Who would have thought that a FEBO wall, the equivalent of a greasy food shack, could pass as revolutionary, high art to Americans?
Yup, turns out this Dutch staple is what piqued the audience’s interest during a screening of the French filmIl fait beau(pronounced “fee-bo”) at the 2023 Tribeca Film Festival in New York, which took place last Sunday and Wednesday, reports AD.nl.
Comments including, “How unique” and “Do they really have such a wall in the Netherlands?” could be heard echoing through the theatre. The voices belonged to wonder-struck Americans, who found the wall “crazy” yet “funny”.
Love amongst the fries and frikandellen
The film features a romantic meet-cute between two lead characters in Amsterdam at a — you guessed it — FEBO wall. While a girl is shovelling snacks into the greasy cubby holes, a “lonely” French expat sees her and instantly becomes obsessed.
We know what you’re thinking: “Sigh, wouldn’t it be great to have someone stare at us like that as we complete the most menial of tasks?”
But American viewers, on the other hand, were busy gawking in a mix of horror and awe at the freakshow before them: what could only be described as a mysterious “wall” of glass casing containing Dutch fried treats.
They had a hard time believing “that such walls exist” outside of the fictional world of the film. News flash: they do and they are beloved by Dutchies.
Leonardo Cariglino maakte de korte film ‘Il fait beau’ over een romance in een automatiek. Tot zijn eigen verbazing slaat zijn film in als een bom op het prestigieuze Tribeca Film Festival in New York.https://t.co/3tzcxfRNnx
The real question is, how does the US live without them?
The film’s director, Leonardo Cariglino, is pleased by the critical acclaim he received, with several filmmakers confessing that “they liked [his] film best”.
Meanwhile, the Dutch weren’t phased by the inclusion of the snack wall, says Cariglino. In fact, they’re probably wondering how other countries can function without this Dutch go-to food option.
The film takes place in an iconic Dutch location. Image: Soda Films
Considering it provides faster fast food, and a last-ditch attempt at nourishment after a night of black-out drunkenness, we’ve all had our lives and livers saved by a FEBO wall at some point or other.
According to Cariglino, the message behind Il fait beau — a film exploring the mental health effects of coronavirus lockdown—is to “go outside” and “take risks”.
Maybe “taking a risk” involves eating from a dodgy FEBO wall—just kidding, we love them.
Should the US start installing FEBO walls? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Ever wonder how the elite of Rotterdam lives? Here’s a look into what their houses could be.
Yes, yet another thing we can’t afford: A 442 square metre, 3-floor “air villa” in Rotterdam. The price? €7 million. But real estate agent Leslie de Ruiter of Christie’s International Real Estate says, “There is negotiating”.
So… could we negotiate that down to about €800?
The fabulous lives of Rotterdam’s elite
Surprisingly, Ruiter says there is trouble selling this stunning apartment, and he expects the price to drop 5-10% due to low demand.
According to him, potential buyers are betting “way too low” in price negotiations — which, by the way, mostly take place over a fancy dinner (where the meal probably costs more than our monthly groceries).
The apartment is on the highest residential and office tower in the Netherlands, on the 41st, 42nd, and 43rd floors (yes, the apartment has three floors).
Not only that, but you can have a dip in a jacuzzi or swim in the highest private swimming pool in the country, with panoramic views over the Maasstad. It’ll be like swimming in the sky (and not many people have done that).
A peek inside
Okay, let’s get to the nitty gritty. What does this apartment look like? We’ve established that there are three floors counting a total of 442 metre square .
Okay, we’ll be honest: these views are quite the looker. Image: Christie’s International Real Estate/Supplied
According to Christie’s International Real Estate, it also has TWO roof terraces totalling 157 square metres (which is about three times a normal apartment size!), three parking spaces, and a kitchen and bathrooms designed by the Italian design house Boffi. Ahh, la dolce vita!
It also has communal fitness, a heated private swimming pool, a hot tub, a sauna, and floor heating AND cooling. We didn’t even know that was a thing, perfect for the heat wave!
A dip in the rooftop pool, anyone? Image: Christie’s International Real Estate/Supplied
So now, if you’re house-hunting or see someone post on their Instagram story that they’re looking for an apartment, you know where to go.
What do you think of this apartment? Tell us in the comments!
After its competitors — *cough*, we mean fellows train companies — FlixTrain, Arriva and Qbuzz have decided to go international, NS wants in on the fun as well.
It’s no secret that Dutch train lines have been on a roll recently…
Both Arriva and Qbuzz recently asked to run a connection between Paris and Berlin. Meanwhile, our beloved FlixTrain is longing for a train that runs all the way to Oberhausen (Germany).
Determined not to miss out, NS has jumped on the bandwagon by applying for routes to Paris, London, Vienna, Innsbruck, and Frankfurt, reports the NOS.
But predictably, there is a catch. There’s one little bump in the road that could prevent the NS’s journey to reaching international-dom from running smoothly.
A new law has emerged in Europe: before granting railway companies new permits, a thorough investigation needs to be launched in order to gauge just how much public interest this new train connection has.
Consumers and train riders: now is the time to act. Let’s take to the streets, and all simultaneously chant “We want NS international trains!”. Actually, that’s kind of a mouthful, never mind.
Taking a train from Egham to London twice has cost me more than the RETOUR train from Rotterdam (netherlands) to London. Why are national trains more expensive than international trains 😂
However, that European rule only applies if NS wants a “private” permit… which they do. Turns out the company isn’t too pleased at the thought of a free-for-all, “liberalized international rail market”, says NOS.
Meanwhile, FlixTrain, Arriva and Qbuzz, on the other hand, are desperate for the railway market to open up.
Whether the market will be liberalised or not, is now up to the State Secretary to decide. 👀
Come on, Netherlands. We think you know what the right course of action here is. Just close your eyes and follow your heart. Think London — no, think Paris ✨.
Do these new routes have the potential to change your life? Let us know in the comments below!
The Netherlands is a great place to work as a nurse, and at the moment, it is really in need of more nursing staff as well.
Currently, the biggest shortage in the health sector of the Netherlands is among nurses. So, if you’ve been thinking about making a move to the Netherlands to work as a nurse, now is a great time to do so!
But maybe you’re asking yourself why you would want to come to the Netherlands as a nurse. What does this flat land have to offer you, apart from cheese and tulips?
Plenty more, as it turns out: an excellent salary, a 36-hour workweek, a non-hierarchical workplace culture, and plenty of career advancement opportunities.
Living in the Netherlands is just a great choice in general, in our (totally unbiased) opinion: from the cycling culture to those mysteriously delicious bitterballen, there are so many reasons to choose the Netherlands as your new home.
How does the healthcare system work in the Netherlands?
Healthcare in the Netherlands is something that can be mysterious to an outsider. So if you’re thinking about coming here to work as a nurse, it might be something you’re interested in learning about.
Becoming a nurse in the Netherlands makes figuring out the Dutch healthcare system pretty important. Image: Pixabay
In the Netherlands, we have a healthcare system that runs on private insurance. All adult Dutch citizens pay around €135 per month in health insurance, with those under a certain income level being (partly) reimbursed for this by the government.
This means, basically, that the healthcare system is pretty well funded, and that carries through in the salaries nurses get (more on that below).
Something that could also be relevant for you to know as an international nurse thinking about working in the Netherlands is that here, patients have to go through their GP before going to a hospital unless it’s an absolute emergency. For you, that means more focused work, on patients that really need your help.
So, how do you become a nurse in the Netherlands?
The procedure for becoming a nurse in the Netherlands as an international person is pretty complicated, so to the best of our ability, we’ve gathered government information on becoming a nurse in the Netherlands with a foreign diploma.
What is the BIG register?
The BIG register is a list of all the medical professionals in the Netherlands, and when you want to become a nurse here, you’ll need to be registered here before you can practice.
Being on the BIG register allows you to use certain professional titles (like “nurse”) which are legally protected. The register also specifies which tasks you can perform, entitles you to specialised training, and places you under the governance of disciplinary law.
How can I register for BIG with a foreign diploma?
So, how does registering with the BIG work with a foreign diploma? That depends: if you have a non-EU diploma, you first need to validate it with Nuffic or IDW. You can skip that step if you have an EU nursing diploma.
You also need to be able to prove that you have a B1 level of Dutch in all four areas: listening, reading, speaking and writing.
After that, you go through the process of registering itself: lots more information is available on the BIG website.
Do I need a visa to work as a nurse in the Netherlands?
Figure out if you need a visa to work as a nurse in the Netherlands. Image: Pixabay
If you’re from a non-EU country, you will need a working visa to work as a nurse in the Netherlands. Make sure to find out if the company you apply to work for can sponsor visas. We have a whole article about getting a visa to work in the Netherlands, so you can find all the detail you need there.
What’s it like to work as a nurse in the Netherlands?
So, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of working as a nurse in the Netherlands: after all, you have to know what you’re getting into if you’re thinking about making this sort of career move.
Let’s not beat around the bush: salaries are important, especially when you’re doing difficult, important work. In the Netherlands, you will earn between €1840 and €6190 per month- depending on your level of experience and how many hours you work. The average monthly salary for a nurse in the Netherlands is €3920.
But that doesn’t include end-of-year bonuses and holiday pay, of course, and you’ll also have a pension set up for you. Furthermore, you will be paid extra for working weekends and holidays. Most contracts will be for 32 to 36 hours a week.
Evolution of the remuneration of hospital nurses in real terms in selected countries, 2010-2018. Nurses in the UK and Italy earn significantly less than 10 years ago. pic.twitter.com/zWHJHSngvG
As with the Netherlands in general, workplace culture is not very stiff and formal. Generally speaking, when you start working as a nurse in the Netherlands, you’ll have a supervisor, who will be a more senior nurse. You’ll get medical information about your patients from a doctor.
Do I need to speak Dutch to work as a nurse in the Netherlands?
Absolutely, you do. It makes sense that when you’re helping patients — people who are in a vulnerable state, quite often — that it’s important for you to be able to speak their native language.
Accordingly, before you register with the BIG, you need to have proof that you can speak Dutch at a B1 level. It would also be helpful to complete a Dutch language course that is aimed specifically at healthcare professionals.
The easiest way to register as a nurse in the Netherlands
Now, this might all sound pretty complicated to you — which is fair enough, it sounds complicated to us as well. A recruitment agency could make this whole process much easier and seamless, removing the need for you to painstakingly Google Translate approximately a million forms (we love Dutch bureaucracy).
Whether you want to work in an oncology department or in the field of mental health, in nursing homes or providing home care, a healthcare recruitment agency would be able to help you on your way to working as a nurse in the Netherlands.
What are the steps you will take with a healthcare recruitment agency towards becoming a nurse in the Netherlands?
The first step depends on whether your nursing diploma is from the EU. If it’s not, you need to get it validated by Nuffic or IDW. If you don’t need to do this step, proceed straightaway to step two, getting that CV up to scratch.
Get that CV perfect and shiny to get the best nursing job! Image: Depositphotos
That’s the first thing you’ll be sending to a recruitment agency, and it’s crucial to make a good first impression — as with any instance in your life where you have to send a CV to someone (look at us giving pro tips away for free).
Make sure you haven’t left any awkward spelling errors or grammar mistakes anywhere, as well, that’s always helpful. You should send your spick-and-span CV over to the agency once you’re ready to go. It can be in Dutch or English, whichever you prefer.
If you are a suitable candidate, the healthcare recruitment agency will most likely interview you via Skype or face-to-face at their headquarters to get to know you a bit better. If you’re accepted, you’ll move on to the next phase of the process: the Dutch course.
This will bring you up to about a B1 level, and will especially focus on giving you the vocabulary you need to navigate being a healthcare professional in the Netherlands.
What comes next, once you’ve mastered the Dutch ‘g’? Well, then you start working as a nurse in the Netherlands! You’ll be placed at one of the healthcare institutions that the recruitment agency partners with, and there you’ll be able to find your footing in the Dutch healthcare system.
You might also have a mentor there to guide you through the whole process and help you with any questions you might have.
Conclusion
From competitive salaries to the generally high standard of living here, the Netherlands is an awesome place to be a nurse. However, navigating the procedure of getting yourself on the BIG register, mastering Dutch, and finding yourself a job as an international can be pretty stressful and difficult, if not downright impossible.
That’s where a healthcare recruitment agency comes in. No longer do you have to search for a Dutch course that is a) affordable and b) will help you with healthcare-related vocab — a healthcare recruitment agency should have some good suggestions.
Basically, a recruitment agency massively simplifies the process of becoming a nurse in the Netherlands, as well as improving your career opportunities and increasing your language skills. If you’re thinking of starting work as a nurse in the Netherlands, this might be the way to go.
Do we have any non-Dutch nurses reading this? How was your experience? Leave it in the comments!
Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in April 2020, but was fully updated in June 2023 for your reading pleasure.
Have you been watering your plants enough? Check on your garden, because it’s been more than a month with no rain, and there’s no sign of any coming our way.
It’s been 32 days, and not a single drop of rain has graced our tulip-filled land.
While we can’t deny the charm of endless sunny days, the heatwave is turning up the dial with an average temperature of 26ºC during the day and a chilly (ha!) 12ºC at night. ☀️
We’re also facing a precipitation deficit of 122 millimetres. But don’t panic! While there’s no rain in sight, we still haven’t made it into the top 5% driest years in the Netherlands — yet.
Let’s keep our fingers crossed that the Dutch weather gods won’t let us down! 🙏
Meanwhile, as if hay fever wasn’t already the sneeziest of foes, this rainless escapade is making it even worse. Bless you, dear hay fever warriors, for you are truly braving the storm (or lack thereof).
Record-breaking drought
Remember the drought of 2007? Yeah, us neither. However, that was when the previous record for most days with no rain was set: 33 days. Apparently, 16 years later, this is child’s play. We are well underway to breaking this record — that, truly, we don’t want to break.
We just feel sad for the plants suffering. Go check on the grass at your local park. Is it brown and breaking at your fingers? Maybe you can sneak in at night and water it. 🌱
Now, there is a chance of a thunderstorm next week, but even that is becoming questionable.
As meteorologist Marjon de Hond tells RTL Nieuws, “The chance of a thunderstorm will only increase next week. But that is still so far away, that expectation is also shifting.”
House plants in the Netherlands — is there any better way to make your house feel fresh and homely?
This country is famous for its amazing tulip seasons, colourful fields and general love for greenery. Bring some of that luscious flora inside and enjoy all the benefits of having house plants in the Netherlands. 🌿
The Dutch truly love plants. If you walk around the city during the spring or summer time, you will see typical Dutch house façades covered with climbing green plants and flowers, like wisteria and roses. Dreamy, right?
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9 indoor plants that will flourish inside your Dutch home
If you’re keen to decorate your interiors with some green, here are some amazing plants that are suitable for your Dutch home!
👍 TIP: Not sure where to start? A mixed box of plants perfect for Dutch houses is the easy answer. You’ll get 10-12 different plants to spread the joy around your home — for just €24.95. What a korting (discount)!
Commonly known as the Swiss Cheese Plant, thanks to the holes and splits of its leaves, this is currently the “must have” trendy plant. She reigns on Instagram, quirky cafés, and soon your home.
Image: Plantje.nl
We recommend it if you have big spaces because it grows bigger and bigger! It likes to be in a spot where it can soak up lots of sunlight, but that isn’t too hot — perfect for the Netherlands!
Commonly known as a Spider Plant because of its long leaves and daughter bushes (spiderettes), this is the perfect plant to hang. The coolest part will be after you hang it and it starts to grow those spiderettes: the bushes that dangle down from the mother plant!
Image: Plantje.nl
They require well-drained soil and bright, indirect light. Of course, a plant as cool as this will have very specific requests!
Commonly known as Mother-in-law’s Tongue or a Snake Plant due to the shape of its leaves, the Sansevieria converts poisonous substances into oxygen! Thanks Ms. Trifasciata!
Image: Plantje.nl
With all the love it gives us, we have to reciprocate it. Luckily, this plant is easy to take care of: it mostly just needs a big pot, so it can grow vigorously.
Commonly known as Prayer Plant, this elegant plant is native to the tropics. The name is because they close their leaves in the night, just like someone kneeling by their bedside and praying before sleep. Maybe it’s a good present for your religious relative?
Image: Plantje.nl
It multicoloured leaves are also very attractive, so it’s not just characterised by its religious tendencies. It prefers humid conditions and well-drained soil.
This plant’s bright green duotone leaves will brighten up your home so much, it’ll feel like spring year-round. These plants hang and climb, although we’d also recommend putting them on your window and letting them grow along the windowsill.
Image: Plantje.nl
Note that these plants need high humidityand indirect sunlight with slightly moist soil. They’re quite low-maintenance, so if you keep these three things in check, they’ll be happy and level up your home!
Don’t freak out if you hear a small noise coming from this plant. Just like the prayer plant, the leaves close in the evening and unfold again when the first light comes through the windows in the morning.
Image: Plantje.nl
This gorgeous, multicoloured, moving plant is not only classy, but she’s also low-maintenance. A Calathea likes shade, and only needs watering twice a week!
Goeppertia is a variety of Calathea. The leaves have pink stripes radiating out from the central vein, looking almost like someone painted the lines by hand. The dark green and baby pink combo is very in right now, she’s one with the trends!
Image: Plantje.nl
She’s like that cool kid in school that you want to be friends with, but once you start hanging out, you realise she’s a big high-maintenance. She needs bright, indirect light, and a lot of water to make sure her soil is always moist. Nothing but the best for Ms Ornata.!
Commonly known as Birds Nest Fern, this plant has simple light-green fronds, and it is quite easy to manage. They’re tropical, and in their natural environment, they’re often very moist and blocked from the sun by their taller plant friends.
Image: Plantje.nl
So they love to chill in the shade at the perfect temperature: not too hot, and not too cold. Be careful putting it next to the window! And don’t let the soil fully dry out. If you give it regular water, it’ll be happy.
Also referred to as a Chinese Money Plant (or as the Dutch so adorably call it, Pannenkoekenplant), this is a very funny plant and is easy to take care of. Not only that, but they make their own babies! You can have an endless supply of them by cutting off one of the many branches it’ll grow and replanting them.
Image: Plantje.nl
They’re very low-maintenance. Have you got a window in your house? (For your and the plants’ sake, we hope so!) Can you water in once per week? Then you’re set. With lots of light and regular watering, this plant will last you a long time.
House plants in the Netherlands: where should you shop?
Our top recommendation for buying plants is Intratuin (and no, they didn’t sponsor this article, we just really love them!) Intratuin is much more than a garden centre. They have a huge variety of indoor and outdoor plants and flowers.
If you would like to turn your home into a rainforest, we also recommend Plantje for its huge selection. You can find any information about your dream plant on their website, and they can deliver it to your doorstep! 🌱📦
House plants in the Netherlands: how to grow plants inside your own home
Besides being good at taking care of balconies and gardens, the Dutchies are also spending a lot of time at home, especially during cold winters.
Recently the trend of in-house plants or the common “urban jungle” concept has caught on. If you steal a peek through the big Dutch windows from the street, you can see a lot of hanging pots and a variety of plants making the binnen more beautiful.
Indoor plants not only make your apartment look colourful, but they are also good for the interior climate. They release oxygen and control the humidity in your home. 🧘
House plants can really brighten up a room! Image: Freepik
House plants in the Netherlands can be truly addictive. We can start with just one, and before we know it, we have 20 plants in a 30-square-metre studio apartment. We are here to give you even more ideas for how to have plants be the only form of decoration in your home.
Tips for house plants in the Netherlands
If you feel like you don’t have a green thumb, perhaps these tips will help:
Get to know your plants
Observe your plants and try to understand what they like or not. Taking care of your plants is a process. Everyone can learn, and if you spend time with your green friends experiencing different solutions, you can achieve great results!
A little goes a long way
It is always better too little water than too much. Watering your plants too much can cause irreversible damage. Let op!
A matter of direction
Keep in mind where your windows are facing. If you have a house facing the east or west, it really helps to give a balanced amount of sunlight to your indoor plants.
Meanwhile, if your apartment is facing north or south and you have lots of sun during the whole day, you can grow any cactus without any problem! 🌵
Green care is self-care
Taking care of plants can be a form of meditation: planting, re-potting, watering, and trimming the leaves are all actions that we are not used to doing anymore. It will keep you away from your phone for a while, and you can see the outcome of your care and effort in a few weeks!
What’s your favourite plant that you own? Bonus question: do you name your plants? Tell us in the comments below!
This article was originally published in September 2019 and was fully updated in June 2023 for your reading pleasure.
Starting today, tens of thousands of families are due to fasten backpacks to the flagpoles outside their homes in celebration of their children’s graduation. But um, why exactly?
Every international has come to notice the way suburban neighbourhoods become a sea of backpacks in the month of June. As time passes, you begin to take it for granted. But let’s take a look at why this started.
Aside from the usual graduation drinking and parties, this strange custom is considered an indispensable “part of [Dutch] culture”, reports AD.nl. But as for the origin story, it seemingly materialised out of thin air.
Origins
The custom came about more recently than you might think — after World War II, according to historian Piet de Boer. Newspaper articles by Het Parool about bags-on-flags date back to the 60s, when one high school graduate started a revolution.
That’s right, one 17-year-old on the Amstelkade in Amsterdam, who was probably overcome with joy after passing exams, randomly took it upon themselves to toss their school bag up on the flagpole.
This trend-setter kicked off a domino effect of inspiration; “other decorations”, including garlands or notebooks tied to the flagpoles, began to appear in the street over time.
“Flying the flag” is a symbol of national and personal triumph, honour, and celebration. The school backpack is also symbolic of the education that is now behind them, as it “stands for knowledge and adventure.”
The ridiculously heavy bag that weighed you down and made you feel like a turtle all through school can now be hung up victoriously, while you feel light as a feather.
Criticism of the bag-flag
Somehow the 1970s, of all decades, is the one that saw pushback on the whole bag-flag idea; quite a few boring party-poopers called out the gesture for being disrespectful to the “royal flag”.
But, seeing as it was the 70s, these protesters were quickly told to chill, and ultimately ignored.
Since the 1990s this custom has been widely accepted as completely fine — not to mention adorable.
All in all, it’s a wholesome DIY Dutch tradition, and a far cry from what AD.nl calls “pompous” American graduation ceremonies — which tend to require a marching band, cap and gown, class ring, and endless photoshoots. *Cough*
How do you feel about school bags on flags? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
Has your old-fashioned Dutch bathroom got you feeling blue? With outdated design choices like Victorian toilets, tiny sinks, and antique tiling, it’s not hard to wonder why.
If a trip to your bathroom feels more like a trip to the early 1900s, then chances are that your lavatory set-up is in need of a serious makeover — but it’s going to cost you time, money, and probably a few headaches.
To help you get started, we’ve put together what you need to know to create your dream Dutch bathroom in seven steps. 👇
1. Sketch out your dream Dutch bathroom design
First things first, it’s essential that you plan out, from head to toe, exactly how you want your new bathroom to look. This will allow you to picture where all the main elements should go before you begin the dirty work.
You want your bathroom to look snazzy — but you also want to ensure that it remains functional. The trick? Choose upgrades that vibe with your lifestyle and daily routine!
Need help getting inspired? That’s fair. Most of us don’t know (or think) too much about our bathroom’s individual elements. Thankfully, Sanitairwinkel has put together complete bathroom sets, each with different styles for you to browse through, from sleek to modern and industrial.
Are you the type of person who loves to wind down with a good bubble bath at the end of the day? Then getting a tub might be worthwhile because you’ll be using it regularly.
If your perfect day ends with a glass of wine in a warm bathtub, then investing in a new tub is a great idea! Image: Abuzer van Leeuwen/Supplied
Or perhaps your bathroom is too small for a tub, and you’d prefer to spend your money on something more practical, like a bigger sink or a shower niche to store your shampoos.
Depending on what you hope to achieve when creating your dream Dutch bathroom, the fixtures, fittings, and colour scheme all need to be considered.
2. Consider your bathroom’s current design and work with it
Have you fallen in love with a specific design? Great! Now onto step two: determining if it actually fits with your current bathroom’s structure.
Unfortunately, most bathrooms in Dutch homes weren’t created with 21st-century needs in mind. They often have a tricky design, run at a small size, lack windows, and include a very particular type of toilet (*cough* the poop shelf).
It’s not a Dutch bathroom without a tiny sink, plain white tiles, and a toilet with an inspection shelf. Image: Freepik
You may be tempted to upgrade your bathroom with a dramatic walk-in shower, a built-in faucet, or a toilet bidet, but these things might not be the most practical choice going forward.
Our advice? Consider the latest trends, or take a peek at your next-door neighbour’s bathroom (while empty!) for inspiration. 😉
Don’t a colourful wall and a lush green plant make the biggest difference? Image: Abuzer van Leeuwen/Supplied
You’ll find that most Dutch bathrooms have, for instance, wall-mounted toilets now. This is because it saves a ton of space. So, you might be persuaded to ditch the traditional, close-coupled toilet design.
3. Make sure you have a clear budget
To avoid all your precious plans of creating your dream Dutch bathroom from going down the drain, you need to have a clear budget in mind from the start.
The cost of small details can quickly add up! Therefore, it’s good to have a clear idea of how much you would like to spend from the start. Image: Abuzer van Leeuwen/Supplied
Believe it or not, in the Netherlands, sprucing up your loo can range anywhere from €5,000 without a contractor, to €15,000 with one — but if you decide on a budget in advance, you can prioritise where to spend and where to save.
4. Plan your time well
From the planning period to the finishing touches, your bathroom renovation journey can take weeks, even months, to complete. With that in mind, it’s important to create a schedule ahead of time.
If you’re set on completely overhauling your Dutch bathroom, then the process will likely take longer, considering that you’ll need more time to demolish the old and replace it with the new.
Great things take time, including creating your dream Dutch bathroom. Image: Freepik
If you hire a contractor or builders, the timing of the renovation can also depend on their availability, and how often they’re able to come in and do the job.
Even factors such as the weather can also affect the timing of it all. In the land of persistent rain, things like wet walls and grout could take longer to dry. 🤷
5. Get yourself a contractor
You can decide to take the DIY route when it comes to renovating your Dutch bathroom — but chances are that you simply don’t have the time or skills to do it all on your own.
Fortunately, there’s a little something called a contractor. A contractor can ease the entire process by tackling demolition, installation, and structural repairs. The only downside? It’s going to cost you extra. Prices are usually around €15,000, including material costs, to be exact.💰
Short on time? Making a deal with a contractor will speed up the renovation process. Image: Depositphotos
The best way to find a trustworthy and experienced contractor is by asking around. This ensures that the person you work with has a good reputation. Also, contractors are in extremely high demand these days, which means that it can take weeks, sometimes months, to just secure one.
Once you do, the good news is that you can save time by skipping all the lovey-dovey stuff and getting right down to business, because that’s just how the Dutch like it.
6. Find yourself another place to shower in the meantime
While you wait for that sparkling new shower or bathtub, that fresh paint scheme, and that beautiful countertop sink, you will need a backup shower to keep up with your hygiene.
Don’t fret, the hassle will be SO worth it once you have your perfect shower all to yourself! Image: Abuzer van Leeuwen/Supplied
Whether that be your office, your in-laws, or a friend’s house… find somewhere and designate it as your lavatory until your dream Dutch bathroom has, ultimately, been realised. 🤩
7. Pick a bathroom shop
A contractor will help you achieve the bathroom transformation you’re looking for, but who will deliver all the supplies to your house? That’s where a bathroom shop comes in.
Going to a bathroom shop in person can help you better envision how you want your dream Dutch bathroom to look. Image: Freepik
From bathtubs to fluffy bathroom mats, bathroom shops sell all the essentials needed to create your dream Dutch bathroom. By visiting one, you can also get inspired by different designs and styles while you renovate.
These shops can be found in various locations across the Netherlands, but you can also get an online shop to deliver the materials to your house!
Ready to dive into your bathroom renovation adventure? At Sanitairwinkel, you can get inspired by the latest trends and the best deals. Whatever your taste or budget, their specialists will happily accommodate you with their top-notch expertise!
Are you planning to create your dream Dutch bathroom before the new year? Tell us in the comments below! 👇
Hackers supporting Russia don’t take kindly to the Netherlands attempting to buy Swiss army tanks for Ukraine. Last week, Russia supporters struck back by shutting down the Dutch ports’ website with digital attacks.
If anyone was wondering why they couldn’t access The Groningen Seaport website for hours or even days last weekend, now you know.
Pro-Russian hackers wanted to retaliate for the recent Dutch aid of Ukraine after the Netherlands attempted — and failed — to buy Swiss army tanks to send to the invaded country.
Major port cities ranging from Amsterdam, Rotterdam, to Den Helder, were also impossible to access online for hours last Tuesday, reports RTL Nieuws.
The response is unsurprising; doing anything to cross Russia is bound to make you a “target” for these kinds of antics, American researcher Tom Hegel tells RTL Z.
The people behind the screen
NoName057(16), the collective of pro-Russian hackers responsible, consider themselves “hacktivists” — supposedly noble countrymen stepping up to defend Russia.
Their intentions aren’t difficult to guess, especially because they have literally spelled it out: “The Netherlands wants to buy Leopard 1s to deliver to Ukraine…8 Leopard 1 tanks have already been destroyed. Bring the next one!”
The group of what appear to be non-professional enthusiasts located in Russia and Serbia (according to their IP address) use an “amateurish” yet “effective” digital attack strategy: simply shutting down ports websites.
Inconveniencing Dutch ports by laying a kind of digital siege has certainly garnered them the publicity they wanted…
— Cyber Security Short Alerts (@CyberSecShorts) May 23, 2023
The hacktivists celebrated their victory by taking to Telegram to boast about their success.
Does anyone…care?
Groningen Seaport called the timing of the attacks “not really convenient”, considering they were due to have an open day Saturday. But other than that…eh?
The Dutch ports don’t seem particularly bothered. “We are not dependent on the website,” says a spokesperson from the Port of Rotterdam.
While port websites are handy to keep the buyers’ informed of their shipping and delivery statuses, they don’t interfere with the actual shipping itself, which “runs on other servers”.
We can all breathe a sigh of relief now. Let’s also pray that NoName057(16) doesn’t say, “Okay, challenge accepted,” and then step it up a notch. 🥴
Were you impacted by these hacktivists’ “digital attacks”? Share your experience in the comments below.
It seems that Dutch open-mindedness towards sex only goes so far. By putting forward a new law that criminalises necrophilia, the Dutch government reminds us that the phrase “love who you want to love” is limited to the living (as it should be).
Yep, we bet you didn’t know that getting down and dirty with a corpse was actually legal until recently. Surprisingly, the current law failed to address this “criminally degrading behaviour”, so the Ministry of Justice and Security is amending the current framework.
If the new law is passed, it will be forbidden to physically damage, take photos of sexual nature, and perform sexual acts with a corpse.
(I mean, we thought those things were implied in society, but apparently, some people have to be told?)
Minister of Justice and Security Yeşilgöz-Zegerius said himself: “I think we should send a clear signal that sexual behaviour and also other very drastic forms of (physical) desecration are not accepted in our society. The suffering that can be caused to the next of kin is great.”
The most goth… hobby?
Minister Yeşilgöz-Zegerius requested research into criminalising the desecration of a corpse. This just means everyday things like, you know, hiding a corpse, physically damaging a corpse, taking photos or fingerprints of a corpse, buying or selling (parts of) a corpse, and the classic necrophilia.
Those are just things to do on a slow and boring Sunday and aren’t messed up or weird at all…right?
Well, the research established that dead bodies have a special legal status and need protection. There is some current legal protection against desecrating a corpse, but it doesn’t consider enough of the pain inflicted or the respect that the deceased deserves.
Six months in the making
The House of Representatives asked the government to include necrophilia as a crime in the Penal Code all the way back in January of this year.
Who knew it would take so much convincing to just… get people to leave a corpse alone?
We do wonder how necrophilia managed to slip through the legal cracks for so long. It seems almost comical that a society so quick to embrace progressive ideas failed to recognise the need to protect the dignity and rights of the deceased.
All jokes aside, we want to say: while we find some humour in the situation, we also acknowledge the importance of this legal update.
Our legal system should protect the vulnerable, even after they’ve passed. Making necrophilia a crime is another step towards upholding human dignity, even in death.
Did you know the Netherlands was so… lenient about necrophilia? Let us know in the comments below!
