in England, the first thing they told us was anytime we travel, try to blend in with the locals and that is the way it should be. I shouldn't be able to hear your American self from 4 blocks away lol

[@Richardm1981]

One thing to add is, be open minded. I have a friend who went to Switzerland and all her post on Facebook was “omg, can’t wait to get back to the states and eat a burger, blah blah”. Gurl… why you traveling? Also, in Japan, you would be hard pressed to find a trash bin. You need take your trash with you. And if you live in Japan and you mess up your trash sorting…. Holy hell, you’ll be excommunicado from your community, legit. Cheers from Tampa, Florida! ❤

[@jasperkok8745]

Re. having to ask for the bill when eating out, I think that, in addition to Dutch people considering eating out a leisurely thing and wanting to take their time, it also has to do with servers not really depending on tips as much as their colleagues in the United States. So I think turnaround times on terraces and in restaurants are not quite as important here as they are across the Pond.

[@l0uiise]

People do live up in the Rotterdam Food Hall. I havent been there myself but i've seen inside pictures of the studios/apartments. Fun video to watch about my own country! With the waiters and asking for the check; You dont have to get up and go to the bar or walk up to a person, you can if its a quiet and chill place but when its busy, expect to wait a bit at the bar because the bar staff will make their orders first, even if you're the only one standing there. Not that they will ignore you but first comes first. When sitting down, just search for the eye contact with a waiter and shortly raise your hand to show you want/need something. You got to be a bit assertive (but not rude) with this tho. Don't be shy in a busy place. The waiters are going by fast! Or, if you are in a hurry, you can mention this when you order your food and they will keep that in mind and will bring the check when you're finished. Pretty spot on with the do's and don'ts 😆👍

[@randar1969]

What a surprise about Amsterdam it's like thinking San Fransisco is like a village in Missisipi. And indeed a french tourist just died a couple of days ago walking on the tracks in front of a tram in Amsterdam unfortunately.

[@ItzSKYVlogs]

Oh I no!!! Someone just brought it up in the comments.

[@ItzSKYVlogs]

So sad.. best believe we’ll be watching out for trams more now!

[@ItzSKYVlogs]

Also great comparison! I agree.

[@dutchman7623]

Sad accident for sure. A tram is heavy and needs time and space to stop. It is like crossing the street in front of a truck in full city speed, just don't!

[@kevinnindatu8137]

If you think Haarlem is the most beautiful city in the Netherlands, you haven't seen enough of the Netherlands.. but there's a lot in your video I agree with. Thank you for representing Americans the way you did while in our country.

[@ItzSKYVlogs]

Oh I’m just being biased.. hahahah

[@ItzSKYVlogs]

Also I’m gonna stop saying that so Americans won’t come and live there lol 😂

[@frogi_hobbies]

love your videos!!!! this was very informative and high quality!!!

[@ItzSKYVlogs]

Ayyyeee thanks so much!

[@ItzSKYVlogs]

So happy you enjoyed the video! :)

[@frogi_hobbies]

@@ItzSKYVlogs your very welcome!

[@Anonymous-sb9rr]

The tricky thing about bitterballen is that they don't feel hot on the outside, while they are hot on the inside. So when you pick them up, you think: This is not that hot, I can eat this. And then you need a tongue replacement.

[@rosemarievermeulen]

Please,visit Rotterdam! Its such a nice city. Greetings from Amsterdam

[@ItzSKYVlogs]

Yea I freakin loooveee Rotterdam!

[@nicodesmidt4034]

Utrechts isn’t bad either. Much more relaxed and lots of nice people

[@TerryVogelaar]

Excellent video! And kudos to you for mentioning the littering. It is my biggest pet peeve. There is a plan called "statiegeld", meaning that empty bottles and soda cans can be exchanged for money so they don't end up as litter. And even these bottles and cans are scattered everywhere.

[@Breiair]

Seeing how people dig through the bins just to retreive cans/bottles for the statiegeld doesn't help with the littering issues either.

[@mikevanderbruggen4397]

Actually, apart from the bikelane thing, There is not much that will offend the dutch seriously. Like you said, use your common sense. Being loud is not really a problem. Acting priviliged is. Going around telling People America is the best country in the world will provoke them to help you out of your dream. The dutch will love putting you in your place. Also, do be direct about what you mean. The dutch dont pick up on beating around the bush much. They are used to clear communication.

[@ItzSKYVlogs]

Ayyyee thanks for the insight Mike!

[@ItzSKYVlogs]

Really really good callouts

[@arjenjaeger3358]

Indeed, when someone asks if you want something, don't say: "I'm ok". Many people won't understand if that's supposed to mean yes or no.

[@tinkerbell8507]

@mikevanderbruggen4397, Hollanders zijn betweters en ze willen zeker wel uitdelen maar niet incasseren.

[@EdwinMartin]

@@tinkerbell8507wat is dat voor vreemde opmerking? Niemand vind het leuk als een buitenlander gaat vertellen wat er mis is met je land.

[@macy3203]

❤ the way you explain the Netherlands. If you want to see the first cube- houses, you should visit Helmond. It's in Brabant (south of the Netherlands)

[@Paul_C]

Sadly het Speelhuis isn't there anymore, that was destroyed by a fire and wasn't rebuild. The first house still there though.

[@VikingReacts]

Kattenmeppers! 😂

[@Paul_C]

​@@VikingReacts Why would you want to use the derogatory term for those who live in Helmond? I was genuinely sad when I saw het Speelhuis a few years ago, it was brought to my attention by a friend who intended to visit the complex. Basically that fire robbed the community from a theatre, exhibition centre and a practice space for musicians. It was a loss for the city as a whole. I was born in Brabant and it still has place in my heart.

[@VikingReacts]

@@Paul_C Simple... it's not meant as an insult. I have lived there myself and my parents still do. The term itself only comes from a bit of history that shouldn't be forgotten and is a way to start a conversation.

[@kanehuijbers9528]

@@Paul_C well its not a derogatory term in my opinion and im from helmond. those are the facts that we had hard times in war and we had to eat cats. Sorry for that one

[@shafiyacarolineyao]

Thank you for taking us to Rotterdam 😊 … yes, let’s be aware of keeping places clean and neat. It’s so much more life quality to be in a clean place. ❤👏👏👏

[@ItzSKYVlogs]

Oh no worries at all! I always love going to Rotterdam!

[@fatdandelions]

🤣🤣🤣 you ate beer and Korean chicken where my son makes them for you 🤭

[@ItzSKYVlogs]

@@fatdandelions wow really! Hahahah I love it there! It’s my favorite!!

[@237claudia]

you should go to Limburg, the most beautiful province in the Netherlands and the friendliest people live there

[@joyfulldj]

The seagulls are fun. I watched one snatching an icecream from a kid and I couldnt help but laugh. That was just so funny. We had a seagull meme maker in the past and one was flapping around with someone their teeth in its mouth; thats the nature of the beast. Hold on to your teeth, bc that creature will rob you from it :)

[@ItzSKYVlogs]

Ooh my gosh me too!! Hahaha

[@ItzSKYVlogs]

These seagulls are savages! Hahaha

[@harriemei6781]

Respect for your knowledge of the Netherlands and its inhabitants. As for the cycle paths, there are many people who live here, but are not used to cycling, who think that they can use those paths differently and have a conversation in a group. And great how you teach the Dutch people a lesson about cleaning up your own trash.

[@MrCrisenson]

A Dutch etiquet thing in the supermarket is to put the plastic grocery divider for the people behind you.

[@nicodesmidt4034]

Which makes much more sense btw

[@yukmsacierzorro]

Thanks for putting some respect on our beloved Haarlem! The parks, in my opinion, are unmatched. Kenau and de Hout are two of my favourite places on earth.

[@Michiel1972]

Take this guy his advice about not walking and standing still on the tram tracks. A couple of days ago a tourist got underneath a tram and died.

[@LadyoftheValley]

I'm from Rotterdam. I don't live there now. My parents live behind the kubic houses. Yes, people live above ghe market hall. I went up to look when it was just finished and still empty.

[@Paul_C]

Guess the most annoying thing most Dutch don't understand is the way faith and politics is interwoven in what SHOULD be seperation of church and state. It is bonkers to most Dutch. Watch the commercial of an insurance company to see what seagulls do... 3 seagulls and a lady with a convertible...

[@ItzSKYVlogs]

Oooh that’s really really interesting!!!

[@ItzSKYVlogs]

So the Dutch separate church and politics? Sorry I just want to make sure I’m understanding

[@Paul_C]

Well, in your constitution it is stated that there is a seperation between state and church (you actually got that from our constitution) but in the USA church is the state.

[@user-wp7zn8ii5u]

It bonkers to a lot of Americans too, we just aren't as loud as the people who think like that. 🙄

[@ItzSKYVlogs]

@@Paul_C ahhh I see what you mean.

[@peerx7866]

In 1995 I spend half a year at the VU for a research study. I visited Amsterdam once thereafter in 1998 and I promised myself to never ever visit that city again. Almost 30 years later, I still kept my promise.

[@Mx-Alba]

The reason why Rotterdam has some "US vibes" is because at the start of the Second World War, the Germans bombed it to smithereens to force the Dutch to capitulate. It used to be not much different from Amsterdam, but almost all of the ancient center was destroyed, so after the war, it was rebuilt in modern style, with lots of high rise buildings, a lot of wide roads for cars... Also, if you really want to visit beautiful cities, you definitely have to visit Nijmegen and Arnhem (they're really close together)... And Deventer. The latter has a stunning medieval town center.

[@yepyepyepyep4602]

On littering I totally agree; people who randomly are throwing trash around in the open are really missing braincells..

[@nicodesmidt4034]

They probably threw them away too 😂

[@markdegroot2379]

You r right man. Its getting worse with the trash on the streets last couple of years...

[@easycompzeelandold2521]

14:30 The trash problem is mainly a thing of the bigger cities, you wouldn't see so much trash at smaller places. villages are cleaner!

[@HannahSBax]

No it's not, I live in a small town and it's pretty dirty here on the streets

[@MimiYoyo16]

You must visit Maastricht! It's going to change your vision of your fav Dutch city 😍

[@j.vanderson6239]

Haarlem is so nice. Take your bicycle on a beautiful sunny day and bike through the dunes to Parnassia beach. Your kids will love it. A day to remember !!

[@jortdewitte449]

@ItzSKYVlogs As a Dutchie; I loved this video. The part where you ask Americans to not be that loud is one I feel. Sitting in commute and listening to a couple that speak so load they drown out all the background with: "And I was like, that is not pecan pie, like, we make it differently, like, in the States, so I was like..." which brings me to my other fav. Had this cruiseship lady walk up to me when working a coffeeplace in Amsterdam with "This is NOT pecanpie. You can not sell it like that! This would be a lawsuit in the US!"... People, listen: We almost never sue. Just saying stuff like that will come across as agressive behavior and let me tell you that people in big cities will throw punches for less. And, you are a guest here; behave like it. Anyway, amazing video! Come to see Utrecht city next time!

[@dawndekoning6586]

Just wanted to let you know, yes there are people living above the Market Hall in Rotterdam. There a different sizes of apartments there. Very expensive but beautiful.

[@b44rt]

Wearing Life jackets are only mandatory when you are on an open-cockpit fast boat (faster than 20 km/h) and even then you are only obliged to wear it if its standing-controlled boat. Sitting down you only have to have it near you on the boat.

[@wouterschijf47]

hi there, I was born in HAARLEM, HARLEM in New York is named by the DUTCH people of HAARLEM, it’s a beautiful city !! I was in HARLEM couple of weeks ago, I live now in Guadeloupe !!

[@Nijsvlog]

i was born here in the netherlands. my compliments for your videos. very nice to watch. plus that you have respect for the environment. that makes life a lot easier for all of us ❤

[@tiborvandekamp9791]

You should surprise your family with a day.. or two... with 'The Efteling'. Themepark... older than Disney but much more beautiful 😍 You guys will never forget it! Tip 2 a weekend to a camping in Giethoorn... but go there off-season to escape tourism I like to see happy people! Welcome to the Netherlands Greetings from Zaanstad

[@joannewink7101]

Ehmm try Deventer if you want to see a beautiful city..

[@willemijncantrip6564]

Most people come to visit Amsterdam for its famous canals, historic buildings and the Rijksmuseum I guess. I wouldn`t recommend people to visit Rotterdam when they are here for just a short time. I don`t think people travel for thousands of miles just to see a foodhall and some modern buildings that reminds them of Chigago.

[@woutershorts]

If you visit someone and they ask you if you want something to drink, take something to drink. In North America it is common to say "nothing thanks" or "a glass of water". Here it is either Coffee, Thee or Beer.

[@SonnyGreenwichJr]

I'm not sure if it's still like this, when I used to go to Amsterdam way back when, tourists would get so high they couldn't even speak! 🤣haha! 🤣 You'd see them asleep in the Vondel park from smoking or Space Cakes... 🔥🧨💪🏽🤠👍🏽🧨🔥

[@billharmicar8742]

Haarlem is my favorite. Shout out to the Polo Bar and the Wolfhound Irish Pub.

[@MarCel-op4fu]

Hey Sky, nice to see you like my place Rottùrdamm so much😎 Thanks for calling out the litter👍

[@87mits]

For travels i can definitely recommend getting a wise card. Its a visa debit card that can hold multiple currencies simultaneously. Used for a trip to Scotland and it allowed me to load it with euros from my bank account and it would let me change those euros how i saw fit. In the app it would display how many euros were on the and how many pounds.

[@annick8191]

Oh btw yes people live in the markethall! A friend of mine actually does. Its pretty standard middle class apartments, pretty new and fresh. Expensive though!

[@clivehunte3026]

I love the Netherlands, and enjoyed spending time in Scheveningen and Eindhoven

[@noshitsherlock420]

thank you from a dutch person

[@amioosten9346]

Great tips! What i would like to add. Some tourists like to go binge drinking and often, drunk accidents happen like falling in the canals which could end very badly. So be carefull. Also dont urinate outside in public places. If you can't hold it up, there are outside toilets and urinals in Amsterdam.

[@lawrencestovall7680]

Agree with you 100 percent. I am also an American that lives in Europe. I come to Haarlem at least three times a year. I have been to many countries in Europe since retiring from the military and the NL is my top pick. I don't have anything negative to say about the NL. 😊

[@ge48421]

The Maestro debit card system is shutting down, my US VISA debit card is now working at a regular Albert Hein supermarket, it didn’t in December. Still check that your bank does not hit you with crazy fees. Cell phone snatching happens everywhere, don’t leave your phone or wallet unattended, ever.

[@UltraBeatZ]

One more thing to do as an American in the Netherlands, is to eat a dutch pancake. It's very different compared to American pancakes.

[@JoeFKidding]

Damn dude that secret spot in Rotterdam was our chill-spot when I still went to school. Its very chill there indeed!

[@Rehtse-hh2yx]

'Don't do dumb' that about sums it up nicely 😆

[@ItzSKYVlogs]

@@Rehtse-hh2yx ahahahahaha

[@UrHeadset]

Also, if you are going to ride a bike or moped/scooter, please read up on the rules and what the signs mean (example, HOLDING your phone while in control of ANY vehicle is illegal, no matter what you are doing with it). And if you are an overseas tourist, just avoid driving a car altogether, unless you absolutely have to drive one. Traffic here is different, and the people I usually find that drive/ride in an annoying or bad way are tourists, like at least 70% of the time (in tourist regions). Outside of those, it's usually teenagers that don't pay attention.

[@theo4281]

Please don't tell people that Haarlem is better than Amsterdam. We Haarlemmers have known this for hundreds of years. We just want to prevent tourists coming to Haarlem and not going to Amsterdam ; )

[@ItzSKYVlogs]

Oooooohhhh dang!!! Your right!!!!! 😳

[@ItzSKYVlogs]

From now on I’m not saying nothing! Keeping all of them out!

[@ItzSKYVlogs]

Thanks for the great tip 😊

[@boterberg278]

Living in Amsterdam 40 years, but yeah, Haarlem is really cute, great little city ;o)

[@ramacharya7843]

Fun fact: in the Netherlands we have two kind of Aldi grocery stores Aldi Nord and Aldi Süd. Yes there are tho different Aldis, just check the logo. Aldo nord owns the USA Traders Joe company.

[@KingStar1984]

This is for the TOURISTS! Don’t-cycle-on-the-sidewalk! Love this vid!

[@karinvandervliet8853]

No credit card, but also some businesses don’t take cash. We’re used to debit cards.

[@rolandboerhof9391]

Another cause for a major part of the trash in Amsterdam are (again) the seagulls. They open the garbage bags and spread it all over the place. Also watch the hierarchy: 1. seagulls 2. crows and 3. pigeons

[@Wendywolf8]

Thanks for this video! Haarlem is great and definitely one of my favorite cities. Greetings from Rotterdam 🎉 (still have to watch the rest of the video😅 but I like your common sense so far)

[@BKYoutube-zq3yv]

I'm Dutch and I tell every expat/tourist Haarlem is the best city of the netherlands! It's like Amsterdam, but smaller, cleaner, prettier, cozier, and not swamped by hordes of tourists. Everything is within a 5-10 min walk or bike ride. The only downside is there are no large companies in Haarlem so 2/3 ofp ople living here travel to other cities for work, but as you know, Amsterdam, Leiden en Den Haag are very easy to reach by train. Rotterdam too if you don't mind an hour+ commute Also yes the Markthallen are surrounded by apartments, including on top. I live in Haarlem, hmu lol

[@Times69]

as a dutch person, i dont like amsterdam. yeah it has some nice buildings but id rather go somewhere where i dont get scammed out of all my money. like the city of Nijmegen, its the oldest city in the netherlands and was created in the year 0005. it has some really nice places and some nice museums. (sorry if i spelled something wrong but im not born english)

[@sjorspa]

There are situations where you wear a lifejacket not because you can not swim, but because in case of an accident and you get unconscious you will still float, of course this will probably not apply to these guys, but on yachts it is very common. Also thing to notice: Don't expect personnel to be over the top happy/polite, in general we Dutch find that crinche, it doesn't mean the person who serves you doesn't like you. Bonus: Rotterdam looks so modern because the entire center was destroyed at the start of WW2 by German bombings, so it gave a lot of room for new architecture. Oh and the Germans said: Amsterdam is next, better surrender...

[@dutchgamer842]

You could just walk around the market hall, there should be entrances with names, so it's apartments

[@ItzSKYVlogs]

@@dutchgamer842 oooh good point!! I’ll have to do that next time :)

[@ItzSKYVlogs]

@@dutchgamer842 I think also I’m gonna go to the viet place next time

[@mikeo4066]

The “Hi, how are you” is not my favorite as a Dutch. I know people from the US say it because they want to be polite, but I will tell you about my whole day, and I know they don't really care about that. So don't ask. I'm from Amsterdam (the North part of it), and yes, the city center is very touristy. I think the first language is English, so it doesn't represent the Netherlands at all. Love your channel! Haarlem is beautiful!

[@ItzSKYVlogs]

Oh that’s so interesting! I’ve heard this before as well! But people I say that to. Really like it.. and then we talk for about 3 mins or so! Hahahah

[@ItzSKYVlogs]

I’m not even jokinglol😂

[@LalaDepala_00]

Visit Breda in the south! Much more relaxed atmosphere.

[@cptgone]

Don't expect to have equal rights when it comes to cannabis culture, though. Breda doesn't allow its coffeeshops to serve foreigners.

[@LalaDepala_00]

​@@cptgoneThat is because we had a LOT of Belgians coming over the border purely for weed.

[@Wendywolf8]

Next time you're in Rotterdam go explore a bit outside the centre. The Lake Kralingen is really beautiful and also Katendrecht is very interesting aswell as North

[@diamant1081]

I like you. You have such a positive and friendly vibe. 😊 And the way you speak about the Netherlands and the Dutch people is nice to hear. I am Dutch and I would love to go to the USA for a holiday. Maybe sometime... The Netherlands is so much more than only Amsterdam. And please say what you want to say. We are not scared when people speak their mind. 😉 We like that.

[@karinvandervliet8853]

I find it quite funny: I am from a generation which was brought up to clean up your own mess. The same generation which is accused of being the polluters of our time. We now live in an era where especially the younger generation prides themselves in being so green and environmentally friendly. And yet, the country is indeed growing dirtier by the minute. And, btw, there’s quite a big difference in that respect between cities and the countryside…

[@user-wb7ie2uj8m]

It’s OK to complain about public transport, especially the trains, service is getting worse by the day but Dutch Railways still have the nerve to raise prices. And watch out for pickpocket in the major cities.

[@martiendejong8857]

You got a lot of things about the Netherlands right. I think your are properly ingeburgerd 😊. Good acknowleding that there is more to the Netherlands than the big cities. I think a lot of foreigners are missing out on all the nice things in the east of the country.

[@lj7780]

first American who can make a realistic video about Nederland

[@metromaster2010]

NICE! NICE! That's actually all good advice for any and everywhere in the world. And yes, the NYC seagulls are quick to snatch any unattended food also. Great!

[@hildakalkman7197]

From a dutch woman don't be offended when us dutch folk are direct and honest! Here in the Netherlands we appreciate honesty and directness!