10 Reasons Why I Love the Netherlands (As an American)

What do you like about the Netherlands? 🧡🇳🇱

More than anything we Dutch people love hearing from others how awesome our country is. Kudos to you 😊

One thing I feel you missed about being homeless in the Netherlands is that, compared to many other countries) us that they're treated as actual human beings and for better or worse get the help they're able or want to get.
I was homeless for just over a year when I was 19. I had depression and a massive addiction. Within 2 weeks of losing my old student room, I had a room in a homeless shelter, yes an actual room to myself. I got fed 3 times a day, could go and leave whenever I wanted and there was even a room where things like needles where handed out and people could use drugs under the supervision of a trained nurse. There always was a team nearby to help me with things like keeping my room clean to filing taxes and applying for rehab. I still feel I was the one who pulled myself out of homelessness, but could never have done that without the care the Netherlands offers to their homeless population.

As for working overtime in the Netherlands: Most of us are ok to work extra hours if it is really needed and if it is effective (like close to an important deadline), but not when it would be a 'regular' excercise, that would just be considered as 'bad planning' and 'not my problem'.

Being dutch you tend to forget the good things of your country, and focus on everything that is bad or wrong. Your video opened my eyes again on the good stuff and made me proud of my country and my people again. Thank you!

I'm Austrian and I love the Netherlands. I visit Amsterdam at least once every year, this year I visited also Rotterdam. The people are friendly, open, I like their energy and the architecture is so incredibly charming. However, Amsterdam can be a bit of an overload due to massive overtourism. During lockdown, I started learning Dutch (which is not very difficult for a German native speaker) and I'm frequently getting my news from Dutch newspapers now. I consider looking for a job in the Netherlands and moving there.

I spent 4 years in Sweden, and many of the things you describe are also true there. (I am American as well.) Nearly everyone speaks English, minimal choice of consumer products (which is just fine), work-life balance, ease of travel, lots of bikes, over-achieving is not considered a virtue, etc. I was so sad to come back to the US, and the culture shock was severe.

Hi David, the Dutch also speak English (and other languages) so well, because all tv programs and movies in foreign languages are subtitled in Dutch, while the UK, USA, Germany, France f.i. all dub their movies. That helps the learning a lot.

One of the best things in the Netherlands is the energy of the people. A couple years ago when I lived in this country I couldn't even talk in english due to my low level of speaking and comprehension. And I still felt very comfortable, peaceful and happy amongst the people - like a cat :D They radiate positive energy. And I felt like "more myself" than in my own country because their mentality, positive attitude, not-judging was contagious and reflected on me. I really can't wait to return to this beautiful country.

As a Dutch person you almost made me blush.
We ourselves seem to forget sometimes what a great country we live in. Thank you!

Well said, nice video! I lived in another country (Turkey) for 24 years and after that I moved to the NL. The nicest thing I noticed is how friendly and kind people are. For example saying hi to the bus driver, thanking the cashier in a shop, wishing the waiter a good day in a restaurant, greeting people passing by while walking on the street etc. I was really not used to this kind of behaviour and I was positively surprised.

I am Dutch (from the Caribbean part of the Netherlands) and while doing my MBA in Pittsburgh I had a B average which was the requirement, but than my dean told me that I was an underachiever and I asked why? He told me to go for the A's, which I did, straight A's for the rest of the MBA program. Back home when applying for jobs no one ever asked to see my grades, you graduated that was always enough.

"Doe normaal" is the short version of "Doe maar normaal, dan doe je al gek genoeg", meaning "When you act normal you are already crazy enough", meaning pretty much what you explain in the video :-)

Left The Netherlands 7 years ago to live in Thailand. I love to live in Thailand but when I saw your video, it almost made me cry, missing my home country. Thank you ❤

Recently moved to the Netherlands from South Africa. I am utterly inlove with the Netherlands. Sure, vad weather and all, but everything here is 100x better than in my home country.
I love that even if it rains, people still walks their dogs, ride their bicycle and go to the gyms. It is amazing.

Als mede-Nederlander heel erg bedankt voor het maken van deze video. Ik waardeer het dat je van het land houdt. Je hebt eindelijk mijn ogen weer geopend en me laten beseffen hoe goed we leven, Liefs uit Nederland. 🇳🇱 ❤🇺🇸 (Are you able to read this without translating?)

Oh this is so funny to watch as a Dutch person! I actually noticed people seem to be pleasantly surprised by our openess and directness. I think because it also shows a level of confidence like “you see what you get”. And if I would come across rude…I wouldn’t lose sleep over it 😅

I am a Dutch person from the North Eastern side of the Netherlands and i hope you also come to visite our side of the Netherlands where we have beautiful nature. People in the North East are even more of the "Doe maar normaal" than the rest of the country. I really would recommend you would visit Friesland, Drenthe and Groningen for its beautiful sights.

As a Maastricht resident I'm proud you also value our "southern" beauty! When people talk about the Netherlands they mostley talk about Amsterdam and I always have to tell them: "We are so much more than that!"

As a dutch person I really feel blessed living here. It feels kind of weird saying that because i have never lived anywhere else. I just like the peacefullness structure and safety in my country and value it highly and know that this is not something to take for granted. Only thing I wish we had are mountains 😅

My dad is half Chinese-half Dutch ( mom is German Swiss ), so Im VERY familiar with Dutch bluntness.
Imagine the culture shock I had when I was transferred to Tokyo, Japan where seemingly every single conversation is heavily nuanced !

Wow! I just watched 2 of your videos. The piece about competition, how it easily results in feeling bad about oneself, so spot on for me. I was just bemoaning with my husband on how unproductive my 58 years of life has been, as just a housewife (after a 2-year college degree), despite the fact I've always been busy attending to the business of living for us. Now I care for my disabled Mother. All the other points you touched on in recently revisiting California also spot on. We live in Portland Oregon and have managed to design our lives to avoid most of those negatives. Supersize and superspend makes you supersick and superpoor! Intangibles is where contentment is.

I am Dutch (I grew up in Maastricht actually) but currently living abroad. What I've experienced is that, as someone with social anxiety and crippling insecurity, the Dutch directness is liberating indeed: I don't have to worry so much about what people might think of me or my work (which of course tends to drift off into the worst case scenario based on my own insecurities), because they'll just tell me to my face and I'll know exactly where I stand.
I greatly prefer the clarity and actionable improvement points negative feedback gives me, over the endless pondering and doubt.

love your channel. my sons wife is dutch, or was.. divorced now. ( thats ok.. theyre friendly) anyway, she learned English as a child, along with spanish, german and french i believe too. they met in ca in the sf bay area then yrs later moved to holland. my son had a hard time learning dutch, and seeing how she knew several languages had me wishing american schools taught us like this. im now addicted to your wonderful channel ❤

I just realised that happiness means being at peace with yourself and others, thank you!

As a Dutch person i can say that everything in this video is true!!! (And i also like when non-Dutch people say how awsome our country is! Thank you for this super video David Wen! En fijne dag nog! )

I agree with you when it comes to visiting Europe because it is not only expensive to travel to different European countries from the US and from other parts of the world but also time is the essence especially for those travelers who have to go back to work. However, it is also quite difficult to uproot from a place you have been living comfortably for more than 30 years especially for seniors, I think. Anyway, thank you for sharing your awesome insights and experience in the Netherlands. I am now one of your subscribers.

Love how we all are like "oh yeah the Dutch are quite humble" but the second a single video gets made that speaks positively about the country, somehow we sniff em out like hounds going "YEAHHHHH I KNEW IT! WE ROCK! WOOOO!" whilst also complaining about every single thing that's wrong with our country. It's a real emotional rollercoaster😂

The full saying is:"Doe normaal, dan doe je al gek genoeg."/"You're crazy enough just by acting normal." Meaning that by authentically being yourself you're your own unique being. No need to step outside of yourself to stand out.

I feel like the being honest part in the Netherlands is that we find honest communication so important! We would rather have someone tell everything that's on their mind than keeping secrets. Honesty is such a great way to learn and grow from each other. I love how direct we are haha!

I feel like in the Netherlands when someone (or I) ask what someone does for a job its more to know about the things we can talk about, even if you answer with a job that is usually looked down upon in other countries, like Truck Driver for example, they won't judge you and instead ask if its hard, whether you like it, why you started doing it etc. instead of acting like its such a bad job to have.

As a German, I think the Dutch are very friendly and not as direct as we are, haha, I was there a few times and I like to visit the Netherlands, because they are so friendly and you can bike everywhere.

This was awesome to watch, Bay Area transplants ourselves & looking to move out that way next year. Everything I've researched right now (even the "bad side" lists) are selling me more & more every day. But it was really great to hear the opinion from someone with a similar background

God bless the Netherlands! ❤
I have been in many different countries and it is the best in my opinion! Very clean, everything is good organized, the Dutch people are lovely and amazing ❤ Nice to see how families enjoying their time outside together 👍🏻 every time i get back to Netherlands from any trip i feel very grateful for being here 🙏🏻

So nice to hear you speak about the Netherlands. You can see it with different eyes than I do. I, an Amsterdammer, but living in Hoofddorp, think everything you say is normal. I think about the foreign trips I have made (yes also to the US and Canada), then I realize again what a good country the Netherlands is to live in.

This is an excellent video, and I believe that when more Americans see that this is working so well in Netherlands, it will become the focus of future changes and improvements in our society. Thank You, David! This fills me with such hope and joy.

As a Dutch person, thank you so much! Glad to hear you’re enjoying the Netherlands 😊🇳🇱

Love to watch these kind of clips. As a dutch citizen everything is normal to me. While from a different perspective (as yours) a lot of things we take for granted are just very special.

I come from Germany, literally a 3h ride away where I live now in the netherlands and the differences are amazing! Everything you mentioned is very true even if you're from a neightbouring country.
I like to joke and say going to the netherlands is like travelling 15 years into the future, and coming back to germany is like travelling 15 years back

I remember loving the Netherlands when I camped out for a couple of weeks many years ago. Thank you for this great video.

I am glad (for you) that you feel so happy here in the Netherlands, David. I do find it funny to note that someone who came from the US and is now living for a few years here, tends to look at certain things a lot more positive, than someone who has lived here for say 40 years (like me). The traveling for instance. If you have lived in the US, which is a big ass country, and where, like you described, you are still in the same city after 7 hours of travel, it must be awesome to be in a total different country after traveling for 5h from Amsterdam to Paris. Where an average Dutchie wouldn't even take a trip from Groningen to Maastricht because we find the 2,5h trip too long. Anyways, I quite enjoyed this clip and the newer one about the differences in work ethics between the US and the Netherlands. Enjoy your stay here

I just think you do a great job promoting the Netherlands! Thank's very much for doing that. And yes, we are somewhat direct.....

This is so true. I relocated to the Netherlands recently and I love this country for all these reasons! Wonderful people wonderful country!

Thank you for refreshing my view and perception of my country of birth. As a citizen I have taken all of this for granted. Your explanation made me aware of how fortuned I am to be born here and live here.

Even someone who doesn't know Dutch can understand the (written) words "een 6 is een studenten-10"
Many students just want a passing grade and 6 is good enough, but there're also Dutchies like me who'd strive to get closer to an actual 10 since we want to understand it all and want to be able to properly reproduce something when needed it in the field. However I never felt like I ever had to get the best grades in class to be able to get a proper job like I have now

I like that you actually cover not only Amsterdam. As a Dutch man in the Netherlands from Eindhoven (Brainport) with big companies like ASML, also on a company level we have a lot to offer. Personally I work at KPMG and I actually enjoy it a lot partly because I dont work at the local office.

I agree so much about the directness/egalitarian society part. I'm a university student and during a lecture a professor was talking about some of his own research and a student raised his hand and asked some very critical questions about the procedures, the interpretation of results and the relevancy of his research to the course we were taking. The professor was totally cool about it, tried to answer his questions as best as he could but also was upfront about things he would need to check over again. In the end he also thanked the student for the questions as he said it was good to be critical and evaluative of your own research. Really nice and eyeopening experience during the lecture, it made me respect the professor (and the student as well) a lot more.

wow David! I just finished watching your video and I'm feeling a strong desire to live in Netherlands. Good job!

I definitely feel privileged being born, raised and educated in the Netherlands, and I can agree with all your views on this country, except for one: I don’t think it’s a beautiful country… The cities you mention are great, but 2/3 of our surface is used for agricultural purposes, far more than we need to feed ourselves (the Netherlands has the second largest agricultural export in the world, only after the US). We don’t have mountains, no raw nature, every square inch is organized. Having said that, this is obviously a subjective matter. And as you said, I can get abroad very easy to find the nature we don’t have here.

To add to your point on Travel, Amsterdam Schipol International Airport is a very nice airport and is quite easy to navigate too. The signs are easy to follow and clear too. My mother and I love traveling through Schipol when we are flying to and from Finland and Florida!

This is such a good video, Well done David! I too have been in The Netherlands for just over 4 years and I couldn't agree more with your summary. I just wish I had spent more time getting to know some other internationals like yourself to share the experience with. Shout out to The Hague too (my home), what a great city!

Thank you for making me appreciate my country a bit more :) The Dutch complain ALOT, which is exhausting, but we have a pretty epic life and place to live :)

I grew up right on the Maastricht/Belgium border. It's a fantastic area. Wish the US would be a lot more like that, I hate having to have multiple cars, drive everywhere, kids have little to no autonomy here either.

I know we are often perceived as super rude in other cultures - directness is one of the things I appreciate most about Dutch people. I associate it with honesty and efficiency - you wanna hang out? No? All right!

When I was there on business we were so stressed over being an hour late to our first meeting with a client. Our rep in The Netherlands just said, _"You think they're gonna start the meeting without us?"_ He then stopped at a store and bought us liquor-filled chocolates that gave us a "buzz" just as we arrived!

He has a Brood on the wall!!! Back in the early 90s we used to open for Herman Brood and the Wild Romance for a festival tour.
He was a true tormented spirit, and withdrawn but when he went on stage or was wielding his rattle cans, he became a totally different person. Almost happy and very friendly (although most times we could not understand what he mumbled).

I always love the fact that our dedication to the bike gets overlooked and under appreciated. We are such a fan of bikers that every town, every city every house can be reached by bike. You can travel from north to south with the bike. They are even making bike HIGHWAYS.

Hi David, I have lived in the Netherlands and definitely I loved this country. You have mentioned about not being happy getting a 7/10 while Dutch kids were happy with a 6. Well as you have noticed in there many people speak more than on language and it is easy to find a kid speaking English German and Dutch. What I actually want to say is that learning in Europe is much more effective than in the US, I haven't personally studied in the US, but many friends that went to the US and back home they were below the average, and in the US they were above the average, and this is something that all of them told me is that the things they were learning in the US, they had already learned that 2 - 3 years before back in Europe.

You are very positive about my country, and I recognise what you said, almost 🙂
The positivity about the public transport in the Netherlands I hear a lot from foreigners.
But the Dutch people are complaining about the public transport every day, we, the Dutch are spoiled 🙂

I love the Netherlands too! (I’m from the U.K.!)😊 I’ve been coming to the country many times in a year since 2010. Made many friends and how wonderful and friendly the Dutch people are! I love how the road and cycle system works and other transportation as a whole! Also I love Dutch snacks like Stroopwafels! Also I LOVE all kinds of Dutch cheese! Mmmmm yummy 😋 Since Lockdown I’ve been learning Dutch and I’m at a A2 level at the moment! :) (I want to be fluent as much as I can, possibly up to B2) I’m planning to move to the Netherlands in the near future for better job prospects in my field of work (IT). Thank you for a fantastic video! :)

Doe normaal isn't about conforming as much as it's about not being annoying. No one cares if you're a flaming gay for example, just don't be obnoxiously loud in my face about it. You can be different and unique as much as you want, you can be the biggest over achiever, and likely people will actually respect you for it. As long as you treat others normally. No diva bs here.

I always get so happy when i see expats in the Netherlands talk about Netherlands. Its my go to place in times where media is very much complaining about everything. I used to travel a lot and i lived in the usa, Canada, australia and India and im just so happy that i can call the Netherlands my home. Because we sometimes forget how good we have it here. So thank you for your positive view!

Interesting video. Id like to add some things as a native Dutchie :)
03:06 we do have one liners for the first 3. For the first 2 you could just say 'Oh, pardon.' or 'sorry, mijn fout' for example if you bump into someone. But the latter ones are generally said in the same manner as the english line is. But in Dutch, obviously.
03:30 this does differ from person to person. And while we as a people do put alot of worth into beeing straight forward and honest. that doesent excuse people if they use it specificly to be rude. Specially not in a profesional setting. Beeing to straight forward or voicing an opinion to a superior in a job setting can get you into trouble (depending on the company and the superior in question) and we also have a counter saying to beeing to straight forward/negative. 'als je niets positiefs te zeggen hebt, zeg dan niets' which translates to 'if you got nothing positive to add, then please say nothing at all' but its a rather informal saying that youre more likely to hear it from mothers who quip it at nagging children then hear it in a profesional setting.
04:50 work/life balance is GENERALLY oke in this country but it can differ greatly from job to job. Some jobs, specially in the Rotterdam harbour have 3 staged shifts for example. In these you work a few days in the morning shift, then the afternoon shift followed by a night shifft and then followed by a few days of rest. However when you have one of these jobs your social life is basicly tossed out the window and you are expected to adjust your life rhytm to your job. You also get paid more for it then a normal job, obviously; but those jobs in particular have a horrendous work/life balance and theyre very common where I live (Rotterdam). Ive also worked jobs in logistics where working overtime was a rule, not an exception. But again its paid overtime and you will be told upfront about it so you know what you sign up for. Note that both these lines of work are very related to Rotterdam though. Its a very big port and the day/life balance here is abit different.
However most office or retail jobs tend to have fixed hours and generally speaking little to no overtime whatsoever.
06:42 can sadly add to the burnout story as well as ive burned out about 5 years ago. Yes we are cared for. Im still cared for after the 2 years expred and im receiving WW. Sort of tax funded sick leave I guess you could call it. But its not like burn out is rare here or doesent happen. Its happening at (sadly) an increasing rate as time goes on. And while there isent a stigma on burnout, most people dont understand burnout either. You get a little bit of sick and tired of hearing 'oh cant you just take a nap and be better?' after a few times....
13:33 we do have neighboorhoods that are abit more unsafe then others. But you are very unlikely to be shot or stabbed or something like that. Weapons arent as common here as some countries. However the crime rates are abit.... Misleading. Some crimes you can almost not report. Like stolen bikes or cars. The police generally shrug and tell you they cant help you with that. And thus are also not reported in the statistics. I mean yeah its petty crime but its not like nothing happens here. I dont know a single fellow Dutchie who hasent had at least a few bikes stolen for example. Can appreciate that for some countries only having that happen to you is a godsend but it gets pretty annoying pretty fast...
Cheers for the video. We Dutch sometimes forget how lucky we are with our country and our society and it helps to have the good things pointed out to :)

Thank you for your perspective. I guess I could say the same for Hawaii in many aspects, too. We aren't perfect, but when visitors come here, they remind us that there are a lot of good things about where we live. I certainly don't think we are as lucky as you, but I'm pretty sure you wouldn't turn down a chance to visit the islands. Aloha!

Thank you for this David! Very helpful and from all the similar videos, I love your communication style and storytelling/ examples the most

One thing that needs mentioning, is that "age" is not a thing here. You could be 70 years old, if you go to a club or a festival, nobody would even bat an eye. I'm nearly 60 myself and go to festivals regularly. I talk with young and old people alike and I don't even get remarks like "it so great that you still do this at your age" from the young people since it's such a non-issue!

I'm from Korea and I cannot agree with you more about directness and work-life balance! I am planning to move to the Netherlands now and those are the reasons why I want to move to NL!! Thank you so much for this video and your thoughts!

Hi David, I'm an Asian American (from NJ/NYC) who moved to Amsterdam as well! For the most part, it has been tolerant and welcoming but I do experience people asking where I'm "REALLY" from or why I don't just say I'm from the Philippines (I usually say I'm Filipino but I'm from the US). Sometimes it's felt more isolating here. Have you ever encountered similar interactions or even less friendly ones?

The brood Painting in the background was painted by the late Herman Brood, who origines from my hometown Zwolle. And in Zwolle we have church converted into a beautiful bookstore. Just a fun fact 😆

I will say that a good portion of Netherlands citizens do speak English but if you are in the countryside and catch and older person they may not know English. Most of the young crowd will know English and are very helpful. Actually I will be back in Amsterdam in a few weeks!

Thank you for the positiv outlook. Also came to Germany. We are also a great country with friend,y people. Take care. Greetings from Germany

Thanks, you explain doe normaal very well. It's nice to have this explained in a different way.

As a Dutch person, it really feels great to hear the good things you have to say. But also we have to improve as a country. altho we embrase people we also dont have to forget who we are, and where we came from. Hardworking individuals who are trying there best to make a living. To keep things afloat we must keep working hard. Regardless of what other countries make of us. arrogant, cheap whatever... we are small but just look what we accomplished... Sorry for my bad language... i feel if we cooperate wevan accomplisch great things. Stop the War. Heal the ill, end hunger. Those should be our goals.

Maastricht is incredibly nice, I live a few km away on the Belgian side of the border and the contrast is crazy when I go to Maastricht, everything is nicer. I visited other large dutch cities but none got that little "town" vibe like maastricht does.

I totally agree with you! I love living in NL too❣️ I really miss real Japanese food but other than food it’s so much better than living in Japan.

You're making me want to move there so badly it's gorgeous

Thank you for describing and experiencing our country in this way.

I think you find happiness with others by finding similarities and you find happiness with yourself in what makes you different.
So in order to create the most opportunity for happiness you need to switch up the perspectives on the two.

Dutch "rude" directness is never meant as a personal attack. It is simply the quickest way for someone to realize what and where a problem is without being vague and beating around the bush. It is about giving someone who makes mistakes the clearest info and best chance to take control of a problem themselves and offer them a chance to improve without sinking further.

When you turn it around, the "not being direct" can be very annoying for Dutch people in return. We got some friends from the UK and they are just so polite that its quite hard for us to understand what they really think. You kinda have to make that up from like non-verbal signs or gestures, things like that. For example, if you ask a Dutch person: Do you feel like having that for dinner or would you like to go there, stuff like that, you expect a simple yes or no in return. With my English friends you really have to listen and pay attention to how they say yes. If its like a "yeah sounds great" its a yes, but if its a "hmmm well, yeah..." thing it probably means no? Ill be like... cmon, I just asked for your opinion so no need to be shy about just giving it?

Thank you for this ❤🎉 you’re a gem!
10:00 idk why but I’m crying after you explained the different parts.. i can’t wait to leave 🇺🇸

once i started getting actual english classes at school, all the kids already spoke okay english. we actually expected other classmates to be able to hold long conversations in english. and the kids that didnt speak english, were kind of looked down upon (mean, i know). its mainly because of english entertainment on tv and media. i personally grew up watching english tv shows with subtitles. then eventually i completely skipped the subtitle part and knew a decent amount of english. thats the case for most kids here. and the kids who dont speak english well, are mostly brats because dutch youtubers suck... its true.

Very well received. Was amazed how well you expressed both sides , and kept a fair comparison.

And Japan wins the "Let's not say that" competition again!
I'm learning Japanese and it's very true. You have to learn at least three levels of polite speech, which is usually a completely different vocabulary, and when, where and how to use them.
And how to say things without saying them.
I think I might try to pick up a little Dutch next. It sounds interesting.

As portuguese, i can say that i loved Netherlands. I worked and lived in Utrecht and Egmond-Binnen (near Amsterdam). It was in 2004, first i arrived there. For me, the best country in europe at least, and i also lived in france and belgium. I met people from many places. Netherlands is a beautifull country and very organized. I can say so mutch but i will say, Dutch people are the best people i met as persons. Netherlands is an exemple in the world.

as a Dutchman this makes me proud! I like how you made this vid! thanks man :)

Hi David - thanks for your videos of the Nehterlands. I like them AND they were eyeopening to me.
I'm actually dutch, living for 53 years in Germany now, never understood why my parents came from Rotterdam to Nordrheinwestfalen - these people here are so stubborn in many ways - well, especially in my town. Why I'm telling this: I'm still struggeling with the german culture of living, living with each other, talking to each other and never understood, why german people often were/are offended with my kind of direct speaking to them. Or I ask them "can you come to the point". "...,please."
Well, now I know ... My dutch mentality is really different and I can't change my behavior. Also the efficiency of working, you're talking about.
When I visit siblings of my mother and their children in the Netherlands it's the only time I really feel at home. And even if I'm 55 years old now after seeing your videos I'll consider going back to the Netherlands. I'm divorced and my children are grown up. I want to be myself and live like that.

Hi David! Amsterdam sounds like a great place to live, work and play. Having gym classes in a church got me tickled - interesting to see how they maximize space. In Singapore, we are land-scarce and not much variety in weather as it is either sunny or rainy. People here do take all their annual leave (avg 4 to 5 weeks) to see the world. It is also quite competitive here and it’s nice to see a country like Netherlands offering a slower pace of living.

You can be a CEO..or a garbage collector...you do an honest days work?? You are both important..and both deserve respect!!
The balans between family life and work is important to us!! We work to live ...not live to work!!
No metal detectors at our schools!! No drills...for shool shooting incidents!! Parents..not having to worry about their child safetly at shool!!Children from a certain age.. can go to shool alone walking..or on a bike!! The young ones will be taken by a parent...no shool bus!!! Also playing outside alone without a parent supervision is possible from a certain age!! Mostly in groups.. depending on the age..
If i have a problem..or something is bothering me about someone...i will let them know...not to be rude..to me that is the highest form of respect..then we can talk about it..straighten things out...if i do something that upsets you?? Talk to me..let me know!!
no fake smiles ..how ya doing.( when i really don't want to know) i ask.. because i care...not to be polite!!
To me loyalty is important..but it will always come second to integrity..i can love and respect you..but do not expect me to defent you when you are in the wrong just because we are friends..how will you learn anything if i would!!
I will never hold back on calling you out on bullshit...not afraid on loosing a friendship..because if the friendship can't hold up....due to me.being honest to a friend..i have to evaluate if that frienship has any value!! I do not tell you..what you want to hear...but what you NEED to hear!!
I know...that is just me..but i think..many of these things will apply on many dutch people aswell!! Know your worth...but a little modesty never hurts anyone!!
Ohh and don't go all "eddy murphy" on me..... because i i might be tempted to ask you for your number( in case my granddaughter has a birthdayparty and i need a clown!!) Yep..big red nose..some flappy shoes..and you will do just fine!! Act normal..that is crazy enough!!

Even though we have bad weather most of the time, the seasons really are different from eachother and you can really notice if its like autumn or spring

Hi Dave, watched a couple of your videos . They are great, clean and informative ! I am Indonesian but did my master and worked in Holland for 4 years. And due to the Dutch occupation in Indonesia for 3.5 centuries, my grandma, my mom they all speak Dutch and thus my love for the language. Now my daughter will study in Holland as well in September....
Btw I studied in Toronto for 4 years and I can relate to both of your North American perspective and the Dutch ones as well. Goed gedaan hoor ! Cheers, Andy

Let's not forget about directness that the multi layered read between the lines communication requires training and exercise, starting from a young age, and therefore functions as a form of class distinction. It allows people to identify another as 'not one of us' by spotting the errors and faux pas. So the directness is in fact inclusive allthough foreigners might not experience it that way immediately.
The 6 culture in education is not free from criticism, but the idea behind it is that the bar is set quite high but a level you can manage, and you don't have to show off by going much higher because the education system is about your development rather than showing you are smarter than others. The US system is based on finding the best students, see who comes out on top in a highly competitive environment, it's demand driven. The Dutch system is supply driven, we have all these kids, they can't all be the best so let's develop them well so they will be able to clear this bar. It's more about developping talents, also the modest ones, than showing and measuring it.

Good to see you have been enjoying a lot of different parts of the Netherlands like Maastricht.

Direct but in a civilized manner! 👍🏻
I’m member of the Worker Council of a company. We have meeting with the Management members board every two months. Communication is on the same level likes close friends together. 😊
I think A good Government is the key!
With good regulations with Unions & workers council for companies.

As someone who hasn't been outside the US, I agree, lol. When I save enough money, I dream of moving to the Netherlands.

As a dutch person I completely agree, hope you'll stay here for much longer !

David appreciate your video it puts things back in perspective us as Dutch people how blessed we actually are living here. Maybe you could come visit Eindhoven some time? I would love to show you around in what we call ‘’the lightcity’’ and where they manufacture the chips for the whole world at ASML, maybe one of the most important companies in the world. So hit me up brother and maybe I’ll zie you soon 😉

I visited the Netherlands in 1969, when I was ten, and never stopped loving it, despite never having returned. I'm so grateful for your channel, David.

I also studied in Maastricht, and worked some time as docent. In Maastricht it always feels a bit you’re on holiday I think. And they have the best carnaval.
An interesting thing is that in Sweden they also have something like ‘doe normal’, I heard a Swedish actress telling that.
Not long after that I heard a story about a group of hunter/gatherers that was very egalitarian. The researcher gave as example that when a boy had performed well at the hunt, the elder people in the group start talking to him that he was nothing special, that it was just luck, and so on.
And I thought by myself: that’s our and the Swedish ‘doe normal’. Don’t ever, never think that you are better than the others just because you achieved something.
Apparently it’s the motto of the egalitarian society. Interesting isn’t it.

Very nice subject. Cross outlook between cultures is a big part in the marvel of living ! ❤