Yoooooo Happy Thursday!!!! Hope you guys are doing well! Now this was an interesting video to make. What is something that I may have missed that’s a messed up mindset?
@FREETHEUMMAH Quran-The Sun is going to sleep in the Ocean,at night. Wel,that,s a silly lie. Also what Islam is doing in Sudan-Iran-Gaza is not so nice hey So smart people wil not believe that quran.
"Did I miss anything?" you asked. Well, one really big thing: to equate the USA, or USA-citizenship, with being America(n) and vice versa. Well, USA is a country, America is a (double)continent. When someone states he/she is American, I always feel the urge to ask: so you're from Paraguay/Costa Rica/Surinam/Aruba... etc. And let's not forget the 50th USA state isn't in America, but part of the many Pacific islands, sometimes denoted as polynesia or something akin to that. Or take Guam, or... Don't get me wrong, nothing's bad about being a USA-citizen, but to appropriate being american with being a USA-citizen is IMHO not right. About not everyone from the Netherlands is from Holland...but that's another story... 😃😃.
@FREETHEUMMAH Islam is een scam. Kijk maar wat de Islam met Libanon-Jemen-Iran etc etc etc heeft gedaan. Dat ziet er niet zo ge-saved uit. eerder vernietigd.
The health insurance you pay by month and is mandatory by law handles most hospital cost ..bet your life you gonna have a " ile go poor bill" if you have no insurance.. etnical profiling happends a lot allso here and other places in europe so the grass aint greener here believe that😅
No, you don't need a boat, you need a friend with a boat. The work a boat needs is never-ending if you're not a masochist or hate yourself, then don't get a boat. Be the one who brings the beers and snacks. It's less of a hassle.
My friend had a wooden sailboat. We had a lot of fun sailing together one evening a week. But every fall his Dutch saying came again. "Neem een boot en werk je dood.", translated "Get a boat and work yourself to death."
Agreed! Every time I look at boathouses in the Netherlands, I fall in love. Then, I remember that I'd be working on it forever and a day (thanks to my friends that have a regular boat, lol).
When you were talking about the consumerism I was reminded of this quote: "We buy shit we don't need, with money we don't have, to impress people we don't like." -- George Carlin
I am a Brit, and some years ago, I was visiting Tucson, Arizona. I saw an old lady knocked down by a truck. People gathered around, and I was amazed to hear this lady pleading that no one should call for an ambulance. I did not know that in America, it costs money to use an ambulance. It shook me up to think that was the case, and if you use an ambulance, or go to the hospital, or see a doctor, it all comes with a bill. I never really got over that.
@@KraKra-Ah Health care in the UK is funded through the tax base. There is a small charge for prescription medicine. It would be suicidal to visit America from another country without arranging private health care.
Dutch health insurance has world wide coverage, but only for emergency care, ánd only until the amount the same treatment would cost here. So you'd better check out what the costs are if you break a leg or something in your destination country, and make sure you get extra travel insurance if it's a lot more. However, within the EU, the UK and some other countries incl. Turkey and Morocco, a health care-treaty applies (even in case of immigration) - not sure how that works, but apparently you don't need extra insurance there
It happened a long, long time ago. We were doing a speaking tour through the Netherlands, with six Native American guests. I was driving them, in a small VW van, and beside me was another Dutch woman. This was way before TomTom etc, and we were kinda lost. We overtook a young police officer on a bike, so we figured: let’s ask him for directions. The chatter behind me immediately stopped, with a whispered "she’s going to ask the policeman". And it hit me - and I never forgot: in the Netherlands being afraid for the police, is not the default setting…
Same here in Germany. We have a lot of as*holes in our police too, but whenever i'm in a city that idk and i get lost, the first thing i do is to look if there is police around that i can ask for directions. Or in France. The first time i went to Paris with my own car, i've got totally lost and couldn't find the way back to the highway. So what did i do? Drove around a few minutes until i found a police station and went in to ask how to get back on the highway.
Ive had soo many bad experiences i really do try to avoid them... but every timee ive gone back to the states after moving.. they been sooo nice..but maybe its because i say i live in the netherlands... then they start asking me how i like it and how they can move! lol I dont hold any kinda a grudge against american police at all and know there are too many good ones ive talked to..... but i do still get very nervous sometimes when im back.
Lol yeah my only dealings with the cops until recently was me being lost walking in the Hague (before smart phones), and i just tapped a policeman on the shoulder, and said, hey sir (momma didnt raise a rude man) you probably know where this and that is, right? And he grabbed a little map book from his pants pocket and showed me what tram to take etc. That would probably not have worked as well in the USA.
I first moved to NL in 2001. I was miserable. The reason was because of my American attitude. After living in NL for 10 yrs, I moved back to the US. Guess what. I was miserable. I’d adjusted to life in NL without realizing it. In 2022, I moved back to NL. No regrets. Everything in this video in 100% true. I 🧡 the Netherlands.
It strikes me that Americans know bearly nothing of the rest of the world. Living in a cocoon of ignorance and believing that they Are living the American Dream (which turns ot to be the American Nightmare) Sure there are plenty of facinating things in the USA. But a society who does not look after the elderly , the disabled, the poor, the hungry, and not caring for each other.....Is not what you can call a society. It's a bunch of people struggeling to get by individualy. And if you are lucky, and you don' t get really sick, or have an accident (or get shot, robbed, or murderd) or have a disabled child, you maybe just maybe you could have a nice life. But the real question is "What do you prefer?. Well being or Wealth?. And yes even that could be better. As in Scandinavian countries. But Well Being is the better choise greetings from The Netherlands
Glad you found a place that feels like home and makes you happy regardless of it being here in NL or USA. Just a random question, and i guess the answer differs per person, did you find the need to learn Dutch and did you learn? I would imagine/hope so after such a long time, reason why im asking is because i know that a most Dutch people speak at least basic English and a lot speak it well, so in reality you wouldt need to.
I agree with everything you said. There is also a set of rules for females in the USA which I internalized and thought was the norm. Then I went to Sweden on vacation and was shocked at the difference. That is why travel is so important, it teaches us that people can live differently. Thank you for a truly honest and important video.
Yeeaaaa Exactly!!!! and what's so crazy is when you try to bring the behavior of the unspoken rules with you to other places.. everyone looks at it like "what the heck is wrong with this guy" lol
Healthcare is not free, I pay 600 euros a month for healthcare for my family, and pay 400 euro if we have to use it per person. So not free but affordable.
@@AlbertWeijers healthcare is becoming more expensive with the % of retired people growing. Also 40 years ago people didnt go to the doctor as much as nowadays, allthough thats my gut feeling. Still Im happy to pay my healthcare even if I dont need it. Thw day you actually need it you are glad we have healthcare and dont have to worry about going broke while you jusr got diagnosed with cancer :(
I watch a lot of RUclips channels of United States Americans (and one Canadian) who have made the jump to living in the Netherlands, and Europe in general, and the observations you make seem to be a very common thread in their lives. Yes, no country is perfect and Nederland has it's own issues, but by-in-large the people who move away from the United States do have their eyes opened to a new way of living and for the most part seem to be very appreciative to have left behind many of the issues you touch on. Great video!
Ofcourse its also the americans that prefer the European way of living that come and live here. There probably are plenty of americans that prefer living in the US. Actually plenty of europeans moved to the US as well. I need to check if these people also have YT channels :) Anyways I prefer Europe :)
I like your take on "Dutch Life" and how this is different to that in the US. Can I give you a little tip: The Netherlands is much more than Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Haarlem. Visit the north and south. Go to 's-Hertogenbosch, Maastricht, Middelburg, Leeuwarden etc. You will find a "different kind" of Dutch people and their way of living and doing things. It will give you a better understanding about our history.
This applies actually to any place in the Netherlands outside of "de Randstad". The North, East & South have a completely different vibe. You may like it more or less. Nevertheless, as you point out, the Netherlands as a whole is not "De Randstad"😃
Agree. Also Groningen, the Waddeneilanden (you can do island hopping between the islands, super fun), the mergelgrotten in Valkenburg, nature in Zuid-Limburg in general (if you don't like walking or biking uphill, take the train between Heerlen and Maastricht for just the views alone), hunebedden in Drenthe, Openluchtmuseum in Arnhem if you want to see how the Dutch used to live, sailing in Friesland, biking through the Betuwe in flour season. Etc. Etc.
Thanks for this mirror man. As a proud Dutch guy I like to watch your videos. I think some Dutch people should see this kind of content, so we can learn to appreciate more how well we have arranged a lot of things here. Keep up the good work and the positivity
The idea of a big house or apartment, wearing brand name clothes, even working in certain jobs is American craziness. My partner has lived half of a century and still buys into this mindset. He still thinks people are wealthy based on the items they have. The car they drive has payments, the too big house carries a monthly mortgage, their credit card balance isn't paid in full. Yet the lady who rides her bike and leaves her older model paid off car in the driveway, owns a tiny house, likes to wear simple outfits, pays her credit card in full if she uses it and banks her entire paycheck is "one of those weird people". I can't change his "poor man" mindset. 🤷🏽
Wauw, my heart really cringed & getting teary eyes upon hearing about 'black rules' at the beginning of your vid. I am from Indonesia of mixed parental (Indo), came to the Netherlands in 1967, I still remember not being allowed in a friend's house because of my darker skincolor. But even then this was nothing compared to what you have to endure (being black in the US). Don't go back. Love your vids. Hugs.
@@hyppyp Ayye thanks so much! Really happy you enjoyed it. These videos are kinda hard to make because I don’t want to bash the states. It’s really great country and have a lot of great people. But yea I’ve been learning soooo much that I just love sharing.
I keep deleting these talkie-talkie tell all podcasts, but yours is so adorably charming that I keep coming back. I was born and raised in California, having lived most of my life in Colorado till teaching internationally and eventually settling for good in the Netherlands. Once in 2006 I came back to California to teach summer courses at my sister's community college while keeping an eye on her teenage sons when she was away with her boyfriend. And one early morning these - I kid you not - four mammoth and packed-to-the-hilt, policemen barged in the house and shook us all from our beds and demanded we stay in the living room while they did a random search because, unbeknownst to me, one of the nephews was on a marijuana possession probation where he could be subjected to surprise searches. And these LA macho cops were NOT the friendliest. I was shaken to the core and had to teach that day. I told another colleague about the experience and he just shook his head. Never ever in the Netherlands would this be happening, no matter what age, ethnicity or criminal act you might or might not have been charged with. Jeetja And I'm so sad to hear of your experiences in America with prejudice to the point that you would just think of it as 'the norm'. I can think of no other word but 'shame' - shame on this still existent shady side of America.
Did you know that the pavement you walk on at 2:30 has an explosion pattern on it made with the bricks? It was the site of the Kruispooort, blown up by the locals during the siege of Haarlem by the Spaniards in 1573
There used to be little leds in the brickwork in front of AH as well, but I'm not sure if they are still there/intact. There are a lot of those accentuated bits of history all around Haarlem. So cool.
From the Netherlands here... once took some LSD with a friend In my house. He was not feeling well so we called an ambulance. They came, but also with 2 police guys.... I was worried. They only told us to go to the nearby park to walk it off.... ambulance was not charged either. Btw, the park was really nice! 😂
Ik ben geboren in Haarlem maar woon nu in Amersfoort. Als ik jouw filmpje zie begin het te kriebelen om heel snel weer even terug te gaan naar mijn stad. Ik mis Haarlem en de zee. Dus ga vaak heen en weer. Het is leuk om de koepel te laten zien. De gevangenis wat nu een campus is en er zit een bioscoop. Je kan gratis naar binnen en rondkijken en een kopje koffie drinken. Je kan er zelf sporten in een cel 😅 Of naar de kapper in een andere cel. Als kind was het een herkenningspunt als ik met de trein in Haarlem aan kwam en dan wist ik we zijn bijna thuis. Toen zaten er nog gevangen dus vond ik het ook altijd spannend. Ik ben met me zoontje naar de bioscoop geweest. Hij vindt het de coolste bioscoop die er bestaat 😂
I hear you man, I never understand that in the US, people still talk about "black and white" . I mean, why do people constantly mention this? Automatically you categorize right? Growing up with the constant "black and white" Is just wrong to start with in my opinion.. I am very happy we do not do this here in the Netherlands.
You do see the colour but you do not make assumptions based on the colour.. Het is niet netjes om ge zeggen dat je geen kleur ziet want dan ontken je eigenlijk dat er verschil is. En dat het niet erg is dat zij kleur hebben. Maar wat je wilt zeggen is dat je kleur ziet maar het niets met je doet.
An ambulance is not free in the Netherlands. If the ambulance shows up but you are not transported, you will not be charged. On location, the ambulance staff will decide whether you should be transported or not. Otherwise, they can send you to the doctor's office or apply a simple bandage. You therefore do not pay any deductible for this. However, if you call an ambulance, the costs can quickly reach 750 euros if the take you with them.. Depending on your insurance, you have a deductible. The mandatory deductible is €385 per year. You can voluntarily increase it by a maximum of €500 to €885. So you may have to pay for the entire bill. But it will never be more than €885.
You need think from a US viewpoint i saw stories of people who said there Bill was over $16000 or more seesong we only need pay€700 or less depench really wat happend an the reason you can understand why in US seem like a "Depth sentence " seeing how much they need pay for very in little seems be off and unfair. Then putthing on our aide it seem way more cheap and safer in long run
@@starblossom05 I get it, but it's a bit misleading to say it's free. The fact is, we have a deductible here, between 385 and 885 euros (per year), and if you have to deal with it, the insurers often even offer payment in installments (without extra costs). So free, no, much better than in the USA, yes definitely (Oops, Dutch directness 😅).
That health insurance cost about E 140,- a month (excl. dental), by the way, unless you choose a higher coinsurance than the E 385,- (per year) mentioned by NL2500. But, if you've already paid that amount because you had to see a specialist or something, the bill is fully paid by the insurance company. Also, if you have a low income, you can get a monthly allowance from the government (which is a ridiculous system, but that's another discussion). Oh, and the insurance companies are obligated to offer you installment payments!
Exactly a ridiculous system! In February my eigen risico is already done for because im disabled and on medicines. Im having the asistance from the government and pay almost 300 a month for the healthcare. I have a whole plan with my dentist to spread the apointments out so my payments every month are under 50eu. I had to skip the vitamin D recepi from my doctor because that would cost me 20eu extra. Mind you this is against the advice of my doctor to skip it. Uwv gives me 1350 a month. My rent is 630. Without the 450 toeslagen i would literally die. And then i have it better than the disabled without a wajong but in a bijstand.. they cannot go to the dentist. Ridiculous indeed
I work for an US company with a large presence here in Amsterdam (and the rest of Europe) and it always cracks me up how amazed they are about the fact that we take pto in the summer months. 😂 I like the point you are making in this video. I met many US people when they were for the first time abroad (in SE Asia, Latin America and here in Amsterdam, having US friends over) and you just see their worldview change live. Don't get me wrong, I like the US, but many people who never left can be quite ignorant about how they really think the US is the best. In some cases it might be, in many cases it might not be.
As a young guy, after highschool I wanted to see the world. So I got a 'monsterboek', a sailors passport at the 'waterschout' office in Rotterdam (I'm a billy from the hills near Maastricht) and was hired by the Holland America Line on their vessel New Amsterdam as a bellboy. That was fun, but coming into New York - this was 1971 and I remember one of the twin towers was about 75 percent up and the other about half - and after being insulted by the customs guys and girls, just walking from pier 40 into the city was suspicious. It felt like a war zone and in the evening when we went back to the ship, three or four patrol cars showed up and a few gorilla's smashed us into a fence - which they have a lot in the US - before even asking a question. I hear it's gotten worse lately.
Here's what I don't get: In the USA you get judged by the most random things possible. You're somehow inferior if you use an Android phone, you're somehow inferior if you don't go to work in a car, you can't use these restrooms because they're executives-only …
Yes and workers toilets in the factory have high under sides? And low top sides? And gaps on the side 1 cm or more so if you walk past you can actually see inside. My thought was for shopfloor workers there are different rules? They should not stay to long, get to comfy? and can be checked on even.. freaked me out when i saw it
Can you name these places with executive rest rooms? I've worked for many major corporations and haven't a clue what you're talking about. It seems as though you have been watching movies from before the 1960s.
@@1pinestreet It was a little later than that, around 1990 was when I lived there. Can't remember the names (and wouldn't name-and-shame if I did). I worked in the US as a corporate pilot so I went all over. They usually took me with them so I didn't need to stay at some random airport, so I've been to quite a few companies. Sometimes there were whole floors like that. e: spelling
I was raised in the 80s in the Netherlands in a small town. we did not know what racism was, it was something in our history books. We treated foreigners with respect and friendly. fast forward 40 somewhat years and most dutch are still the same. but now the anglo-saxons living in Netherlands tell us we are racist with Sinterklaas & zwarte piet, and we don't get it and with great sadness in us we slowly give in.
For me, the cultural shock went the other way around. I grew up in Europe as a US citizen (lived in Europe because of my dad being in the US military and was stationed there). Once I was of college age I moved to the US, and the very first shock was OUT OF STATE TUITION! I didn’t get it. Believe me, I told the lady at the registrar’s office: “I’m a US citizen, why am I being charged as if I was not an American?” In Europe, you see, tuition is the same for everyone (even if you are not a European, I can tell you from personal experience, that you will pay the same tuition as a Spaniard in a Spanish university), regardless of where you’re from. At my young age I didn’t understand what out-of-state tuition meant. “Out of this country”? I asked. I just didn’t get it. I do understand now that every state contributes to those public colleges and so those who aren’t residents of that state will pay triple or quadruple. But…. Why? I hear their excuse, but it still doesn’t compute. Seems so unfair, so discriminatory. If I can help it, my daughter will go to college in Europe.
The problem with the American two party system is not what they disagree about but what they agree on, that is silently kept out of any debate and that this that those who pay for the campaigns have to get rich off the American people to the max.
Black Friday is a bad thing. People will buy anything, if there is a sale. A lot of the consumerism will get from the USA to the Netherlands. Kids are going crazy over sneakers...even in the Netherlands. Parents are also to blame. They don't want their kids to be left behind, so kids get a lot of stuff like Fatbikes.
Ethnic profiling is a pain in the ass and is against the law. Im so sorry you experienced that. I have seen it happen here too during dutch irs scandal. No one should have to face that. Its not all people are racist. Just the stupid ones who think they're better. You're fine just the way you are. I Love your video's, they are awesome.
I Know off US drug prices. That to me is CRAZY. Eli Lilly being the worst of the lot. Touting on inusline prices being skyhigh as usa politics and then hire, of all people, Alex Azar, ex ceo of Eli Lilly, to lead the us NHS few years back. I though my jaw was glued tight to floor at that point lol. My dutch brain had a bit of an issue when I read that; like; how the hell did that happen? He just fell in to your lap? No Seriously. HOW? :P
Heyaaa I had to warm up to you and the way you talk haha. But this video had won me over! Thank you for being so open and vulnerable. This is what masculinity looks to me. But! You are right. You are traumatised and living with these experiences is to be taken serious!! You should get a therapist of colour that definitely understands this struggle more then just the theory part. I really belief therapy can help you get to the next level. You are safe here and you deserve to feel safe as well. Thank you for your video! Most insightful one yet!!
I keep watching cause I miss Haarlem so much😢. Maybe you can also walk through the most impoverished neighbourhoods in Haarlem, like certain areas in Schalkwijk where I grew up.
Your videos are getting better and better. Well done. For me, the US always was the dream land, till I lived and had a family their. Now we are trying to get out again as all these points are spot on.
Nothing is free my friend, we pay into a system through taxes which pays for, for example, an ambulance. We pay for the quality of life we have here and for the most part it works.
Still, the US spends almost twice! as much per citizen on healthcare. It’s actually is a hell of a lot more expensive there and getting sick or injured can make you go bankrupt. Even when you do have (very expensive) healthcare insurance.
Friends of mine in the US, always told me about the costs of health care. But even if you go to for example Spain or other countries here in Europe, way much more expensive. Though we pay a montljy amount, still grateful to live here in Holland 👍 😊
Nice to see that you feel comfortable in the Netherlands. There will always be unnoticed social aspects that you will only notice if you speak the Dutch language or if you grew up here. Unfortunately, there is a lot of social inequality here too. Nice vid bro!
love that you show the beautifull city of Haarlem. Also thanks that you explained the black rules. Didnt know about that and im sorry that you had to live like that in America.
12:35, mill/molen Adriaan. Burnt down in 1932 and rebuilt in the 1990's. You can visit it.originale it was built on a city wall tower to catch wind above the houses.
You' re such a lovely guy. So honest and open minded. My son in law is from the US. Love him also, same experience for him. Keep making those video's X
Also like yoyr videos. I am Dutch but very interested in US politics and would like to learn more, but mostly am indeed azed with the 2 party system and how this is indeed influencing the decision making and change
Had to call the ambulance in Belgium a while back, at the end, I did not go to the hospital with the ambulance because the pain stopped. I had to pay 57 euros, that was it.
A lot with the police is the matter of education. Here in the Netherlands the academy is around 2 years in the USA it is 6 months. So there is a lack of training. Here each module need to be successful. If not after the third time not succeed, you are gone. Theory and practical. And I think when I look at the police in the USA, they need to be trained properly.
I think a lot of cops in the US have a military background, and they apply the same force and mindset to their job as a police officer. They see the people as their enemy, so instead of to protect and serve, they attack to protect themselves and their fellow officers.
Sorry nope, it is back to 2 years for a regular niv.4. Just as it once was.before 2000 (pomp) Just looked at the site. For detective and wijkagent you need to apply for that function when you are working in the police organisation(not talking at rechercherkundige)
Quote: "I think a lot of cops in the US have a military background, and they apply the same force and mindset to their job as a police " I think the same as in the Netherlands, some have a military background, like me. Some dont
Oh PS Consumerwise stuff. I remember telling some of my us friends I did not own a creditcard so I dont shop at online stores that only make pay possible via credit card. They had that stupified look on their face. I was like "Come on I know Im dutch. But it's called a debet card for a REASON. You payed for that with money that is not yours that will cost you more with interest when you fail to pay a term, how can you not see that? If I loan you a certain amount of money you want it back too. Works same for banks. But first response was "You cant shop there and there" Me; I'm pretty sure I'll survive that, given fact I never shopped at that named place" :)
One thing I learned from living in NYC for 6 months is that you cannot do anything without a creditcard. This goes against everything my parents told me: “never spend money you do not own!” But since in the US creditcards are basically mandatory, it means by default you buy stuff on credit. And it is much easier to spend more than you would like, if you can buy with credit. I do know America also uses debit cards, but I am not sure if they are widely used. I would love to know. But to me it feels that banks and companies basically force people into debt. You can spend as much as your creditcard allows you to, if you have the money or not. If your account does not have the money, a debit card will be denied and you have no debt.
Before continuing to watch this video, I would like to say that the ambulance is most likely not as free as you think. We have something here called "eigenrisico" which translates to "own risk" which is a total annual fee of € 385. It means the first € 385 of medical costs that specific year are paid by yourself and all the rest will be covered by your insurance company. It is a lot of money for many, but it's not going to make us homeless. We're also usually allowed to pay in 8 installments. Also to note: your family doctor is free of charge (but prescribed medicine could cost some money)
When 15 years ago I took the tram in Chicago and thought I would walk a few miles from a tram stop to the museum of industry, I was shocked, because I'd never seen such a blatant divide between black people and other people. Those people didn't even get roads from their government, I was disgusted.
As a white Dutchman with a black wife. I must admit of all the places we have visited in the world. Los Angeles was actually the city where we had to deal with a lot of racism, more than any other place we have visited. We felt uncomfortable a lot of times. We also went to San Francisco where we did not have this experience and had a lovely time.
I'm Dutch. But I can remember that about 15 years ago me and my friend went to party so where in Amsterdam in the morning we went to the city going to have drink. After getting even more wasted we ended up falling a sleep on the street, K.O. I remember waking up in the hospital because some people on the street called the ambulance. Since there was nothing wrong with I ended up getting a fine or cost of the ambulance, that was about 350 euro 😂
Loved this vid so much I subscribed. You remind me of me, when I was young. I'm white but we were poor and catholic so we were innocent and raised strictly. Store detectives would follow me and my sister around assuming we would steal, as so many would but not us. These days, being white and English things are easier as so many people with brown skin are despised and hated by about half my country. The other half, well we don't make those sorts of assumptions, that they are living off welfare/benefits cheques and stealing jobs.🙄 (Yes, like refugees want your job as an, oh yes, I remember, as an unemployed person on benefits). Subscribed to your channel for being reasonable, articulate, non-judgmental and good natured. Thank you! 😊👍
So refreshing to hear you say these things, you woke up from the american dream..never would i.set foot in America, for all the reasons above, the food, the ignorance and most of all, the weapons. The ignorance is present in the netherlands to, also the consumerism but not so much anymore. Keep going, i like your video's
Right, I've watched a couple of your video's and your topics are interesting enough to subscribe to. The message about medical care (ambulance) being free is not completely right. The collective takes care of it. People are insured (the majority at least some are not not because they can't afford it but then the collective compensates for the immediate care like an ambulance). The really valuable message you are broadcasting is that visiting other countries opened your eyes for other ways to solve human problems. Even though your home country maybe telling you something (is it out of ignorance?) you are open for other experiences, good for you! I'm retired from the military since january this year and I have been in the lucky opportunity to visit your country many times and visit American bases and camps in at several Europeam locations. I noticed the difference you are describing between CONUS (Continental USA) based military personnel and those based OCONUS (Outside continental USA). Some personnel posted on European bases and camps for the first time were sometimes afraid of the different world outside their "safe" environment. But those that have been posted multiple times abroad really changed in their interaction with the environment. Very interesting and I'm wondering... would you like to continue to stay here (as an American expat) or rather go back to what you know in the USA? Great content, totally different approach from the couple that I'm following (Buncharted) but as interesting to watch.
13:28 Nice! Save some money for a rainy day, or for when you really find something you want to do that makes you happy. Usually those are experiences, not things, or it has been like that for me anyways.
The rules you listed as following on the US, at 3:00 I follow to this day (esp keeping the receipt, don’t call the police & don’t touch nothing you’re not gonna buy) as I was bought up near a council estate where no one was trusted.
Ambulances are _not_ free, but it's considered 'base coverage' for all health insurance packages. However, it _is_ also not as expensive (somewhere between 500 or 1000 euros, at least for me the time that I was the insurance bill overview).
Great to see that you experienced getting out of the USA bubble. I cant blame those who'm can't get out of that bubble. I was stationed near Baltimore for a few years when I served in the Royal Netherlands Army. I was soo shocked about the world views of my neighbors and their overall knowledge about the world outside the USA. Don't get me wrong, they are great polite, friendly and smart people. But they did have a intellectual blind spot regarding the rest of the world except some people that traveled to the other continents. I met neighbors that were still thinking that the most of Europe was a socialist/communist idiots with less freedom and lazy attitude... I had a great time, and I could live forever in the US as long as I can have some European/Dutch news to put it all in to perspective...
It's not entirely free here either; we are required by law to have health insurance, so everyone must be covered. As a collective, we contribute to the costs for those who need care. It’s not cheap, particularly for people with lower incomes, but it protects everyone from exorbitant medical bills. The maximum you pay is limited to your monthly premium and an annual deductible, which is around 750 euros. Even though I haven't needed medical care yet, I’m glad we have this system. However, there are still people who struggle to afford these costs, even with government subsidies.
What I'm experiencing is that Americans are soooo loud. When you visit a place everybody is looking around, doing their thing and than a group of Americans arrive and you can here them from miles away. Not that they are rude or something, but just loud :).
thank you so much for talking about the increasing division in society. I think it is the biggest problem we have while everyone is just busy fighting eachother
I think, the U.S.A. can learn from the Dutch healthcare system.. We are obliged to pay the insurance for that and goverment helps a bit.. As a recovering addict, in U.S.A. I would lost everything in that perriod.. Happy traveling!!
After having watched the Hamilton musical, I was so interested in that part of America that i went as far as reading personal letters, journals and the farewell address that Washington gave when he retired from the presidency. The founding fathers were a bit more of action and focused to actually doing things to start up the country. However, even way back then they used (and even started) newspapers to attack their political rivals. Washington was the only one who was opposed to a two party system and even warned against it in his farewell address... So there ya go, when boiling it down, nothing has really changed since.😅
love your insight in it all, welcome to The Netherlands :D. I've been following us politics and must say i'm still trying to figure out why it has not changed yet, but then the word money popped up in your vid and i went, duh ofc. Thanks for the uplifting video, subbed right away :D
Love your positive energy and vibes! One small addition: the healthcare isn't free exactly. Everyone is required by law to have a basic health insurance and if you can't afford it, you receive a subsidy that covers (part of) the health insurance cost. The other minor caveat is that the first 350 euros is "own risk". That first 350 is something you will have to pay out of pocket and resets each year. So you don't have to pay the first 350 for every medical treatment you receive, but it's more like a meter that fills up. Once you have paid 350 in total out of pocket, the rest of any costs is paid for by the health insurance.
Well, an ambulance is not free, like every medical treatment it needs to be paid, thats why you have mandatory insurance here. A basic insurance is about 140 per month, pretty affordable for most. If you have trouble with it you can apply for healthcare allowance depending on your income. Some medication/treatment you have to (partly) pay yourself and you also have the "own risk" payment of like 385 a year. But yeah, you can safely go to a doctor or get an ambulance (if needed) without going homeless. Use the proper channels though, call 112 in case of emergency or call/go to your housedoctor first, don't go to a hospital on your own, you need a reference.
Unfortunately there are a lot of Americans conditioned to believe in the lie that "America (USA) is the greatest and the freeest", until they start travelling (like you) and discover what you discover......the world outside of the USA is not a barren wasteland and doing way better on the issues of safety, healthcare, education, transportation, overall happiness, just to name a few....
Yeah, probably the Americans who talk the most about how great the US is have never left the country for more than a few minutes. Or done much reading.
I qas born in germany, as a german. Ihad a very heavy time there all mij live. I came to the netherlands and it was the same.Here I was german, and so I was treated bad. Because I came from germany.
honestly the debt culture in the US shocks me most. Tho, not even necessarily about the constant cycle of debt and paying it off, but the interest that these companies are allowed to charge. Like I see 15% and think that's a lot, but from what I've seen that seems almost a pretty normal interest rate with specific US companies ._.
Special story! America is the poorest first world country. Its weird for me to hear that you were told/assumed that it's the best. Love to have you over here 👍😁
I've asked people why they thought the US was the best. All I got were references to military power and money. But I really think it's just like religious beliefs: they believe because that's what they were told.
@@b.debruijn51 oh yea I know that. Hahaha I even spoke about how much I pay for my family. I was talking about the ambulance ride. But now I’m finding out that that’s not entirely free either. lol 😂
@@b.debruijn51 but from what I’ve heard.. its still no where near the cost you would pay in the states 🤣 Freaking cost a arm and a leg in the states lol
This pretty much sums up why us Dutchies sees 'murica as a failed country. People in the US spend money they don't have, can only be succesful if their health allows it and so on. I love the fact that we in the Netherlands lack the competative driven interpersonal culture that is messing up the US citizens for many many decades.
I love how you log your ideas and views about Europe while you are getting to know her. One note I’d add.. and it may seem silly but there’s a point to it… the ambulance is not really free, healthcare isn’t either.. it’s quite expensive.. the difference is that it’s paid for.. not free but paid for.. by the community.. through communal health insurance policies and government subsidies and regulation.. In a way, the Dutch take the complete healthcare bill of everyone in the country, split it in 18 million (18 million inhabitants) parts and everyone chips in his part.
Next to your story (most interesting) I lived near Haarlem for 58 years, so knowing the city inside out. I find it very strange that your telling the story in a perfect line,… but your walking background picture give a way you have edited heavily! So great job a perfect storyline !
Yes it's true the ambulance is free, as it should be, the Nethalands (government) takes care of it's people, and governments that don't, like the USA, should be ashamed of themselves
Yoooooo Happy Thursday!!!! Hope you guys are doing well! Now this was an interesting video to make. What is something that I may have missed that’s a messed up mindset?
@FREETHEUMMAH islam brainwashes people you mean
@FREETHEUMMAH
Quran-The Sun is going to sleep in the Ocean,at night.
Wel,that,s a silly lie.
Also what Islam is doing in Sudan-Iran-Gaza is not so nice hey
So smart people wil not believe that quran.
"Did I miss anything?" you asked. Well, one really big thing: to equate the USA, or USA-citizenship, with being America(n) and vice versa. Well, USA is a country, America is a (double)continent. When someone states he/she is American, I always feel the urge to ask: so you're from Paraguay/Costa Rica/Surinam/Aruba... etc. And let's not forget the 50th USA state isn't in America, but part of the many Pacific islands, sometimes denoted as polynesia or something akin to that. Or take Guam, or... Don't get me wrong, nothing's bad about being a USA-citizen, but to appropriate being american with being a USA-citizen is IMHO not right. About not everyone from the Netherlands is from Holland...but that's another story... 😃😃.
@FREETHEUMMAH
Islam is een scam.
Kijk maar wat de Islam met Libanon-Jemen-Iran etc etc etc heeft gedaan.
Dat ziet er niet zo ge-saved uit.
eerder vernietigd.
The health insurance you pay by month and is mandatory by law handles most hospital cost ..bet your life you gonna have a " ile go poor bill" if you have no insurance.. etnical profiling happends a lot allso here and other places in europe so the grass aint greener here believe that😅
No, you don't need a boat, you need a friend with a boat. The work a boat needs is never-ending if you're not a masochist or hate yourself, then don't get a boat. Be the one who brings the beers and snacks. It's less of a hassle.
My friend had a wooden sailboat. We had a lot of fun sailing together one evening a week. But every fall his Dutch saying came again. "Neem een boot en werk je dood.", translated "Get a boat and work yourself to death."
Rent a boat.
Agreed! Every time I look at boathouses in the Netherlands, I fall in love. Then, I remember that I'd be working on it forever and a day (thanks to my friends that have a regular boat, lol).
@@OP-1000 Da's een oude 😜
Hhaahhaahahahah!!! maaaan you are putting me up on the game man!
When you were talking about the consumerism I was reminded of this quote: "We buy shit we don't need, with money we don't have, to impress people we don't like." -- George Carlin
Or like Dolly Parton said: "One is only poor, only if they choose to be.¨ (Coat of many colors)
This consumerism is growing in Europe as well though.
Social media is spreading that mindset to kids like a plague.
"And they always have two stupid kids!"..... George Carlin is (was) the best!
I am a Brit, and some years ago, I was visiting Tucson, Arizona. I saw an old lady knocked down by a truck. People gathered around, and I was amazed to hear this lady pleading that no one should call for an ambulance. I did not know that in America, it costs money to use an ambulance. It shook me up to think that was the case, and if you use an ambulance, or go to the hospital, or see a doctor, it all comes with a bill. I never really got over that.
Does your insurance in the UK pick up that bill? If I go to the States I have to figure this out for sure. The US is a crazy ass country...
@@KraKra-Ah Health care in the UK is funded through the tax base. There is a small charge for prescription medicine. It would be suicidal to visit America from another country without arranging private health care.
Dutch health insurance has world wide coverage, but only for emergency care, ánd only until the amount the same treatment would cost here. So you'd better check out what the costs are if you break a leg or something in your destination country, and make sure you get extra travel insurance if it's a lot more. However, within the EU, the UK and some other countries incl. Turkey and Morocco, a health care-treaty applies (even in case of immigration) - not sure how that works, but apparently you don't need extra insurance there
@@TheHeartofAmsterdam Thr cost of health care is off the charts in America.
They use all the money for weapons instead of investing in a healthy health care system
It happened a long, long time ago. We were doing a speaking tour through the Netherlands, with six Native American guests. I was driving them, in a small VW van, and beside me was another Dutch woman. This was way before TomTom etc, and we were kinda lost. We overtook a young police officer on a bike, so we figured: let’s ask him for directions. The chatter behind me immediately stopped, with a whispered "she’s going to ask the policeman". And it hit me - and I never forgot: in the Netherlands being afraid for the police, is not the default setting…
Same here in Germany.
We have a lot of as*holes in our police too, but whenever i'm in a city that idk and i get lost, the first thing i do is to look if there is police around that i can ask for directions.
Or in France. The first time i went to Paris with my own car, i've got totally lost and couldn't find the way back to the highway. So what did i do? Drove around a few minutes until i found a police station and went in to ask how to get back on the highway.
yea!!! to be honest, i talk to police a lot and i ask them a lot of questions. But In the states.. my default is to always avoid them.
Ive had soo many bad experiences i really do try to avoid them... but every timee ive gone back to the states after moving.. they been sooo nice..but maybe its because i say i live in the netherlands... then they start asking me how i like it and how they can move! lol
I dont hold any kinda a grudge against american police at all and know there are too many good ones ive talked to..... but i do still get very nervous sometimes when im back.
@@omadduxo that's good you feel safe asking for directions. I also feel super safe asking police in france and germany questions. :)
Lol yeah my only dealings with the cops until recently was me being lost walking in the Hague (before smart phones), and i just tapped a policeman on the shoulder, and said, hey sir (momma didnt raise a rude man) you probably know where this and that is, right? And he grabbed a little map book from his pants pocket and showed me what tram to take etc. That would probably not have worked as well in the USA.
I am Dutchie who lived in the States for 13 years. Best part was moving back to NL.. home sweet home 🇳🇱
I first moved to NL in 2001. I was miserable. The reason was because of my American attitude.
After living in NL for 10 yrs, I moved back to the US.
Guess what. I was miserable. I’d adjusted to life in NL without realizing it.
In 2022, I moved back to NL.
No regrets.
Everything in this video in 100% true.
I 🧡 the Netherlands.
You have no fears wow 😅
Good to have you back Karen, I'm glad you're enjoying my country so much. 😊🌷
Im so sorry you felt miserable the first time you came here!
It strikes me that Americans know bearly nothing of the rest of the world. Living in a cocoon of ignorance and believing that they Are living the American Dream (which turns ot to be the American Nightmare) Sure there are plenty of facinating things in the USA. But a society who does not look after the elderly , the disabled, the poor, the hungry, and not caring for each other.....Is not what you can call a society. It's a bunch of people struggeling to get by individualy. And if you are lucky, and you don' t get really sick, or have an accident (or get shot, robbed, or murderd) or have a disabled child, you maybe just maybe you could have a nice life. But the real question is "What do you prefer?. Well being or Wealth?. And yes even that could be better. As in Scandinavian countries. But Well Being is the better choise
greetings from The Netherlands
Glad you found a place that feels like home and makes you happy regardless of it being here in NL or USA. Just a random question, and i guess the answer differs per person, did you find the need to learn Dutch and did you learn? I would imagine/hope so after such a long time, reason why im asking is because i know that a most Dutch people speak at least basic English and a lot speak it well, so in reality you wouldt need to.
You are very nuanced and not angry. That could have happenend after being treated like a criminal. I like that you have stayed open and friendly.
I agree with everything you said. There is also a set of rules for females in the USA which I internalized and thought was the norm. Then I went to Sweden on vacation and was shocked at the difference. That is why travel is so important, it teaches us that people can live differently. Thank you for a truly honest and important video.
Yeeaaaa Exactly!!!! and what's so crazy is when you try to bring the behavior of the unspoken rules with you to other places.. everyone looks at it like "what the heck is wrong with this guy" lol
It's soooo osooo important to travel.
Thanks os much for watching. :)
Healthcare is not free, I pay 600 euros a month for healthcare for my family, and pay 400 euro if we have to use it per person. So not free but affordable.
What set of rules?
@@AlbertWeijers healthcare is becoming more expensive with the % of retired people growing. Also 40 years ago people didnt go to the doctor as much as nowadays, allthough thats my gut feeling.
Still Im happy to pay my healthcare even if I dont need it. Thw day you actually need it you are glad we have healthcare and dont have to worry about going broke while you jusr got diagnosed with cancer :(
As a Dutchman I really enjoy your video’s. You have talent.
Nederland is vol
@@berta.9912 En....? Wat wil je daarmee zeggen...? Dat er geen ruimte is voor getalenteerde vloggers...? Fuck off! Serieus!
I watch a lot of RUclips channels of United States Americans (and one Canadian) who have made the jump to living in the Netherlands, and Europe in general, and the observations you make seem to be a very common thread in their lives. Yes, no country is perfect and Nederland has it's own issues, but by-in-large the people who move away from the United States do have their eyes opened to a new way of living and for the most part seem to be very appreciative to have left behind many of the issues you touch on. Great video!
Yea... i mean... i can never express how lucky i feel to be living here... it's truly amazing.
Thanks you so much for watching and really happy you enjoyed the video :)
Ofcourse its also the americans that prefer the European way of living that come and live here. There probably are plenty of americans that prefer living in the US. Actually plenty of europeans moved to the US as well. I need to check if these people also have YT channels :)
Anyways I prefer Europe :)
I like your take on "Dutch Life" and how this is different to that in the US.
Can I give you a little tip: The Netherlands is much more than Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Haarlem.
Visit the north and south.
Go to 's-Hertogenbosch, Maastricht, Middelburg, Leeuwarden etc.
You will find a "different kind" of Dutch people and their way of living and doing things.
It will give you a better understanding about our history.
This applies actually to any place in the Netherlands outside of "de Randstad". The North, East & South have a completely different vibe. You may like it more or less. Nevertheless, as you point out, the Netherlands as a whole is not "De Randstad"😃
Come to Zeeland
Just like any other country.
The Netherlands is also more than the cities 😉
Agree. Also Groningen, the Waddeneilanden (you can do island hopping between the islands, super fun), the mergelgrotten in Valkenburg, nature in Zuid-Limburg in general (if you don't like walking or biking uphill, take the train between Heerlen and Maastricht for just the views alone), hunebedden in Drenthe, Openluchtmuseum in Arnhem if you want to see how the Dutch used to live, sailing in Friesland, biking through the Betuwe in flour season. Etc. Etc.
Thanks for this mirror man. As a proud Dutch guy I like to watch your videos. I think some Dutch people should see this kind of content, so we can learn to appreciate more how well we have arranged a lot of things here. Keep up the good work and the positivity
The idea of a big house or apartment, wearing brand name clothes, even working in certain jobs is American craziness. My partner has lived half of a century and still buys into this mindset. He still thinks people are wealthy based on the items they have. The car they drive has payments, the too big house carries a monthly mortgage, their credit card balance isn't paid in full. Yet the lady who rides her bike and leaves her older model paid off car in the driveway, owns a tiny house, likes to wear simple outfits, pays her credit card in full if she uses it and banks her entire paycheck is "one of those weird people". I can't change his "poor man" mindset. 🤷🏽
Wauw, my heart really cringed & getting teary eyes upon hearing about 'black rules' at the beginning of your vid. I am from Indonesia of mixed parental (Indo), came to the Netherlands in 1967, I still remember not being allowed in a friend's house because of my darker skincolor. But even then this was nothing compared to what you have to endure (being black in the US). Don't go back.
Love your vids.
Hugs.
As a bridge & sluis attendant in Haarlem & Amsterdam, it's cool to see many of my workspots.😊Keep it up.
Goed bezig! I like you being personal and articulate. Keep it up 😊
@@hyppyp Ayye thanks so much! Really happy you enjoyed it. These videos are kinda hard to make because I don’t want to bash the states. It’s really great country and have a lot of great people. But yea I’ve been learning soooo much that I just love sharing.
@@hyppyp thanks again for watching
I keep deleting these talkie-talkie tell all podcasts, but yours is so adorably charming that I keep coming back.
I was born and raised in California, having lived most of my life in Colorado till teaching internationally and eventually settling for good in the Netherlands. Once in 2006 I came back to California to teach summer courses at my sister's community college while keeping an eye on her teenage sons when she was away with her boyfriend. And one early morning these - I kid you not - four mammoth and packed-to-the-hilt, policemen barged in the house and shook us all from our beds and demanded we stay in the living room while they did a random search because, unbeknownst to me, one of the nephews was on a marijuana possession probation where he could be subjected to surprise searches. And these LA macho cops were NOT the friendliest.
I was shaken to the core and had to teach that day. I told another colleague about the experience and he just shook his head.
Never ever in the Netherlands would this be happening, no matter what age, ethnicity or criminal act you might or might not have been charged with. Jeetja
And I'm so sad to hear of your experiences in America with prejudice to the point that you would just think of it as 'the norm'. I can think of no other word but 'shame' - shame on this still existent shady side of America.
66 year old Dutch, 7.00-9.21 min into the vid. Good for you to see this, you are awakening. God bless you!
Did you know that the pavement you walk on at 2:30 has an explosion pattern on it made with the bricks? It was the site of the Kruispooort, blown up by the locals during the siege of Haarlem by the Spaniards in 1573
There used to be little leds in the brickwork in front of AH as well, but I'm not sure if they are still there/intact. There are a lot of those accentuated bits of history all around Haarlem. So cool.
@@NatsirtMats0 those are the ones I meant. Also you'll see straight lines perpendicular on the streets, indicating where a moat used to be
From the Netherlands here... once took some LSD with a friend In my house. He was not feeling well so we called an ambulance. They came, but also with 2 police guys.... I was worried. They only told us to go to the nearby park to walk it off.... ambulance was not charged either. Btw, the park was really nice! 😂
So interesting to see how you discover the other ways you can experience your way of living by travelling around!
Every person should try and do it!
Ik ben geboren in Haarlem maar woon nu in Amersfoort. Als ik jouw filmpje zie begin het te kriebelen om heel snel weer even terug te gaan naar mijn stad. Ik mis Haarlem en de zee. Dus ga vaak heen en weer. Het is leuk om de koepel te laten zien. De gevangenis wat nu een campus is en er zit een bioscoop. Je kan gratis naar binnen en rondkijken en een kopje koffie drinken. Je kan er zelf sporten in een cel 😅 Of naar de kapper in een andere cel. Als kind was het een herkenningspunt als ik met de trein in Haarlem aan kwam en dan wist ik we zijn bijna thuis. Toen zaten er nog gevangen dus vond ik het ook altijd spannend. Ik ben met me zoontje naar de bioscoop geweest. Hij vindt het de coolste bioscoop die er bestaat 😂
I hear you man, I never understand that in the US, people still talk about "black and white" . I mean, why do people constantly mention this? Automatically you categorize right? Growing up with the constant "black and white" Is just wrong to start with in my opinion.. I am very happy we do not do this here in the Netherlands.
Denk niet wit,
Denk niet zwart,
Denk in de kleur van je hart.
yes i do not understand this aswell, i am dutch not use to categorize people in colours black or white .
i first see the person not colour
You do see the colour but you do not make assumptions based on the colour..
Het is niet netjes om ge zeggen dat je geen kleur ziet want dan ontken je eigenlijk dat er verschil is. En dat het niet erg is dat zij kleur hebben. Maar wat je wilt zeggen is dat je kleur ziet maar het niets met je doet.
We still have this dont lie. though they are mostly not racist they just are very stubborn about their preconceived opinions about certain races
An ambulance is not free in the Netherlands. If the ambulance shows up but you are not transported, you will not be charged. On location, the ambulance staff will decide whether you should be transported or not. Otherwise, they can send you to the doctor's office or apply a simple bandage. You therefore do not pay any deductible for this.
However, if you call an ambulance, the costs can quickly reach 750 euros if the take you with them.. Depending on your insurance, you have a deductible. The mandatory deductible is €385 per year. You can voluntarily increase it by a maximum of €500 to €885.
So you may have to pay for the entire bill. But it will never be more than €885.
You can always choose to go with them if they decide that you need to come along. They can not force medical help on you lol
You need think from a US viewpoint i saw stories of people who said there Bill was over $16000 or more seesong we only need pay€700 or less depench really wat happend an the reason you can understand why in US seem like a "Depth sentence " seeing how much they need pay for very in little seems be off and unfair. Then putthing on our aide it seem way more cheap and safer in long run
@@starblossom05 I get it, but it's a bit misleading to say it's free.
The fact is, we have a deductible here, between 385 and 885 euros (per year), and if you have to deal with it, the insurers often even offer payment in installments (without extra costs).
So free, no, much better than in the USA, yes definitely
(Oops, Dutch directness 😅).
That health insurance cost about E 140,- a month (excl. dental), by the way, unless you choose a higher coinsurance than the E 385,- (per year) mentioned by NL2500. But, if you've already paid that amount because you had to see a specialist or something, the bill is fully paid by the insurance company. Also, if you have a low income, you can get a monthly allowance from the government (which is a ridiculous system, but that's another discussion). Oh, and the insurance companies are obligated to offer you installment payments!
Exactly a ridiculous system!
In February my eigen risico is already done for because im disabled and on medicines. Im having the asistance from the government and pay almost 300 a month for the healthcare. I have a whole plan with my dentist to spread the apointments out so my payments every month are under 50eu. I had to skip the vitamin D recepi from my doctor because that would cost me 20eu extra. Mind you this is against the advice of my doctor to skip it.
Uwv gives me 1350 a month. My rent is 630. Without the 450 toeslagen i would literally die.
And then i have it better than the disabled without a wajong but in a bijstand.. they cannot go to the dentist.
Ridiculous indeed
I work for an US company with a large presence here in Amsterdam (and the rest of Europe) and it always cracks me up how amazed they are about the fact that we take pto in the summer months. 😂
I like the point you are making in this video. I met many US people when they were for the first time abroad (in SE Asia, Latin America and here in Amsterdam, having US friends over) and you just see their worldview change live.
Don't get me wrong, I like the US, but many people who never left can be quite ignorant about how they really think the US is the best. In some cases it might be, in many cases it might not be.
As a young guy, after highschool I wanted to see the world. So I got a 'monsterboek', a sailors passport at the 'waterschout' office in Rotterdam (I'm a billy from the hills near Maastricht) and was hired by the Holland America Line on their vessel New Amsterdam as a bellboy. That was fun, but coming into New York - this was 1971 and I remember one of the twin towers was about 75 percent up and the other about half - and after being insulted by the customs guys and girls, just walking from pier 40 into the city was suspicious. It felt like a war zone and in the evening when we went back to the ship, three or four patrol cars showed up and a few gorilla's smashed us into a fence - which they have a lot in the US - before even asking a question. I hear it's gotten worse lately.
Here's what I don't get: In the USA you get judged by the most random things possible. You're somehow inferior if you use an Android phone, you're somehow inferior if you don't go to work in a car, you can't use these restrooms because they're executives-only …
They have executives only restrooms in the US? 😮
Yes and workers toilets in the factory have high under sides? And low top sides? And gaps on the side 1 cm or more so if you walk past you can actually see inside. My thought was for shopfloor workers there are different rules? They should not stay to long, get to comfy? and can be checked on even.. freaked me out when i saw it
Can you name these places with executive rest rooms? I've worked for many major corporations and haven't a clue what you're talking about. It seems as though you have been watching movies from before the 1960s.
@@1pinestreet It was a little later than that, around 1990 was when I lived there. Can't remember the names (and wouldn't name-and-shame if I did). I worked in the US as a corporate pilot so I went all over. They usually took me with them so I didn't need to stay at some random airport, so I've been to quite a few companies. Sometimes there were whole floors like that.
e: spelling
Instron norwood
I was raised in the 80s in the Netherlands in a small town. we did not know what racism was, it was something in our history books. We treated foreigners with respect and friendly. fast forward 40 somewhat years and most dutch are still the same. but now the anglo-saxons living in Netherlands tell us we are racist with Sinterklaas & zwarte piet, and we don't get it and with great sadness in us we slowly give in.
Even the Spice Girls said it on the Paul nog wat show, the UN en English people. So if they all got it wrong...lol 😂
For me, the cultural shock went the other way around. I grew up in Europe as a US citizen (lived in Europe because of my dad being in the US military and was stationed there). Once I was of college age I moved to the US, and the very first shock was OUT OF STATE TUITION! I didn’t get it. Believe me, I told the lady at the registrar’s office: “I’m a US citizen, why am I being charged as if I was not an American?” In Europe, you see, tuition is the same for everyone (even if you are not a European, I can tell you from personal experience, that you will pay the same tuition as a Spaniard in a Spanish university), regardless of where you’re from. At my young age I didn’t understand what out-of-state tuition meant. “Out of this country”? I asked. I just didn’t get it. I do understand now that every state contributes to those public colleges and so those who aren’t residents of that state will pay triple or quadruple. But…. Why? I hear their excuse, but it still doesn’t compute. Seems so unfair, so discriminatory. If I can help it, my daughter will go to college in Europe.
Dutch universities are definitely cheaper for EU students compared to Asian or American students .Oh and UK students I guess , since brexit
The problem with the American two party system is not what they disagree about but what they agree on, that is silently kept out of any debate and that this that those who pay for the campaigns have to get rich off the American people to the max.
2 wings same bird
Black Friday is a bad thing. People will buy anything, if there is a sale.
A lot of the consumerism will get from the USA to the Netherlands. Kids are going crazy over sneakers...even in the Netherlands.
Parents are also to blame. They don't want their kids to be left behind, so kids get a lot of stuff like Fatbikes.
Ethnic profiling is a pain in the ass and is against the law. Im so sorry you experienced that. I have seen it happen here too during dutch irs scandal. No one should have to face that. Its not all people are racist. Just the stupid ones who think they're better. You're fine just the way you are. I Love your video's, they are awesome.
I Know off US drug prices. That to me is CRAZY. Eli Lilly being the worst of the lot. Touting on inusline prices being skyhigh as usa politics and then hire, of all people, Alex Azar, ex ceo of Eli Lilly, to lead the us NHS few years back. I though my jaw was glued tight to floor at that point lol. My dutch brain had a bit of an issue when I read that; like; how the hell did that happen? He just fell in to your lap? No Seriously. HOW? :P
Heyaaa
I had to warm up to you and the way you talk haha. But this video had won me over! Thank you for being so open and vulnerable. This is what masculinity looks to me.
But! You are right. You are traumatised and living with these experiences is to be taken serious!! You should get a therapist of colour that definitely understands this struggle more then just the theory part. I really belief therapy can help you get to the next level. You
are safe here and you deserve to feel safe as well.
Thank you for your video! Most insightful one yet!!
I keep watching cause I miss Haarlem so much😢. Maybe you can also walk through the most impoverished neighbourhoods in Haarlem, like certain areas in Schalkwijk where I grew up.
Your videos are getting better and better. Well done.
For me, the US always was the dream land, till I lived and had a family their. Now we are trying to get out again as all these points are spot on.
I appreciate your honesty, this was an interesting video. 😊
@@BabzV wow thanks so much! This was a hard one to make but I think it came out well. Thank goodness I didn’t scrap it lol 😂
@@ItzSKYVlogs Goed gedaan man. 👍
And you know what, valid critism is exactly that, valid.
Without it we can't evolve and grow as humans and a society.
@@BabzV stem PVV
Nothing is free my friend, we pay into a system through taxes which pays for, for example, an ambulance.
We pay for the quality of life we have here and for the most part it works.
Still, the US spends almost twice! as much per citizen on healthcare. It’s actually is a hell of a lot more expensive there and getting sick or injured can make you go bankrupt. Even when you do have (very expensive) healthcare insurance.
@@Lars_erik Dat klopt, maar dat neemt niets weg van wat ik zei, dat het niet gratis is hier.
Friends of mine in the US, always told me about the costs of health care. But even if you go to for example Spain or other countries here in Europe, way much more expensive. Though we pay a montljy amount, still grateful to live here in Holland 👍 😊
Nice to see that you feel comfortable in the Netherlands. There will always be unnoticed social aspects that you will only notice if you speak the Dutch language or if you grew up here. Unfortunately, there is a lot of social inequality here too. Nice vid bro!
You nailed it.. Also one typical thing you mentioned is that you already excuse for everything you will say. Your opinion counts also..
love that you show the beautifull city of Haarlem. Also thanks that you explained the black rules. Didnt know about that and im sorry that you had to live like that in America.
‘No touching things, you’re not gonna buy’. Schocks me!
12:35, mill/molen Adriaan. Burnt down in 1932 and rebuilt in the 1990's. You can visit it.originale it was built on a city wall tower to catch wind above the houses.
Spot on. You are awakening!!
My mother is dutch and therefore I love your videos. I am living in Mexico, but next year when I will visit my family I will invite you for a coffee.
You' re such a lovely guy. So honest and open minded. My son in law is from the US. Love him also, same experience for him. Keep making those video's X
Welcome to the Netherlands. I am glad you enjoy it
You’ve got a nice personality, man. Keep up the good work. 🤟
Also like yoyr videos. I am Dutch but very interested in US politics and would like to learn more, but mostly am indeed azed with the 2 party system and how this is indeed influencing the decision making and change
Had to call the ambulance in Belgium a while back, at the end, I did not go to the hospital with the ambulance because the pain stopped. I had to pay 57 euros, that was it.
I love your content man. As a Dutchie i am glad your doing and feeling well in the Netherlands! Keep it up man
A lot with the police is the matter of education. Here in the Netherlands the academy is around 2 years in the USA it is 6 months.
So there is a lack of training. Here each module need to be successful. If not after the third time not succeed, you are gone.
Theory and practical.
And I think when I look at the police in the USA, they need to be trained properly.
I think a lot of cops in the US have a military background, and they apply the same force and mindset to their job as a police officer.
They see the people as their enemy, so instead of to protect and serve, they attack to protect themselves and their fellow officers.
Police academy in the Nethterlands is mostly even 3 years: bachelor politieagent (3 jaar) bachelor wijkagent (3 jaar) bachelor politieleider (3 jaar) bachelor rechercheur (3 jaar)
Sorry nope, it is back to 2 years for a regular niv.4. Just as it once was.before 2000 (pomp)
Just looked at the site.
For detective and wijkagent you need to apply for that function when you are working in the police organisation(not talking at rechercherkundige)
Quote: "I think a lot of cops in the US have a military background, and they apply the same force and mindset to their job as a police "
I think the same as in the Netherlands, some have a military background, like me. Some dont
@@BabzVAnd the police knows that everybody they meet, could carry a handgun. And that makes them behave like in a warzone.
The good old "Come home when the streetlights go on" must be a global thing, cause I feel like everyone went through that.
Oh PS Consumerwise stuff. I remember telling some of my us friends I did not own a creditcard so I dont shop at online stores that only make pay possible via credit card. They had that stupified look on their face. I was like "Come on I know Im dutch. But it's called a debet card for a REASON. You payed for that with money that is not yours that will cost you more with interest when you fail to pay a term, how can you not see that? If I loan you a certain amount of money you want it back too. Works same for banks. But first response was "You cant shop there and there" Me; I'm pretty sure I'll survive that, given fact I never shopped at that named place" :)
One thing I learned from living in NYC for 6 months is that you cannot do anything without a creditcard. This goes against everything my parents told me: “never spend money you do not own!” But since in the US creditcards are basically mandatory, it means by default you buy stuff on credit. And it is much easier to spend more than you would like, if you can buy with credit.
I do know America also uses debit cards, but I am not sure if they are widely used. I would love to know.
But to me it feels that banks and companies basically force people into debt. You can spend as much as your creditcard allows you to, if you have the money or not. If your account does not have the money, a debit card will be denied and you have no debt.
Love your open, enthusiastic, positive, cheerful way of talking. Subscribed myself lol. Have a great day, and take care 👍 😊 🌻 🌞
Before continuing to watch this video, I would like to say that the ambulance is most likely not as free as you think. We have something here called "eigenrisico" which translates to "own risk" which is a total annual fee of € 385. It means the first € 385 of medical costs that specific year are paid by yourself and all the rest will be covered by your insurance company. It is a lot of money for many, but it's not going to make us homeless. We're also usually allowed to pay in 8 installments.
Also to note: your family doctor is free of charge (but prescribed medicine could cost some money)
He man i am from Haarlem like youre videos keep up the good work
‘You don’t see that same American type of entitlement, everywhere you go’ had me 😂
Love your positive energy, i’m sorry that you grew up with these thoughts (the first minutes of thevideo)As a Dutch I am not aware of that.
“A bunch of stuff”…you are so intelligent ,thanks for these videos.❤
When 15 years ago I took the tram in Chicago and thought I would walk a few miles from a tram stop to the museum of industry, I was shocked, because I'd never seen such a blatant divide between black people and other people. Those people didn't even get roads from their government, I was disgusted.
Small correction, the ambulance is not free. But it only fill up your “OWN risk” What is 385 euro. (Only 1 time a year).
Omg, you are in Haarlem, where I grew up! So lovely to see it, a beautiful city. You chose well my friend.
As a white Dutchman with a black wife. I must admit of all the places we have visited in the world. Los Angeles was actually the city where we had to deal with a lot of racism, more than any other place we have visited. We felt uncomfortable a lot of times. We also went to San Francisco where we did not have this experience and had a lovely time.
Same with a relative of mine, with his blond wife. Texas was awful, Bahamas, etc. It's ludacriss this still exist 😅
I'm Dutch. But I can remember that about 15 years ago me and my friend went to party so where in Amsterdam in the morning we went to the city going to have drink. After getting even more wasted we ended up falling a sleep on the street, K.O. I remember waking up in the hospital because some people on the street called the ambulance. Since there was nothing wrong with I ended up getting a fine or cost of the ambulance, that was about 350 euro 😂
Just a joy watching you walk the walk and talk the talk. Cheers friend 😃
Loved this vid so much I subscribed. You remind me of me, when I was young. I'm white but we were poor and catholic so we were innocent and raised strictly. Store detectives would follow me and my sister around assuming we would steal, as so many would but not us. These days, being white and English things are easier as so many people with brown skin are despised and hated by about half my country. The other half, well we don't make those sorts of assumptions, that they are living off welfare/benefits cheques and stealing jobs.🙄 (Yes, like refugees want your job as an, oh yes, I remember, as an unemployed person on benefits). Subscribed to your channel for being reasonable, articulate, non-judgmental and good natured. Thank you! 😊👍
So refreshing to hear you say these things, you woke up from the american dream..never would i.set foot in America, for all the reasons above, the food, the ignorance and most of all, the weapons.
The ignorance is present in the netherlands to, also the consumerism but not so much anymore. Keep going, i like your video's
Didnt realize the vid was so fresh. Haarlem Jazz and more. Have fun!
When you come over the Hoorn/Enkhuizen area... let me know
I will buy you a beer!
Right, I've watched a couple of your video's and your topics are interesting enough to subscribe to. The message about medical care (ambulance) being free is not completely right. The collective takes care of it. People are insured (the majority at least some are not not because they can't afford it but then the collective compensates for the immediate care like an ambulance). The really valuable message you are broadcasting is that visiting other countries opened your eyes for other ways to solve human problems. Even though your home country maybe telling you something (is it out of ignorance?) you are open for other experiences, good for you! I'm retired from the military since january this year and I have been in the lucky opportunity to visit your country many times and visit American bases and camps in at several Europeam locations. I noticed the difference you are describing between CONUS (Continental USA) based military personnel and those based OCONUS (Outside continental USA). Some personnel posted on European bases and camps for the first time were sometimes afraid of the different world outside their "safe" environment. But those that have been posted multiple times abroad really changed in their interaction with the environment. Very interesting and I'm wondering... would you like to continue to stay here (as an American expat) or rather go back to what you know in the USA? Great content, totally different approach from the couple that I'm following (Buncharted) but as interesting to watch.
An ambulance costs about 300 euros here. Its paid out of your ´eigen risico´ if you have any left but that is later.
Which makes it for free for most old people because they get some care anyway. They pay their own risk like a standard thing every year.
In many places it's free too, and not poor places mind you
More, my ride was closer to 1100
But I didn't have to pay a dime. Insurance just covered it.
@@joebloggs2473 wow good to know! Too be honest… I’d still pay 300 euros hahaha.
I’d take that day over going into a large amount of debt lol
@@joebloggs2473 seriously tho, thanks so much for the info!
13:28 Nice! Save some money for a rainy day, or for when you really find something you want to do that makes you happy. Usually those are experiences, not things, or it has been like that for me anyways.
The rules you listed as following on the US, at 3:00 I follow to this day (esp keeping the receipt, don’t call the police & don’t touch nothing you’re not gonna buy) as I was bought up near a council estate where no one was trusted.
Ambulances are _not_ free, but it's considered 'base coverage' for all health insurance packages. However, it _is_ also not as expensive (somewhere between 500 or 1000 euros, at least for me the time that I was the insurance bill overview).
"From fresh prince to Carlton in a heartbeat"🤣 "Black rules"😲 I love your personal experiences comparing your life in the USA vs the Netherlands.🇳🇱
Great to see that you experienced getting out of the USA bubble. I cant blame those who'm can't get out of that bubble. I was stationed near Baltimore for a few years when I served in the Royal Netherlands Army. I was soo shocked about the world views of my neighbors and their overall knowledge about the world outside the USA. Don't get me wrong, they are great polite, friendly and smart people. But they did have a intellectual blind spot regarding the rest of the world except some people that traveled to the other continents. I met neighbors that were still thinking that the most of Europe was a socialist/communist idiots with less freedom and lazy attitude... I had a great time, and I could live forever in the US as long as I can have some European/Dutch news to put it all in to perspective...
It's not entirely free here either; we are required by law to have health insurance, so everyone must be covered. As a collective, we contribute to the costs for those who need care. It’s not cheap, particularly for people with lower incomes, but it protects everyone from exorbitant medical bills. The maximum you pay is limited to your monthly premium and an annual deductible, which is around 750 euros. Even though I haven't needed medical care yet, I’m glad we have this system. However, there are still people who struggle to afford these costs, even with government subsidies.
A family member got married in that windmill a 5 years ago. Funny to see it back. Never been to Haarlem ever since.
The best video you’ve ever made 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
What I'm experiencing is that Americans are soooo loud. When you visit a place everybody is looking around, doing their thing and than a group of Americans arrive and you can here them from miles away. Not that they are rude or something, but just loud :).
Funny, I am Belgian, and we say the same thing about the Dutch...
thank you so much for talking about the increasing division in society. I think it is the biggest problem we have while everyone is just busy fighting eachother
I think, the U.S.A. can learn from the Dutch healthcare system..
We are obliged to pay the insurance for that and goverment helps a bit..
As a recovering addict, in U.S.A. I would lost everything in that perriod..
Happy traveling!!
After having watched the Hamilton musical, I was so interested in that part of America that i went as far as reading personal letters, journals and the farewell address that Washington gave when he retired from the presidency.
The founding fathers were a bit more of action and focused to actually doing things to start up the country.
However, even way back then they used (and even started) newspapers to attack their political rivals.
Washington was the only one who was opposed to a two party system and even warned against it in his farewell address...
So there ya go, when boiling it down, nothing has really changed since.😅
love your insight in it all, welcome to The Netherlands :D. I've been following us politics and must say i'm still trying to figure out why it has not changed yet, but then the word money popped up in your vid and i went, duh ofc. Thanks for the uplifting video, subbed right away :D
Love your positive energy and vibes! One small addition: the healthcare isn't free exactly. Everyone is required by law to have a basic health insurance and if you can't afford it, you receive a subsidy that covers (part of) the health insurance cost. The other minor caveat is that the first 350 euros is "own risk". That first 350 is something you will have to pay out of pocket and resets each year. So you don't have to pay the first 350 for every medical treatment you receive, but it's more like a meter that fills up. Once you have paid 350 in total out of pocket, the rest of any costs is paid for by the health insurance.
Well, an ambulance is not free, like every medical treatment it needs to be paid, thats why you have mandatory insurance here. A basic insurance is about 140 per month, pretty affordable for most. If you have trouble with it you can apply for healthcare allowance depending on your income. Some medication/treatment you have to (partly) pay yourself and you also have the "own risk" payment of like 385 a year. But yeah, you can safely go to a doctor or get an ambulance (if needed) without going homeless. Use the proper channels though, call 112 in case of emergency or call/go to your housedoctor first, don't go to a hospital on your own, you need a reference.
Unfortunately there are a lot of Americans conditioned to believe in the lie that "America (USA) is the greatest and the freeest", until they start travelling (like you) and discover what you discover......the world outside of the USA is not a barren wasteland and doing way better on the issues of safety, healthcare, education, transportation, overall happiness, just to name a few....
Yeah, probably the Americans who talk the most about how great the US is have never left the country for more than a few minutes. Or done much reading.
I qas born in germany, as a german. Ihad a very heavy time there all mij live. I came to the netherlands and it was the same.Here I was german, and so I was treated bad. Because I came from germany.
All I can say is AMEN!!
honestly the debt culture in the US shocks me most. Tho, not even necessarily about the constant cycle of debt and paying it off, but the interest that these companies are allowed to charge. Like I see 15% and think that's a lot, but from what I've seen that seems almost a pretty normal interest rate with specific US companies ._.
Haarlem is great. have you been to the Jopen Kerk thats a craft brewery, , hhmmmm great beer.
Special story! America is the poorest first world country. Its weird for me to hear that you were told/assumed that it's the best. Love to have you over here 👍😁
I've asked people why they thought the US was the best. All I got were references to military power and money. But I really think it's just like religious beliefs: they believe because that's what they were told.
Its not 911 but:
112 in the Netherlands...they say "112 daar red je levens mee" ..IT means 112 is where you are saving lives with...a slogan
Biggest thing for me is debt/creditcard cultural difference between the US and europe.
Health care isnt free we pay approximate 400 per month per family.
@@b.debruijn51 oh yea I know that. Hahaha I even spoke about how much I pay for my family. I was talking about the ambulance ride. But now I’m finding out that that’s not entirely free either. lol 😂
@@b.debruijn51 but from what I’ve heard.. its still no where near the cost you would pay in the states 🤣
Freaking cost a arm and a leg in the states lol
@ItzSKYVlogs at this moment only breathing is free!
This pretty much sums up why us Dutchies sees 'murica as a failed country. People in the US spend money they don't have, can only be succesful if their health allows it and so on. I love the fact that we in the Netherlands lack the competative driven interpersonal culture that is messing up the US citizens for many many decades.
I love how you log your ideas and views about Europe while you are getting to know her.
One note I’d add.. and it may seem silly but there’s a point to it… the ambulance is not really free, healthcare isn’t either.. it’s quite expensive.. the difference is that it’s paid for.. not free but paid for.. by the community.. through communal health insurance policies and government subsidies and regulation..
In a way, the Dutch take the complete healthcare bill of everyone in the country, split it in 18 million (18 million inhabitants) parts and everyone chips in his part.
Next to your story (most interesting) I lived near Haarlem for 58 years, so knowing the city inside out. I find it very strange that your telling the story in a perfect line,… but your walking background picture give a way you have edited heavily! So great job a perfect storyline !
Yes it's true the ambulance is free, as it should be, the Nethalands (government) takes care of it's people, and governments that don't, like the USA, should be ashamed of themselves