Amsterdam, that is most likely the place you may have heard of. The Netherlands is my home country.
Tiny, in 3 hours driving you'll have crossed a border, no matter where in the country you'd be.
We are known for many stereo types: the wind mills, cheese and wooden shoes.
If you'd ever want to learn the language, Dutch, you'd have to spend time with the nuns.
As soon as Dutch people hear you're not from this country, they'll immediately start to speak English with you. Not very helpful in learning the language.
The language is best comparable with coughing and spitting, that is, for non Dutchies. :)
Schools don't have uniforms, dinner is served at 5pm in most households, not mine, but I've never been average, so don't compare with me, I'm not typical.
Birthdays are events where family and friends gather at the home of the birthday girl or boy, sit in a large circle and pass the cheese around. I know, it's all stereo-type, but it IS what is happening. In almost all households, not in mine haha.
Our culture doesn't speak about income, it simply is not done. Even though another stereotype is that the Dutch like everything for a bargain. And in a way, that holds some truth I guess.
Ah, let's not forget the bikes, bicycles that is, the most popular means of transportation. And we don't wear helmets, not even in city traffic. If you'd walk out of Amsterdam Central Station, you'd be impressed with the thousands of bikes that are parked there. Not exaggerated.
Okay, Amsterdam...city of the coffee shops. Some tourists think that everyone who lives here must be walking around stoned completely. Not true at all. On the other hand, you will always find a coffeeshop at a walking distance. They are not hard to find, that is, if you can smell with your nose.
The standard dish served in the average home will at least have boiled potatoes, veggies, some meat (not in vegan homes) and gravy. Boiled potatoes...something I eat once, max twice a week.
This country is multi culteral, meaning that you can find here anything you'd need to prepare an exotic dish, healthy as well.
The most famous word is 'gezellig'...don't try to pronounce it, the first and last letter will make it that 'coughing and spitting', It is used on various ocassions, in groups, at dinner, at a party...it means something like fun, good atmosphere.
One other thing that is pretty amazing. And even though I've lived here for 52 years now, I've seen this in real life only once, about 10 years ago....and it's breath taking beautiful. Our flowerbulb fields.
Welcome to The Netherlands, hope you've enjoyed your stay!
pictures: cityknows.com
costerdiamonds.com
I lived in Amsterdam op de Nieuwmarkt for 15 years. I started AmsterdamEscape.com back in 2000 on the Geldersekade when the internet was just starting. The two search engines were Yahoo and Looksmart, no one heard of Google. Amsterdam is an amazing city but I found the locals not so nice.
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Locals often give the impression they don't like tourists. Yet, without tourists the city would never be what it is now.
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well in the centre of Amsterdam where I lived locals did not like tourists as there are just too many of them, always walking on the cycle paths (really annoys locals) but the city council love tourists for the taxes.
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