I am aware we live in one of the safest, happiest and richest countries in the world, but hearing an outsider's perspective makes me appreciate it on another level. There are plenty problems here, but it's just a great example of society actually kind of working! I would be curious to hear your thoughts some other typical Dutch things like stamppot and Andre Hazes. Seriously, winter's coming and you owe it to yourself to make some good boerenkool or hutspot!
One hundred years ago the same was said about the Netherlands especially the richest part. The country was rich but the population wasn't. That was the time when in Drenthe people still lived in "plaggenhutten". Houses made of sods.
I am from 1954 (Dutch) and really ‘have been around’ never any problems not having a credit card. I learned that everything that I can’t afford i don’t really have to have or need. Keeping up with others? WHY? Not proud of who i am just satisfied ....that is it!
We are used not to look inside someone's living room, but the extra benefit of these open curtains is that, as a woman it feels really safe to walk ore bike the streets here. If something happens to you people will see you.
Yes, it is not accepted if you stop on the sidewalk and take your time to look inside someone’s home for curiosity (unless the house is for sale and you are seriously interested🤣). But glancing at a window while walking is not considered a problem, we wave at people behind their hone window if we know them or just to give a lonely elderly person a great moment.
@@SoultoSoulTravels How do you know someone is an expat? Expat: i Made a mistake, this is how it really is.. please forgive me, i apologize, didn't mean it that way, Dutchman: i Made a mistake, this is how it really is..... It's quite enough here to just indicate you were wrong. (the apology is mostly asumed included).. If we have to apologize for everything we said, then we, as direct as we are, would be saying sorry all day long :D ;)
I once was trolling an American friend: told him that I would be moving to Alabama for work and was wondering what gun to buy for my six year old daughter so that she could defend herself at school there. Would he be able to advise me? I was confident that he would recognize the irony for what it was ... To my total surprise he took my question very seriously and explained for fifteen minutes about several types of guns. And ended up with a well meant advise for my six year old daughter ...
Yup, south Europeans usually call us Northern Europeans workaholics. Even though over the span of a year we enjoy a lot of spare time, which we are pretty satisfied with and why we seem to be very relaxed.
@@sevendam9070 In my experience, southern Europeans work hard enough. But not as efficient. Less efficient telecom, roads, waterways, paying systems, more hierarchy, less freedom to search for solutions, etc. etc.
When you do not have to stand in a traffic jam, and do not need to drive far to get to your work, you have more time to bring your kids to school. Slow life? Certainly not slow.
@@markovermeer1394 When we go to work, we are fit, and work hard, because we know that after eight hours it's done. No other job, no worries about health and financial security. And our directness makes sure that we do not waste a lot of time in meetings, or discussion among co workers.
The Netherlands is most efficient country of Europe maby the world. But Germans efficient? This is the first time I here this all paperwork you need in Germany go there and try its a nightmare
Hi. I'm a Dutch citizen living in the USA. I find your videos about your new life in the Netherlands insightful and a pleasure to watch. It makes me really think about what I miss most about my little home country that I left 20 years ago. What is true though is that each country has up and down sides. Nature is vast and stunningly beautiful here for example. People are typically warm and inviting (especially in the south east where i landed 20 years ago) and are very open. I don't miss the harshness of the Dutch directness and the fact they always seem to know more about my life than I do myself. Then again, it has helped me a lot too. But keep on doing what you're doing in these videos. Looking forward to the next one.
Please, don't flatter yourself too much. I've been to Netherlands, it's nice but strange and there are too many things that are simply NOT normal there. Let's take for example the famous "restrooms" or I shall call them the "changing rooms" PLACES located in every town and city where the guy can simply go there in the middle of the day for example or night (24/7) and buy a booth for 10 minutes or so, walk in there and pleasure himself because he filled like it in the middle of the day for example....lol What kind of fu situation is that? I just don't get it and I will never understand it. Never. It's not civilized. Only animals act like this because they can't hold their urges. Not too mention other fu things in your country. Sorry, but no country is perfect. I would rather move to South Korea than Netherlands. At least Koreans have some dignity and high morals and ethical standards.
People do have credit cards. But mainly to use for booking hotels or when they are abroad where credit cards are more normal. (usually outside Europe). But limits on a credit card are strict and depend on your income. You also have to pay off your credit card regularly to keep using it.
"It is a slower-paced life" But at the same time, it is a more productive one ;-) Stressed-out people are not productive, and certainly not creative in improving the way they work or their product.
You can get a credit card here, but what would I use it for? To buy things I cannot afford? I do have a credit card, but I only use it for online purchases, or for a hotel reservation. But most of the times, you have to (re)pay your credit card balance at the end of the month, so it’s much harder to build up a debt using your credit card. We do have some sort of a credit score. All your loans are registered at the credit registration bureau (BKR). So whenever you try to get a new loan (e.g. for a phone with subscription, or a mortgage, or a personal loan) the issuer will check you in the BKR database.
Correct. And unlike the US system where having more debt means you have a better credit score (as long as you're not too far behind on loan payments), in the Netherlands it means you automatically have a worse credit rating with the BKR so it's a lot harder to get very deeply into debt. And of course some forms of loans that in the US are commonplace (like payday loans, loan sharks, etc. etc.) are simply illegal.
Yeah, that's a thing I found funny and kinda twisted when I heard about it. In the US, you get a good credit rating if you can regularly pay your installments. If you don't have to pay any installments because you have no debts, your credit score goes *down*. In the Netherlands, having a debt other than mortgages will prompt a deposit when you sign a contract for a phone or something.
@@Ozymandias1 not really. I used to think so, and it used to be that way. Now you just need to not be in the red for some time. You often need one to travel, so they're no longer toys of the rich.
The Dutch sit on top of (one of?) the largest pension funds in the world. I believe it is over a 1000 billion euros. Unfortunately most of them are heavily indebted through their mortgage.
@@highs_and_lows4665 Dutch people need to be indebted to avoid paying too much taxes. And are you really indebted with a €350 000 mortgage on a house that in todays market will easily sell for €425 000?
@@williamgeardener2509 Yes agreed. But only when the market is going up. I remember 2008 when a lot of people ran into trouble as their mortgage was much higher than the value of their house and their Bank asked for the difference
Dutch people have high mortgage debts and some have mortgages higher than their house is worth. Consumer debts are not so prevalent even though there are people who have unpayable debts. Criminals do have guns, its easy to smuggle them from Eastern Europe. There have been several firearm related assinations in the Netherlands recently, most notable the journalist Peter R. de Vries who was shot 5 times including in the head last July. He is know in the US because of the Natalee Holloway case.
@@Ozymandias1 You missed the housing problem and the ridiculous prices that people pay for a house? Everyone who was "under water" now owns a property that at least matches their mortgage.
Me and my wife used to be gun/rifle owners. We had to be a member of a gunclub for at least a year before we even could own a gun. Regular checks were made by the police at our house where we kept our weapons and if we had any ammunition. They could not be kept in close proximity of each other to avoid certain accidents. You were not allowed to defend your property with that gun. So it was purely for the sport of aiming the weapon at a target and try to get a good score ( sheets of paper with a targetrose on it). Due to my job I could not keep up with the mandatory amount of registerd turns on the range to keep my weapon license so I had to sell my weapon and stop all together with this type of sport to my regret. My wife felt the same so she sold hers too.
Love your talks! Americans living here, and commenting on Dutch society, give plenty of food for thought… On guns: the basic principle here is: "het geweldsmonopolie berust bij de overheid" - the government holds the supreme title to use force, i.e. weapons. So, you have an army for ‘external’ use, and the police to maintain order within the state. To discuss the difference of thought between this, and the Second Amendment, would require lots of study, thought and hours. But for me personally it is best summarized by how the police (and the law) is always campaigning against replica’s or very realistic toys… weapon-lookalikes. Their biggest fear? To shoot a person, probably a kid, who’s holding such a toy.
We do have credit cards and it's not hard to get them, but they are tied into your debit card. so it's more like a way to convert debit card transactions to credit card transactions. So when a credit card is your only payment option, you can use it. Dutch people in general do not like credit cards and pretty much hate credit culture, this is because the US has shown how evil they can be. so we try to avoid credit card transactions where possible. about a decade ago you needed one for international payment, but these days 99% of the time there are now other options.
Not all creditcards in the Netherlands are tied to your bankaccount. You can get real credit cards, although most people indeed get a credit card from their bank where they already have an account; most of those are indeed just a debit card in disguise. When I needed a credit card I chose one not tied to my bank account for safety reasons; when it get stolen and used by the thief, money is not automatically taken from my account.
Credit rating in the US compared to the BKR in the Netherlands. In the US you only can get loans (for a house, car) if your credit rating is good, how do you get good credit ratings by paying of your loans and debts. Here we have our bank account and income to get a loan and credit card, i don't have one. Every time you pay with a credit card it's essential a (short time) loan. This is how i see credit cards, they can be useful, but also create a debt.
@@SatumangoTheGreat True you can get a real credit card like amarican express but it's extemly rare for people to own one. I have seen 1 of them in my life. a decade ago from an older buisness man who travelled a lot for buisness. and it was a company card. the process of getting one is also more complicated and more expensive.
The "keeping up with the Jones" syndrome is mostly present in wealthy developed countries. After WW2 the Netherlands was quite impoverished and that lifestyle is still present. That explains why people, in general, are satisfied with their lives and the few things they have as they can put things into perspective. On the contrary, The US had the biggest economic boom after WW2 so people expect more and want more.
"Streber" is one of the words we use for people 'keeping up with the Joneses'. They get made fun of. It's viewed as weak rather than anything else. There can be a lot of pride in poverty.
The problem in the US is, they WANT more.. but don't have the money for it, so they are putting themselves in debt. If we WANT more.. we are usually smart enough to know we CAN'T.
It's not a "syndrome", it is natural behaviour. In nature it makes sense to have the same level of comfort / tools as the rest of the tribe. Only in an unnatural environment like a overproduced human society is it a problem.
the biggest difference on credit is that in the USA you have to proof you can pay of debts so you credit rating improves. In the Netherlands you get a good credit rating when you have no debt.
Hi Eric and Tammy, thanks. We are the lucky one's to be born here but both came over here. You are the ones who make the Netherlands better. So thank you!
Thank you for your very pleasant and well thought-out nuanced reflections of an American in the Netherlands, and so positive! It makes me happy. I would love to go to the USA one day and experience your culture and customs there
"Keeping up with the Jones'" That is our Calvinistic background where outward display is frowned upon. Note the country is becoming less Calvinistic, and debt problems are increasing... It may also be our independent nature, where we are deeply convinced that I am as good as the next person, without having to prove anything.
About the privacy: there are no laws against putting some daytime curtains in your apartment even if a lot of Dutch people prefer to live for all to view :)
I have my heavy black curtains always closed during the day. It's not forbidden and i am glad for that. I have a reason though due to brain injury i can't handle bright lights. Especially going from a darker area's to a lighter one, is very uncomfortable for me. If i have to describe it, it's very much like someone waking you up and shine a flashlight directly into your eyes. It's not terrible though i can go outside during the day it's just not very pleasant. I had some questions from neighbours about it , and i invited them over to explain it to them, and also to prevent people thinking i was weird or anti-social or something like that. So all is well and understood by most people in my street some of them i now regular visit for coffee.
I really like your videos, I am in the US I am retired I am 64 Years old and I seriously going to take a trip to the Netherlands. I'm considering Zandvoort, Netherlands. I had a stroke and my right arm is paralyzed but other than that I'm doing good. Maybe make a retired video? Thanks a lot for listening and have an excellent day.
Hi George! I guess you’ll probably get all kinds of suggestions from people as to what places to visit in The Netherlands…so here’s mine😆. If you are considering a place at the coast, try on my home town, Katwijk aan zee. A nice place, not hugely touristy and a doable distance away from cities like Leiden, Amsterdam, Rotterdam and so on.
Hey George, Nice to visit the Netherlands. Try to visit the waddeneilanden (most beautiful islands are Terschelling and Ameland) or Giethoorn the town without cars. Overall the cost line is also beautiful.
12:00 'Jammer' (pronounced 'yah-murr')means 'too bad' or 'tough luck', 'Rotjeknor' is pronounced 'rot-yuh.kuh-norr' and is a common nickname for Rotterdam. Hadn't heard the 'got an issue? take a tissue' line before but I like it and it very much fits the Dutch and especially Rotterdam attitude. I really enjoy these reports on how you experience settling here. It gives me a fresh perspective on my own country. And I wish you and Tammy the strength and perseverance to keep up your spirits throughout the Dutch fall and winter (expect endless rain and cherish every minute of sunshine).
I am a dutch canadian and i like your comment about the dutch people,i am very proud to being born in the netherlands and living in Canada for over fifty two years , and i love your show.
Gun ownership is illegal. However it is possible to acquire guns legally (it will require special permits and yearly renewal) it is only available for law abiding citizens. For example: Extreme speeding offense might end your license. Criminal friends\ close in house relatives? Exit license and lots more restrictions. It is a rather select group of people, something like 50K total out of 17+ mil. So basically, those who own this 'right' are most likely not an danger for anyone.
Absolutely no worries, my friend. You've only recently moved to the netherlands so it's not surprising you would instinctively think that there's no privacy, I mean, you're born and bread with that being true for the USA. So, don't worry about it. I understand completely! Enjoy your residence in the netherlands! (Even though I moved to Sweden) Also, Rotterdam (Or Rotjeknor) is my favourite Dutch city, Feyenoord for life!
In the UK at least, credit cards are used like a safeguard. i.e. you get some inherent protections when making big purchases via credit card. So people will often pay for holidays with a credit card, then immediately pay off the credit card as they are usually zero interest if you pay it within the month.
I got my first one two years ago when I was 29, only because I drove across Europe in my old unreliable car, and I might need it to get a replacement if it would break down :')
It's easy to get a creditcard (if you have an income and are not registered at the bkr office which checks debt) but for day to day life you will hardly need it. I only use on holidays, car rentals and the webshops which don't support PayPal or ideal (Dutch paying standard).
I've been enjoying your videos. My husband and I visited the NL five years ago, and we fell in love with the people, culture, and architecture. We also met several cousins, which helped my husband really connect to the place his dad was born. We would love to move, in a couple of years, but we're already in our early 50's. I'm concerned about working there and being able to afford living there after retirement. What words of wisdom do you have? I'm going to continue watching your videos. Keep up the great work!
Credit cards are not hard to come by. Your bank will give you one if you have an income and haven't run a foul of the BKR in recent years. The main reason credit card debt is not much of a thing here is because the need for credit cards is low in The Netherlands. We were early in getting electronic payments through PIN in stores and later iDeal on the web. Unless you are ordering online from abroad you pretty much don't need a money loan mechanism which charges exorbitant interest.
I was surprised at hearing how comparatively few people had one. If nothing else, just something like Netflix needs a credit card. Obviously not everyone uses Netflix, but there are always a few things that you'd need one for.
@@mikepictor Companies that want to deal with people in the netherlands quickly start supporting ideal, there are third party providers that enable this for most companies.
@@mikepictor Netflix doesn't require a credit card in NL, but for example the less popular in NL Amazon video "rival" does, or at least did when i subscribed, it's been a while since i checked. Also, just about everyone in NL uses Netflix, Amazon video is a lot less known (and will probably lose the battle in NL if they don't change a few things)
I'm Dutch and I have a credit card because I occasionally need it abroad or for online payments. But the credit is automatically withdrawn from my bank account at the end of the month. We first save before we buy.
On guns: licences for sporting usage on gunranges can be had. The rules are very strict from a US perspective but very reasonable from dutch perspective. Main points: membership of gunclub is required. Minimum of 1 year membership and training + positive referral before you can apply for a lincence to own. Ownership requires a gunsafe bolted down and approved after local inspection by police. Licence needs renewal each year with a number of required of proven time on the range. Licenceholders can expect unannounced police inspections of gunstorage etc. And no carry of guns of course. You only can travel to and from the gunrange with the gun in a case and taking the shortest route possible. So i would say a very friendly rulebook to play by if you are a serious sporter.
I loved watching your videos, please don't feel you have to apologise for your views, we have freedom of speech in this country. LOL I grew up near Rotterdam and have family living there. As a kid I loved watching the lights coming from the living room windows in the evening. While riding the metro we would count the number of Christmas trees we would see while passing by.
Both the unblocked windows and saying hi have shown to make streets/businesses safer. The windows mean that there is more "eyes on the street" security, and thus people feel more watched and are less inclined to do something illegal or socially reprehensable. Same goes for saying hi, if you greet someone you let them know that you are aware of their pressence. And when you know you're being watched or that someone has seen you come in you're much less likely to steal or such. love the vids
There are a lot of criminals that own guns here in the Netherlands. But not many carry them always everywhere. There is gun crime here, but the chance you will get involved in it as a normal citizen is incredible small. I been a sport shooter for 34 years, had a gun lisence for 33 years and used to have guns in the house. There are around 70.000 people here who own guns legally on a population of 17.4million. We can not use our guns for home defense, they have to be in a gunsafe at all times. And i never felt the need to have them available fur such tasks.
@@bandijk5934 Yes, its an assumption. Criminals are not always walking around with a sign saying they are criminals, so every number regarding them are educated guesses. In 2002 some researchers estimated there were 85000 to 125000 illegal guns in the country. I dont think they are held by just a few people, and everyone having an illegal weapon is by definition a criminal, so i call that a lot. Other papers suggested 54000 illegal gun owners based on captured criminals added with an estimation based on the number of suspects of gun crimes.
Basically anyone in NL can own a gun. Air rifles and air pistols are completely unrestricted, you just have to be over 18 and then you can buy them just like you could buy booze, knifes or weed. Airsoft replicas are more restricted, because they look like a fire arm, so you need to be a member of an airsoft club and have a registration that's updated every year or so. Actual fire arms, again they require a quite extensive background check by the cops, and you have to be a member of a gun club. Your guns are kept in a safe at said club and the ammo is kept in a separate safe... Basically for sports purposes, it is not really a big deal to get a fire arms license. And as long as you keep your licenses current, it's not like there are regular checks on people to make sure that they don't go psycho and shoot up a mall. Same with credit cards, it really isn't that difficult to get one. I could log in to my banking account right now and request one which will then arrive here in a couple of days in the mail. The reason why I don't have one is pretty simple, a credit card counts as having on-going debt. I do not want to have pointless debt on my name, because that factors in to whether or not I can get a car financed or a mortgage. I always thought it was a weird thing with Americans having to have debt and pay it off in order to build a credit score. Over here having debt, even if you repay it in time, is seen as a bad thing. Having income and assets is the way to build credit here, having debt, even if it is in the form of a mere credit card, is bad for your credit rating.
A few corrections: it takes at least 18 months to get a firearmslicense. Second: privatley owned guns are stored in safes at home. Not at the club to prevent huge stockpiles of guns in 1 place. Every gunowner may be inspected by police unannounced to check whether guns and ammo is stored as is legally required. Third: licenses are renewed on on anual basis with extensive background checks in all police registration archives ( don't collect to much speeding tickets) plus people from the gunclub and from your personal enviroment will have to vouch for you. Currently a psycological electronic evaluation is also being rolled out. It takes more then a license for a gun.
I believe the weapons and ammo of license holders need to be kept in separate approved vaults. (in student house on guy had a license. I've loaded some ammo for him for fun. He had a Scoped G3/Glock/M1 Garand/9mm Aug Para) As far as I can remember, you don't need a license for a paintball gun. But it's still part of the same firearms law, which in this case means you can have them at home and transport them to facility where you can use them, but can't just go walking around with them.
@@timmypunt3565 Same with knives, you can have a big meat knife or a meat ax, but you can't walk up to your neighbor with them when he parks on 'your' spot.
Credit cards are easy to get, all you need is a steady income and a bank account. I have one, only because it's convenient for internet purchases. It really is a culture thing: we only spend what we have. Also, we are direct, very direct. If you have an opinion and you feel like sharing, expect a Dutchman to respect your statement as your opinion, but also expect them to see that statement as an invitation to start a discussion about that. Everyone is equal, so all opinions are equal and can therefor be discussed. Never apologize for having an opinion, and feel free to share your opinion, just be aware that someone with a different opinion will tell you what their opinion is.
You don't even need a steady income. I was able to get one as a student. It had a low limit and the money was take out of my bank account at the start of the next month but I was a credit card and worked perfectly fine for some random annoying international companies that only allow credit cards.
On credit cards, in The Netherlands, only those who cannot afford to pay use credit card. If you can afford it, you pay cash for it. It's a very sensible approach to life, and we don't like to spend money we don't have. Gewoon doen ben je al gek genoeg.
I really love that you respond to the comments in your talks, don't lose that even if you get thousands of comments on your video's :) And as others have mentioned, I'd love to see what your experiences are outside Rotterdam, there's alot to explore in our tiny country! Love the channel and your insights, I've subscribed!
Like an other comment said, apologizing once is enough. As long as your opinion is not insulting (a specific group of) individuals, it's OK. Like in the US. All opinions have equal value, like the people that have those opinions.
Hi there, saw your video in my RUclips feed and liked it 👍🏼 About buying the big tv screens fast cars and stuff, in the Netherlands we say ‘doe maar gewoon dan doe je gek genoeg’. Wat i like more from the US is that you all are very proud on your country. You don’t see that much here. And also our army is not respected. That’s a shame…. Your not even allowed to travel in your uniform in public transport. Thanks for your insight in our country. Following you now 👋🏼
As a Dane we very early started to exchange money in 1983 with a - common debit card for most Danish Banks, The DanCard. So we are among the most Card using countries in the world, and if your credit is fine it is also a Visa/Dancard, or Master-. It gives a profit for all by removing actual use of money and the risks of handling it.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I wonder if the superficial nature of American society can be attributed to the gun culture. Be nice and kind because someone can be armed, don’t try to have deeper relations with people cause they may pass away in the blink of an eye, so Americans don’t tend to form deeper bounds even if they seem to want them. Maybe it’s exaggerated but I tried to connect the dots somehow and I ended up with this conculsion.
Not quite. I know a lot of Americans who own guns. They're the most friendly and kind Americans I know. As they say, an armed society is a polite society. And that's not because people shoot each other if they don't like what the other is saying, it's because they become more thoughtful. Most US gun crime is between criminals, as it is in the Netherlands. Most of the rest is criminals against people who are pretty much guaranteed to be unable to defend themselves, where in the Netherlands the criminals would use a cheaper alternative like a knife (which is just as effective at injuring or killing, and a lot less noisy). Where things are different because of the common availability of firearms is that in the US police are far more cautious when approaching you than in the Netherlands, and are more likely to do so either with weapons drawn or with a colleague in the background with a drawn weapon. Does mean fewer of them get stabbed than happens in the Netherlands though.
We got a saying, which sums it up for the Dutch: "Do maar gewoon, dan doe je gek genoeg." The translation is: : Just behave normal, then you act crazy enough". It basically means: try to conform and don't try to show you're better then someone else.
It also leads to shutting out and looking down on people that are not considered to be "normal". I don't think that's a selling point for the Netherlands.
@@princessrachida8092 Not at all. It is free personal choice whether to socialize with someone or not for whatever reaon and that goes for both sides of the spectrum.
@@maartjewaterman1193 so are you telling me that being excluded bcs you are not "acting normal" is one's choice? Let take neurodiversity as an example.. is that a choice? Not being able to adjust to the social norm is punished way harder in the Netherlands than anywhere else Ive even been on this globe. We also know the Dutch are very direct and combining these two results in disasters. Im not saying the Dutch dont have good or beautiful ways. Im saying we need to be mindful. Just bcs we ve always done things a certain way does not make it right. In the past people were ignorant about the effects but today we know better. I cant believe even today some people still defend society telling you not to be your normal self rather to be who this society wants you to be. Mindblowing.
Well, you do have a point regarding privacy. But its more of a practical issue rather than a cultural one in my opinion. Its just a fact that The Netherlands is much more densely populated than the US. For example, to live in a free standing house here you either need to be very wealthy or live very rurally. Most people live in apartments or row houses with a modest garden. Also, because of the concentrated population, public transport is more of a thing. In general, people are just more in your face, a bit like you would expect in New York City. After living here you'll get used to it and almost stop noticing other people. As a general rule, people leave each other alone, read their paper, browse their phone, listen to music or close their curtains at home. People are not unfriendly, I mean, if you need help most are more than happy to, but most like to keep to themselves.
I've been watching all of you videos in the last 2 days, and I reeaaally like the content. As you might have noticed, Dutch people love watching (videos of) expats/outsiders give their opinion on our little country. I'm guessing after 2 months you have found your own way in adapting to our culture, and for the coming months/years you will still have remarkable and new experiences. I just want to give you a warm welcome to a very happy, progressive, relaxed but direct lifestyle/culture and country. I have some questions (maybe for a different video). What are some places you have already visited? Or sill want to visit? I live in The Hague (Den Haag), and seriously reccomend you to visit our Hofstad ((Den Haag) is where the parlement is, the supreme court is, our king lives etc). Have you already been to the beach? Are there any differences with being on the beach in the USA? Keep it up!!!
Thank you for the kind words and thank you for watching…we are going to be getting out and doing some videos in our explorations Den Haag is defiantly in that list!
As a Londoner who moved to the Netherlands 6 years ago with 2 credit cards and a low debt. I found no need to have the credit so they were cleared and cancelled. Keeping up with the Jones' for me here might be replacing my raggedy 3 year old, 50Eur bike with a new(er) one with a basket and working gears..or not because it still works. Also, Equifax, Experian and credit scores exist in the UK..no idea what my score is here...
the thing I always found so weird is that the US' argument for having guns is "well criminals will have em anyway so we should protect yourself" when..... making it more difficult to get guns as a whole, will also mean that less criminals will have guns. like ofc criminals will have guns when you can just buy em at a wallmart together with your weekly groceries
It’s also an issue not just of access to weapons in America, but normalized desperation. Deteriorating material conditions and the need to help your family survive are powerful motivators
America has already learn that baning something dosent work look how banning alcohol end up in the USA you cant play to be god and tell everyone not to have something just cuse your scare of it
On credit cards. For me it's simple ( and my friends) we do not have one because if you ain't have the money for something.... You do not buy it. And just save up for it.
In the Netherlands we have the BKR. It is a central system/entity where all consumercredit is registered. Even telephone subscriptions are registered. If you want a mortgage, or credit you will be checked for a BKR registration. If you default on your payments, your BKR status will change and this registration will be kept for 5 years and you will not be able to get credit for 5 years. (no new mortgage, no new credit card, no new leasecar etc.)
Hi Soul to Soul! I stumbled across your channel today, and I have to say I am absolutely delighted with your videos. And not just because you are talking about Rotterdam, the greatest place on the planet (though, as a resident for over 20 years, I might be biased, just a bit). But your open minded approach, the genuineness, the authenticity that you have, it is really inspiring. Clearly, judging by your other videos, you have seen quite a bit of the world. And I like how you are still quite reserved in addressing certain topics, but nonetheless you don’t shy away from them. Almost as if you are trying to find a middle ground between American and Dutch culture, which I can definitely understand. I have many questions for you, but for now, will keep it to just this one: how did you and your wife land on Rotterdam. Again, I personally believe that there is no better choice, but I imagine that from a foreign perspective, it might not be the first city that comes to mind when considering a move abroad.
it is so cool because during christmas holidays you see everyone's decorations. again you don't purposely look in but i must say lots of books and book shelves. that speaks to me. trying to get there myself.
Credtcard. You don't need to explain why you want one, but you need to have a positive amount on your bank. It's not a way to get extra credit. But our system of banking is very diverent than in the US. I needed it on the pay-roads in france and on vacations outside Europe.
Firearms are not banned. You can own very similar guns to what you can own in most American states except for certain 'military' calibers. However: it's purely for sports, hunting and law enforcement. Not for self defence. You can sign up with your local shooting range and start target shooting at the range. If you want to own a firearm yourself you have to first regularly come shoot at your range. Then, after a year you can own one yourself. You have to always lock the firearm up in an approved safe except when you're going shooting and then you're only allowed to travel directly to the range and back. Also, a police officer comes to your house unannounced once a year or so to examine if you have the guns locked away safely and your roommate or kids don't have access to it
Love how you take your time to explain things and don't rush anything. We should get a coffee one day and talk about your views as an outsider. I agree with everything you said here.
One of the reasons there are open windows is due to the darker days during the year. People want light and warmth in their houses and saves electricity and gas. And it gives a feeling of space. A lot of houses are small and do not always have big gardens. By opening your curtains it feels like your environment is larger.
To be able to own a gun, you need to go to a shooting range for a year, at least 19 times and pass a couple psych tests, that will nett you a .22 another year and 19 times later you can either pick a permit for a “big caliber” pistol or rifle. Once you have the permit you need to pick a gun from a gun store (have never seen one and do not know where to find em) if you have picked the gun you get a piece of paper you need to take to the police, the police will then come look at the vault you have installed. If it’s wrong, not safe enough, easy to steal. No gun for you. And if the vault is okay, you can buy the gun. Guns are only carried in the open with a certain job, Or a certain licence. And of you have neither, you can only take a gun in a case or bag, separate from the ammunition, and only to and from the shooting range. And owning a gun without a licence or transporting a gun off route from your home to the range can get you in jail. That’s all I know
Love to hear your view on different topics....really enjoying that ! Question though...... I may have missed it (and if so, straighten me out please ;-) ) but I am curious to hear why you folks have come to NL in the first place and what your intentions are, short term, long term...anything ? ;-). Mind you...just curiousity and nothing else.....as far as I'm concerned you're most welcome here and hope you will enjoy staying in this country for many years to come !! :-)
Oh my gosh, I can’t believe you just said the “Got an issue, have a tissue” quote! I only ever heard that from my youngest brother. I always thought he made it up because it would be such a typical thing he actually would make up. He loves to rhyme and play around with words.
Also in the Netherlands credit cards are easy to det, no questions then a check if you have registered debts, I have 3 credit cards and a bank card but the difference is that most Europeans don’t like debts although the younger generation is more relaxed about it. 7:23
You can get a gun just fine here in The Netherlands, you just need to follow the rules. There are even shooting ranges if you just want to shoot for fun. They're just highly regulated with licensing requirements and strict storage and transport rules. I went to University with a guy who owned and shot a handgun for fun. He stored it at the shooting range in a safe.
On the privacy subject, in the Netherlands we have what we call an open and inclusive society where ad the USA is a closed and exclusive society. This has nothing todo with privacy but more with how we approach others. In the USA closing curtains is not creating privacy it's locking yourself in and excluding yourself from society. Privacy is about respecting and honoring each other's boundaries. That's what we do here, we are taught how to deal with other people's boundaries. That's the issue in the USA that it's everyone for themselves not caring about others unless there's something in it for you. I'm generalizing it a bit ofcouse but you get the point.
Privacy is not the same as privacy. Dutch people value privacy perhaps on different aspects. For example, i heard it is normal in the USA to know the salary your co-workers earn. That is considered private info here in the Netherlands.
The funny thing is, it's probably the reverse. Many USA companies try to discourage people from discussing salaries (there was a big commotion not too long ago about game developers sharing a big list with everybody's salary precisely because it's so unheard of). It puts the advantage on the company when discussing salary and raises. While not to the dime, I know the salary of most of my co-workers and I have known it for most of the companies I've worked for. The difference is, it's not something that would come up in casual conversation so you can work for multiple departments at multiple companies and never hear and know it. Plus it has a little to do with our Calvinist roots; you don't brag about things and outright declaring your salary could be considered bragging. So we're careful to bring it up.
Household debts in the Netherlands are bigger then in the US, but most of the time it is a mortgage or maybe a car, consumer debt are less then in the states. in the Netherlands it raises eyebrows if you take a credit for a vacation or something like that.
Nice videos! Its really cool to hear your thoughts about Rotterdam and the Netherlands in general. I have a question for you about the USA : is there a general reason/ way of thinking why someone is allowed to drive a car from an age of 16, but isn’t allowed to drink until he/she is 21? I have always been amazed at how young a drivers can be in the USA. Especially since I suspect that car crashes due to inexperienced drivers are more deadly than having to much to drink (which is also dangerous of course, don’t get me wrong 😬) For us in the Netherlands, driving a car is possible from an age of 17, but you have to drive with a supervisor (parent, grandparent etc) until you are 18. The minimum drinking age is also 18.
When someone walks by and looks through the window inside my house, and I notice it, I always look then straight in the eyes. They almost always immediately turn their head away from the window.
Also, no need to apologize for everything you say :) as you may have noticed a lot of dutchies say what comes up in their mind. It doesnt mean they are mad at you.. we are just straight forward and blunt :)
Guns in the Netherlands. If you want a gun or even more you can get totally five, if you want that is the maximum. You have to become a member of a shooting club. The minimum is that you have to be a member for a year and make a minimum of 18 shooting rounds that year. After that year you can apply for a permit through your shooting club. The first year you cat get a permit for a small caliber. 22 pistol or bolt gun and have no conviction of violence on your name. Then you have to wait another year and a minimum of 18 shooting rounds for the next level. Then you can apply for a bigger caliber gun or an bigger caliber bolt gun. After another year and minimum 18 shooting rounds you can apply for a semi automatic ar15 or another rifle. The ammunition may have a maximum caliber of 19,1mm. If you apply for a the permit and that is every year they screen you. You have to bring your shooting club card and must have prove that you have shot at least 18 times that year. You have to do this every year. If you have a conviction for a violent offence they take away your guns. The first time before you get your first gun the police checks your vaults, a separate vaults for your guns and one for your ammunition. The vaults must be bolted to a concrete wall and floor with chemical anchor, six, four in de wall two in the floor. The guns and the ammunition must be in separate vaults. The first time you want a gun permit you have to take a psychological test at the police station. This is new and just about three years in practice now. And every two years you get a visit from two police officers unnoticed for a check of your vaults. If you are nearby you have to come to your home. If anything is wrong, your weapon is loaded in the vault or whatever than they take all your guns away. And you don't get a permit in the near future. And there are about 40.000 members of shooting clubs in the Netherlands. A lot of rules in the Netherlands but if you want gun control do it good. There was an incident on 9 April 2011 when a idiot whit a gun permit shot 6 people dead and wounded 17 people in Alphen aan den rijn. After that incident the rules for guns in the Netherlands changed a lot. For the better we think so.
Debt levels are controlled by law, credit institutions may not provide debt if you cannot show how your budget can pay the debt back. All consumer debt is registered, including car leases, the data open to credit providers who are mandated to perform a due diligence. Still want to borrow money? Many people have a mortgage and newer vehicles have some form of financing in general. Not much credit card usage.
When I went into a coffeeshop, the first thing said to me was 'dont talk about politics or religion here and don't insult the waitresses .. I might be small and you might be big, but I am going to kick you out' ... a life lesson that applies everywhere.
It's easy to get a credit card here with your bank, however, generally they are limited to a specific balance (mine is limited to 1000 for instance) and you can choose whether you want to pay them off once per month or pay them off in installments (with percentage). I just pay mine off each month, it's easy to use for online purchases so that's why I have it and if I travel it's nice to have it handy, but it's not a card I can go in debt with basically, I can't just put 25k on it as a purchase.
no, it is not hard at all to get a credit card if you have a regular income, . but you don't need them - debit cards are far more practical. I get around with just my debit card in nearly every shop, restaurant, museum, whatever, in almost all of europe. I use a credit card maybe twice a year to make a hotel reservation or for an online purchase, but usually I could pay online using my debit card as well, and never pay any rent on credit card debt.
Thanks for the shout out, but 1 apology about the incorrect things would have sufficed. On guns, the only thing you will ever get in the US are "Thoughts and prayers" (brought to you by NRA sponsored politicians), but enough about that. Saying Hi or Hello has two functions to Dutch people. 1 I acknowledge your existence in this world, and 2 a small gesture gives great joy. Spending money in a normal way has to do with having been a Calvinist Protestant society. That is ingrained in our psyche : you cannot spend what you do not have. Pro from the funeral business is that the client hardly ever complaints (other than being buried alive). Con is, the relatives always do.......
And don't forget that we have enough sens of humor to be offended by a different view on our privacy. I think it is funny how see /saw it, but offended would be the last thing! Great vids you guys make, keep up the good work!
you can own a gun in the Netherlands but it is more a sport here not a way of life. people do not own them for protection and of course, there are strict rules and not easy to get.(legally)
You can get a gun pretty easily if you are a law-abiding citizen. The requirements aren't too strict for people liking guns for guns or using them. You would meet those if you use a gun for just liking shooting or hunting. For criminals however if you use one then expect for the full force of the law to focus on you. That's why they aren't a problem.
I know a fair few people that own guns and I've known people in the past that owned guns and in my opinion, the laws could be a bit more strict. Two people that I know that own guns are suicidal and have considered using it on themselves. The difference is that they didn't let anyone know, they're not known at the GGZ or something. Commit small crimes you can get away with, keep your ideas to yourself etc. I know one of them had prepared a schoolshooting, with the whole school worked out on a map. And he enjoyed shooting strangers (elderly grandma's) on the ankles with airsoftbullets whenever they cycled past in the evening. Playing sniper in the dark, he enjoyed hearing their surprised screams. No regard for their safety or the fact that old peoples wounds don't heal properly. Another had threathened his friend and girlfriend with an airsoftgun and used to talk about daydreams that involved dipping people in boiling oil and shooting them in the neck. I'm glad that I don't hang out with the type often, I always feel like they might snap one day. But a person that doesn't ask for help of GGZ, won't be helped by GGZ. (Not to mention the yearlong waitinglist for people that dó ask for help.)
@@Widdekuu91 I had a friend that shot himself through the head. let us not forget the Alphen aan den Rijn shooting with Tristan van der Vlis he had permits too. but I think things became more strict after that or at least the checks were taken more seriously.
@@Widdekuu91 Yeah, two license holding friends of a student I lived with on campus (also license) were pill poppin' crazies. Like one of them threw a empty bottle to my head out of nowhere, unprovoked aggressive behavior, etc. Couldn't believe they still had a license. House mate was chill though. (not that ppl taking pills are bad, just them behavior temperament in combination with it)
@@boxie001 Well, I hope so. I wouldn't mind if they ónly had sportsguns on the shooting-range and did not allow any to be taken home. And that anyone with suicidal thoughts or anger-issues needs a permit from the psychologist or at least a qualified person. Not just for suicidal situations, because killing yourself can be done with many things, but mainly because a gun has the option to take a whole office, school or street out and people that seek 'revenge on the world' are not to be given that sortof power.
Japanese artwork on the back of a laptop is quit unusual for an American to have. I am interested about the story behind that, if any. I have some myself btw. Lovely.
When I first arrived in Europe, in Belgium, they didn't have debit cards for small purchases. After 4 years in Belgium, Europe started using some sort of debit card that was for small purchases, such a pack of chewing gum or a chocolate bar. In the US that is frowned upon, small purchases with cards, as the vendors have to pay the same fee to accept debit cards as they do for credit cards. I forget the special name for the small purchase card in Europe, but it wasn't a regular debit card. It was a sort of bank card that didn't charge the vendors and it was for small purchases. Also Europe had self serve card readers at the cashier in supermarkets before I ever saw them in America. When I left America, you still had to hand your card to the cashier.
@@deckkie That looks like Netherlands version. It looks like in Belgium it was called Proton. I never used it, but somebody told me about it before I left.
I have a lot of friends and family and colleagues and I don't know a single one of them that has debt issues other than a mortgage. The banking systems etc. are set up as such and no matter what kind of debt you are going to get in to, there will be pretty strict regulations in place. Besides the mentality of the Dutch is. in such a way that everybody is pretty well aware that debt is like a stimulant, there is perhaps the joy of it, but certainly also the hangover.
im not saying our way is better or worse, but i agree there is a huge difference in mindset when it comes to money and success. Here in the Netherlands probably the first thing that you get teached as a kid is: “dont spend money that you dont have” and “dont think you are better then somebody else”. So we get teached that creditcards are a bad thing. we only use them if we dont have another option, for example when booking a hotel in another country. Also having a bigger car then your neighbor isnt a good thing here...bragging or showing off is a big turnoff for a lot of dutchies. So, being number 1 isnt important...besides sports... Thats also why you dont see many lamborghinis or ferraris on the road. As a millionaire you get more respect if you show up on your bike :)
Leave the violence monopoly to the police and military. That's shameful enough. It's worrying the violence spiral in Rotterdam. There was a time in The Netherlands that Ajacieden en Feijenoord-supporters went to the café together after the match and took a beer or an erwtensoep.
Thank you for your "broken record "comment. It makes me feel proud and good about our little country. As I may have mentioned earlier, I always looked up to the US when I was young, free country, good music, lots of space. But when I got older I also saw how many problems there were regarding race, healthcare and the economy. It's been years now that I'm mostly flabbergasted at how worse some of these isseus have gotten. I hope sincerely, that you can make that change, big changes have to be implemented, to come to a more equal and just society, to a more humane society. I have seen some disturbing images of the US ( at least disturbing to me ) where a young woman with cancer, is being told by that little bit of insurance , she still got to pay thousands of dollars for her treatment. Healthcare is a right, not a product. Good affordable housing is a right , not a product. To make a comparison with the EU , the Netherlands, and the US is almost not done. Maybe you can inspire some fellow americans in talking about our system, in how the people in the US can take the good stuff from the Netherlands as a positive example of how things could be made better. I sincerely hope that those improvements, changes can be made in the US. I am sorry to hear you got some hate comments, totally unnescecairy. Greetings to you both!
Are you realizing that what you see happening there will become normal here as well? And then we have the whole world coming over here to enjoy what we've created in 100's of years it's not unlikely that we will pass the US at one point. Though they are this stupid (look at the Ukrain war) that they're capable of destroying themselves and taking the whole world with them. I already realized things in 1973, when I had enough education to draw conclusions. The makers of sites like these seem to be like our politicians: totally unaware of what's happening..... I would advise them to go back to where they came from. We don't have enough houses already, just like space.... And there's nothing in it for us is it?
Getting a creditcard in The Netherlands is easy as long as your income is good. (besides, the cards credit is limited to your income). But you have to keep an eye on it and make sure you can balance at the end of the month. If you don't, that's where the trouble starts. Creditcards were made during the "Live now, Pay later" time in the US. The thing is it is so handy for internet purchase, and that is dangerous. Impulsive buying is rampant.
Yea I never got the point of keeping up with the Jones'. What do I care about what they have that I dont? Anyway creditcards exist but are mostly used online. And going into the red on them is not a standard possibility i think.
As a Dutchman living in the US and soon to be a US citizen I am not saying that living in the US or the Netherlands is either worse or better in any way, just saying that it is very different. I do appreciate you're opinion of the Netherlands but it's not all sunshine and rainbows there either.
The big mis-understanding in the USA (due to the mighty weapon industry) is that people think they are safer WITH a weapon than WITHOUT a weapon, which simply is complete bullshit!! I never had a weapon and I always felt safe here. In fact, the MORE weapons the MORE chances that things escalate, and the fact that people in the USA can even buy machine-guns in a supermarket is really too sad for words!! Don't get me wrong, I was in the army, in my time we were still drafted, I have shot with a machine-gun, but my army period made me a pacifist!!! When it comes to debts, I never had many lessons from my parents, but ONE lesson they always gave me was to NEVER go to a bank for a loan because you pay at least the double amount back to that bank. Privacy............I know we have big windows in our houses here in The Netherlands, but another lesson my parents told me was to NEVER look inside because it is inpolite to do so!!
Generally the only reason people get creditcards here is either as backup for travel or for shopping online internationally. Also I think the most typical creditcard you get here has a limit of about 1000 euro and gets paid off every month. So very very short term.
About the credit card. It’s not that difficult to get one overhere. Credit cards are linked to your bank. If you have a steady income and no financial problems, you can apply for one at your bank. I have one since I was 25. I got it, because I was going to the US for a holiday.
About cc, no you don't have to explain why you want a cc. But you do need proof, that you are able to pay you debts. So the bigger your income, the higher your credit. The dutch learn from early on to save money and having a debt is something that isn't a good thing. The big exception is the mortgage on you house
Just watched 30? Of your videos. Thought I’d leave a comment. Fun to follow, thanks for the videos! I’ll along with my family will be moving to Europe in the next couple of years.
I'm Dutch, and guns aren't really banned here. About 40,000 people have 1 to 5 firearms at home. You must have no criminal record, be 18 years or older and be a member of an association and can only use the weapons on a shooting range. So we can't use the firearms for self-defense like in the United States and other countries in the world, only for sports purposes. Also hunters have firearms of course.
I am aware we live in one of the safest, happiest and richest countries in the world, but hearing an outsider's perspective makes me appreciate it on another level. There are plenty problems here, but it's just a great example of society actually kind of working!
I would be curious to hear your thoughts some other typical Dutch things like stamppot and Andre Hazes. Seriously, winter's coming and you owe it to yourself to make some good boerenkool or hutspot!
Stampot, Andre Hazes and even football, you can get around. I'm concerned about the global stuff. I guess I have to move to NZ ...?
so funny how people still think is the richest for corps yes.. people not
One hundred years ago the same was said about the Netherlands especially the richest part. The country was rich but the population wasn't. That was the time when in Drenthe people still lived in "plaggenhutten". Houses made of sods.
ik ben blij dat ik een nederlander ben niks mis mee!
@@bloedblarre the us ??ore the netherlands?
I am from 1954 (Dutch) and really ‘have been around’ never any problems not having a credit card.
I learned that everything that I can’t afford i don’t really have to have or need.
Keeping up with others? WHY?
Not proud of who i am just satisfied ....that is it!
We are used not to look inside someone's living room, but the extra benefit of these open curtains is that, as a woman it feels really safe to walk ore bike the streets here. If something happens to you people will see you.
That is great insight and comforting at the same time...thanks for watching!
Yes, it is not accepted if you stop on the sidewalk and take your time to look inside someone’s home for curiosity (unless the house is for sale and you are seriously interested🤣). But glancing at a window while walking is not considered a problem, we wave at people behind their hone window if we know them or just to give a lonely elderly person a great moment.
@@SoultoSoulTravels
How do you know someone is an expat?
Expat: i Made a mistake, this is how it really is.. please forgive me, i apologize, didn't mean it that way,
Dutchman: i Made a mistake, this is how it really is.....
It's quite enough here to just indicate you were wrong. (the apology is mostly asumed included).. If we have to apologize for everything we said, then we, as direct as we are, would be saying sorry all day long :D
;)
so untrue ... lots of Dutch people like to walk around and peek on the inside, they are just discrete about it ...
@@Gunnl not exacly common Dutch, just people who are not considered being thoughtfull in general.
I once was trolling an American friend: told him that I would be moving to Alabama for work and was wondering what gun to buy for my six year old daughter so that she could defend herself at school there. Would he be able to advise me? I was confident that he would recognize the irony for what it was ...
To my total surprise he took my question very seriously and explained for fifteen minutes about several types of guns. And ended up with a well meant advise for my six year old daughter ...
My 8 year old carries a glock 19 to school
@@RazPerignon please tell me you're joking ._.
@@AnymMusic it’s part of the culture here please don’t be so close minded
@@RazPerignon lolol .. by here do you mean Syria or Afghanistan ?
@@RazPerignon my man "culture" isn't being forced to send your kid to school with a fucking gun. This has to be some satire
We seem relaxed, but the funny thing is, that labour productivity is extremely high in the Netherlands (and Belgium, Germany and Scandinavia).
Yup, south Europeans usually call us Northern Europeans workaholics. Even though over the span of a year we enjoy a lot of spare time, which we are pretty satisfied with and why we seem to be very relaxed.
@@sevendam9070 In my experience, southern Europeans work hard enough. But not as efficient. Less efficient telecom, roads, waterways, paying systems, more hierarchy, less freedom to search for solutions, etc. etc.
When you do not have to stand in a traffic jam, and do not need to drive far to get to your work, you have more time to bring your kids to school. Slow life? Certainly not slow.
@@markovermeer1394 When we go to work, we are fit, and work hard, because we know that after eight hours it's done. No other job, no worries about health and financial security. And our directness makes sure that we do not waste a lot of time in meetings, or discussion among co workers.
The Netherlands is most efficient country of Europe maby the world. But Germans efficient? This is the first time I here this all paperwork you need in Germany go there and try its a nightmare
Hi. I'm a Dutch citizen living in the USA. I find your videos about your new life in the Netherlands insightful and a pleasure to watch. It makes me really think about what I miss most about my little home country that I left 20 years ago. What is true though is that each country has up and down sides. Nature is vast and stunningly beautiful here for example. People are typically warm and inviting (especially in the south east where i landed 20 years ago) and are very open. I don't miss the harshness of the Dutch directness and the fact they always seem to know more about my life than I do myself. Then again, it has helped me a lot too. But keep on doing what you're doing in these videos. Looking forward to the next one.
Please, don't flatter yourself too much. I've been to Netherlands, it's nice but strange and there are too many things that are simply NOT normal there. Let's take for example the famous "restrooms" or I shall call them the "changing rooms" PLACES located in every town and city where the guy can simply go there in the middle of the day for example or night (24/7) and buy a booth for 10 minutes or so, walk in there and pleasure himself because he filled like it in the middle of the day for example....lol What kind of fu situation is that? I just don't get it and I will never understand it. Never. It's not civilized. Only animals act like this because they can't hold their urges. Not too mention other fu things in your country. Sorry, but no country is perfect. I would rather move to South Korea than Netherlands. At least Koreans have some dignity and high morals and ethical standards.
I do not have any debt, do not own a creditcard, Just live from the money I earn and not reaching beyond my financial reach...
People do have credit cards. But mainly to use for booking hotels or when they are abroad where credit cards are more normal. (usually outside Europe). But limits on a credit card are strict and depend on your income. You also have to pay off your credit card regularly to keep using it.
We are raised, with the saying when you don't have one euro you can't spend two.
It used to be like that.....I think times are changing.
Or: twee bezwete balzakken maken nog geen zomer. Blijft een klassieker.
@@wilcoschipstal6417 als je een idioot bent, ja… ik voed mijn kinderen wel zo op!
"It is a slower-paced life"
But at the same time, it is a more productive one ;-)
Stressed-out people are not productive, and certainly not creative in improving the way they work or their product.
You can get a credit card here, but what would I use it for? To buy things I cannot afford? I do have a credit card, but I only use it for online purchases, or for a hotel reservation. But most of the times, you have to (re)pay your credit card balance at the end of the month, so it’s much harder to build up a debt using your credit card. We do have some sort of a credit score. All your loans are registered at the credit registration bureau (BKR). So whenever you try to get a new loan (e.g. for a phone with subscription, or a mortgage, or a personal loan) the issuer will check you in the BKR database.
Correct. And unlike the US system where having more debt means you have a better credit score (as long as you're not too far behind on loan payments), in the Netherlands it means you automatically have a worse credit rating with the BKR so it's a lot harder to get very deeply into debt.
And of course some forms of loans that in the US are commonplace (like payday loans, loan sharks, etc. etc.) are simply illegal.
Yeah, that's a thing I found funny and kinda twisted when I heard about it. In the US, you get a good credit rating if you can regularly pay your installments. If you don't have to pay any installments because you have no debts, your credit score goes *down*. In the Netherlands, having a debt other than mortgages will prompt a deposit when you sign a contract for a phone or something.
Can't subscribe to Curiosity Stream because I can't get a credit card. You need a high paying fixed income to get one in the Netherlands.
@@Ozymandias1 not really. I used to think so, and it used to be that way. Now you just need to not be in the red for some time. You often need one to travel, so they're no longer toys of the rich.
Dutch people do get envious, but they are too smart to get in debt to buy things they don't need to impress other people.
The Dutch sit on top of (one of?) the largest pension funds in the world. I believe it is over a 1000 billion euros. Unfortunately most of them are heavily indebted through their mortgage.
@@highs_and_lows4665 Dutch people need to be indebted to avoid paying too much taxes. And are you really indebted with a €350 000 mortgage on a house that in todays market will easily sell for €425 000?
@@williamgeardener2509 Yes agreed. But only when the market is going up. I remember 2008 when a lot of people ran into trouble as their mortgage was much higher than the value of their house and their Bank asked for the difference
Dutch people have high mortgage debts and some have mortgages higher than their house is worth. Consumer debts are not so prevalent even though there are people who have unpayable debts.
Criminals do have guns, its easy to smuggle them from Eastern Europe. There have been several firearm related assinations in the Netherlands recently, most notable the journalist Peter R. de Vries who was shot 5 times including in the head last July. He is know in the US because of the Natalee Holloway case.
@@Ozymandias1 You missed the housing problem and the ridiculous prices that people pay for a house? Everyone who was "under water" now owns a property that at least matches their mortgage.
Me and my wife used to be gun/rifle owners. We had to be a member of a gunclub for at least a year before we even could own a gun. Regular checks were made by the police at our house where we kept our weapons and if we had any ammunition. They could not be kept in close proximity of each other to avoid certain accidents. You were not allowed to defend your property with that gun. So it was purely for the sport of aiming the weapon at a target and try to get a good score ( sheets of paper with a targetrose on it). Due to my job I could not keep up with the mandatory amount of registerd turns on the range to keep my weapon license so I had to sell my weapon and stop all together with this type of sport to my regret. My wife felt the same so she sold hers too.
Love your talks! Americans living here, and commenting on Dutch society, give plenty of food for thought… On guns: the basic principle here is: "het geweldsmonopolie berust bij de overheid" - the government holds the supreme title to use force, i.e. weapons. So, you have an army for ‘external’ use, and the police to maintain order within the state. To discuss the difference of thought between this, and the Second Amendment, would require lots of study, thought and hours. But for me personally it is best summarized by how the police (and the law) is always campaigning against replica’s or very realistic toys… weapon-lookalikes. Their biggest fear? To shoot a person, probably a kid, who’s holding such a toy.
We do have credit cards and it's not hard to get them, but they are tied into your debit card. so it's more like a way to convert debit card transactions to credit card transactions.
So when a credit card is your only payment option, you can use it.
Dutch people in general do not like credit cards and pretty much hate credit culture, this is because the US has shown how evil they can be. so we try to avoid credit card transactions where possible. about a decade ago you needed one for international payment, but these days 99% of the time there are now other options.
I got a credit card for the emergenies on travel or like If I need a rental car outside the Netherlands.
And when you encounter that 1 % it's very annoying....
Not all creditcards in the Netherlands are tied to your bankaccount. You can get real credit cards, although most people indeed get a credit card from their bank where they already have an account; most of those are indeed just a debit card in disguise. When I needed a credit card I chose one not tied to my bank account for safety reasons; when it get stolen and used by the thief, money is not automatically taken from my account.
Credit rating in the US compared to the BKR in the Netherlands.
In the US you only can get loans (for a house, car) if your credit rating is good, how do you get good credit ratings by paying of your loans and debts.
Here we have our bank account and income to get a loan and credit card, i don't have one. Every time you pay with a credit card it's essential a (short time) loan. This is how i see credit cards, they can be useful, but also create a debt.
@@SatumangoTheGreat True you can get a real credit card like amarican express but it's extemly rare for people to own one. I have seen 1 of them in my life. a decade ago from an older buisness man who travelled a lot for buisness. and it was a company card. the process of getting one is also more complicated and more expensive.
The "keeping up with the Jones" syndrome is mostly present in wealthy developed countries. After WW2 the Netherlands was quite impoverished and that lifestyle is still present. That explains why people, in general, are satisfied with their lives and the few things they have as they can put things into perspective. On the contrary, The US had the biggest economic boom after WW2 so people expect more and want more.
"Streber" is one of the words we use for people 'keeping up with the Joneses'. They get made fun of. It's viewed as weak rather than anything else. There can be a lot of pride in poverty.
Even more and more is not enough
The problem in the US is, they WANT more.. but don't have the money for it, so they are putting themselves in debt. If we WANT more.. we are usually smart enough to know we CAN'T.
It's not a "syndrome", it is natural behaviour. In nature it makes sense to have the same level of comfort / tools as the rest of the tribe.
Only in an unnatural environment like a overproduced human society is it a problem.
the biggest difference on credit is that in the USA you have to proof you can pay of debts so you credit rating improves. In the Netherlands you get a good credit rating when you have no debt.
Hi Eric and Tammy, thanks. We are the lucky one's to be born here but both came over here. You are the ones who make the Netherlands better. So thank you!
Thank you for your very pleasant and well thought-out nuanced reflections of an American in the Netherlands, and so positive!
It makes me happy. I would love to go to the USA one day and experience your culture and customs there
"Keeping up with the Jones'"
That is our Calvinistic background where outward display is frowned upon.
Note the country is becoming less Calvinistic, and debt problems are increasing...
It may also be our independent nature, where we are deeply convinced that I am as good as the next person, without having to prove anything.
About the privacy: there are no laws against putting some daytime curtains in your apartment even if a lot of Dutch people prefer to live for all to view :)
We have curtains drawn (overgordijnen) by night and glass curtains (vitrage) by day, which is normal in the Netherlands.
I have my heavy black curtains always closed during the day. It's not forbidden and i am glad for that. I have a reason though due to brain injury i can't handle bright lights. Especially going from a darker area's to a lighter one, is very uncomfortable for me. If i have to describe it, it's very much like someone waking you up and shine a flashlight directly into your eyes. It's not terrible though i can go outside during the day it's just not very pleasant. I had some questions from neighbours about it , and i invited them over to explain it to them, and also to prevent people thinking i was weird or anti-social or something like that. So all is well and understood by most people in my street some of them i now regular visit for coffee.
I really like your videos, I am in the US I am retired I am 64 Years old and I seriously going to take a trip to the Netherlands. I'm considering Zandvoort, Netherlands. I had a stroke and my right arm is paralyzed but other than that I'm doing good. Maybe make a retired video? Thanks a lot for listening and have an excellent day.
Go to Callantsoog, Castricum aan Zee, Bergen aan Zee. Zandvoort is so crowded. Zeeland is beautiful and Limburg also
@@j.playstation9163 There are several beautiful historic Hanseatic cities (Hanzesteden) in the east of the Netherlands
Hi George! I guess you’ll probably get all kinds of suggestions from people as to what places to visit in The Netherlands…so here’s mine😆. If you are considering a place at the coast, try on my home town, Katwijk aan zee. A nice place, not hugely touristy and a doable distance away from cities like Leiden, Amsterdam, Rotterdam and so on.
Hey George, Nice to visit the Netherlands. Try to visit the waddeneilanden (most beautiful islands are Terschelling and Ameland) or Giethoorn the town without cars. Overall the cost line is also beautiful.
12:00 'Jammer' (pronounced 'yah-murr')means 'too bad' or 'tough luck', 'Rotjeknor' is pronounced 'rot-yuh.kuh-norr' and is a common nickname for Rotterdam. Hadn't heard the 'got an issue? take a tissue' line before but I like it and it very much fits the Dutch and especially Rotterdam attitude.
I really enjoy these reports on how you experience settling here. It gives me a fresh perspective on my own country. And I wish you and Tammy the strength and perseverance to keep up your spirits throughout the Dutch fall and winter (expect endless rain and cherish every minute of sunshine).
I am a dutch canadian and i like your comment about the dutch people,i am very proud to being born in the netherlands and living in Canada for over fifty two years , and i love your show.
Gun ownership is illegal. However it is possible to acquire guns legally (it will require special permits and yearly renewal) it is only available for law abiding citizens. For example: Extreme speeding offense might end your license. Criminal friends\ close in house relatives? Exit license and lots more restrictions. It is a rather select group of people, something like 50K total out of 17+ mil. So basically, those who own this 'right' are most likely not an danger for anyone.
Absolutely no worries, my friend. You've only recently moved to the netherlands so it's not surprising you would instinctively think that there's no privacy, I mean, you're born and bread with that being true for the USA. So, don't worry about it. I understand completely! Enjoy your residence in the netherlands! (Even though I moved to Sweden) Also, Rotterdam (Or Rotjeknor) is my favourite Dutch city, Feyenoord for life!
In the UK at least, credit cards are used like a safeguard. i.e. you get some inherent protections when making big purchases via credit card. So people will often pay for holidays with a credit card, then immediately pay off the credit card as they are usually zero interest if you pay it within the month.
The credit card thing seems so true. I’m 20 years old and have never even used a creditcard
50 hier...en nooit een credit card nodig gehad
I got my first one two years ago when I was 29, only because I drove across Europe in my old unreliable car, and I might need it to get a replacement if it would break down :')
It's easy to get a creditcard (if you have an income and are not registered at the bkr office which checks debt) but for day to day life you will hardly need it. I only use on holidays, car rentals and the webshops which don't support PayPal or ideal (Dutch paying standard).
I've been enjoying your videos. My husband and I visited the NL five years ago, and we fell in love with the people, culture, and architecture. We also met several cousins, which helped my husband really connect to the place his dad was born. We would love to move, in a couple of years, but we're already in our early 50's. I'm concerned about working there and being able to afford living there after retirement. What words of wisdom do you have? I'm going to continue watching your videos. Keep up the great work!
Credit cards are not hard to come by. Your bank will give you one if you have an income and haven't run a foul of the BKR in recent years.
The main reason credit card debt is not much of a thing here is because the need for credit cards is low in The Netherlands. We were early in getting electronic payments through PIN in stores and later iDeal on the web. Unless you are ordering online from abroad you pretty much don't need a money loan mechanism which charges exorbitant interest.
I was surprised at hearing how comparatively few people had one. If nothing else, just something like Netflix needs a credit card. Obviously not everyone uses Netflix, but there are always a few things that you'd need one for.
@@mikepictor Companies that want to deal with people in the netherlands quickly start supporting ideal, there are third party providers that enable this for most companies.
@@mikepictor Netflix doesn't require a credit card in NL, but for example the less popular in NL Amazon video "rival" does, or at least did when i subscribed, it's been a while since i checked.
Also, just about everyone in NL uses Netflix, Amazon video is a lot less known (and will probably lose the battle in NL if they don't change a few things)
@@Rob_van_der_Linden Amazon uses iDeal paying system now. I also had to wait for a subscription as I do not have a credit card.
@@StudioHasenaar That's good to know :-)
I'm Dutch and I have a credit card because I occasionally need it abroad or for online payments. But the credit is automatically withdrawn from my bank account at the end of the month. We first save before we buy.
On guns: licences for sporting usage on gunranges can be had.
The rules are very strict from a US perspective but very reasonable from dutch perspective.
Main points: membership of gunclub is required. Minimum of 1 year membership and training + positive referral before you can apply for a lincence to own.
Ownership requires a gunsafe bolted down and approved after local inspection by police.
Licence needs renewal each year with a number of required of proven time on the range.
Licenceholders can expect unannounced police inspections of gunstorage etc.
And no carry of guns of course. You only can travel to and from the gunrange with the gun in a case and taking the shortest route possible.
So i would say a very friendly rulebook to play by if you are a serious sporter.
I loved watching your videos, please don't feel you have to apologise for your views, we have freedom of speech in this country. LOL
I grew up near Rotterdam and have family living there. As a kid I loved watching the lights coming from the living room windows in the evening. While riding the metro we would count the number of Christmas trees we would see while passing by.
Both the unblocked windows and saying hi have shown to make streets/businesses safer. The windows mean that there is more "eyes on the street" security, and thus people feel more watched and are less inclined to do something illegal or socially reprehensable.
Same goes for saying hi, if you greet someone you let them know that you are aware of their pressence. And when you know you're being watched or that someone has seen you come in you're much less likely to steal or such.
love the vids
There are a lot of criminals that own guns here in the Netherlands.
But not many carry them always everywhere.
There is gun crime here, but the chance you will get involved in it as a normal citizen is incredible small.
I been a sport shooter for 34 years, had a gun lisence for 33 years and used to have guns in the house.
There are around 70.000 people here who own guns legally on a population of 17.4million.
We can not use our guns for home defense, they have to be in a gunsafe at all times.
And i never felt the need to have them available fur such tasks.
Your narrative is full of assumptions: what is 'a lot', or 'many'?
@@bandijk5934 Yes, its an assumption.
Criminals are not always walking around with a sign saying they are criminals, so every number regarding them are educated guesses.
In 2002 some researchers estimated there were 85000 to 125000 illegal guns in the country. I dont think they are held by just a few people, and everyone having an illegal weapon is by definition a criminal, so i call that a lot. Other papers suggested 54000 illegal gun owners based on captured criminals added with an estimation based on the number of suspects of gun crimes.
Basically anyone in NL can own a gun. Air rifles and air pistols are completely unrestricted, you just have to be over 18 and then you can buy them just like you could buy booze, knifes or weed.
Airsoft replicas are more restricted, because they look like a fire arm, so you need to be a member of an airsoft club and have a registration that's updated every year or so. Actual fire arms, again they require a quite extensive background check by the cops, and you have to be a member of a gun club. Your guns are kept in a safe at said club and the ammo is kept in a separate safe...
Basically for sports purposes, it is not really a big deal to get a fire arms license. And as long as you keep your licenses current, it's not like there are regular checks on people to make sure that they don't go psycho and shoot up a mall.
Same with credit cards, it really isn't that difficult to get one. I could log in to my banking account right now and request one which will then arrive here in a couple of days in the mail.
The reason why I don't have one is pretty simple, a credit card counts as having on-going debt. I do not want to have pointless debt on my name, because that factors in to whether or not I can get a car financed or a mortgage.
I always thought it was a weird thing with Americans having to have debt and pay it off in order to build a credit score. Over here having debt, even if you repay it in time, is seen as a bad thing. Having income and assets is the way to build credit here, having debt, even if it is in the form of a mere credit card, is bad for your credit rating.
A few corrections: it takes at least 18 months to get a firearmslicense. Second: privatley owned guns are stored in safes at home. Not at the club to prevent huge stockpiles of guns in 1 place. Every gunowner may be inspected by police unannounced to check whether guns and ammo is stored as is legally required. Third: licenses are renewed on on anual basis with extensive background checks in all police registration archives ( don't collect to much speeding tickets) plus people from the gunclub and from your personal enviroment will have to vouch for you. Currently a psycological electronic evaluation is also being rolled out. It takes more then a license for a gun.
Air guns and riffles are restricted in power. According to me, not quite sure, those with pumping handles are forbidden.
I believe the weapons and ammo of license holders need to be kept in separate approved vaults. (in student house on guy had a license. I've loaded some ammo for him for fun. He had a Scoped G3/Glock/M1 Garand/9mm Aug Para)
As far as I can remember, you don't need a license for a paintball gun. But it's still part of the same firearms law, which in this case means you can have them at home and transport them to facility where you can use them, but can't just go walking around with them.
@@timmypunt3565 Same with knives, you can have a big meat knife or a meat ax, but you can't walk up to your neighbor with them when he parks on 'your' spot.
@@dutchman7623 Airguns and airrifles are not power restricted in the Netherlands. In the past they were, nowadays not anymore.
We do have a track record of paying our bills, we have the highest mortgage paying reliability, we are a Calvinist society
And we have a very good registration, once you have ID'ed yourself, credit companies can find you easily.
Credit cards are easy to get, all you need is a steady income and a bank account. I have one, only because it's convenient for internet purchases. It really is a culture thing: we only spend what we have.
Also, we are direct, very direct. If you have an opinion and you feel like sharing, expect a Dutchman to respect your statement as your opinion, but also expect them to see that statement as an invitation to start a discussion about that. Everyone is equal, so all opinions are equal and can therefor be discussed. Never apologize for having an opinion, and feel free to share your opinion, just be aware that someone with a different opinion will tell you what their opinion is.
How's that work out when certain folks' opinions dehumanize others?
You don't even need a steady income. I was able to get one as a student. It had a low limit and the money was take out of my bank account at the start of the next month but I was a credit card and worked perfectly fine for some random annoying international companies that only allow credit cards.
On credit cards, in The Netherlands, only those who cannot afford to pay use credit card. If you can afford it, you pay cash for it. It's a very sensible approach to life, and we don't like to spend money we don't have. Gewoon doen ben je al gek genoeg.
I really love that you respond to the comments in your talks, don't lose that even if you get thousands of comments on your video's :)
And as others have mentioned, I'd love to see what your experiences are outside Rotterdam, there's alot to explore in our tiny country!
Love the channel and your insights, I've subscribed!
Like an other comment said, apologizing once is enough. As long as your opinion is not insulting (a specific group of) individuals, it's OK. Like in the US. All opinions have equal value, like the people that have those opinions.
Hi there, saw your video in my RUclips feed and liked it 👍🏼 About buying the big tv screens fast cars and stuff, in the Netherlands we say ‘doe maar gewoon dan doe je gek genoeg’. Wat i like more from the US is that you all are very proud on your country. You don’t see that much here. And also our army is not respected. That’s a shame…. Your not even allowed to travel in your uniform in public transport. Thanks for your insight in our country. Following you now 👋🏼
As a Dane we very early started to exchange money in 1983 with a - common debit card for most Danish Banks, The DanCard. So we are among the most Card using countries in the world, and if your credit is fine it is also a Visa/Dancard, or Master-. It gives a profit for all by removing actual use of money and the risks of handling it.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but I wonder if the superficial nature of American society can be attributed to the gun culture. Be nice and kind because someone can be armed, don’t try to have deeper relations with people cause they may pass away in the blink of an eye, so Americans don’t tend to form deeper bounds even if they seem to want them. Maybe it’s exaggerated but I tried to connect the dots somehow and I ended up with this conculsion.
Not quite.
I know a lot of Americans who own guns. They're the most friendly and kind Americans I know.
As they say, an armed society is a polite society. And that's not because people shoot each other if they don't like what the other is saying, it's because they become more thoughtful.
Most US gun crime is between criminals, as it is in the Netherlands. Most of the rest is criminals against people who are pretty much guaranteed to be unable to defend themselves, where in the Netherlands the criminals would use a cheaper alternative like a knife (which is just as effective at injuring or killing, and a lot less noisy).
Where things are different because of the common availability of firearms is that in the US police are far more cautious when approaching you than in the Netherlands, and are more likely to do so either with weapons drawn or with a colleague in the background with a drawn weapon. Does mean fewer of them get stabbed than happens in the Netherlands though.
We got a saying, which sums it up for the Dutch: "Do maar gewoon, dan doe je gek genoeg." The translation is: : Just behave normal, then you act crazy enough". It basically means: try to conform and don't try to show you're better then someone else.
It also leads to shutting out and looking down on people that are not considered to be "normal". I don't think that's a selling point for the Netherlands.
@@princessrachida8092 Not at all. It is free personal choice whether to socialize with someone or not for whatever reaon and that goes for both sides of the spectrum.
@@maartjewaterman1193 so are you telling me that being excluded bcs you are not "acting normal" is one's choice? Let take neurodiversity as an example.. is that a choice? Not being able to adjust to the social norm is punished way harder in the Netherlands than anywhere else Ive even been on this globe. We also know the Dutch are very direct and combining these two results in disasters. Im not saying the Dutch dont have good or beautiful ways. Im saying we need to be mindful. Just bcs we ve always done things a certain way does not make it right. In the past people were ignorant about the effects but today we know better. I cant believe even today some people still defend society telling you not to be your normal self rather to be who this society wants you to be. Mindblowing.
It doesn't actually mean try to conform, it means just be yourself.
@@therealdutchidiot Exactly!!
Well, you do have a point regarding privacy. But its more of a practical issue rather than a cultural one in my opinion. Its just a fact that The Netherlands is much more densely populated than the US. For example, to live in a free standing house here you either need to be very wealthy or live very rurally. Most people live in apartments or row houses with a modest garden. Also, because of the concentrated population, public transport is more of a thing.
In general, people are just more in your face, a bit like you would expect in New York City. After living here you'll get used to it and almost stop noticing other people. As a general rule, people leave each other alone, read their paper, browse their phone, listen to music or close their curtains at home. People are not unfriendly, I mean, if you need help most are more than happy to, but most like to keep to themselves.
I've been watching all of you videos in the last 2 days, and I reeaaally like the content. As you might have noticed, Dutch people love watching (videos of) expats/outsiders give their opinion on our little country. I'm guessing after 2 months you have found your own way in adapting to our culture, and for the coming months/years you will still have remarkable and new experiences. I just want to give you a warm welcome to a very happy, progressive, relaxed but direct lifestyle/culture and country.
I have some questions (maybe for a different video).
What are some places you have already visited? Or sill want to visit? I live in The Hague (Den Haag), and seriously reccomend you to visit our Hofstad ((Den Haag) is where the parlement is, the supreme court is, our king lives etc). Have you already been to the beach? Are there any differences with being on the beach in the USA?
Keep it up!!!
Thank you for the kind words and thank you for watching…we are going to be getting out and doing some videos in our explorations Den Haag is defiantly in that list!
No, no, they are not DRIVING home on their bikes, they are riding home. 😀
As a Londoner who moved to the Netherlands 6 years ago with 2 credit cards and a low debt. I found no need to have the credit so they were cleared and cancelled. Keeping up with the Jones' for me here might be replacing my raggedy 3 year old, 50Eur bike with a new(er) one with a basket and working gears..or not because it still works.
Also, Equifax, Experian and credit scores exist in the UK..no idea what my score is here...
the thing I always found so weird is that the US' argument for having guns is "well criminals will have em anyway so we should protect yourself" when..... making it more difficult to get guns as a whole, will also mean that less criminals will have guns. like ofc criminals will have guns when you can just buy em at a wallmart together with your weekly groceries
It’s also an issue not just of access to weapons in America, but normalized desperation. Deteriorating material conditions and the need to help your family survive are powerful motivators
Nope the 2nd amendment is about baring arms being a right & freedom against the possibility of a tyrannical government.
America has already learn that baning something dosent work look how banning alcohol end up in the USA you cant play to be god and tell everyone not to have something just cuse your scare of it
On credit cards. For me it's simple ( and my friends) we do not have one because if you ain't have the money for something.... You do not buy it. And just save up for it.
In the Netherlands we have the BKR. It is a central system/entity where all consumercredit is registered. Even telephone subscriptions are registered. If you want a mortgage, or credit you will be checked for a BKR registration. If you default on your payments, your BKR status will change and this registration will be kept for 5 years and you will not be able to get credit for 5 years. (no new mortgage, no new credit card, no new leasecar etc.)
Zo leer ik ook nog eens wat….
Hi Soul to Soul! I stumbled across your channel today, and I have to say I am absolutely delighted with your videos. And not just because you are talking about Rotterdam, the greatest place on the planet (though, as a resident for over 20 years, I might be biased, just a bit). But your open minded approach, the genuineness, the authenticity that you have, it is really inspiring. Clearly, judging by your other videos, you have seen quite a bit of the world. And I like how you are still quite reserved in addressing certain topics, but nonetheless you don’t shy away from them. Almost as if you are trying to find a middle ground between American and Dutch culture, which I can definitely understand.
I have many questions for you, but for now, will keep it to just this one: how did you and your wife land on Rotterdam. Again, I personally believe that there is no better choice, but I imagine that from a foreign perspective, it might not be the first city that comes to mind when considering a move abroad.
it is so cool because during christmas holidays you see everyone's decorations. again you don't purposely look in but i must say lots of books and book shelves. that speaks to me. trying to get there myself.
Credtcard. You don't need to explain why you want one, but you need to have a positive amount on your bank.
It's not a way to get extra credit.
But our system of banking is very diverent than in the US.
I needed it on the pay-roads in france and on vacations outside Europe.
Firearms are not banned. You can own very similar guns to what you can own in most American states except for certain 'military' calibers.
However: it's purely for sports, hunting and law enforcement. Not for self defence. You can sign up with your local shooting range and start target shooting at the range. If you want to own a firearm yourself you have to first regularly come shoot at your range. Then, after a year you can own one yourself. You have to always lock the firearm up in an approved safe except when you're going shooting and then you're only allowed to travel directly to the range and back. Also, a police officer comes to your house unannounced once a year or so to examine if you have the guns locked away safely and your roommate or kids don't have access to it
You work to live, you don't live to work.
Love how you take your time to explain things and don't rush anything.
We should get a coffee one day and talk about your views as an outsider.
I agree with everything you said here.
One of the reasons there are open windows is due to the darker days during the year. People want light and warmth in their houses and saves electricity and gas. And it gives a feeling of space. A lot of houses are small and do not always have big gardens. By opening your curtains it feels like your environment is larger.
To be able to own a gun, you need to go to a shooting range for a year, at least 19 times and pass a couple psych tests, that will nett you a .22 another year and 19 times later you can either pick a permit for a “big caliber” pistol or rifle.
Once you have the permit you need to pick a gun from a gun store (have never seen one and do not know where to find em) if you have picked the gun you get a piece of paper you need to take to the police, the police will then come look at the vault you have installed. If it’s wrong, not safe enough, easy to steal. No gun for you.
And if the vault is okay, you can buy the gun. Guns are only carried in the open with a certain job, Or a certain licence. And of you have neither, you can only take a gun in a case or bag, separate from the ammunition, and only to and from the shooting range. And owning a gun without a licence or transporting a gun off route from your home to the range can get you in jail.
That’s all I know
Appreciate your channel! Ignore the hateful comments they are not worth your time.
Love to hear your view on different topics....really enjoying that !
Question though...... I may have missed it (and if so, straighten me out please ;-) ) but I am curious to hear why you folks have come to NL in the first place and what your intentions are, short term, long term...anything ? ;-).
Mind you...just curiousity and nothing else.....as far as I'm concerned you're most welcome here and hope you will enjoy staying in this country for many years to come !! :-)
Oh my gosh, I can’t believe you just said the “Got an issue, have a tissue” quote! I only ever heard that from my youngest brother. I always thought he made it up because it would be such a typical thing he actually would make up. He loves to rhyme and play around with words.
Also in the Netherlands credit cards are easy to det, no questions then a check if you have registered debts, I have 3 credit cards and a bank card but the difference is that most Europeans don’t like debts although the younger generation is more relaxed about it.
7:23
You can get a gun just fine here in The Netherlands, you just need to follow the rules. There are even shooting ranges if you just want to shoot for fun. They're just highly regulated with licensing requirements and strict storage and transport rules.
I went to University with a guy who owned and shot a handgun for fun. He stored it at the shooting range in a safe.
On the privacy subject, in the Netherlands we have what we call an open and inclusive society where ad the USA is a closed and exclusive society.
This has nothing todo with privacy but more with how we approach others.
In the USA closing curtains is not creating privacy it's locking yourself in and excluding yourself from society.
Privacy is about respecting and honoring each other's boundaries.
That's what we do here, we are taught how to deal with other people's boundaries.
That's the issue in the USA that it's everyone for themselves not caring about others unless there's something in it for you.
I'm generalizing it a bit ofcouse but you get the point.
It is good to hear to you and Tammy are happy in my little country. 💕🌷
Privacy is not the same as privacy. Dutch people value privacy perhaps on different aspects. For example, i heard it is normal in the USA to know the salary your co-workers earn. That is considered private info here in the Netherlands.
The funny thing is, it's probably the reverse.
Many USA companies try to discourage people from discussing salaries (there was a big commotion not too long ago about game developers sharing a big list with everybody's salary precisely because it's so unheard of). It puts the advantage on the company when discussing salary and raises.
While not to the dime, I know the salary of most of my co-workers and I have known it for most of the companies I've worked for. The difference is, it's not something that would come up in casual conversation so you can work for multiple departments at multiple companies and never hear and know it.
Plus it has a little to do with our Calvinist roots; you don't brag about things and outright declaring your salary could be considered bragging. So we're careful to bring it up.
@@tiaxanderson9725 Thank you for your information!
Household debts in the Netherlands are bigger then in the US, but most of the time it is a mortgage or maybe a car, consumer debt are less then in the states. in the Netherlands it raises eyebrows if you take a credit for a vacation or something like that.
Nice videos! Its really cool to hear your thoughts about Rotterdam and the Netherlands in general. I have a question for you about the USA : is there a general reason/ way of thinking why someone is allowed to drive a car from an age of 16, but isn’t allowed to drink until he/she is 21?
I have always been amazed at how young a drivers can be in the USA. Especially since I suspect that car crashes due to inexperienced drivers are more deadly than having to much to drink (which is also dangerous of course, don’t get me wrong 😬)
For us in the Netherlands, driving a car is possible from an age of 17, but you have to drive with a supervisor (parent, grandparent etc) until you are 18. The minimum drinking age is also 18.
We got the puritans! We can die for our country at 18 but no drinking or smoking…… messed up.
When someone walks by and looks through the window inside my house, and I notice it, I always look then straight in the eyes. They almost always immediately turn their head away from the window.
Also, no need to apologize for everything you say :) as you may have noticed a lot of dutchies say what comes up in their mind. It doesnt mean they are mad at you.. we are just straight forward and blunt :)
Debt per capita might be higher than you think, but it's mostly because of mortgages.
Guns in the Netherlands. If you want a gun or even more you can get totally five, if you want that is the maximum. You have to become a member of a shooting club. The minimum is that you have to be a member for a year and make a minimum of 18 shooting rounds that year. After that year you can apply for a permit through your shooting club. The first year you cat get a permit for a small caliber. 22 pistol or bolt gun and have no conviction of violence on your name. Then you have to wait another year and a minimum of 18 shooting rounds for the next level. Then you can apply for a bigger caliber gun or an bigger caliber bolt gun. After another year and minimum 18 shooting rounds you can apply for a semi automatic ar15 or another rifle. The ammunition may have a maximum caliber of 19,1mm. If you apply for a the permit and that is every year they screen you. You have to bring your shooting club card and must have prove that you have shot at least 18 times that year. You have to do this every year. If you have a conviction for a violent offence they take away your guns. The first time before you get your first gun the police checks your vaults, a separate vaults for your guns and one for your ammunition. The vaults must be bolted to a concrete wall and floor with chemical anchor, six, four in de wall two in the floor.
The guns and the ammunition must be in separate vaults. The first time you want a gun permit you have to take a psychological test at the police station. This is new and just about three years in practice now. And every two years you get a visit from two police officers unnoticed for a check of your vaults. If you are nearby you have to come to your home. If anything is wrong, your weapon is loaded in the vault or whatever than they take all your guns away. And you don't get a permit in the near future.
And there are about 40.000 members of shooting clubs in the Netherlands. A lot of rules in the Netherlands but if you want gun control do it good. There was an incident on 9 April 2011 when a idiot whit a gun permit shot 6 people dead and wounded 17 people in Alphen aan den rijn. After that incident the rules for guns in the Netherlands changed a lot. For the better we think so.
Debt levels are controlled by law, credit institutions may not provide debt if you cannot show how your budget can pay the debt back. All consumer debt is registered, including car leases, the data open to credit providers who are mandated to perform a due diligence. Still want to borrow money? Many people have a mortgage and newer vehicles have some form of financing in general. Not much credit card usage.
When I went into a coffeeshop, the first thing said to me was 'dont talk about politics or religion here and don't insult the waitresses .. I might be small and you might be big, but I am going to kick you out' ... a life lesson that applies everywhere.
It's easy to get a credit card here with your bank, however, generally they are limited to a specific balance (mine is limited to 1000 for instance) and you can choose whether you want to pay them off once per month or pay them off in installments (with percentage).
I just pay mine off each month, it's easy to use for online purchases so that's why I have it and if I travel it's nice to have it handy, but it's not a card I can go in debt with basically, I can't just put 25k on it as a purchase.
no, it is not hard at all to get a credit card if you have a regular income, . but you don't need them - debit cards are far more practical. I get around with just my debit card in nearly every shop, restaurant, museum, whatever, in almost all of europe. I use a credit card maybe twice a year to make a hotel reservation or for an online purchase, but usually I could pay online using my debit card as well, and never pay any rent on credit card debt.
Thanks for the shout out, but 1 apology about the incorrect things would have sufficed.
On guns, the only thing you will ever get in the US are "Thoughts and prayers" (brought to you by NRA sponsored politicians), but enough about that.
Saying Hi or Hello has two functions to Dutch people. 1 I acknowledge your existence in this world, and 2 a small gesture gives great joy.
Spending money in a normal way has to do with having been a Calvinist Protestant society. That is ingrained in our psyche : you cannot spend what you do not have.
Pro from the funeral business is that the client hardly ever complaints (other than being buried alive). Con is, the relatives always do.......
And don't forget that we have enough sens of humor to be offended by a different view on our privacy. I think it is funny how see /saw it, but offended would be the last thing! Great vids you guys make, keep up the good work!
you can own a gun in the Netherlands but it is more a sport here not a way of life.
people do not own them for protection and of course, there are strict rules and not easy to get.(legally)
You can get a gun pretty easily if you are a law-abiding citizen. The requirements aren't too strict for people liking guns for guns or using them. You would meet those if you use a gun for just liking shooting or hunting. For criminals however if you use one then expect for the full force of the law to focus on you. That's why they aren't a problem.
I know a fair few people that own guns and I've known people in the past that owned guns and in my opinion, the laws could be a bit more strict. Two people that I know that own guns are suicidal and have considered using it on themselves. The difference is that they didn't let anyone know, they're not known at the GGZ or something. Commit small crimes you can get away with, keep your ideas to yourself etc.
I know one of them had prepared a schoolshooting, with the whole school worked out on a map. And he enjoyed shooting strangers (elderly grandma's) on the ankles with airsoftbullets whenever they cycled past in the evening. Playing sniper in the dark, he enjoyed hearing their surprised screams. No regard for their safety or the fact that old peoples wounds don't heal properly.
Another had threathened his friend and girlfriend with an airsoftgun and used to talk about daydreams that involved dipping people in boiling oil and shooting them in the neck.
I'm glad that I don't hang out with the type often, I always feel like they might snap one day. But a person that doesn't ask for help of GGZ, won't be helped by GGZ. (Not to mention the yearlong waitinglist for people that dó ask for help.)
@@Widdekuu91 I had a friend that shot himself through the head.
let us not forget the Alphen aan den Rijn shooting with Tristan van der Vlis he had permits too.
but I think things became more strict after that or at least the checks were taken more seriously.
@@Widdekuu91 Yeah, two license holding friends of a student I lived with on campus (also license) were pill poppin' crazies. Like one of them threw a empty bottle to my head out of nowhere, unprovoked aggressive behavior, etc. Couldn't believe they still had a license. House mate was chill though.
(not that ppl taking pills are bad, just them behavior temperament in combination with it)
@@boxie001 Well, I hope so. I wouldn't mind if they ónly had sportsguns on the shooting-range and did not allow any to be taken home. And that anyone with suicidal thoughts or anger-issues needs a permit from the psychologist or at least a qualified person. Not just for suicidal situations, because killing yourself can be done with many things, but mainly because a gun has the option to take a whole office, school or street out and people that seek 'revenge on the world' are not to be given that sortof power.
Japanese artwork on the back of a laptop is quit unusual for an American to have.
I am interested about the story behind that, if any.
I have some myself btw. Lovely.
When I first arrived in Europe, in Belgium, they didn't have debit cards for small purchases. After 4 years in Belgium, Europe started using some sort of debit card that was for small purchases, such a pack of chewing gum or a chocolate bar. In the US that is frowned upon, small purchases with cards, as the vendors have to pay the same fee to accept debit cards as they do for credit cards. I forget the special name for the small purchase card in Europe, but it wasn't a regular debit card. It was a sort of bank card that didn't charge the vendors and it was for small purchases. Also Europe had self serve card readers at the cashier in supermarkets before I ever saw them in America. When I left America, you still had to hand your card to the cashier.
Chipknip, totally forgot about those.
Chipkaart? It's gone now.
@@deckkie That looks like Netherlands version. It looks like in Belgium it was called Proton. I never used it, but somebody told me about it before I left.
I have a lot of friends and family and colleagues and I don't know a single one of them that has debt issues other than a mortgage. The banking systems etc. are set up as such and no matter what kind of debt you are going to get in to, there will be pretty strict regulations in place. Besides the mentality of the Dutch is. in such a way that everybody is pretty well aware that debt is like a stimulant, there is perhaps the joy of it, but certainly also the hangover.
im not saying our way is better or worse, but i agree there is a huge difference in mindset when it comes to money and success. Here in the Netherlands probably the first thing that you get teached as a kid is: “dont spend money that you dont have” and “dont think you are better then somebody else”. So we get teached that creditcards are a bad thing. we only use them if we dont have another option, for example when booking a hotel in another country. Also having a bigger car then your neighbor isnt a good thing here...bragging or showing off is a big turnoff for a lot of dutchies. So, being number 1 isnt important...besides sports... Thats also why you dont see many lamborghinis or ferraris on the road. As a millionaire you get more respect if you show up on your bike :)
Leave the violence monopoly to the police and military. That's shameful enough.
It's worrying the violence spiral in Rotterdam.
There was a time in The Netherlands that Ajacieden en Feijenoord-supporters went to the café together after the match and took a beer or an erwtensoep.
Thank you for your "broken record "comment. It makes me feel proud and good about our little country. As I may have mentioned earlier, I always looked up to the US when I was young, free country, good music, lots of space. But when I got older I also saw how many problems there were regarding race, healthcare and the economy. It's been years now that I'm mostly flabbergasted at how worse some of these isseus have gotten. I hope sincerely, that you can make that change, big changes have to be implemented, to come to a more equal and just society, to a more humane society. I have seen some disturbing images of the US ( at least disturbing to me ) where a young woman with cancer, is being told by that little bit of insurance , she still got to pay thousands of dollars for her treatment. Healthcare is a right, not a product. Good affordable housing is a right , not a product. To make a comparison with the EU , the Netherlands, and the US is almost not done. Maybe you can inspire some fellow americans in talking about our system, in how the people in the US can take the good stuff from the Netherlands as a positive example of how things could be made better. I sincerely hope that those improvements, changes can be made in the US. I am sorry to hear you got some hate comments, totally unnescecairy. Greetings to you both!
Are you realizing that what you see happening there will become normal here as well? And then we have the whole world coming over here to enjoy what we've created in 100's of years it's not unlikely that we will pass the US at one point. Though they are this stupid (look at the Ukrain war) that they're capable of destroying themselves and taking the whole world with them. I already realized things in 1973, when I had enough education to draw conclusions. The makers of sites like these seem to be like our politicians: totally unaware of what's happening.....
I would advise them to go back to where they came from. We don't have enough houses already, just like space.... And there's nothing in it for us is it?
Getting a creditcard in The Netherlands is easy as long as your income is good. (besides, the cards credit is limited to your income).
But you have to keep an eye on it and make sure you can balance at the end of the month. If you don't, that's where the trouble starts.
Creditcards were made during the "Live now, Pay later" time in the US.
The thing is it is so handy for internet purchase, and that is dangerous.
Impulsive buying is rampant.
Yea I never got the point of keeping up with the Jones'. What do I care about what they have that I dont?
Anyway creditcards exist but are mostly used online. And going into the red on them is not a standard possibility i think.
As a Dutchman living in the US and soon to be a US citizen I am not saying that living in the US or the Netherlands is either worse or better in any way, just saying that it is very different. I do appreciate you're opinion of the Netherlands but it's not all sunshine and rainbows there either.
The big mis-understanding in the USA (due to the mighty weapon industry) is that people think they are safer WITH a weapon than WITHOUT a weapon, which simply is complete bullshit!! I never had a weapon and I always felt safe here. In fact, the MORE weapons the MORE chances that things escalate, and the fact that people in the USA can even buy machine-guns in a supermarket is really too sad for words!! Don't get me wrong, I was in the army, in my time we were still drafted, I have shot with a machine-gun, but my army period made me a pacifist!!!
When it comes to debts, I never had many lessons from my parents, but ONE lesson they always gave me was to NEVER go to a bank for a loan because you pay at least the double amount back to that bank. Privacy............I know we have big windows in our houses here in The Netherlands, but another lesson my parents told me was to NEVER look inside because it is inpolite to do so!!
Generally the only reason people get creditcards here is either as backup for travel or for shopping online internationally. Also I think the most typical creditcard you get here has a limit of about 1000 euro and gets paid off every month. So very very short term.
About the credit card. It’s not that difficult to get one overhere. Credit cards are linked to your bank. If you have a steady income and no financial problems, you can apply for one at your bank. I have one since I was 25. I got it, because I was going to the US for a holiday.
So the Dutch invented a new kind of exhibitionism : windows without curtains.
Interesting. I moved from the Netherlands to California back in 2000. Your comments about guns are spot on.
About cc, no you don't have to explain why you want a cc. But you do need proof, that you are able to pay you debts. So the bigger your income, the higher your credit.
The dutch learn from early on to save money and having a debt is something that isn't a good thing. The big exception is the mortgage on you house
Just watched 30? Of your videos. Thought I’d leave a comment. Fun to follow, thanks for the videos! I’ll along with my family will be moving to Europe in the next couple of years.
Thanks for watching!
Eric
Wow! Thank you for binge watching us, Bruce!! Good luck with your move!!
In the USA the practice is to categorize to monetize, because it isn't a country, it's a corporation.
I'm Dutch, and guns aren't really banned here. About 40,000 people have 1 to 5 firearms at home. You must have no criminal record, be 18 years or older and be a member of an association and can only use the weapons on a shooting range. So we can't use the firearms for self-defense like in the United States and other countries in the world, only for sports purposes. Also hunters have firearms of course.