A while ago, I made a video about the things that surprised me after moving from South Africa to the Netherlands. Some of those opinions sparked a lot of discussion, especially around Dutch directness, bike culture, King's Day, and the weather. Now that I've lived in the Netherlands longer, I wanted to revisit those first impressions and share what I think today. In this video, I talk about: • Dutch directness and whether it still feels rude • Why Dutch bike lanes seemed so intimidating at first • My updated thoughts on King's Day • The reality of Dutch weather after living here longer • Things I misunderstood when I first arrived • What I've grown to appreciate about Dutch culture • New surprises that only became obvious over time This video is an honest update from someone who has experienced Dutch life for a little longer. If you're considering moving to the Netherlands, already living here as an expat, or you're just curious about how Dutch culture compares to South African culture, I hope you enjoy it. Let me know in the comments: What's something about the Netherlands that surprised you the most? #Netherlands #DutchCulture #ExpatLife #SouthAfricanAbroad #livinginthenetherlands #MovingToTheNetherlands #Amsterdam #NetherlandsLife #LifeAbroad #SouthAfricaToNetherlands #DutchLife #CultureShock #ExpatInEurope #LivingAbroad #KingsDay #NetherlandsExpat
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The directness is a form of honesty and politeness actually, it is about respect.
Just stumbled upon your channel. Subscribed! Hope to see more of your videos. Anyway, welcome!
"Queensday" used to be on April 30th: Queen Juliana's birthday, which Queen Beatrix kept (her birthday is in January). But King Willem Alexander changed it to his birthday, April 27th. Many, many foreign tourists kept coming to Amsterdam on April 30th, expecting huge orange crowds, only to find out that kingsday now was on April 27th. I guess it took a while for tourist guides to catch up with this new date.
Funny, I am born in Uitenhage in South-Africa. Welcome here in the Netherlands! As for greetings, in the big cities people are not used to it. Outside, yes, they are. And yes, I am being told by my family back in SA crime rates are high, also the r*pe part.
Dutch "directness" comes from the Dutch calvinist (protestant) tradition where "honesty", hard work, not showing emotions and straight talk where the tools for international trade and negotiation. Capitalism with stock markets started in Amsterdam and society was business orientated. This attitude didn't stop in business live but was also part of private live with a rigid set of moral rules and behavior, still existing in a large part of the Netherlands. Result is that Dutch people are direct about what the think BUT not what they feel. Emotions where suppressed, like in any rigid society, and many feel uncomfortable dealing with it, so they rationally talk "over" emotions, rather then living them. There is a underlying fear for this unknown and undeveloped side of human expression. That's where bluntness comes at play and is sold als a virtue.
W.r.t. practicing Dutch: if you're trying to get something done and you don't want to waste their time (or of the people behind you), accept the (implicit) offer to switch to English for efficiency. When it's a more relaxed setting, just tell them you're working on your Dutch language skills and would appreciate them speaking Dutch with you.
Just found your channel. Leuk :) Subscribed.
Baai goed 👍
4:30 4000 euros to get a driving license? I did the ANWB rijopleiding en it costed me 2300 euros. Just checked and they say it ranges between 1800 and 3000 euros, depending on how much lessons you need.
Hoi Megan, ik dag dat je van Youtube vertrokken was, maar welkom terug!
We've had weeks of beautiful sunny warm weather.
Our weather is part of the deal. Unpredictable i like that.
Hey Megan. Nice to meet you for the first time. Just to make you a bit more relaxed or Zenn. I'm a 62 years old Dutch grandpa. Born and raised Dutch. And I still don't like the Dutch weather. Only like sun, summer and warm weather. I got used to it but that's it 👍🏻
I was in South Africa in 2002, to see the total solar eclipse, and to travel around to places like Jo’burg (where I was warned not to go out after dark), Pretoria, Musina near Zimbabwe (for the eclipse), and Durban. It is a beautiful country. So sad to see people living in gated communities or having huge fences, etc. Black people getting screwed again, this time by their own people (ANC). Always listening to Jacaranda Radio, I really enjoyed that station. I was careful and didn’t have any bad experiences, but every day I read in the local papers about the violent robberies, people being killed for a few hundred bucks. Very sad. If it wasn’t for the crime, I would seriously consider moving there.
jy is welkom :)
About not wanting people to go into English because you want to learn Dutch, just tell them! This is where Dutch directness is very useful and off course not bother us at all, and since almost all of us know multiple languages we will also understand it as well.
You're welcome!👍😂
Do try small talk with other dog owners! That's the best ice breaker.
Do Englishspeakers learn a little Afrikaans at school?
Expecting random Dutch people to help you learn Dutch is pretty rude. You're essentially making demands on, and thereby disrespecting, their time. Some people will be willing, but others will switch to English to save time. It's not their job to be your coach.