It may come as no surprise that the most popular sitcom of the 1990s, Friends, was also a hit in the Netherlands. But did you catch these Dutch references sprinkled throughout the show?
It makes sense that Dutch references make an appearance in some of the episodes. After all, New York was originally New Amsterdam, with Dutch settlements in the Americas starting as early as 1613.
But enough ancient history — let’s head back to the nineties and see the four times Friends made a mess of our favourite guttural language.
The one with the bestiality
Now, that’s far too racy to be the real title of the episode, but there was one incredible episode where they snuck in a bestiality joke — because it was in Dutch.
In the episode, Ross is trying to learn Dutch to snag a sweet apartment from a dying Dutch woman (we always knew he was a bad egg). Armed with a Dutch phrasebook, he sits in Central Perk and tries it out on barista Gunther — who unexpectedly speaks Dutch right back.
Yep, did ya hear that? “Jij hebt seks met ezels” or, as we English speakers like to say, “You have sex with donkeys.” Mic DROP. Who said Friends was rated PG?
Interestingly, it was a Dutch guy working at the Dutch Consulate in Los Angeles who got called in to make the joke and help the actors with their pronunciation. Erik Grouwstra told De Volkskrant that the joke worked because people would only understand the word ‘sex.’
“It was racy enough, but people probably wouldn’t get angry easily because they didn’t know exactly what was being said,” he explained.
It did lead to quite a few threads on Yahoo Answers asking what on earth ‘azul’ or ‘asil’ meant.
The one with the ‘Dutch’ girl (who clearly wasn’t Dutch)
In this episode, they didn’t actually try to speak Dutch — but they did try to pronounce the infamous Dutch ‘G.’
The plotline is simple: the gang is playing football on Thanksgiving when an attractive woman walks up and introduces herself as Marga. Her accent could have been confused for Russian, German — or any language other than Dutch.
The one where the identity thief steals the Dutch language
In this episode, Monica has her identity stolen. When she goes to catch the culprit, she tells the identity thief her name is “Monana” — and that it’s Dutch (um, okay, Monica).
Like being caught on your C2 Dutch skills on your resume, the identity thief just happened to speak Dutch too. “May I have this dance?” she asks. Grab some popcorn, skip to minute 2:55 and let the awkwardness ensue.
The one where they prey on a dying Dutch woman
The only housing crisis that could top the one in the Netherlands would be New York in the ’90s. So if you hear of a fragile old Dutch lady dying, you’d better snatch up the house before she…
Spoiler alert! She ain’t dead yet. Cue Ross awkwardly pretending that he and the dying Dutch woman are best friends. One problem? The old lady doesn’t speak English.
“Nice to meet a friend of my mother’s,” her daughter says in Dutch. Only she’s not the best Dutch speaker either. Watch and learn how to be as excruciatingly awkward as Ross.
Maybe Ross’ awkwardness with the Dutch language could be your key to securing a good apartment during the Dutch housing crisis.
What do you think of these Dutch moments in one of the most successful American sitcoms of all time? Tell us in the comments below!
Women in the Netherlands will start “working for free” today, November 24, until 2026. And, no, it’s not because companies have suddenly become NGOs.
It’s Equal Pay Day, the annual reminder that the gender pay gap is very much alive, kicking, and sipping a koffie while women do unpaid labour (symbolically).
If men and women earned the same on average, Equal Pay Day would fall neatly on the last day of the year.
But because women earn 10.5% less per hour, today, November 24, is the point in the year when the average man has already earned what an average woman would earn by the end of the year.
So from now until New Year’s Eve, women are symbolically “working for free,” while men continue earning and (still) sending tikkies.
However, according to Nu.nl, Equal Pay Day has moved ten whole days later compared to last year, signalling a decrease in the wage gap.
Is this progress? Definitely not
Experts say the improvement has less to do with dismantling discrimination and more to do with the minimum wage going up as of January 1, 2025.
What does that have to do with women’s pay? Well, many women earn minimum wage or slightly more, meaning their average pay got a little boost.
While plenty of men earn minimum wage as well, many men also earn well above minimum wage, so they didn’t experience the same boost.
So, the gap did shrink, but not necessarily because we progressed as a society.
Reasons for the wage gap
The pay gap still costs women in the Netherlands €1.9 billion annually, estimates the FNV (Netherlands Trade Union Confederation) — but what causes it?
Men are more likely to work full-time, as women are hit with the “mother penalty,” a marked drop in earnings after having children.
The labour of a mother is valorised as care, love, but weaponised to make the labour market an all-boys party. Not gezellig.
Then there’s the career progression. Men move into higher-paid roles faster and accumulate more experience over time, widening the wage gap later in life, even if young women start out strong.
Equal work should mean equal pay.
The gender pay gap is real, with women in the EU earning on average 12% less per hour than men.
Today's EU Equal Pay Day marks the date when working women in the EU, on average, stop earning for the year compared to men. pic.twitter.com/AgH8VGqHjK
But could there be light at the end of the tunnel? A new EU law called the Gender Pay Directive is coming in 2027, and it intends to lessen the gender pay gap.
Whether this new directive will fix everything is hard to say. But at least by then, Equal Pay Day might land closer to Christmas, and not in November.
The Netherlands has a reputation for being progressive on women’s rights. As a woman working here, how has that felt in practice? Tell us about your experience in the comments below.
You’re an international living in the Netherlands, and you’ve just said yes to a date with a Dutchie. The nerves have started to kick in, and you begin to overthink: How do I behave? What should I say? What will I wear?
It’s no secret that the land of love can be tough to navigate in this tiny country — and as an international, cultural differences could end up crashing your date.
While it might seem like you’re entering the depths of a very unknown and mysterious place (the Dutch dating scene), there’s no need to fret.
We asked our readers to share their dating experiences and compiled a list of 15 things you might just encounter on your upcoming date. 👇
1. They’ll send a Tikkie afterwards
Ah, nothing screams romance quite like sending a Tikkie after a first date — excuse us, what? 🤔
Picture this: you go out for a gezelligemeal on the town, you have a great time, they pay the bill, and you go home. Sounds like your typical date, right?
A few hours later, you’re surprised to discover that you’ve already received a message from your date. The text? “Please could you pay me €20 for the meal?” with a payment link included. Yup, you’ve just been Tikkie-ed. 🙃
Now, we all know the Dutch can be thrifty (to say the least), but it’s safe to say they take financial responsibility a little too seriously sometimes.
To open or to not open the door? It’s a question pondered by many when on a date. Well, no need to doubt, you will be opening your own doors tonight!
The Dutch are zonder meer (without a doubt)modern thinkers, and being treated as an equal is very important to them.
So, even though opening the door for your date is definitely a polite gesture, it’s not at all dating etiquette for the Dutch and is actually frowned upon!
3. They’ll typically eat foods close to their homeland
Now, the Dutch aren’t fussy eaters, and they’re gluttonous when it comes to their beloved Dutch foods.
You can expect to grease it up on your date with a typical Dutch starter of classic mustard-dipped bitterballen and a side of wooden toothpicks.
As for the main course, well, let’s just say the probability of some sort of deep-fried fish making its way to the table is… incredibly high. Oh, and don’t forget the boiled potatoes, carrots, and peas.
Sliptong with a side of potatoes? Pass it over! Image: Freepik
4. They won’t beat around the bush
This list wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the elephant in the room: Dutch directness. If there’s one thing the Dutch are famed for, it’s their lovely “tell it how it is” mentality.
You certainly won’t find your Dutch date biting their tongue and shying away from saying what’s on their mind.
Don’t want to know about the piece of spinach stuck between your two front teeth? Helaas, pindakaas.
They’re no fans of sugar-coating, and they won’t hold back if they can revel in a good opinion-fueled debate.
5. They’ll teach you how to say “neuken in de keuken”
The Dutch love their expressions and will litter their conversations with them any chance they get.
You’re definitely set to have a good laugh with your date as they try and get you to pronounce some comical Dutch phrases, like kippenvel hebben, which translates to “having chicken skin” but actually means to get goosebumps. 🥴
Be prepared for utter confusion when Dutch idioms enter the conversation. Image: Freepik
However, to save you from extreme embarrassment, when they tell you that the Dutch phrase, neuken in de keuken, means “hello” in English, it does NOT — far from it, in fact. (Look it up with caution!)
6. They’ll talk a lot about travel plans
Note to internationals: if you want to impress your date, talk about travelling!
The Dutch love a gezellige vacation abroad almost as much as they love their bicycles — and if you’re well-versed in the ways of travelling, then you’ve already got a foot in the door with your Dutch date! 😊
7. They’ll ask a truckload of (very) personal questions
An important tip to remember: your date might just start talking to you like they’ve known you for years. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing — it certainly makes for a more intimate setting!
However, if your date follows up the conversation about their love of travelling with, “when was the last time you had sex?” or “do you believe in God?”, they’ve gotta hit the breaks. 😳
Such personal questions are a great segue into a good date gone awkward… Image: Freepik
In all likelihood, you’re not mentally prepared to delve into personal (and hella awkward) topics when you haven’t even decided on an appetiser.
8. They’ll gossip about family members
It’s no secret that the Dutch are one for traditions. For many of them, having family by their side is an essential part of life.
Knowing this, you can imagine that sharing some treasured family stories on the date comes as a part of the package deal.
Even so, don’t be surprised if the chat takes a turn. Suddenly, you’re hearing about the adventures of their tantes (aunts)and ooms (uncles), and before you know it, you’re knee-deep in family drama. Nou, leuk. 😅
9. They’ll plan the date weeks in advance
Yes, the Dutch love their holy agenda, this much is true. From family barbecues to nights out with friends, they tend to plan everything weeks (even months) in advance.
Dutchies always have a plan! Image: Freepik
So, it wouldn’t be unusual if your date whips out their calendar and asks you way in advance which day and time would be best to pencil you in.
You might have to wait a few weeks to actually go on the date, but if you really think about it, it’s certainly a flattering thought knowing that you’re worthy of their holy agenda. 🤓
10. They’ll be five minutes early to the date
Since the Dutch are devotees of a good agenda, you can also expect that their punctuality is very much on point.
Early is on time, on time is late, and late is just unacceptable for the Dutch. Image: Depositphotos
You definitely won’t have to worry about missing your dinner reservations. For the Dutch, it’s fashionable to show up on time or even early for an occasion as special as a date.
11. They’ll keep the date-setting casual
There’s no chapter on fine dining in the book of Dutch dating.
If you’ve ever heard clichés about the Dutch, then you’ve likely come across the one about their laid-back culture. Let’s just say they have a rather laissez-faire attitude towards things.
What does this mean for your date? Well, you can expect to be romanced at a bar with a pint of beer and some bitterballen while watching a football game, rather than dining out in some fancy restaurant.
12. They’ll wear casual clothing
Now that you have a more vivid mental image of where your date will likely take place, you can also imagine that the date’s unofficial dress code would be something along casual lines.
The Dutch rarely overdress and prefer to keep it simple. With that being said, expect your date to show up in a pair of jeans and your standard tee.
Forget a suit and tie. Count your blessings if there’s a belt! Image: Depositphotos
13. They’ll share tea bags with you
A good rule of thumb to up the romance factor on your date is to share things! This can be anything from a milkshake with two straws to appeltaart with two forks, or… tea bags?! 🥴
Yep. Come time for dessert, many Dutchies often indulge in a good cup of tea. But unlike the Brits, this normally means hot water poured into a transparent mug with a tea bag that gets dunked about 10 to 50 times and then gets reused. 🫖
Since the Dutch love to go half-sies on the bill, you can foresee that your tea bag will be shared with your date as well. Echt schattig! 🥰
14. They’ll bring you home… on the back of their bike
Your Dutch date might not open the door for you, but chivalry isn’t dead just yet! You can enjoy a leukride home with them, but it might require a teensy adjustment if you’re used to the lavish car lifestyle.
You’re in bicycle country, remember? So, expect your date to whisk you away on the back of their bike rather than a white horse. The shiny armour — and bike helmet — are optional.
Best known for its erratic weather, the Netherlands often experiences all four seasons in a single day.
Unless the weather gods are on your side, you can expect a good stretch of rain on your date — and even though it’s unlikely that they’ll pay for your meal, you might just find them holding an umbrella over your head. ☔️
Ready for your Dutch date? Don’t overthink it; just have fun! Success! 🌹
Do you agree or disagree with these Dutch dating observations? Tell us in the comments below!
Dutch girls are tough, direct, and financially smart. They stay busy and look gorgeous doing it. Sure, French girls are fab — but if you ask us, we think Dutch girls are the new French girls.
Historically, French girls have been all the rage. They’re the cover girls for natural, effortless beauty, timeless, classic fashion, and, of course, the red lip.
But as much as we love the French girl, it’s time the Dutch girl got her time in the spotlight. They have that instantly recognisable style and that enviable toughness. We all have something to learn from them.
Not convinced? Buckle down and listen up. Here’s why the Dutch girl is the new French girl. 💅
They have that effortlessly perfect makeup
No, we don’t mean a “no-makeup-makeup” look that takes 27 products and an hour to achieve.
Much like French girls, who often opt for a more minimal, classic look, Dutch girls love simplicity.
It’s simple, it’s beautiful, Dutch women know how to rock a light look. Image: Freepik
But Dutch girls approach this look from a different angle. Rather than classic simplicity (which can take some elbow grease), they go for that light, subtle makeup that takes 10 minutes at most and still manages to leave them glowing.
It’s not trying too hard, and it’s accentuating their natural features rather than trying to attain the standard of a “classic beauty.”
Dutch girls don’t do anything to try and fit a specific (and often unattainable) mould of beauty, which leaves them with this gorgeous, attainable, natural look that reminds us we are humans, we have pores and blemishes, and we are still hot as hell. 🔥
But that’s just the Dutch girls who do wear makeup. In the Netherlands, wearing no makeup at all is very common. It’s not expected in social or professional settings. Grabbing a drink with your friend? No need for concealer; just come as you are!
Plus, waking up early for work is hard enough, so you might as well enjoy those extra 15 minutes of sleep and go to the office au naturel.
The Dutch apply their no-nonsense directness to their beauty routine, too. You get what you get, maybe sometimes with some mascara, lip balm, and a tiny eyeliner wing if they’re feeling particularly crazy.
We all love the glamour of French girl makeup, but it’s great to know that you can also rock a simpler look in the Netherlands.
They rock laid-back but put-together outfits
We all know those people who show up looking perfect at any social event, and when you compliment them, they say, “Oh, this old thing? I just threw it on.”
Much like the French, they bring that extra oomph to comfort wear: maybe a scarf, Chelsea boots that aren’t like the ones you’ve seen everywhere, or the inescapable oversized blazer.
When we try to do it, we look like we haven’t showered in a month, but when Dutch girls do it, they just look cool.
It’s the perfect balance between comfort and, for lack of a better word, slaying. Their low-key style doesn’t rely on being overly embellished to look great. The beauty is in how they carry themselves: confident, tough, and glowing. 🌟
They somehow always have flawless hair
Maybe the secret to their stunning appearance is in their Dutch hair. Can anything look good with the right hairstyle? No, that doesn’t make sense because Dutch girls look perfect whether their hair is loose and messy or slicked back in a fierce bun.
Seriously, how do they do it? Image: Freepik
It’s mesmerising, honestly. How do they do it? They crawl out of bed, maybe run a quick brush through their hair and bam. They could be in a Head & Shoulders commercial. Done. Perfect.
If it’s not how they like it, geen probleem. They bring out the classic claw clip, and in three seconds, they achieve that signature hairstyle that we have tried our whole lives to achieve.
Maybe it’s a result of a lifetime of facing Dutch winds on their bikes. It’s like their hair has developed a tolerance to the world, and however they wear it — bun, loose, clip, braids, curly, straight — it always looks good.
This is something that Dutch and French girls have in common: the ability to have perfect hair in any situation. We need to find out their secrets.
They know how to save money — but also how to spend it
Let’s get to the real stuff. The Dutch are notorious for being stingy, frugal, and just a bit intense about money. Dutch girls aren’t so different (because they are, after all, Dutch), but they also know how to spend.
Let’s start with the saving. It’s not that Dutch girls spend no money. It’s that Dutch girls know how and where to shop.
Dutch girls really understand the value of a second-hand shop. Image: Freepik
Like the French, many Dutch girls get their goods at markets or local bakeries rather than giant overpriced supermarkets (ahem, Albert Heijn). And it doesn’t stop at the groceries.
How? You’ll find your classic Dutch girl frequenting markets (online and in person), antique shops, and kringlopen (thrift shops).
Aside from this, they’ll source their friends’ old furniture and sometimes even grab something cute that’s just been left out on the street. One (wo)man’s trash is another (wo)man’s treasure, right?
What sets them apart from us mere mortals is what they do with all that money they’re saving. There’s no point in having this money collecting dust in your bank account, waiting for a rainy day.
After all, almost every day in the Netherlands is a rainy day! So they treat themselves: a terrasje drink, a dinner with the girls, train tickets for a weekend away, a coupon for a spa day (even when planning to splurge, always check for a coupon first!)
The Dutch girl truly knows where to save so they can live lavishly — and look stunning while doing it.
They’re not just gorgeous — they’re also tough
Our admiration isn’t just because of their beauty and their financial literacy. Another reason why Dutch girls are the new French girls is their thick skin.
Sure, you don’t want to mess with a French girl and her perfectly manicured nails — but the Dutch girls aren’t afraid to get some dirt under those French tips.
But don’t mistake their kindness for weakness, and don’t go thinking Dutch directness means you can say whatever you want. Treat these ladies with the respect they deserve (or suffer the consequences!)
The best part? They do the same for their friends. If you’ve ever told a Dutch girl a story about something unpleasant that happened to you, they will react with such disbelief that it reminds you: you don’t have to deal with that.
Your Dutch friend will always have your back. Image: Freepik
They encourage you to stand up for yourself and applaud you when you do. But if you’re not ready to confront a bad situation, they’ll often do it for you. In short, Dutch girls look out for their friends! 👯
Sometimes, they can be a bit intimidating while doing it. And they’re often not scared of telling you some hard truths. If you’re wrong in the situation, they will let you know. But it comes from a place of, well, love.
They know how to balance work and play
Just like they know how to save and spend, Dutch girls also know how to work and play. They apply their mental toughness to the task at hand, focusing on it and not complaining in the process.
Yep, they do what needs to be done. But at exactly 17:00, they clock out, head home, let their hair down, grab a glass of wine, and stop.
But they also know how to make work more enjoyable. All it takes is a stroll down the street on a sunny day. You’ll see them sitting in the park, with their laptop at a table outside, or working on their windowsill with wide open windows to get some sun while they type up a storm.
This is a characteristic they share with their French counterparts. It’s also not rare to see a French girl enjoying coffee on their own French terrasje.
They’re always on the go
Don’t mistake their leisure for laziness. Dutch girls are often busy even when they unwind (although they’re only human, so every once in a while, they do just sit and stare at a screen. But, like, in a cool way).
Ask a Dutch girl what she will get up to after work, and they’ll likely tell you that they’re about to head to a hot yoga or pilates class in a snazzy gym.
Ok, fine, sometimes Dutch girls do just sit and chill. Image: Depositphotos
Maybe they’ll have a drink by the canal regardless of the temperature. Maybe they’ll bring a book to the park and sit alone on the grass. Or maybe they’ll have dinner with a friend at home.
Meanwhile, French girls often unwind by walking around the city or enjoying a meal with their friends, withstanding any adverse weather thrown their way and looking amazing while doing it — you see the parallels?
However, while the French girl might be a bit more casual with her time, Dutch girls schedule their free time.
Maybe they can squeeze in a coffee with a friend between their Tuesday hockey practice and the dinner with their family that has been scheduled three months in advance (but if it’s going to happen, it has to be put on the agenda).
Feeling very called out. Image: DutchReview
They rest daily and yet, somehow, are always busy. Whether it’s just leisure and socialising or blowing off steam playing field hockey, they found the perfect way to unwind.
They love cigarettes and coffee, like the French girls
French girls may have claimed the whole “black coffee and cigarettes” vibe (which, by the way, feels somewhat reductive), but Dutch girls also dabble.
When you inevitably go to a lekker koffie with a Dutch girl on a cute terrasje, prepare to be caught in a cloud of cigarette smoke. The pack with someone’s very gruesome health issues sitting on the table is almost part of the aesthetic of this little coffee date.
We would look plain unhealthy smoking a ciggie, but not the Dutch. Much like the French, it somehow adds to the glamour of the look.
The only difference? Dutch girls trade in the red lipstick for milk in their coffee.
Much like how we all love the French girl, we hope you share our admiration for the Dutch girl. We will spend the rest of our days trying to dress, save, and relax like them. Where’s our oversized blazer?
Do you think Dutch girls are underappreciated? Tell us your thoughts in the comments!
There is a little joke we make in India: “First comes the software boom, and along come our countrymen.”
When I arrived at Schiphol five years ago, I had no idea this country of windmills would soon make space for so many Indians like me.
Thanks to growing computerisation and open borders, today the Dutch cultural sphere is brightened by the colourful Indian diaspora.
But this connection is anything but recent. There is a long history between the Netherlands and India, from before the advent of any computer prototype.
A blast from the past
Many people know about the Netherlands’ history with Indonesia, but few talk about its relationship with India.
Back in 1602, voyagers of the Dutch East India Company (VOC) camped on the shores of India for a solid 200 years.
The VOC (Dutch East India Company) is a crucial part of Dutch history. Image: Anonimo (XVIII sec.)/Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain
While other colonial powers pushed to gain political control, the VOC was mostly after gold, business, deals, and fortune.
Textiles and spices made the biggest buck for Dutch traders as they acquired larger parts of the country. They employed local labourers and transported goods to trade with other countries.
That is how an entire generation of people of Indian origin came to live in Suriname and subsequently in the Netherlands.
A Dutch-Indian love story?
While “doe normaal” feels almost like an anthem, this story about the Dutch is filled with drama!
Once upon a time, a Dutch commander with the VOC, called Eustachius de Lannoy, led an attack on the Kingdom of Travancore in South India.
His forces were defeated by Maharaja (King) Marthanda Varma, marking a rare instance of an Asian kingdom defeating a European power’s attempt at colonisation in open battle.
Instead of executing him, the Maharaja spared de Lannoy and made him a top general in his army.
Here’s where it gets interesting…
The lover of de Lannoy was a woman named Margaret, who lived in the British-controlled territory of India and wasn’t allowed to marry him.
That is where the Maharaja stepped in, and Marthanda Varma threatened to send his army if Margaret’s parents didn’t agree to the union.
As it happened, de Lannoy and Margaret lived happily ever after. (Perhaps this is where Bollywood got its inspiration from!)
A depiction of De Lannoy. Image: Infocaster/Wikimedia Commons/CC3.0.
An interculinary coupling
Talking about love stories, how can we overrule the lowlanders’ love for bread?
Did you know that the mundane ontbijtkoek is a celebratory breakfast on feestdagen for certain ethnic communities in parts of India and Sri Lanka? 👀
Breudher (like brood) is made with flour, butter, eggs, spices, raisins or sultanas, and sometimes candied citrus peels to lend extra flavour.
The result is dense bread that tastes like cake and can be eaten steamed or straight-up with a slice of cheese. 😋
The Italian panettone is very similar to Breudher. Image: Dreamstime
Where the Dutch have been, so have poffertjes; the dish that disguises itself as breakfast, snack and dessert.
Many countries in Asia practice this love for baby pancakes, albeit with different names and forms.
However, India has its own version of this Dutch delight, and their take is even more varied.
Paniyaram is popular in the south of the country, which celebrates rice, spice, and everything nice. It goes by several other names in every part of the country.
It is made with a fermented rice batter, sweetened with brown sugar, and spiced with cardamom.
The batter is shallow-fried in an indented pan with clarified butter to make delicious golden-brown balls, not too different from poffertjes.
No sweet tooth? There is also a savoury version that uses intensely hot chilli peppers, ginger, and coriander.
Whether the former colonies twisted a Dutch classic or if the Dutch twisted a local classic, it is safe to assume that most of humankind agrees on one thing — fried bits of dough taste divine.
The Netherlands and India today
While all these commonalities and history are interesting, Indians today are just as enamoured by Nederlanders.
Many now choose to send their kids to Dutch-medium schools, celebrate Sinterklaas and gobble pepernoten by the dozen!
Did you know about this secret affair? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below!
An African proverb may stress that it takes a village to raise a child, but if a new Dutch law is passed, four people should do the trick.
The VVD (People’s Party for Freedom and Democracy) submitted a new bill to parliament on Wednesday, which would make multi-parenting possible.
If the bill is enacted, a Dutch child could have a maximum of four parents divided between a maximum of two households, reports NU.nl. Each guardian would have a say over parental decisions like medical treatments, schooling, inheritance, or taking a vacation abroad.
You read that right. Christmas is about to get crazy!
Who will this help?
As legal multi-parenthood must be intentional and granted by a judge before a child is born, this law would not apply to those who already have children in such situations.
Perhaps you’re thinking: “I had two parents, or even one, but I am doing just fine.” Are you really though? Jokes apart, there are many situations where multi-parenthood could be a blessing.
In particular, VVD’s MP Ingrid Michon-Derkzen pictures this bill aiding rainbow parents.
Think of situations where two women have a child with a man, or two men have a child with a woman, or a transman and a cis-woman decide to involve a sperm donor in making parental decisions.
The bill would also help two families share custody after a divorce. Or if you’re completely stumped by the Dutch dating scene, you could raise a child with your three best friends!
A law long overdue?
“With this bill, we will legally enshrine what has long been a reality in practice. Legislation lagged behind current practice. With this bill, we will rectify that,” says Michon-Derzken.
The Tweede Kamer (House of Representatives) has been looking into possible legal frameworks for multi-parenthood since 2016, but no legislation has been passed, even though there are 150,000 such families in the Netherlands.
What now
As of now, citizens and institutions can share their thoughts on this bill online.
Then it will be passed on to the Council of State, the highest advisory body to the Dutch government, before being handed over to the House of Representatives.
This October, a majority of seven parties in the current House of Representatives signed a “rainbow ballot agreement” with the COC (an international LGBTI human rights organisation).
In doing so, they’ve pledged to safeguard the rights of queer people, which happens to include multi-parenthood.
The actual likelihood of the bill, however, depends on coalition negotiations that, as we know now, seem to go on forever.
What’s your take on this parenting set-up? Is it a recipe for chaos or a smarter way to raise kids? Join the conversation.
After four decades of loyal service, a HEMA store manager was met with immediate dismissal for allegedly stealing a pair of pyjamas. A court found she was treated unfairly.
As reported by AD, the employee in question was initially suspected of partially falsifying her hours when her theft of a pair of pyjamas sealed the deal.
An innocent mistake
Due to health concerns, the woman worked part-time from 9 AM to 1 PM. She would log the rest of her hours as sick leave (from 1 PM to 6 PM).
In court, the woman claimed that she logged her hours based on store opening times (9 AM to 6 PM), and made the innocent mistake of forgetting to account for a one-hour break daily. As such, her log of five hours of sick leave a day, rather than four, was accidental.
Corporate espionage? Really?
Due to the false hours being logged, HEMA hired a corporate investigator to investigate the employee for further wrongs.
After reviewing security footage, the super-spy saw the woman take the aforementioned pyjamas.
The footage revealed that she took the pyjamas to the cashier, who let them sit on the counter for a while. Some time later, the dismissed employee took them without paying.
This theft, in addition to the suspected time-sheet fraud, was enough for HEMA to fire the employee immediately.
Judge sides with the underdog
The woman took her case to court, which proved to be a wise choice. The judge sided with her, indicating that HEMA had acted rashly without proper evidence or investigation.
As the woman was never questioned regarding her suspected timesheet fraud, and the cashier was never questioned regarding the pyjamas, a summary and immediate dismissal could not be justified.
Essentially, HEMA jumped the gun — or rather, put on their pyjamas before the day was over.
The judge argued that for an employee of such longevity and loyalty, the complete lack of corrective feedback or direct communication is unacceptable.
Employee remains loyal
The court annulled the dismissal, reversing HEMA’s decision entirely. Despite the ordeal, however, the employee chose not to terminate the contract in court.
The woman indicated a desire to work till retirement. We only hope she receives better treatment this time around.
Do you think HEMA was in the right? Let us know in the comments!
If you’re on the hunt for a new internet provider, Ziggois here to sweeten the deal with a snazzy welcome gift: a 55-inch Samsung Smart TV worth €649.
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Youfonejust rolled out one of their best Black Friday offers yet: a free 43-inch TCL TV if you sign up for their 2-year fibre optic internet plan.
Though the deal is only valid for a limited time, you could also opt for a 50% discount on the first eight months of your subscription. Talk about a steal!
In addition to being super affordable and easy to use, eSIMs will get you connected in a jiffy. These are some of the best deals on the market, and we’ve even sprinkled in some exclusive discounts.
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When it comes to sheer affordability, prepaid SIMs are an excellent choice. Plus, they save you from needing to commit to a one- or two-year-long subscription. 🙌
Already one of the most affordable prepaid providers in the Netherlands, Lebarais slashing their prices even further this season — with discounts of up to 50%.
This means you can now nab up to €20 worth of prepaid call credit for just €10 per month!
Dutch kids are a marvel: cycling around town, hanging onto the back of their parents’ bike, and eating hagelslag like there’s no tomorrow. No wonder they’re among the happiest children in the world — but why is that?
In the meantime, American children score among the lowest in most dimensions measured, stemming primarily from inequality and exceptionally high child poverty rate (with nearly a quarter of children in the U.S. growing up under the federal poverty limit).
When I came to the Netherlands to study Social Policies and Social Interventions for my master’s degree, I had no idea how much subtle cultural differences played a role in national policies and how different childhood in the Netherlands was from my own American upbringing.
These are some of the biggest things I’ve noticed after living in the Netherlands for a few years:
1. Dutch kids know about “the birds and the bees”
I grew up going to a Catholic school in a really conservative state, where it is still illegal in most places to buy alcohol on Sundays.
Our idea of sex education consisted of instilling fear of incurable STDs, calling birth control unreliable, and having a man pass out white roses and pledge cards to make us promise that we’d “save ourselves for marriage.” 🙄
Conversely, the Dutch are known for their tolerance surrounding sexuality — they even appear to be somewhat proud of it. Many people know Amsterdam’s Red Light District, the suggestive Dutch art, and the country’s commitment to sexual equality.
The Dutch approach is one of openness, practicality, and liberalism. They believe that sexuality is a natural part of life.
They are practical about it and think that people will have sex anyway, so they might as well create a safe, well-informed environment. Liberalism also ensures that people have the right to do what they want in their bedrooms.
Unlike a lot of American children, Dutch children receive subsidised comprehensive sex education, teaching children about love, sex, and relationships.
The Dutch mentality towards sex education puts America to shame. Because Dutch people have an open attitude towards sexuality and contraception, the tiny country boasts some of the lowest rates of teen pregnancy, abortion, and STDs.
Contraception is discussed openly in most places in the Netherlands. Image: Depositphotos
The U.S. not only has a famously high teen pregnancy rate, but nearly half of all pregnancies in the U.S. are unintended or unplanned, which can have severe negative effects on unprepared mothers and their children.
In the Netherlands, however, openness about sexuality and the ease of availability of contraception help Dutch people to plan their family life and have children when they feel ready.
Dutch parents may allow a teenager’s partner to spend the night and are realistic about the fact that they may have sex and are willing to give the couple contraception. The American approach is definitely a far cry from that.
2. Mothers are given support from the very start
Nearly a quarter of Dutch women give birth at home under the supervision of a midwife. On top of assisting during the birth, Dutch midwives also provide prenatal care and advice for pregnant women. 🫄
I was shocked the first time I heard that home birth was still reasonably common in the Netherlands. However, the majority of people live within 15 minutes of a hospital, so at the slightest complication in the home birth, the hospital really is a couple of steps away.
As soon as you give birth in the Netherlands, you and your child are shown support. Image: Depositphotos
After giving birth, either at home or in a hospital, women are entitled to maternity care (something which is apparently a luxury in the US).
In what may be a magical cross between the Fairy Godmother and Mary Poppins, a qualified maternity nurse provides kraamzorg (postnatal care) to women who give birth under the Dutch healthcare system.
The maternity nurse helps new mothers care for their newborns with advice, health checks, and even assists with household chores like laundry and making meals for other children. Wat leuk!
Meanwhile, in the U.S., most women give birth in hospitals with medical doctors assisting their deliveries. And while the doctors may assist with some prenatal care and with the birth itself, post-natal care isn’t often a thing.
3. Play is encouraged in education
Another difference between Dutch children and American children is the approach toward “playtime.” In the Netherlands, play is encouraged and considered an important part of childhood development.
This idea is evident based on the endless number of children’s playgrounds, petting zoos, and even kid zones in stores! Not to mention, it’s normal to see Dutch kids playing outside whenever they can on their bikes, scooters, tricycles, or rollerblades. 🚲
Playing is a really important part of Dutch childhood. Image: Pixabay
Although mandatory schooling starts at the age of five, over 95% of Dutch four-year-olds attend early childhood education, and 63% of two-and-a-half to three-year-old children attend some sort of playgroup.
Through play, children learn how to react in situations, confrontations, and social settings. From the commonness of children’s playgroups to small amounts of homework and dedicated children’s play zones, Dutch children are encouraged to spend time happily playing and socialising.
4. The Dutch have a laid-back parenting style
After hours of playing, the Dutch parenting mantra of rust (rest), regelmaat (regularity), and reinheid (cleanliness) illustrate a significant difference in Dutch and American family life.
Dutch parents have cracked the code. Image: Depositphotos
By adhering to the three R’s, Dutch parents create an environment of stability for their children. Children need plenty of sleep, a routine structure, and to keep clean to avoid harmful germs and diseases.
Rather than assuming that a child will sleep when they are tired or unable to sleep through the night, the Dutch simply adhere to a regular bedtime, creating rhythm and comfort. 💤
This is dramatically different from American cultural norms that encourage consistent stimulation in children to promote cognitive development and achievement.
Think “helicopter parents” who overschedule their children by making them do lots of extracurricular activities while also pressuring them to get high grades.
5. There’s a bona fide welfare state for Dutch kids and families
Studying social policies in the Netherlands highlighted the Dutch commitment to families for me. In America, they tend to leave this subject to the private sector.
The Dutch government tries to reconcile the demands of work-life and family responsibility. Policies like paid maternal and paternal leave to take care of their sick child and child benefit packages seem like some type of alternate universe compared to the U.S., which requires employers to do none of the above.
The Netherlands is so concerned with policies for children that it also encourages the Child-Friendly Cities Network, where cities compete with local initiatives to promote the rights and interests of children. 👶
One example of their initiatives is reserving 3% of residential land for children’s playgrounds, sandboxes, etc.
Outdoor places to play are really important for Dutch kids. Image: Pixabay
If you don’t believe me yet about how different things are in the U.S., wait until you read this: the U.S. is one of the only countries in the world which hasn’t ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. 🙃
I will obviously never know if I would have had an even happier childhood in the Netherlands. I would probably speak quietly in restaurants, not be phased by suggestive art around the city, and have a basic understanding of water technology from building sand dykes at the beach.
Not only that, but I would undoubtedly be a better cyclist, know more than just one language, and be totally accepting of French fries as a complete dinner option. But happier? Geen idee.
Why do you think Dutch kids are so happy? Tell us in the comments below!
“It’s almost Pakjesavond!” Almost what? Yup, to internationals, Dutch traditions can seem confusing or just plain weird. But you’ve come to the right place: our (unofficial but absolutely excellent) guide to Sinterklaas for expats.
While the rest of the world spends December waiting for Christmas, the Netherlands has its own way of fooling kids during the winter period: Sinterklaas.
Sinterklaas refers to two things. Firstly, it is the name for the Dutch equivalent of Santa Claus — except this one’s from Spain for some reason.
Secondly, it refers to the actual holiday — the Dutch version of Christmas, which takes place on December 5.
Regardless of where you’re from, you’ve probably heard about Sinterklaas due to the controversial nature of his helpers, the Zwarte Pieten.
To understand this Dutch holiday tradition in all its controversy and to fully enjoy what happens on December 5, you’re gonna need some proper Dutch vocabulary. So, here’s our guide to Sinterklaas vocab for expats — featuring all the wonderfully Dutch things that come with the holiday!
Some Sinterklaas vocab for expats
Get your notebooks ready, here we go. 👇
Intocht
Sinterklaas season starts with the arrival of Sinterklaas into the Netherlands, called “intocht van Sinterklaas.” This usually takes place in mid-November.
Sint arrives in a different Dutch city each year. Image: Depositphotos
The word intocht is actually a normal Dutch word for arrival, but somehow we only use it in the context of our bearded holiness. 🎅🏻
Pakjesavond
The traditional night of the Sinterklaas celebration, the night of December 5, is called pakjesavond (gift evening). On this day, parents offer gifts to their kids, which of course, come straight from Sinterklaas himself. 😉
In order for children to actually believe that there is an old guy buying gifts for the whole of the Netherlands, the evening usually consists of a neighbour (buurman) slamming on the front door, throwing pepernoten and leaving some presents on the doorstep. 🎁
Surprise
The most common way of celebrating Sinterklaas for adults is with a surprise (pronounced in proper Dunglish: supreesuh). This is preferably a handmade creative work of art in which an actual gift is hidden.
In the month before pakjesavond, everyone participating in the celebration pick straws to sort out who’s surprising who.
Then they buy a gift for the person they picked — but it has to be cheap! In typical Dutch style, gifts must be bought within a cadeaulimiet (present limit). The crafted gift has to be accompanied by a poem, called a “sinterklaasgedicht” about the person the surprise is intended for.
Sinterklaasgedicht
The Sinterklaas poem is an important aspect of the celebration. It’s usually written in a simple AABB/ABBA rhyme scheme and contains embarrassing/fun information about the person the poem is written for.
The poem is always written from Sinterklaas’s or Zwarte Piet’s perspective since they are meant to know all your dirty little secrets. 😂
Time to get your creative juices flowing! Image: Depositphotos
Pro-tip: This is how you start all traditional poems: “De Sint was eens aan het denken, wat zou hij XXX nou eens schenken?” (The Sint was just thinking, what he would be gifting to XXX?).
Pro-tip 2: The unimaginative ones use a poem generator. Here’s a really basic one… 👀
Sinterklaasliedjes
We could write a whole article about the Sinterklaas songs. I always get nostalgic when I think about the many raunchy songs I’ve learnt in childhood. But since DutchReview is a PG-rated website, we’re gonna keep it clean and just switch to this short and sweet traditional song:
Sinterklaas Kapoentje, gooi wat in m’n schoentje, gooi wat in m’n laarsje. Dank u, Sinterklaasje.
Which translates into:
Sinterklaas Kapoentje, Throw something in myshoe-ie, Throw something in my booty. Thank you,Lil’ Sinterklaas.
So I hear you thinking: What the heck is Kapoentje? After some extensive research, the first link on Google told me it was slang for either a eunuch, Jewish person, bandit, or villain. Ouch! Again, no political correctness points for the Sint. 😱
Strooigoed
Literally translated, strooigoed means “sprinkling good.” That makes no sense, but the better translation of “sprinkling candy” only does a slightly better job. It’s the sugary sweets that Zwarte Pieten throw around when they enter a room.
Chocolade krijtjes
Chocolade krijtjes are chocolate cigarettes. Yup, this is what Zwarte Piet or your parents gave you when you were too young for real cigarettes, but you needed a fix.
Pepernoten vs Kruidnoten
When Moses came down that small Dutch mountain, he gave the Dutch two holy points of discussion: Zwarte Piet and his colour (almost there) and the great debate of whether pepernoten in the shops in August is a national outrage or an accepted form of making a living for the shopkeeper.
To get a true (and slightly simple-minded) Dutchie really riled up, you can also just carelessly say pepernoten when you really want to stuff your mouth with kruidnoten. So let’s get this one right once and for all:
This isn’t a Dutch word, but it is by far the best Dutch tradition. It’s exactly the right brown stuff you want to find in your shoe.
The best part of our year is munching on chocolate letters — no doubt about it! Image: Depositphotos
So was there anything else we didn’t cover yet when it comes to Sinterklaas for expats? Oh yeah, right…
The Zwarte Pieten discussie
Zwarte Piet is an annual cause of protests in the Netherlands. Image: Pixabay
Oh, and of course, there’s the Zwarte Pieten discussie (Black Petes’ Discussion). To be able to participate in this ongoing Dutch tradition, you have to understand a couple of Dutch concepts.
Roetveegpiet
This is probably going to be the key to the transformation of Pete’s appearance. The story about Sinterklaas’ helper using the chimney and therefore being black is an often-heard argument to support that his black skin has nothing to do with racism.
But when RTLNieuws changed their Piets to an actual soot-Piet, all hell broke out in little Holland. There was further controversy when Google stepped into the debate and blocked all ads of Zwarte Pieten.
Regenboogpiet
“Let’s also try to include all the orange, purple, pink, and green people in Dutch society and produce a Rainbowpiet — that should be a great idea!”said no one ever. The Pieten in all the colours of the rainbow are equally controversial throughout the Netherlands.
This article could stretch on for days if we were to properly discuss the Pieten, so this is a very brief summary that we will offer for now.
If you’re curious about Sinterklaas’ arrival, the distribution of strooigoed, and the ugliness that is the Zwarte Piet debate, then watch our video on Sinterklaas’ arrival into Leiden:
Did we miss any Sinterklaas traditions? Let us know in the comments below.
