Visit The Netherlands - 5 Things You Will Love & Hate about The Netherlands - Wolters World
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Date: 2022-02-04
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Comments and reviews: 10
Jenny
Our time in the Netherlands wasnt entirely positive. We unexpectedly experienced a lot of anti-American jabs. From not funny jokes about gun violence in the US to comments about the superiority of the Netherlands over America in terms of acceptance of immigrants (this was the spring after Trump took office. Were not political people so it was shocking! I asked an airport official about the correct line to be in and received a comment about in the Netherlands everyone is equal so so go to the end of the line! I wasnt asking for any kind of fast track scenario, simply needed to find the correct line to stand in. We see ourselves as ambassadors from America when we travel. We consider ourselves to be friendly, open to new experiences and eager to learn. We try to leave positive impressions wherever we go. (Dispel the loud, entitled American myth. The sarcasm mentioned in the video hit very sensitive spots. Id never go to their country & comment about their most politically charged topics, we wish they had done the same. When traveling we like to escape the political BS that is so prevalent in America. The gun deaths are a national disgrace. Not something to joke about. The DAILY references to American problems was wearing. We did receive incredible hospitality from the kettle one distillery (amazing place, incredible people) and a wonderful small Italian cafe near our hotel in Amsterdam was our respite from two incredibly stressful days of rudeness as we toured a few surrounding cities. Weve never traveled to a country & been faced with bias from airport arrival to departure. Beautiful architecture, gorgeous weekend farmers markets, amazing museums, awesome food experiences (if only one bite youve got to try the pickled herring experience. Word of caution, when attempting to cross the street, look left to right, repeat at least two times more before crossing because cyclists definitely own the streets! It should be a law that every bike has a little ding- ding warning bell on their bikes because they stop for no one! (Talk about silent assassins. Unless for business reasons, I dont expect to return to the Netherlands. Interesting place to visit for a few weeks but I feel no desire to return.
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Our time in the Netherlands wasnt entirely positive. We unexpectedly experienced a lot of anti-American jabs. From not funny jokes about gun violence in the US to comments about the superiority of the Netherlands over America in terms of acceptance of immigrants (this was the spring after Trump took office. Were not political people so it was shocking! I asked an airport official about the correct line to be in and received a comment about in the Netherlands everyone is equal so so go to the end of the line! I wasnt asking for any kind of fast track scenario, simply needed to find the correct line to stand in. We see ourselves as ambassadors from America when we travel. We consider ourselves to be friendly, open to new experiences and eager to learn. We try to leave positive impressions wherever we go. (Dispel the loud, entitled American myth. The sarcasm mentioned in the video hit very sensitive spots. Id never go to their country & comment about their most politically charged topics, we wish they had done the same. When traveling we like to escape the political BS that is so prevalent in America. The gun deaths are a national disgrace. Not something to joke about. The DAILY references to American problems was wearing. We did receive incredible hospitality from the kettle one distillery (amazing place, incredible people) and a wonderful small Italian cafe near our hotel in Amsterdam was our respite from two incredibly stressful days of rudeness as we toured a few surrounding cities. Weve never traveled to a country & been faced with bias from airport arrival to departure. Beautiful architecture, gorgeous weekend farmers markets, amazing museums, awesome food experiences (if only one bite youve got to try the pickled herring experience. Word of caution, when attempting to cross the street, look left to right, repeat at least two times more before crossing because cyclists definitely own the streets! It should be a law that every bike has a little ding- ding warning bell on their bikes because they stop for no one! (Talk about silent assassins. Unless for business reasons, I dont expect to return to the Netherlands. Interesting place to visit for a few weeks but I feel no desire to return.
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Franky
with the tipping aspect, it makes be think of the dislike towards to term boss, its an employer a dog has a boss with or something like that will be the response.
Its also appreciated if u take your empty drinks back towards the bar, u treat the place with respect and contribute equally towards a nice atmosphere.
just imagine how weird it must be to live like that and then see foreign clips of customers just berating the staff and the staff just so desperate to please and the customer not having any of it, comparable to hitting someone knowing they won't hit back its so shameful and bad in all kinds of ways.
In the Netherlands, u can expect a low amount of class division and even busboys that bark back if u are a dick or think u can talk a certain way just because they are busboys.
never will u see a customer here demand the firing of someone working, everyone knows and believes in the established rights of working people, same as that an employer can't just fire someone or evict a person.
if u treat everyone equal u will not even notice any annoyance as expectations adjust towards a more equal standing at least that is another perspective to see it from.
honestly, can imagine how it might seem from different perspectives, people with different customs and some cultures differ even more, Americans have a harder time getting used Dutch vs the British for example.
as there is also a lot to say about any culture than managed to get great emphasis on customer support and one could argue back and forth forever to what is better, nah its all better in each their own environment, change the environment and something else might become better the way i choose to look it from.
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with the tipping aspect, it makes be think of the dislike towards to term boss, its an employer a dog has a boss with or something like that will be the response.
Its also appreciated if u take your empty drinks back towards the bar, u treat the place with respect and contribute equally towards a nice atmosphere.
just imagine how weird it must be to live like that and then see foreign clips of customers just berating the staff and the staff just so desperate to please and the customer not having any of it, comparable to hitting someone knowing they won't hit back its so shameful and bad in all kinds of ways.
In the Netherlands, u can expect a low amount of class division and even busboys that bark back if u are a dick or think u can talk a certain way just because they are busboys.
never will u see a customer here demand the firing of someone working, everyone knows and believes in the established rights of working people, same as that an employer can't just fire someone or evict a person.
if u treat everyone equal u will not even notice any annoyance as expectations adjust towards a more equal standing at least that is another perspective to see it from.
honestly, can imagine how it might seem from different perspectives, people with different customs and some cultures differ even more, Americans have a harder time getting used Dutch vs the British for example.
as there is also a lot to say about any culture than managed to get great emphasis on customer support and one could argue back and forth forever to what is better, nah its all better in each their own environment, change the environment and something else might become better the way i choose to look it from.
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Bas
#1 Red Light District. You said it yourself: The Netherlands is more than Amsterdam. Don't go there. It sucks. Trust me, I was born in Amsterdam. #2 The stairs: Again. Find a hotel outside of Amsterdam. They are so much nicer. One of the best hotels imho is Kruisheren Hotel in Maastricht. It's not cheap, but worth every cent. #3 Service. Again. Find a cozy restaurant outside of the big cities. They are much cheaper also. But you still need to ask for the bill. :) #4 Bike lanes. Again: leave Amsterdam. When you are not in Amsterdam, people are in a less of a hurry, so they are not heat seeking missiles anymore and just steer around you. But then again, outside of Amsterdam is enough space on the sidewalk, so you don't have to be there anyway. Conclusion: Visit Amsterdam, but just one or two days. And by the way: our public transport really sucks. Rent a car. Leaves you more time enjoying your vacation (and the clean roads.
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#1 Red Light District. You said it yourself: The Netherlands is more than Amsterdam. Don't go there. It sucks. Trust me, I was born in Amsterdam. #2 The stairs: Again. Find a hotel outside of Amsterdam. They are so much nicer. One of the best hotels imho is Kruisheren Hotel in Maastricht. It's not cheap, but worth every cent. #3 Service. Again. Find a cozy restaurant outside of the big cities. They are much cheaper also. But you still need to ask for the bill. :) #4 Bike lanes. Again: leave Amsterdam. When you are not in Amsterdam, people are in a less of a hurry, so they are not heat seeking missiles anymore and just steer around you. But then again, outside of Amsterdam is enough space on the sidewalk, so you don't have to be there anyway. Conclusion: Visit Amsterdam, but just one or two days. And by the way: our public transport really sucks. Rent a car. Leaves you more time enjoying your vacation (and the clean roads.
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Marcus
SO you dont like, the sevice in the netehrlands becouse they leave you alone to enjoy your meal. and value privacy?
Waiters that come very 5 minute i garantee they will be chewed out and the place in question will lose bussines.
You dont like the Cycling lanes. becouse they run you over when walking there. they are CYCLING LANES you have no place beeing there, Marked in red, tons of signs on the lanes and street signs.
Walking there you can get a ticket for endangering others.
Dont like the unpredictable weather. something that is known for centruries an ocean climate. not to hard o look up before traveling.
And you dont like the tourist in amsterdam. well dont go there.
You dont like the stairs. what do you think these are centuries old houses older than the united states it self. they are build for practicle use, not for convienance.
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SO you dont like, the sevice in the netehrlands becouse they leave you alone to enjoy your meal. and value privacy?
Waiters that come very 5 minute i garantee they will be chewed out and the place in question will lose bussines.
You dont like the Cycling lanes. becouse they run you over when walking there. they are CYCLING LANES you have no place beeing there, Marked in red, tons of signs on the lanes and street signs.
Walking there you can get a ticket for endangering others.
Dont like the unpredictable weather. something that is known for centruries an ocean climate. not to hard o look up before traveling.
And you dont like the tourist in amsterdam. well dont go there.
You dont like the stairs. what do you think these are centuries old houses older than the united states it self. they are build for practicle use, not for convienance.
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iedzjee
Sorry mr Wolters, about the service you look at it fom a different perspective. In the Netherlands the client is supposed to be in a bar or restaurant for having a relaxed time, so one first finds him or herself a comfortable place, get to rest and than the witer or waitress will lookif you would like something. One shouldnt feel rushed and the same as for the bill. The client decides how long he wants te be there and decides when it is time to leave. Here it is seen as rude when the waiter presents the bill. It is a sign that the staff wants you to leave. Besides, the moment one has to think about the transaction takes away the welcoming feeling one is supposed to have.
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Sorry mr Wolters, about the service you look at it fom a different perspective. In the Netherlands the client is supposed to be in a bar or restaurant for having a relaxed time, so one first finds him or herself a comfortable place, get to rest and than the witer or waitress will lookif you would like something. One shouldnt feel rushed and the same as for the bill. The client decides how long he wants te be there and decides when it is time to leave. Here it is seen as rude when the waiter presents the bill. It is a sign that the staff wants you to leave. Besides, the moment one has to think about the transaction takes away the welcoming feeling one is supposed to have.
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Susie
Just realised that a great thing about your videos (the love and hate 1s) is that they help travelers manage their expectations!
I'm always reading reviews by people who, I can tell from what they're saying, didn't have much of an idea what to expect from whatever experience they're commenting on.
(That's why it's so important to READ the reviews and not just go by the rating bcos the ppl writing the reviews might be nothing like you and have different [cough unrealistic] expectations)
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Just realised that a great thing about your videos (the love and hate 1s) is that they help travelers manage their expectations!
I'm always reading reviews by people who, I can tell from what they're saying, didn't have much of an idea what to expect from whatever experience they're commenting on.
(That's why it's so important to READ the reviews and not just go by the rating bcos the ppl writing the reviews might be nothing like you and have different [cough unrealistic] expectations)
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Dion7
I like that dining in the Netherlands is treated like a night out. You're not there to eat and get kicked out. You're there to enjoy yourselves for a couple of hours. And the waiters leave it up to you to choose when you want to leave. I don't consider that bad service. It's just a cultural difference. I would expect a guy who travels around the world to be more aware of the fact that some things are not done out of rudeness, but considered polite from that country's perspective.
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I like that dining in the Netherlands is treated like a night out. You're not there to eat and get kicked out. You're there to enjoy yourselves for a couple of hours. And the waiters leave it up to you to choose when you want to leave. I don't consider that bad service. It's just a cultural difference. I would expect a guy who travels around the world to be more aware of the fact that some things are not done out of rudeness, but considered polite from that country's perspective.
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Debbie
I always find it so interesting that non-Dutch people consider it rude or not a great service if they dont get the bill right after theyve eaten. I consider it a great service that Im not being pushed to rush into paying. I can just take me time and pay/leave whenever I feel ready. It felt very rude to me when in - for instance - the States I barely even finished my drink or dinner and already got presented the bill!
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I always find it so interesting that non-Dutch people consider it rude or not a great service if they dont get the bill right after theyve eaten. I consider it a great service that Im not being pushed to rush into paying. I can just take me time and pay/leave whenever I feel ready. It felt very rude to me when in - for instance - the States I barely even finished my drink or dinner and already got presented the bill!
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Martha
I guess you too were one of those pesky tourists who bothered you so much in the red light district. And yes, stay out of those bike lanes, unless you are on a bike. They are there for a reason. I assume you don't walk on the railway tracks either when there is a train coming.
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I guess you too were one of those pesky tourists who bothered you so much in the red light district. And yes, stay out of those bike lanes, unless you are on a bike. They are there for a reason. I assume you don't walk on the railway tracks either when there is a train coming.
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Stefania
It's true, I'm a heat-seeking missile on my bike lol Fantastic videos on the Netherlands. I'm glad you made the distinction between Amsterdam and the rest of the country. Deventer would be a nice place to visit not too busy and absolutely gorgeous.
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It's true, I'm a heat-seeking missile on my bike lol Fantastic videos on the Netherlands. I'm glad you made the distinction between Amsterdam and the rest of the country. Deventer would be a nice place to visit not too busy and absolutely gorgeous.
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