Home Blog Page 368

Dutch emergency numbers you should know in the Netherlands

Emma Brown
-
0
Dutch emergency numbers you should know in the Netherlands

So you’re in the Netherlands and you come across an emergency! What shall you do? Here is a list of all of the Dutch emergency numbers you need to know if you get into a bit of a crisis.

First off, if you happen to be in an international location (or have an international phone number) but need to get in touch with Dutch emergency services, remember to dial +31 first. Of course, some calls are subject to small charges.

Police

  • For emergencies dial: 112
  • For non-emergencies dial: 0900 8844
  • To report a crime anonymously: dial 0800 7000

Fire Service

  • For emergencies dial: 112
  • For non-emergencies call the police first
picture-of-a-person-contacting-emergency-services-through-phone
It can be handy to save these numbers! Image: Depositphotos

Health Service

  • For emergencies dial 112 or visit your local A&E (accident and emergency department)

For Centrale Huisartsenpost/an emergency doctor’s service out-of-hours, call this helpline and they will sort it out for you:

  • For Amsterdam dial: 088 003 0600
  • For Rotterdam dial: 010 466 9573 (Central, North), 010 290 9888 (South), 010 279 9262 (East)
  • For Utrecht dial: 0900 450 1450
  • For The Hague dial: 070 346 9669
  • For Eindhoven, Helmond, Geldrop dial: 0900 8861
  • For other locations dial: 0900 1515

READ MORE | Don’t speak Dutch? You can now use this app in case of an emergency

Other emergency numbers

  • For Dierenambulance/Animal Emergencies dial: 0900 0245
  • For Kustwacht/Coastguard dial: 0900 0111
  • For Alcoholics Anonymous dial: 020 625 6057
  • For Sexual Abuse hotline dial: 0900 899 8411
  • For SOS helpline dial: 0900 0767
  • For ChildLine dial: 0800 0432
  • For a discrimination helpline dial: 0900 235 4354
  • For residency issues dial: 088 0430 430

Dental Emergencies

Click here for a list of places to contact for dental emergencies throughout the whole of the Netherlands.

Utility Emergencies

  • If it’s an emergency that will seriously affect you and the people around you dial: 112
  • For power leaks and gas problems dial: 0800 9009
  • Call your local gementee if there is a water emergency that involves sewage, if otherwise call your water provider

Government emergencies

Sirens sound at midday, every first Monday of the month — this is a test. Any other time, this is a national emergency. Subscribe to the alert service, so the government can alert you on your mobile if there is an emergency.

Want the latest Dutch news to come zooming through the internet to your inbox? Dat kan! Subscribe to DutchReview’s weekly roundup 📮

Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in January 2022, and was fully updated in December 2022 for your reading pleasure.

Dutch brand pulls cups showing “smiling Anne Frank” off the shelves

Heather Slevin
-
0
Dutch brand pulls cups showing “smiling Anne Frank” off the shelves

Crockery brand Blond Amsterdam missed the mark with a collection of items plastered with Anne Frank’s face in an effort to make a “positive reminder of Dutch scenes and heroes.”

What could be more Dutch than windmills, cheese, clogs, and… Anne Frank?

Blond Amsterdam decided the image of the young heroine was appropriate to decorate a new collection of crockery, and people are not happy about it, reports the NOS.

Shows “little sympathy,” says Anne Frank House

Aron Vrieler of the Israel Information and Documentation Center (CIDI), says they were “dumbfounded” by the company’s choice of illustration. Blond Amsterdam was told to “remove those cups from the shelves”.

The Anne Frank House also spoke out after the incident, saying that the crockery store’s choice to create such an item shows “little empathy.”

But, Blond Amsterdam addressed concerns and announced in a written statement that they would remove the Anne Frank illustrated items from sales.

“That is why we want to let you know that this article will not return to our collection.”

They have also gone a step further to rectify their actions and lack of sympathy for the historical figure. All profits from the sale of the crockery will be donated.

Twitter has its say

People took to Twitter to comment on Blond Amsterdam’s lack of foresight.

Translation: BLOND AMSTERDAM DUTCH GLORY
The Dutchman sometimes has a short fuse
But this picture of Anne Frank Quickly caused a justified whine Blonde Amsterdam turned out to be a very stupid blonde here
The mugs are now quickly taken back
That will improve the value
Translation: ‘Blond Amsterdam removes crockery with smiling Anne Frank from the collection after criticism.’
Translation: Anne Frank on kitschy crockery from Blond Amsterdam, it’s really true 😮. Fun fact: the Frank family applied for Dutch citizenship in 1939 but did not receive it.

So, if you were in the market for some Anne Frank-themed kitchen items, helaas pindakaas, because the products are being recalled.

Want the latest Dutch news to come zooming through the internet to your inbox? Dat kan! Subscribe to DutchReview’s weekly roundup 📮

NS launches new speedy Intercity train, chops half an hour off a trip to Belgium

Liana Risseeuw 🇱🇰
-
0
NS launches new speedy Intercity train, chops half an hour off a trip to Belgium

Dying to get to Belgium, but can’t stand the travel time? The NS’ new Intercity will have you speeding there in 2024!

Travel time between the Netherlands and Belgium will be slashed by 30 minutes with the new trains, says the latest press release from the NS.

Get to Brussels faster than before

NS and Belgium’s rail carrier SNCB announced their intentions to get passengers to Brussels faster in 2024.

At a whopping 200 kilometres per hour (km/h), the NS’ new Intercity train is 40km/h speedier than its current ones, which have a top speed of 160km/h.

READ MORE | Belgian Christmas markets anyone? NS International announces 75% off train tickets

The NS is hopeful that it will shave time off the current journey to Brussels, which stands at 2.52 hours.

Sneak a peek at the new Intercity trains

Although the rail connection to Belgium will only see these trains rolling down the tracks in 2024, you may be able to catch a glimpse of one of them on the tracks right now!

From December 4, the NS and train manufacturer Alstom will conduct tests on this new locomotive throughout the Netherlands and Belgium.

Are you looking forward to booking tickets aboard the NS’ new Intercity? Tell us all about it in the comments below!

Dutch PM Rutte and US’s Biden went head-to-head in a tweet-off (and the Dutch won)

Mihály Droppa
-
0
Dutch PM Rutte and US’s Biden went head-to-head in a tweet-off (and the Dutch won)

After the Dutch team successfully won their knock-out match against the American team in the FIFA World Cup, the Dutch leader had a witty comeback to the US president on Twitter.

The Dutch football team was flying high this weekend after their 3-1 victory against the United States on Friday in Qatar. 

On the back of the celebrations, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte also joined the celebration to poke friendly fun at the American’s loss. 

Football or Soccer?  

In the short Twitter video, Biden received the ball from American midfielder Tyler Adam, before throwing shade at the whole European continent by stating, “It’s called soccer. Go USA!” 

After the successful night for the Oranje team, Rutte also responded to the video in a retweet, saying, “Sorry Joe, football won. 😉”

READ MORE: The Dutch are wearing orange at the World Cup and people are confused

The US president responded with “Strictly speaking, shouldn’t it be ‘voetbal’? Kidding aside: congrats to your team and country, Mark. Rematch in New Zealand,” a reference to the upcoming Women’s World Cup next year. 

The USA President’s video already has more than 6 million views, and Rutte’s comment only helped to make it viral. 

The witty Dutch tsunami

The Dutch prime minister was not the only one who took to Twitter for the US-NL showdown.

The USA’s ambassador from the Netherlands, André Haspels, also posted a picture after the match. 

READ MORE: Dutch sports minister leaves during budget debate… to fly to Qatar

He challenged the Netherland’s USA Ambassador, Shefali Razdan Duggal, after Duggal spoke about the wonders of Dutch oliebollen. 🍩

Quick, get to Den Haag for free sweet treats!

With this 3-1 victory, the Dutchies moved into the quarter-finals of the World Cup in Qatar.

What do you think of PM Rutte’s Twitter roast? Tell us in the comments below!

The Netherlands is officially one of the best countries to work abroad! (Except it’s too damn expensive)

Liana Risseeuw 🇱🇰
-
2
The Netherlands is officially one of the best countries to work abroad! (Except it’s too damn expensive)

The Netherlands nabs 4th place in the world rankings for working abroad, with 70% of responders raving about its fabulous work-life balance. However…there’s a catch. (Isn’t there always?)

Expat Insider published its rankings of the best destinations for working abroad, and our humble land of cheese and clogs just rocked up to 4th place. IN. THE. WORLD. (Did we mention that part?) 🥳

Hoera, career options and work-life balance are amazing

Those after-work borrels must be working their magic because a whopping 73% of responders are happy with their working hours — 10% higher than the global average.

The Netherlands not only ranked highly in terms of working hours (7th) but also in the local job market (9th) and job security (12th).

Liberal and connected, but public transport could be better

Dutch directness must also work wonders, as responders view the Netherlands favourably regarding political stability (79%) and freedom of expression (78%).

In addition to this, 94% of expats find it easy and safe to get around by bike or on foot.

However, living in a nation of talented cyclists won’t keep auto-enthusiasts from burning rubber, as 88% are happy with the current car infrastructure.

photo-schiphol-plaza-train-station-ticket-machines
Train cancellations and wait times at Schiphol are enough to strike fear in even the strongest expat. Image: Depositphotos

Unfortunately, the Netherlands falls short in the Travel & Transit category — landing just outside the top 10 at number 11. (We have our good friends, the NS and Schiphol, to thank for that! 🤨)

Healthcare and the housing market were…disappointing

Unsurprisingly, in the Housing subcategory, the Netherlands lands in the bottom five worldwide, at number 49.

About 69% agree that housing is difficult to afford, and 53% think that proper accommodation is just difficult to find (compared with global averages of 43% and 27%, respectively).

Meanwhile, responders were also disappointed by the quality of healthcare (25%, compared to 14% globally) and its lack of affordability (54%).

Yep, you’re preaching to the choir here, housing in the Netherlands can suck.

READ MORE | 7 things that the Dutch kind of suck at

When it comes to personal finance, the Netherlands fumbles

The Netherlands actually scores below average on the personal finance index, coming in at 32nd place in the rankings.

Over 46% of expats find the cost of living too high (compared to 35% globally), though 77% of them felt that their disposable income was enough to live off.

What do you think of the Netherlands’ scores in the rankings? Tell us all about it in the comments below!

Rotterdam is getting a rooftop ice-skating rink and we are JEALOUS

Heather Slevin
-
2
Rotterdam is getting a rooftop ice-skating rink and we are JEALOUS

Skating enthusiasts will have the time of their lives this winter when a Rotterdam department store offers a unique ice-skating experience.

De Bijenkorf is converting its rooftop area into an ice-skating rink just in time for Christmas, and we couldn’t be more excited! 🎄

The track will open for visitors on December 15 at 5 PM in an opening ceremony hosted by Ronald Luyben, the store manager at de Bijenkorf.

Those who are de Bijenkorf members will get the chance to be the very first to skate under the stars, with the views of Rotterdam spreading beneath them.

Headed for the ice? Just remember that the use of your own skates is not allowed, but, for just €10, you’ll get access to the rink and a pair of skates.

The rink will be open from 12.30 PM until the store closes every day from December 16 to January 12.

Planning permit? No issue

De Bijenkorf was waiting to hear back from the municipality about planning permission to construct the rink. And, the good news is in: rooftop ice-skating is on! 🥳

READ MORE | Wintertime on ice: 7 spectacular ice rinks in the Netherlands

The theme of the rink is Swiss-inspired, due to their sponsors, Switzerland Tourism Benelux.

And, if ice skating is likely to make you a bit peckish (and in want of some bubbly! 🥂), there will also be a covered terrace next to the rink where food and drink will be sold.

Successful summer festival to winter wonderland

The rink’s opening comes after the success of a festival held on the rooftop at the Bijenkorf last summer. The Bijenkorf opened up its roof for the Rooftop Walk during the Rotterdamse Dakendagen, and it was so popular that the event stayed open for two extra days.

So, pack those winter coats and get tickets, folks; we’re on for a bit of rooftop skating! ❄

Will you be headed to Rotterdam for a rooftop skate? Tell us in a comment below! 👇

This Dutch region will get SNOW today (and the rest of the country: rain)

Liana Risseeuw 🇱🇰
-
0
This Dutch region will get SNOW today (and the rest of the country: rain)

Dying to build a snowman? Looks like you’ll need to head to Limburg! ☃️

The first icy sprinklings of winter fell in the early hours of this morning in South Limburg, reports RTL Nieuws.

Snow kidding, it’s cold in Limburg!

Limburg’s freezing temperatures created the perfect environment for snow to form, with last night’s initial rain shower developing into a gentle snowfall. The snowfall wasn’t particularly heavy, but it did snow for a long time, say Buiennrader meteorologists.

As the temperatures are still hovering around freezing in Limburg, Sinterklaas and Piet will likely experience a snowy Pakjesavond tonight.

What about the rest of us?

Buienrader meteorologist Philippe Schaumbergen hinted that Zuidoost-Brabant could likely expect some wet snow.

He also mentioned the possibility that the eastern parts of Overijssel and Gelderland could see some sprinklings of snow in the afternoon.

As for the rest of us in the Netherlands…we get Dutch rain. (Oh joy! 😭)

Temperatures are (briefly) getting warmer

Not only will some regions not see snow — temperatures for both Tuesday and Wednesday are expected to hover around 7 degrees Celsius.

However, temperatures will then start getting colder again from Thursday.

Are you dreaming of a snowy Pakjesavond? Tell us all about it in the comments below!

20% of young Dutch people still think Zwarte Piet is A-OK

Eva Gabriella
-
1
20% of young Dutch people still think Zwarte Piet is A-OK

Results are in! A year has been and gone but Zwarte Piet is still here. A recent survey has revealed that 20% of young Dutch people continue to support Zwarte Piet and we are just as fed up as you are. 

It’s the year 2022 and here comes that dreaded time of year again when many of us debate the age-old Dutch tradition of Sinterklaas’ little blackface ‘helpers’, Zwarte Pieten.

READ MORE| Zwarte Piet: the full guide to the Netherland’s most controversial tradition

The latest survey by I&O Research investigates how many Dutchies won’t back down from the view that the tradition of non-black people smearing black paint and red lipstick across their faces is just A-OK.

Good or bad news? 

The results? Hurray! Only 1 in 5 Dutch youths support blackface. 

Or should we say: Booo! 1 in 5 young Dutch people still support blackface.

READ MORE| Dutch Quirk #50: Disagree all the time about Zwarte Piet 

While 20% is far better than the whopping 65% that this figure stood at just six years ago, we are scratching our heads at this sizable percentage.

Even so, at least we can see that the number of supporters of the controversial character are dropping (slowly). Phew! 

Old traditions die hard

If this is true for the youngins, then it’s no surprise that 39% of Dutch people aged between 50 to 65 still support the Zwarte Piet. 

After all, you can’t teach an old dog new tricks.

A christmas miracle

Dear Sinterklaas,

All we want for Christmas is to abolish the Zwarte Piet tradition.

READ MORE: Support for Zwarte Piet drops significantly, new survey finds

We can only hope. Zwarte Piet has long since been an integral part of the Dutch Sinterklaas celebration which year after year shows a habit which is hard to kick.

What do you think of the survey’s findings? Let us know in the comments below.

The cannibal who ate a Dutch student (and then starred in adult films) just died

Lyna Meyrer 🇱🇺
-
0
The cannibal who ate a Dutch student (and then starred in adult films) just died

Issei Sagawa, a Japanese man who murdered and partially ate 24-year-old Dutch student Renée Hartevelt from Heemstede in 1981, has died in Tokyo at the age of 73.

Hartevelt and Sagawa met while studying at Sorbonne University in Paris, where, after inviting Hartevelt into his home, Sagawa killed her with a gunshot to the neck. 

Sagawa then went on to abuse his victim’s dead body and eat parts of her remains for a total of three days.

We’ll spare you the gory details (seriously, it’s haunting) but let’s just say it was tragic. 

Walking free

After Sagawa was caught trying to dump Hartevelt’s remains into a pond in the Bois de Boulogne, he was arrested by French police.

Here’s where it gets hectic: despite the arrest, a psychiatric evaluation in France deemed Sagawa unfit for prosecution — so justice was never served for Renée Hartevelt’s murder. 

Even worse, after spending some time in a psychiatric institution, Sagawa was deported back to Japan where Sagawa was declared mentally sane. (Excuse us?) 

READ MORE | 7 notorious Dutch criminals that will leave you shaking in your clogs

In the meantime, France had dropped charges against Sagawa. As a result, he was released in 1986 and walked free until the end of his life.

The ‘Kobe Cannibal’ in pop culture

Issei Sagawa was later on nicknamed the ‘Kobe Cannibal,’ after his place of birth in Kobe, Japan – because all good murderers need a catchy nickname, right?

When he returned to Japan, he didn’t make a secret of his crime but instead became a well-known pop-culture figure.

Not only did he appear on talk shows, but he even collaborated on a book and a documentary film detailing the murder and his obsession with cannibalism.

But things get even worse: according to the New York Post, Sagawa went as far as translating his fame to soft-core porn films, where he would “bite” his co-stars. Now, we’re not here to fetish shame — but we’ve gotta shake a disapproving digital finger at that. 

In addition, Sagawa’s gruesome deed was also the inspiration behind The Stranglers ‘La Folie’ and The Rolling Stones’ ‘Too much blood.’

Even after suffering a stroke that permanently damaged his nervous system in 2013, Sagawa continued to exploit and profit from his murder of Renée Hartevelt by giving various interviews reflecting on his actions.

Understandably, Renée Hartevelt’s family was not happy about the upsetting developments around the case and the attention that Sagawa received.

Dead at last

On November 24, 73-year–old Sagawa died of complications from pneumonia, his brother announced. His funeral was already held and attended only by his family. 

Shocked? Surprised? Tell us your thoughts on this cannibal adult movie star in the comments below.

Amsterdam wants a ban on smoking weed in the streets and residents have THOUGHTS

Liana Risseeuw 🇱🇰
-
0
Amsterdam wants a ban on smoking weed in the streets and residents have THOUGHTS

In the wake of Amsterdam announcing its plan to ban smoking in the city centre and cull rowdy stag parties, people had…a lot of opinions.

To curb the mass influx of tourism to Amsterdam’s city centre, the municipality is proposing ANTI-FUN RULES (our words, not theirs). Some of these include:

  • banning selling weed after 4 PM
  • banning smoking weed in parts of the city centre
  • a curtain call for the Red Light District’s sex workers after 3 AM

Alright, the rules might be anti-fun, but as we all know tourism in the Dutch capital is more crowded than an Albert Heijn when there’s a 2-for-1 sale on white bread rolls.

However, plans to halt Amsterdam’s epidemic of smoking in public and the influx of tourists have been met with quite strong opposition in the past.

Amsterdammers didn’t hesitate to share their thoughts

Het Parool did a deep dive into public opinion of the municipality’s plan. Here’s what Amsterdammers thought:

A wrong priority?

One reader was quick to point out that Amsterdam’s methods of curbing tourism did precious little to make a dent in the raging housing crisis or the ridiculous rents charged by wealthy investors.

He also added that Amsterdam’s planned smoking ban does nothing to stop the sale and use of hard drugs, which is arguably the far greater issue.

Too many tourists? Time to charge them for access to the city centre

In true thrifty Dutch style, another responder claimed that the best solution would be to pull a Donald Trump and BUILD A WALL and charge non-Amsterdammers for access. No, we’re not kidding.

Yes, the issue is so bad that even the tourists are complaining about tourists. 👀

Rubbish dumpers, rats, and wild pissers are the real problem

If you’ve been taking to the streets of Amsterdam for a public wee, this reader has a bone to pick with you.

According to her, between public urination, dumping rubbish on the streets, and people smoking in spite of the ban, both real tourists and residents are being driven away. Maybe encouraging public urination is then the solution?

Ban tourists on bikes next!

Cheering at the ban, which would mean they’d no longer get a noseful of weed smoke from partying tourists, one reader even called for harsher terms.

The reader energetically pointed out the danger of hordes of “clumsy tourists” on heavy electric bicycles, adding that he’d sign up for enforcement entirely for free if his suggested ban were to go through.

How about a slow Sunday?

Although they were happy to be living in the centre, another reader noted that there hadn’t been a low season for years.

Their suggestion was introducing a “slow Sunday”, where all shops are closed on a Sunday and the entire city experiences a lull in activity.

Dubbing the proposal “beautifully boring”, the responder said it would open the door to creativity and a different form of tourism.

What are your thoughts on Amsterdam’s proposed smoking ban? Tell us all about them in the comments below!

1...367368369...760Page 368 of 760