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Moving to The Netherlands, Tell Me What to Expect!

 
Anonymous Coward
User ID: 4542677
Netherlands
08/17/2012 05:48 PM
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Re: Moving to The Netherlands, Tell Me What to Expect!
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I guess you don't like The Netherlands? And just exactly what is that judgement based on...the news headlines, LOL!
 Quoting: aNONaMITTy


I dont hate them I think they lack honor in the way their government help stonewall the Natalee Holloway case.
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 13828320





Oh. I didn't follow that story all that much but wasn't he related to the royals or something?
 Quoting: aNONaMITTy


Seems American lives are of no value to these people. Beware American traveler!
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 13828320


You will have a culture shock. Much less fear in daily society and much less government trying to hammer you down with causes for fear.
aNONaMITTy  (OP)

User ID: 9834739
United States
08/17/2012 05:49 PM
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Re: Moving to The Netherlands, Tell Me What to Expect!
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Have you been there?
 Quoting: aNONaMITTy


Haha that's not true don't believe him.

If you go to Rotterdam you'll think you've ended up in a country that has all nationalities.
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 1138051




Interesting. Tell me this. Amsterdam seems like the party city, Rotterdam the same w/o the drugs/prostitutes and The Hague as the snobs? Is that a correct impression?
 Quoting: aNONaMITTy


You can party anywhere you want, doesn't matter wich city you are in. The same for drugs. Not every big city has a red light district.
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 1138051





Yeah, I guess Amsterdam is just the main tourist attraction.
"We are the music makers. And we are the dreamers of dreams." Willy Wonka
aNONaMITTy  (OP)

User ID: 9834739
United States
08/17/2012 05:50 PM
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I dont hate them I think they lack honor in the way their government help stonewall the Natalee Holloway case.
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 13828320





Oh. I didn't follow that story all that much but wasn't he related to the royals or something?
 Quoting: aNONaMITTy


Seems American lives are of no value to these people. Beware American traveler!
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 13828320


You will have a culture shock. Much less fear in daily society and much less government trying to hammer you down with causes for fear.
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 4542677




This is exactly part of what I'm so attracted to. I know some of the Dutch have complained about their laws and such, but I don't think anyplace is as bad as America. Thanks for sharing.
"We are the music makers. And we are the dreamers of dreams." Willy Wonka
Anonymous Coward
User ID: 1138051
Netherlands
08/17/2012 05:51 PM
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Re: Moving to The Netherlands, Tell Me What to Expect!
flood hidingtomato
 Quoting: Dirt Diver




Heh! I was just on an earthquake thread, LOL! How are you today?
 Quoting: aNONaMITTy


Fine, thank you.
unfortunately some people got tricked into believing it is quite safe to live under sea level
not that i am 100s of meters above it, but below sealevel would bother me

Hope you find a exellent place
younger generations are familiar with english so it will be no trouble getting around, very open minded
very cosy people too, those dutch
best regards
 Quoting: Dirt Diver


I thought you as a belgian would've known that the dutch conquered the sea years and years ago.

-> [link to www.youtube.com]
Anonymous Coward
User ID: 17152779
United States
08/17/2012 05:51 PM
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Re: Moving to The Netherlands, Tell Me What to Expect!
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I dont hate them I think they lack honor in the way their government help stonewall the Natalee Holloway case.
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 13828320





Oh. I didn't follow that story all that much but wasn't he related to the royals or something?
 Quoting: aNONaMITTy


Seems American lives are of no value to these people. Beware American traveler!
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 13828320


You will have a culture shock. Much less fear in daily society and much less government trying to hammer you down with causes for fear.
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 4542677


Agreed, I didn't realize how paranoid American society is until I left for a while. I love travelling overseas but I hate coming back home again.
aNONaMITTy  (OP)

User ID: 9834739
United States
08/17/2012 05:53 PM
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Re: Moving to The Netherlands, Tell Me What to Expect!
...





Oh. I didn't follow that story all that much but wasn't he related to the royals or something?
 Quoting: aNONaMITTy


Seems American lives are of no value to these people. Beware American traveler!
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 13828320


You will have a culture shock. Much less fear in daily society and much less government trying to hammer you down with causes for fear.
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 4542677


Agreed, I didn't realize how paranoid American society is until I left for a while. I love travelling overseas but I hate coming back home again.
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 17152779





Exactly. I've lived in Canada and it was a breath of fresh air. I read about a person that had culture shock when she returned to the US.
"We are the music makers. And we are the dreamers of dreams." Willy Wonka
aNONaMITTy  (OP)

User ID: 9834739
United States
08/17/2012 05:54 PM
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Re: Moving to The Netherlands, Tell Me What to Expect!
I'll be back in about 30 minutes.


bump
"We are the music makers. And we are the dreamers of dreams." Willy Wonka
Ral

User ID: 1923980
Netherlands
08/17/2012 05:58 PM
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Re: Moving to The Netherlands, Tell Me What to Expect!
They have free healthcare. I was there as a tourist about 20 years ago and my friend needed to go to the emergency room. We were worried about how we would pay but it didn't even cost a dollar. The doctors were surprised that we were surprised at FREE healthcare.

The people there are pretty nice, slightly mercenary, and don't have a lot of respect for what they perceive as the violence of Americans. They can't understand our gun rights, the high crime rate, and all the wars we are "involved" in.

They are very efficient and clean. Many of them wash and scrub (with a scrub brush) the sidewalk in front of their house DAILY. The Dutch language sounds like English with a very heavy German accent, it's kind of cool to listen to it. The food is not very creative, lots of potatoes and cheese, kind of like Switzerland.

I enjoyed my time there.
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 858876


20 years ago? A lot has changed since then.

Health care is not free. A health care insurance is compulsory now.
Ral

User ID: 1923980
Netherlands
08/17/2012 06:01 PM
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Re: Moving to The Netherlands, Tell Me What to Expect!
I'll be moving to The Netherlands soon. I just need to find a room to rent somewhere.

What can I expect? Culture shock? Immigrant prejudices?



Where do GLP'er's hang out over there? LOL! lmao
 Quoting: aNONaMITTy


You cannot stay for longer than 3 months without a permit. And if you plan to work over here: have you applied for a work permit (as a non-EU citizen you need that) or a student permit?
Halcyon Dayz, FCD

User ID: 19507663
Netherlands
08/17/2012 06:02 PM
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Re: Moving to The Netherlands, Tell Me What to Expect!
Lots of Atheists
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 1164151

the majority of the country is very strict, uptight religious ("reformed").
 Quoting: Belgian Coward 15782258

Only in the Bible Belt.

At the latest count 16.6% of the population is protestant, 48.4% is "no religion".
book
Reaching for the sky makes you taller.

Hi! My name is Halcyon Dayz and I'm addicted to morans.
Ral

User ID: 1923980
Netherlands
08/17/2012 06:05 PM
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Re: Moving to The Netherlands, Tell Me What to Expect!
Netherlands immigration laws require citizens to pass a difficult test demonstrating Dutch language fluency and cultural knowledge
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 22143126





Yes. I'm a little nervous about the language part. But, my understanding it's basic things and not actually a command of the language.

As for this thread, I'm trying to learn all I can about their culture.
 Quoting: aNONaMITTy


The test also,covers societal topics. Study hard, because the test asks questions we don't even know the answer to.
Ral

User ID: 1923980
Netherlands
08/17/2012 06:07 PM
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Re: Moving to The Netherlands, Tell Me What to Expect!
Yes you can ride a bike and everything is flat and crowde with people, not only around the big cities.
And almost everybody speaks English, so that's nice for a starters..
 Quoting: Momo 13113022





I have noticed that a lot of the Dutch speak English. That will make it nice for me. But, I plan to learn the language as best I can too.

I didn't realize outside of the cities is crowded. That kinda sucks!
 Quoting: aNONaMITTy


Move to the north or east. That is not crowded at all.
my2centsworth

User ID: 5382682
Canada
08/17/2012 06:12 PM
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Re: Moving to The Netherlands, Tell Me What to Expect!
it's very easy to live in the netherlands. i got used to the coffee shops pretty easily, and dutch is super easy to learn. riding your bike everywhere is nice, too..
 Quoting: chula homa


Many places will have someone that speaks english... So you won't have a difficult transition with the language.. you can learn Dutch while still using english.

I find my Dutch cousins know how to party! They are on this earth for a good time... and they have a good time.

At the beach you will see "wind screens" set up that people will set up, to sit out of the wind on the North Sea. (don't see them here in Canada, I don't know if you use them in the states or not.. but they are sure handy)

Fresh food and flowers sold everywhere... and the croquets and lumpias are great ... often sold at stalls, like chip stands here. mmm mmm good! and not expensive. Coffee on the other hand is very expensive.. good, but expensive, often served with a small cookie.

Oh how I wish I was going to Holland too. You will love it there, I'm sure.
Anonymous Coward
User ID: 21212482
France
08/17/2012 06:18 PM
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Re: Moving to The Netherlands, Tell Me What to Expect!
Netherland verry good choice. One of the most civilated EU country
Anonymous Coward
User ID: 19984125
Belgium
08/17/2012 06:22 PM
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Re: Moving to The Netherlands, Tell Me What to Expect!
"suck 'n' fuck"
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 21933449


lolsign
Ral

User ID: 1923980
Netherlands
08/17/2012 06:22 PM
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Re: Moving to The Netherlands, Tell Me What to Expect!
Oh! When you eat in Netherlands, you must put your hands ON the table while eating. If you put your left hand in your lap like we do here, it's considered very rude..
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 2526511


Incorrect. Keep one hand in you lap. But more important: use you knife too! Don't cut your food with a fork!
Ral

User ID: 1923980
Netherlands
08/17/2012 06:24 PM
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Re: Moving to The Netherlands, Tell Me What to Expect!
My favorite part is the crosswalks turn the light red almost instantly for half the road, and the other half stays green. When you get in the middle you click another button and in changes the other side to red and the one behind you to green, also almost instantaneously.

Ohh, ya and the white widow.
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 8230787


No it must have been a misprogrammed light.
my2centsworth

User ID: 5382682
Canada
08/17/2012 06:25 PM
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Re: Moving to The Netherlands, Tell Me What to Expect!
it's very easy to live in the netherlands. i got used to the coffee shops pretty easily, and dutch is super easy to learn. riding your bike everywhere is nice, too..
 Quoting: chula homa


Many places will have someone that speaks english... So you won't have a difficult transition with the language.. you can learn Dutch while still using english.

I find my Dutch cousins know how to party! They are on this earth for a good time... and they have a good time.

At the beach you will see "wind screens" set up that people will set up, to sit out of the wind on the North Sea. (don't see them here in Canada, I don't know if you use them in the states or not.. but they are sure handy)

Fresh food and flowers sold everywhere... and the croquets and lumpias are great ... often sold at stalls, like chip stands here. mmm mmm good! and not expensive. Coffee on the other hand is very expensive.. good, but expensive, often served with a small cookie.

Oh how I wish I was going to Holland too. You will love it there, I'm sure.
 Quoting: my2centsworth


I forgot to mention, public bathrooms are few and far between... when you find one, be prepared to pay for the use of the facilities.. I found restaurants, would, if pressed, let you use their facilities, but again, you would be expected to pay. That took some getting used to. There is an attendant in many public bathrooms, who is there to clean and make sure people don't abuse the place, and ensure people pay. Consiquently the bathrooms were clean and well maintained.
aNONaMITTy  (OP)

User ID: 9834739
United States
08/17/2012 06:28 PM
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Re: Moving to The Netherlands, Tell Me What to Expect!
flood hidingtomato
 Quoting: Dirt Diver




Heh! I was just on an earthquake thread, LOL! How are you today?
 Quoting: aNONaMITTy


Fine, thank you.
unfortunately some people got tricked into believing it is quite safe to live under sea level
not that i am 100s of meters above it, but below sealevel would bother me

Hope you find a exellent place
younger generations are familiar with english so it will be no trouble getting around, very open minded
very cosy people too, those dutch
best regards
 Quoting: Dirt Diver


I thought you as a belgian would've known that the dutch conquered the sea years and years ago.

-> [link to www.youtube.com]
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 1138051




On another thread, the Dutch were telling me that your country sank itself to win a war against Spain. Do you know any more about that? I tried to google it but didn't find much.
"We are the music makers. And we are the dreamers of dreams." Willy Wonka
Ral

User ID: 1923980
Netherlands
08/17/2012 06:28 PM
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Re: Moving to The Netherlands, Tell Me What to Expect!
- in general the establishment, economic and political power lies within North and South Holland (Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague).
- Holland represents another mentality, more bragging and louder, where Provincialen are more modest and reserved.
- Holland often falsely represents the Netherlands in foreign countries.

This is why Provincialen (ppl from the other provinces) dislike Hollanders I suppose.
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 972619


Which is fucking retarded because at max., you're what, 100-200 kilometers apart.
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 15993935


Which is true, but blame it on the Hollander's mentality. The Netherlands is the only country in the EU where province dialects are not tolerated on national TV. Hollanders frown on "Provincialen" (mind you, even the term is derogative)
aNONaMITTy  (OP)

User ID: 9834739
United States
08/17/2012 06:30 PM
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Re: Moving to The Netherlands, Tell Me What to Expect!
I'll be moving to The Netherlands soon. I just need to find a room to rent somewhere.

What can I expect? Culture shock? Immigrant prejudices?



Where do GLP'er's hang out over there? LOL! lmao
 Quoting: aNONaMITTy


You cannot stay for longer than 3 months without a permit. And if you plan to work over here: have you applied for a work permit (as a non-EU citizen you need that) or a student permit?
 Quoting: Ral





I have my contacts, thanks. And if need be, I can come back home and apply for the MVV thing.
"We are the music makers. And we are the dreamers of dreams." Willy Wonka
aNONaMITTy  (OP)

User ID: 9834739
United States
08/17/2012 06:31 PM
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Re: Moving to The Netherlands, Tell Me What to Expect!
Lots of Atheists
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 1164151

the majority of the country is very strict, uptight religious ("reformed").
 Quoting: Belgian Coward 15782258

Only in the Bible Belt.

At the latest count 16.6% of the population is protestant, 48.4% is "no religion".
book
 Quoting: Halcyon Dayz, FCD





Where is the bible belt in The NL?
"We are the music makers. And we are the dreamers of dreams." Willy Wonka
aNONaMITTy  (OP)

User ID: 9834739
United States
08/17/2012 06:31 PM
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Re: Moving to The Netherlands, Tell Me What to Expect!
Netherlands immigration laws require citizens to pass a difficult test demonstrating Dutch language fluency and cultural knowledge
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 22143126





Yes. I'm a little nervous about the language part. But, my understanding it's basic things and not actually a command of the language.

As for this thread, I'm trying to learn all I can about their culture.
 Quoting: aNONaMITTy


The test also,covers societal topics. Study hard, because the test asks questions we don't even know the answer to.
 Quoting: Ral





Do they have study guides for the test?
"We are the music makers. And we are the dreamers of dreams." Willy Wonka
Ral

User ID: 1923980
Netherlands
08/17/2012 06:32 PM
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Re: Moving to The Netherlands, Tell Me What to Expect!
people there are extremely rude and crass, they rarely bathe and seem to be very comfortable farting right next to you as you eat at the restaurant.
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 22093672


He wasn't asking about China :-)
aNONaMITTy  (OP)

User ID: 9834739
United States
08/17/2012 06:32 PM
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Re: Moving to The Netherlands, Tell Me What to Expect!
Yes you can ride a bike and everything is flat and crowde with people, not only around the big cities.
And almost everybody speaks English, so that's nice for a starters..
 Quoting: Momo 13113022





I have noticed that a lot of the Dutch speak English. That will make it nice for me. But, I plan to learn the language as best I can too.

I didn't realize outside of the cities is crowded. That kinda sucks!
 Quoting: aNONaMITTy


Move to the north or east. That is not crowded at all.
 Quoting: Ral





Good! I kinda like to be in a less populated area at some point. Thanks.
"We are the music makers. And we are the dreamers of dreams." Willy Wonka
aNONaMITTy  (OP)

User ID: 9834739
United States
08/17/2012 06:34 PM
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Re: Moving to The Netherlands, Tell Me What to Expect!
it's very easy to live in the netherlands. i got used to the coffee shops pretty easily, and dutch is super easy to learn. riding your bike everywhere is nice, too..
 Quoting: chula homa


Many places will have someone that speaks english... So you won't have a difficult transition with the language.. you can learn Dutch while still using english.

I find my Dutch cousins know how to party! They are on this earth for a good time... and they have a good time.

At the beach you will see "wind screens" set up that people will set up, to sit out of the wind on the North Sea. (don't see them here in Canada, I don't know if you use them in the states or not.. but they are sure handy)

Fresh food and flowers sold everywhere... and the croquets and lumpias are great ... often sold at stalls, like chip stands here. mmm mmm good! and not expensive. Coffee on the other hand is very expensive.. good, but expensive, often served with a small cookie.

Oh how I wish I was going to Holland too. You will love it there, I'm sure.
 Quoting: my2centsworth





Well, come on over. You only live once, eh?
"We are the music makers. And we are the dreamers of dreams." Willy Wonka
aNONaMITTy  (OP)

User ID: 9834739
United States
08/17/2012 06:35 PM
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Re: Moving to The Netherlands, Tell Me What to Expect!
Netherland verry good choice. One of the most civilated EU country
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 21212482





Nice! That sounds good to me. And thank you. Do you visit there?
"We are the music makers. And we are the dreamers of dreams." Willy Wonka
Ral

User ID: 1923980
Netherlands
08/17/2012 06:36 PM
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Re: Moving to The Netherlands, Tell Me What to Expect!
Got caught with kilo of crack in suitcase.
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 21841759





Ohhhhhh! So you got deported then? Any jail time?
 Quoting: aNONaMITTy


Aye I got stuck in jail for 4 days the got bail - I wnt to British embassy and they got me flight home.
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 21841759





You're lucky it was only 4 days and lucky you got bail too. I know of people who can't get the bail money and have to sit there.
 Quoting: aNONaMITTy


There are no bail possibilities in the Netherlands. So the story seems fishy to me
aNONaMITTy  (OP)

User ID: 9834739
United States
08/17/2012 06:36 PM
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Re: Moving to The Netherlands, Tell Me What to Expect!
Oh! When you eat in Netherlands, you must put your hands ON the table while eating. If you put your left hand in your lap like we do here, it's considered very rude..
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 2526511


Incorrect. Keep one hand in you lap. But more important: use you knife too! Don't cut your food with a fork!
 Quoting: Ral





Okay. I am sure I'll have to watch what others do for a while too. Thanks.
"We are the music makers. And we are the dreamers of dreams." Willy Wonka
aNONaMITTy  (OP)

User ID: 9834739
United States
08/17/2012 06:38 PM
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Re: Moving to The Netherlands, Tell Me What to Expect!
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Ohhhhhh! So you got deported then? Any jail time?
 Quoting: aNONaMITTy


Aye I got stuck in jail for 4 days the got bail - I wnt to British embassy and they got me flight home.
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 21841759





You're lucky it was only 4 days and lucky you got bail too. I know of people who can't get the bail money and have to sit there.
 Quoting: aNONaMITTy


There are no bail possibilities in the Netherlands. So the story seems fishy to me
 Quoting: Ral





You don't have bail in The NL? Not that I'm concerned for myself, but it's still good to know how things work.
"We are the music makers. And we are the dreamers of dreams." Willy Wonka





GLP