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Hammer-wielding teenager attacks Dutch policeman during robbery

Lina Leskovec
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Hammer-wielding teenager attacks Dutch policeman during robbery

On Tuesday (January 28), a police officer was hit on the head with a hammer several times when reacting to an electronics store robbery in Zaandam.

The two teenage suspects connected to the robbery are now in custody.

Violently resisting arrest

At around 2 PM yesterday, two Dutch teenagers robbed an electronics store on Zaandam’s Gedempte Gracht, reports NU.nl.

They smashed several display cases with a hammer and ran away with several stolen phones.

What they didn’t count on was the fact that police officers in civilian clothes were conducting training in the area and saw the young robbers running away.

An officer caught up with one of the suspects, who then proceeded to put up a violent fight.

The suspect hit the policeman several times on the head with a hammer. Nevertheless, the officer held him until his colleagues arrived and helped him.

Very young suspects

The suspect is a 17-year-old boy from Zaandam. He is now being held at the police station together with the other suspect, a 13-year-old boy from Amsterdam.

The 13-year-old was arrested by bystanders and handed over to the police.

The wounded officer had to be examined by a doctor but luckily didn’t have to be admitted to a hospital.

Meanwhile, all stolen goods were returned to the store owner.

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Watch out! King’s Day will not take place on April 27 this year

Lina Leskovec
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Watch out! King’s Day will not take place on April 27 this year

The beloved Dutch holiday of drinking in the streets while wearing the world’s most unflattering shade of orange is taking an unexpected turn this year — it will be celebrated on a different date.   

Instead of April 27, King’s Day will be celebrated a day earlier, on April 26. The same goes for King’s Night festivities — the party will start the night before on April 25. 

What’s behind this change? Christianity. 

Why the switch?

If you’ve just gotten used to the fact that King’s Day falls on April 27 instead of the old Queen’s Day of April 30, it’s time for another change. 

READ MORE | 8 things you should know about King’s Day in the Netherlands

The reason behind this switch might surprise you. According to In de Buurt, the notoriously secular Netherlands is basing its decision in Christian tradition. 

April 27, 2025, falls on a Sunday, which is, naturally, a day of rest. God can only forgive you for working on a Sunday if you’re a 15-year-old Albert Heijn employee; the rest of us have to take it easy. 

A merging of traditions

But it’s not necessarily the case that the king is on fire for the Lord.

Christian tradition has meshed into Dutch tradition, and as a result, the royal day hasn’t been celebrated on a Sunday for the past 45 years. 

READ MORE | Take me to… church? 10 types of converted religious buildings in the Netherlands 

This rule is even laid down in a royal decree, which King Alexander, of course, respects. Alternatively, this might be his way of thanking god for giving him the divine right to rule. 😉

In any case, we’re saying thank god for God. We’ll really put the rest in ‘rest day’ on the 27th and use the Sunday to cure our hangovers.  

How do you plan on spending this King’s Day? Let us know in the comments! 

Today in Dutch history: the tragic ‘Watersnoodramp’ flooding of 1953

Ceren Spuyman
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Today in Dutch history: the tragic ‘Watersnoodramp’ flooding of 1953

On February 1, 1953, one of the biggest natural disasters to ever hit the Netherlands took place. We’re talking about the Watersnoodramp, the largest flood that ever took place in the Netherlands.

It was a Saturday night, January 31, 1953, when the flooding began, continuing into Sunday morning. A storm surge hit the Netherlands, as well as the east coast of England, Belgium, and Germany.

As a result of the Watersnoodramp, over 2,100 people died across three countries, with more than 1,800 of them being in the Netherlands. Apart from the lives lost, this tragedy caused chaotic damage to livestock and homes.

How did the Watersnoodramp happen?

The North Sea is shaped like a funnel, so when a storm breaks from the north or northwest and pushes the water southward, it cannot drain. This causes the water to build up and raise the sea level further.

inside-of-a-grocery-store-after-1953-flood-netherlands
People lost their jobs, their homes and their lives to the flood. Image: Nationaal Archief/Flickr

It’s no surprise, then, that the 1953 flood was not the first one. A similarly tragic flood happened in 1916.

On Saturday, January 31, the KNMI (Royal Dutch Weather Institute) issued a bad weather warning for the night of Saturday to Sunday: On top of spring tide, which caused the water level to be higher than normal, a northwestern storm was on its way to the Netherlands.

Adding to this, the wind pushed the water up to rise higher and higher, making the sea reach a record height of four to five meters above the average sea level.

READ MORE | The Dutch build cities on sinking land: how will this fare with climate change? 

The first dikes were breached between 4 AM and 6 AM on Sunday, February 1, by the storm surge. In a short amount of time, 165,000 hectares of land were covered by seawater.

Image of a house submerged in water after the Watersnoodramp in 1953.
Within hours, large parts of the provinces of South Holland, Zeeland, and North Brabant were flooded. Image: Nationaal Archief/Flickr

Many people were caught unprepared — while some hadn’t heard of the warning, others chose to ignore it. Among the people who did get the news about the storm, about 72,000 people were evacuated.

After the flood

The consequences of the Watersnoodramp were dramatic.

Roads were destroyed, and telephone lines were down. In many regions, the only transportation possible was by boat. Cattle died in droves, crops failed, and thousands of homes became uninhabitable.

Most tragically, more than 1,800 victims perished in the Netherlands as a result of the flood, while another 105 were never found. Several unknown bodies were also buried in the days after the disaster.

The total estimated damage due to the flood was around 1.5 billion guilders, which is equivalent to around €5.4 billion today.

Aerial-shot-of-the-flooding-disaster-in-the-netherlands-in-1953
The devastation of the Watersnoodramp. Image: Agency for International Development/Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain

The 1953 flooding in the rest of Europe

The Netherlands was not the only country that felt the devastating effects of the 1953 flood. Countries like England, Belgium, and Germany were also badly hit.

According to the British Environment Agency, 300 people died in the UK, about 24,000 houses were destroyed, and 40,000 people were evacuated.

In Belgium, several dikes were breached, and areas of Ostend and Antwerp were flooded. Around 40 people lost their lives.

The Delta Works

After the disastrous results of the Watersnoodramp, it was unanimously agreed that protective measures be taken not just in the Netherlands, but in all of Europe. The iconic Thames barrier in Britain is one of the results.

READ MORE | Why the Netherlands isn’t underwater (VIDEO INSIDE)

In the Netherlands, the ideas were grander, and the Dutch government introduced Delta Works, a series of construction projects aimed at protecting low-lying areas from flooding. 

These staggering marvels of engineering are a big and lasting reminder that the North Sea will always impact the lives of the Dutch. It’s a system that is admired around the world to this day.

The Delta Works is a working process to handle flooding. In September 2008, reports showed that the Netherlands would need a massive new building program to strengthen the country’s water defences against the effects of global warming.

READ MORE | The Dutch built cities on sinking land: how will this fare with climate change?

The plans included drawing up worst-case scenarios for evacuations, and estimated costs at €100 billion. Yikes!

Lastly, here is an original 1953 news report, to show the disastrous effects of the 1953 flood (in Dutch):

Did you know about this Dutch tragedy? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Feature: Agency for International Development/Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain

Where are the ‘I amsterdam’ letters? The complete selfie guide

Samantha Dixon 🇦🇺
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4
Where are the ‘I amsterdam’ letters? The complete selfie guide

Here’s a riddle for you: what weighs 250 kilos, is two metres high, and features in around 6,000 selfies a day? The I amsterdam letters, of course! The iconic red and white blocks stood proudly on Museumplein for well over a decade, while hundreds of thousands of tourists happily got their holiday snaps. 

The I amsterdam letters were a marketing campaign which became the victim of its own success.

What happened?

In 2018, the Amsterdam municipality bowed to complaints of over-tourism and crowding, ultimately forcing the removal of the giant letters.

In the winter morning mist of December 3rd, 2018, the letters were hoisted onto a truck, leaving behind nothing but empty space — just the way the Amsterdammers wanted it.

But were the letters thrown in the nearby IJ-river? Of course not! Instead, they became a travelling circus, wandering the Netherlands, and popping up for festivals and events.

P.S. If you keep reading, you’ll find the top tip for getting the perfect snap!

Where are the I amsterdam letters now?

There is some good news. While the most famous letters were torn away from Museumplein in the heart of Amsterdam, there are still two sets of sister letters where you can get your photo fix. 📸

i-amsterdam-letters-tourist-attraction
Iconic attraction in an iconic location. Image: Depositphotos

I amsterdam letters at Schiphol Airport

If ticking off the I amsterdam letters is number one on your Dutch bucket list, this is for you!

Just outside Arrivals 1 in Schipol is a permanent set of the letters to satisfy your craving to snap a picture and start your trip to the Netherlands with a bang.

The airport keeps the landmark polished to make sure it can shine in your selfies. ✨

I amsterdam letters at Sloterplas Lake

The letters in Amsterdam’s West are a little different. While the letters ‘I am dam’ stand upright, ‘ster’ is lying down. This makes it the perfect spot for a picnic, but less so as a selfie spot. 🤳

The Sloterplas also makes up a free-running course, so there may be some athletically inclined people getting in your way — or vice-versa. 😬

I amsterdam letters on the road

The original Museumplein letters are now on the road. After touring the country, they now pop up in the surrounding region.

Is there a schedule or plan for this? Well, not a publically released one. We recommend checking out Instagram to see if you can spot some near you!

photo-of-i-am-amsterdam-letters-the-netherlands-infront-of-water-people-climbing-ontop-taking-pictures-busy-tourist-attraction
The letters can still be spotted in unexpected places. Image: Mariordo/Wikimedia Commons/CC4.0

Why were the main I amsterdam letters removed?

If you found a magic recipe that brings in loads of tourists, who spend all their money in your city, why take them away? Well, the concept worked a little too well.

The I amsterdam phrase was originally created by a Dutch advertising firm, KesselsKramer, as their own take on ‘I ♥︎ NY’.

However, there was one problem: Amsterdam-based designer, Vanessa van Dam, had already used a similar concept and design to ‘I amsterdam’ two years prior.

Luckily for her, the city of Amsterdam bought her out to the sweet tune of €20,000, despite finding that no copyright had been breached.

The letters landed in Museumplein in September 2004, patiently allowing thousands of tourists a day to climb, scrabble, and hug them.

Yet, in 2018, city councillor Femke Roosma, of the Groenlinks left-wing party, made a push for the removal of the letters. Roosma told The Telegraph that the letters contributed to overcrowding, and gave the wrong message about Amsterdam.

“The message of ‘I amsterdam’ is that we are all individuals in the city. We want to show something different: diversity, tolerance, solidarity,” argued Roosma. 

“This slogan reduces the city to a background in a marketing story. Amsterdammers want to regain their grip on the city.”

Roosma’s push for the removal was a success, and the largest set of the I amsterdam letters was carted away within weeks. It’s just one of the measures Amsterdam has taken in reaction to mass tourism in the city.

Big-letter trendsetters

While Amsterdam may have been the first to install giant letters for tourists, it was certainly not the last.

In almost every big tourist destination today, there are examples of huge signs. Some other places you can get your big letter fix are listed below.

Cities & countries with giant letters like I amsterdam

Alanya, Turkey ‣ Antalya, Turkey ‣ Aruba, Kingdom of the Netherlands ‣ Bacalar, Mexico ‣ Bahia Kino, Mexico ‣ Bali, Indonesia ‣ Banff, Canada ‣ Barranquilla, Colombia ‣ Beirut, Lebanon ‣ Belgrade, Serbia ‣ Belize ‣ Bilbao, Spain ‣ Bogota, Colombia ‣ Boston, USA ‣ Braca, Portugal ‣ Brisbane, Australia ‣ Brussels, Belgium ‣ Bucharest, Romania ‣ Budapest, Hungary ‣ Buenos Aires, Argentina ‣ Cabo, Mexico ‣ Caborca, Mexico ‣ Caldera, Costa Rica ‣ Cancun, Mexico ‣ Cannes, France ‣ Cartagena, Colombia ‣ Caye Caulker, Belize ‣ Chapala, Mexico ‣ Cleveland, USA ‣ Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay ‣ Costa Maya, Mexico ‣ Cozumel, Mexico ‣ Curacao, Kingdom of the Netherlands ‣ Dahab, Egypt ‣ Dubai, UAE ‣ Edinburgh, Scotland ‣ El Alto, Bolivia ‣ Ensenada, Mexico ‣ Faro, Portugal ‣ Fores, Guatamala ‣ Gdansk, Poland ‣ Gijon, Spain ‣ Gili Trawangan, Indonesia ‣ Guadalajara, Mexico ‣ Guam ‣ Guayaquil, Ecuador ‣ Halifax, Canada ‣ Hanoi, Vietnam ‣ Harkany, Hungary ‣ Ibiza, Spain ‣ Indianapolis, USA ‣ Isla Holbox, Mexico ‣ Isla Mujeres, Mexico ‣ Jaco, Costa Rica ‣ Jambeli, Ecuador ‣ Jomalig, Philippines ‣ Karlovy Vary, Czechia ‣ Koh Samui, Thailand ‣ Liege, Belgium ‣ Lisbon, Portugal ‣ Loreto, Mexico ‣ Luxembourg ‣ Lyon, France ‣ Machu Picchu, Peru ‣ Madurodam, Netherlands ‣ Mallaca, Malaysia ‣ Marseille, France ‣ Mazatlan, Mexico ‣ Medellin, Colombia ‣ Melbourne, Australia ‣ Merida, Mexico ‣ Mexico City, Mexico ‣ Miami, USA ‣ Montego Bay, Jamaica ‣ Montevideo, Uraguay ‣ Naga, Philippines ‣ New York, USA ‣ Niagra Falls, Canada ‣ Nice, France ‣ Oaxaca, Mexico ‣ Oklahoma City, USA ‣ Ottawa, Canada ‣ Pai, Thailand ‣ Palawan, Philippines ‣ Panama ‣ Patong Beach, Thailand ‣ Pattaya City, Thailand ‣ Penasco, Mexico ‣ Playa Del Carmen, Mexico ‣ Plovdiv, Bulgaria ‣ Pombal, Portugal ‣ Ponce, Puerto Rico ‣ Porto, Portugal ‣ Puebla, Mexico ‣ Puerto Morelos, Mexico ‣ Puerto Vallarta, Mexico ‣ Quepos, Costa Rica ‣ Queretaro, Mexico ‣ Quito, Ecuador ‣ Rabat, Morocco ‣ Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ‣ Roatan, Honduras ‣ Sacramento, California ‣ Salou, Spain ‣ Salvador, Brazil ‣ San Carlos, Mexico ‣ San Cristobal, Ecuador ‣ San Jose, Costa Rica ‣ Santa Cruz, Ecuador ‣ Sentosa Island, Singapore ‣ Sentosa, Singapore ‣ Seoul, South Korea ‣ Split, Croatia ‣ St Maarten, Kingdom of the Netherlands ‣ Tacloban, Philippines ‣ Taupo, New Zealand ‣ Tena, Ecuador ‣ Texas, USA ‣ Tijuana, Mexico ‣ Tirana, Albania ‣ Tokyo, Japan ‣ Toronto, Canada ‣ Tulum, Mexico ‣ Warsaw, Poland ‣ Winnipeg, Canada ‣ Xcaret, Mexico ‣ Yerevan, Armenia ‣ Yucatan, Mexico

Is this list missing places? Drop it in the comments below!

How to get the best I amsterdam sign picture

We really considered gatekeeping this little tip, but since we love our readers, we thought we would share it anyways. 😋

It’s a secret that could really change your life (and your Insta game).

The biggest problem with taking pictures of these big letters is the stacks of annoying tourists crawling over them, right? We have a solution for you.

Are you ready? Stand on the back side of the letters — so that they appear backwards. Go to town with your photo shoot, knowing no other tourists can be seen.

Then, once you’ve had your fill of photo-taking, flip the image. Now, the letters are the correct way, and you’ve outsmarted the system. Golden! 👏

Did you take a selfie with the I amsterdam letters before they disappeared? Have you been to any of the other sites? Let us know in the comments below!

Three Dutch people die following major car accident in Germany

Ada Dolanay
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Three Dutch people die following major car accident in Germany

A third Dutch person has died following a serious car accident that occurred in Düsseldorf, Germany, on Saturday morning. 

Initially, the incident claimed the life of the 60-year-old driver, who was killed instantly when the vehicle crashed. A 53-year-old male passenger later died in hospital after receiving medical care. 

The third victim was a 53-year-old woman who passed away in the hospital due to critical injuries received during the crash. 

The accident

The victims’ car veered off a roundabout in the north of Düsseldorf, around 50 kilometres from the Dutch border.

According to the NOS, there are suspicions that the driver was dealing with a medical emergency, although this has not been confirmed by authorities.

The flying debris from the car crash struck a nearby bus stop, where a 54-year-old man was sitting. He was taken to the hospital for serious injuries. 

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Dutch Quirk #95: Not have any stray dogs

Lea Shamaa 🇺🇸🇱🇧
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2
Dutch Quirk #95: Not have any stray dogs

If you’re roaming through the streets of any city in the Netherlands, it is rare that you will find any stray dogs along your way. 

It’s very common for Dutch people to have dogs as pets, but have you ever wondered why there’s not a stray furry friend in sight? 🐕

What is it?

Starting in 2016, the Dutch government managed to clear its streets of stray dogs by rescuing them through the PSVIR method, which means Picking, Sterilising, Vaccinating, Identifying, and Returning. 

They have also raised taxes for store-bought dogs which has encouraged more and more people to adopt.

Though the ‘dog tax’ doesn’t apply anymore as of 2024, it had its effect; expect many schattige honden when visiting Dutch houses! 

The rescue mission to get these dogs off the streets was definitely a team effort!

While it didn’t happen overnight, many new laws and regulations were set in place to rescue those adorable pooches 🐶. 

Sadly, this also means you can’t just snatch the cutest pup in sight off the streets anymore! 

It wasn’t all the government’s doing either. Here are several groups that were involved in saving and protecting these dogs: 

  • Dutch Animal Protection Agency (Dierenbescherming)
  • Dutch Dog Protection Agency (Hondenbescherming)
  • Sophia Association (Sophia Vereniging)
  • Asylums
  • Dutch political ‘Party for the Animals’ (Partij voor de Dieren)
  • Animal ambulance (Dierenambulance)
  • Associations and animal welfare

Many organisations and protection services have raised awareness for stray dogs and defended the rights of these animals by providing them with shelter 🏠.

For example, the government has organised many sterilisation days to spay/neuter pets to avoid an increase of stray animals in general. 

Why do they do it?

The simplest answer is the fact that the Dutch people care a lot about their animals! Many cultural factors played a role in sweeping stray dogs off the streets. 

Culturally, the Dutch are very empathetic people, and this attitude extends to dogs as well! 

This mindset makes the Dutch want to take care of their dogs and avoid seeing them roam the streets.

There is so much care for these animals, it makes us wonder when they will feel the same for international students! 

photo-of-dutch-man-with-pet-dog
If this picture doesn’t prove that dogs are a man’s best friend, we’re not sure what will! Image: Depositphotos

Historically speaking, the Dutch have always been head over heels for their pet dogs. The Netherlands has a really tight-knit relationship with their honden. 

READ MORE | The ultimate guide to owning a dog in Amsterdam

In the 19th century, dogs were used as a signal of status for their owners: rich people owned dogs for sport or simply as pets, while the poorer population owned them to help with their work 🦮.

Why is it quirky? 

As an international, I definitely find it a bit odd that there are no stray dogs at all!

READ MORE | Amsterdam has a café FOR DOGS (and we are obsessed!)

While it is rare to find them, it is extremely common to spot pet dogs everywhere in the Netherlands. Cafes, bars, malls, shopping streets —  pet dogs are everywhere! (and we love it). 

Should you join in? 

We definitely encourage residents to adopt! Even though shelters are better places to live than the streets, a loving home is where these dogs belong. 

READ MORE | Getting a pet in the Netherlands: the ultimate guide

If you are an animal lover but not necessarily looking to get a pet in the Netherlands, here are five alternative ways to help:

Dogs are amazing creatures who deserve our tender love and care! It is great that we can look after them without necessarily keeping them as pets. 

What do you think of this Dutch quirk? Have you experienced it? Tell us in the comments below!

Job interviews in the Netherlands: what to expect (and how to nail one!)

Samantha Dixon 🇦🇺
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0
Job interviews in the Netherlands: what to expect (and how to nail one!)

Hey, congratulations on scoring that job interview in the Netherlands! However, as a foreigner, you may be wondering: “What is a Dutch job interview really like?”

After all, every country has their own quirks and customs in business life — and Dutch jobs are no exception. 

We know you’re keen to nail your interview and get started with working in the Netherlands — so here’s the ultimate guide to what to expect! 

Stages of interviewing in the Netherlands

Let’s begin from the start, the middle, and the end. What the hell do we mean by that? 

Well, in the Netherlands it is common that you’ll need to survive and thrive through multiple interviews. Hiring for Dutch jobs can be competitive and cutthroat, so your potential employer will want to make sure you can bring the goods. 

Naturally, every company runs their interview process differently. You might get one interview, you might get three, you might need more! But as a rough guide, here’s what you might experience. 😉

Initial interview

You’ll often be invited for an initial interview where you can meet the hiring manager and discuss the role. They’ll get a feel for whether you might be a good fit for their company — and you’ll get a feel for whether the company may be a good fit for you. Handy, right? 

Second interview

Congrats! You made it through to the next stage. In this interview, you may be introduced to the team that you could be working with and your potential manager. 

Third interview

Finally, some places want to be extra sure: so you may be called in for a third interview. It could be with the same people as your second interview, or it could be with the founders of the company. It’s the last chance to impress, so bring your A-game!

How to prepare for a Dutch job interview

So now you know how many interviews you may be in for, you’ve got some preparation ahead of you! The good news is that planning for a Dutch job interview isn’t so different to preparing for any other interview. Here’s what you’ll want to keep in mind: 

  • 👀 Get to know the company: know their product, vision, recent growth, media coverage, anything that gives you a better insight into who they are. 
  • 🤔 Prepare for the hard questions: Dutch people don’t beat around the bush: they’ll be carefully assessing you and will ask the hard, direct questions. You’ll impress if you can give them real, well-thought-out answers backed up by statistics or results. 
  • 📎 Bring your documents: Your Mum may have told you to never show up to a party empty-handed — but that also goes for CVs. Bring a smart-looking folder, bag, or briefcase with backup copies of your CV, notes, letters of recommendation, or good luck notes from your significant other. You may not pull them out in the interview, but it’s better to be safe than sorry!
  • 👍 Know your CV: The Dutch are rarely fooled by smooth-talking people who are actually saying very little. Come prepared with your results from previous workplaces so that if you’re asked about that growth rate from five years ago you know the answer. 
  • 💡 Come armed with ideas: The Dutch have a very egalitarian work culture, so the best way you can prove you’ll be a great fit for their team is to be well-prepared with some ideas on how you could contribute. 
  • 🔦 Review who is interviewing you: “That’s a great question _____.” Don’t get caught out not knowing your interviewers’ names. Read up on them on the company website or LinkedIn beforehand for immediate extra points.
  • 🧩 Be ready with questions: Show that you’re interested in the company by asking them about the role, what they expect, or what the plans for the future are. 

What to wear to a job interview in the Netherlands

Now you’ve nailed preparation there’s one thing left: what will you wear?

Here’s a fun fact for you: clothing at Dutch workplaces — even offices — is more often informal than formal. However, that doesn’t mean you should wear sneakers to your Dutch job interview!

Always err on the side of safety and dress in formal business wear. After all, it’s better to be overdressed than underdressed!

For men, wear a suit and preferably a tie. If you’re getting more casual vibes from the workplace you may be able to get away with a collared shirt and a suit jacket. 

For women, a nice shirt, slacks or skirt, and perhaps a blazer is best. Don’t overdo the makeup — Dutch women typically go for more natural looks. 

TIP: Not sure how formal your potential new workplace is? Check the website’s “About Us” page and see what current employees are wearing in their photos. 

How to act during a job interview in the Netherlands

You’ve got the interview, prepared accordingly, and are dressed to impress: now to nail the interview you’ll need to prove you’re the best person the company could add to their team. 

Photo-of-woman-in-wheelchair-shaking-hands-with-interviewer-at-job-interview-in-the-Netherlands
Once your interview is finished you can usually expect a decision within one week in the Netherlands. Image: IgorVetushko/Depositphotos

Much of Dutch culture is based in the country’s Calvinist history. In Calvinism, you’re expected to take things in moderation, have self-discipline and modesty, practice tolerance, work hard, and work well as a team. These tenets still appear in Dutch society today!

Here are some things to watch out for in your Dutch job interview: 

Confident, but not cocky

Your interviewer wants to see that you’re self-assured enough to do the job — but being overly confident won’t do you any favours. 

You’ll need to carefully walk a line between not showing off but not being too modest. Strike a balance by calmly showing that you’re sure of your abilities. 

Do this by offering a strong handshake (or elbow bump or fist bump) and clearly and accurately detailing your achievements and accomplishments in past positions. Of course, don’t forget to acknowledge the efforts of your team at the time and areas of improvement for yourself in the future. 

A team player

You don’t reclaim land from the sea without having some great teamwork skills. The Dutch have an essential concept of “polderen” — where negotiation and cooperation make decisions. 

As a result, Dutch workplaces are often non-hierarchical and place high value on cooperation. Use this to your advantage by showing that you’re a team player who is willing to discuss and deliberate on all the important issues. 

Dealing with Dutch directness

One classic aspect of Dutch culture that strikes fear into the heart of internationals is Dutch directness. The Dutch are known for saying exactly what they think — no niceties needed. 

If your interviewer spots a questionable item on your resume, you’ll be asked about it (and in no uncertain terms). Be prepared, and don’t beat around the bush in your answer either. 😉

Tips for an online job interview

Naturally, not every interview may be in person — especially if you haven’t yet arrived in the Netherlands. To make sure your interview goes smoothly, make sure you adapt your technique to the online space:

  • 👔 Dress appropriately, from top to bottom (no pyjama pants!).
  • ⌚ Arrive in the digital waiting room at least five minutes early.
  • 🪴 Take your interview in a private, quiet space with lots of light. You may like to set up a nice background behind you with a plant and some nice books. 
  • 💻 Use your computer’s camera, not your phone.
  • 👀 Look directly into your laptop’s camera to maintain “eye contact” with the interviewer. 

What to expect after your job interview

Hey ho! All those nerves have paid off and you’ve (hopefully) smashed your job interview in style. (We believe in you!) Now the only thing to do is sit back and hope that you impressed your interviewers.

From here, practice patience as you wait for the next phone call or email. Expect that you could be brought in for further interviews or to meet other team members. You may even be asked to do a trial project to prove your skills. 

Typically, you can expect an answer from most jobs within a few days after your interview. If you haven’t heard back, it’s totally fine to reach out after one week to touch base — after all, that Dutch directness can go both ways. 😉

Prepare well, know your stuff, and take a deep breath — you’re going to do great! 👍

What are your top tips for nailing a Dutch job interview? Tell us in the comments below!

Feature Image: VitalikRadko/Depositphotos

Want to start investing from the Netherlands? Trade Republic makes it easy

Lyna Meyrer 🇱🇺
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0
Want to start investing from the Netherlands? Trade Republic makes it easy

Rent, groceries, gas — in a world where everything is getting more expensive, many of us are looking for ways to make some extra cash. One way of doing this is by getting into investing. 

With heaps of investment platforms to choose from, finding one that works for you can be quite a challenge. 

One option out there is Trade Republic, the German bank that previously brought us Europe’s highest interest rate on savings. But is it just as good for investments? 

This post might have affiliate links that help us write the articles you love, at no extra cost to you. Read our statement.

What is Trade Republic?

Trade Republic is a savings and investment platform designed to make investing simple, affordable, and accessible to everyone. 

Based in Germany and supervised by the BaFin (German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority), Trade Republic is available in the Netherlands and 16 other European countries. 

With one of the highest interest rates on savings and all the top stocks, ETFs, and cryptocurrencies, Trade Republic offers valuable tools and resources — whether you’re just starting out or looking for a convenient way to grow your savings.

Investing with Trade Republic: What stands out?

businessman-with-phone-checking-stock-market-with-trade-republic-app
Have your portfolio at your fingertips. Image: Freepik

One of Trade Republic’s biggest draws is its affordability. With no membership fees and some of the lowest trading costs in Europe, it’s a budget-friendly choice for those just starting out. 

You can start investing with as little as €1 and explore thousands of stocks and ETFs to build your diversified portfolio. 

Looking for stability and security? I get it — and so does Trade Republic. That’s why they also offer bonds with attractive high-interest rates. These options allow you to earn guaranteed returns, making them an excellent choice for more cautious investors.

Though Trade Republic is not available on desktop, its mobile app is clean, intuitive, and packed with innovative features.

One of my favourites is the auto-invest option, which lets you set up regular, automated contributions to your portfolio. This is perfect for those lazy investors (guilty!) who want to stay consistent without the hassle of manual trades. ✨

The cons of investing with Trade Republic

Of course, it’s not all stroopwafels and rainbows — even with Trade Republic. 

For example, while the platform prioritises simplicity, experienced investors might notice a lack of advanced tools like detailed analytics. Beginners, on the other hand, may miss some in-app resources or tutorials to guide them through the basics of investing.

Another con of Trade Republic is that customer support can be slow sometimes, which might be frustrating if you need quick assistance.

Is Trade Republic safe to use?

It’s only natural to want reassurance that your hard-earned money is in safe hands. At the same time, it’s important to remember that all investments carry some level of risk.

That said, it’s good to know that Trade Republic is considered a very safe platform for investing. It is regulated by BaFin (the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority) and the Bundesbank, ensuring that it complies with strict European financial regulations.

Trade Republic is also part of the European Deposit Guarantee Scheme, which insures cash deposits up to €100,000 per account. 

However, it’s important to note that investments like stocks, ETFs, and bonds are not insured, as they carry inherent market risks.

How do I get started?

Eager to reach your 2025 goal of financial savvy-ness? Here’s how you can get started with Trade Republic (don’t worry, it’s simple.).

  1. Download the app: Available for iOS and Android, the Trade Republic app can be easily downloaded from your app store.
  2. Sign up: Create an account by entering your details. The process is smooth and intuitive.
  3. Verify your identity: Upload your ID, proof of (European) address, and any additional documents required. Verification usually takes just a couple of hours.
  4. Put some funds into your account: To start investing, transfer money into your account using your bank account. There’s no minimum deposit, so you can start as small or as big as you like.

Good to know: To sign up with Trade Republic, you need to be a tax resident in the country where you’re signing up.

Check it out!

Ready to take control of your financial future and start growing your investments? Then Trade Republic offers a great, low-cost and beginner-friendly investment platform!

What’s your preferred investment platform in the Netherlands? Share your tips in the comments.

Disclaimer: Investing involves risks.

Elon Musk has as much money as 70% of Dutch people COMBINED

Ada Dolanay
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Elon Musk has as much money as 70% of Dutch people COMBINED

It’s official: Elon Musk, whose name almost warrants a trigger warning, has a fortune equivalent to the combined wealth of 70% of Dutch households. 

This calculation was done by RTLNieuws, and includes Dutchies’ savings, houses, shareholdings and business assets, but excludes their debts. 

For most of us, this statistic is unfathomable. So, let’s break it down. 

In what world does someone need a billion dollars? Let alone 434 billion…

According to Bloomberg, Musk’s current net worth is valued at a shocking $434 billion. When converted to Euros, that’s around €418 billion. 

With this, Elon could theoretically buy everything owned by seven out of ten Dutch citizens, as RTLNieuws explains. 

Let’s do the math:

  • The collective wealth of 70% of Dutch households totals €421 billion.
  • Musk’s net worth sits just shy of that, at a monstrous €418 billion. 

In other words, Musk’s fortune is nearly equivalent to the entire Dutch population’s combined net worth. Geweldig! (Amazing! But not really…)

What could Musk do with all this money? For starters, he could freely hand out €23,000 to every single one of the Netherlands’ 18 million residents and still be left with €4 billion. 

@realestatebulldog Who's hungry? #eattherich ♬ original sound – Whisper Pickle

And he’s only getting richer

The terrifying part? Musk is only getting richer, largely thanks to a political system riddled with corruption. 

In the good old days, politicians at least tried to be subtle about their shady dealings — but not anymore. Enter Donald Trump, Musk’s bromantic partner-in-crime.

Investors hoped Musk’s closeness to the orange president could work in their favour, and… you guessed it: It did! 

Since Trump’s election, Musk’s net worth has skyrocketed as Tesla’s market value grew by a staggering 66%. Today, Tesla’s value is worth around $170 billion, with Musk holding a 13% stake. 

While criminals govern countries and billionaires obsess over amassing another billion… the rest of us find ourselves in a reality where their unimaginable wealth and power rule the world — proving that there is no such thing as a “good billionaire”. 

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In the Netherlands it’s legal to offer driving lessons in exchange for…sex?

Simone Jacobs
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5
In the Netherlands it’s legal to offer driving lessons in exchange for…sex?

Driving lessons can be pricey, but apparently the Netherlands has an alternate payment plan available: a ride for a ride.

In a country where prostitution is legal, it shouldn’t come as a shock that driving instructors are allowed to accept sex as payment for driving lessons. 

Now, don’t go offering yourself up on a silver platter to any old driving instructor, because it’s only legal if it’s the instructor’s idea. 

Like, really the Netherlands? That’s taking progressiveness to a whole new level. 

A legal ride for a ride

In 2015, the Dutch government confirmed that this type of transaction was legal, when Gert-Jan Segers of the Christian Union (CU) party, tabled a question in parliament, reports CNN. 

While prostitution in the Netherlands is legal, certain qualifiers need to be met to keep it legal.

One of them is having an escort license. Segers argued that any driving student would not have such a license making a situation like this “illegal prostitution”.  

However, then Dutch Minister of Infrastructure and Environment, Melanie Schultz van Haegen, and then Dutch Minister of Security and Justice Ard van der Steur, said that “a ride for a ride” is not against the law. 

Basically, if the driving student proposes sexual acts in return for lessons, then the transaction is illegal. 

However, if both parties are over 18 and the instructor suggests it, then it’s completely legal. Uhmmm… are we the only ones who would find that beyond bizarre? 😳

It certainly makes a good point to ask your driving instructor how they would like to be paid before lessons start. 

So does it really happen?

Alright, you might be reading this thinking, “Hey, it’s legal, but it doesn’t really happen, right?” 

Wrong. 

On an online Dutch sex marketplace (that we had to access for research, please tell our company’s WiFi administrators! 👀), there are ads from driving instructors offering a ‘service’. 

“I am a young Dutch driving instructor.

Have been teaching driving for 9 years.

I would like to help you with a driver’s license.

And after that we ‘do something fun’”

(Translated)

READ MORE | The complete and unadulterated guide to sex in the Netherlands

On the website, tens of driving instructors are offering their knowledge in exchange for… well, you know. 😉

Entirely problematic

Needless to say, this has created problems. In 2020, a 23-year-old driving instructor was arrested after having sex with a minor, reports Hart van Nederland. 

READ MORE | A Dutch driving licence! Five steps to that valued driver’s licence in the Netherlands

To stop this, the trade association has spent years pushing driving instructors to have to provide a Statement of Good Conduct (VOG) before being admitted to the protected profession. 

“Today, you can take driving lessons from the age of 16.5. You want to know who you entrust your child to,” said Paul de Waal of the trade association BOVAG at the time. 

“You also have to deal with an unbalanced power ratio and you sit one on one in a car with the instructor. That makes it vulnerable and a dependency relationship.”

What do you think of driving instructors accepting sexual acts as payment? Tell us in the comments!

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