If you consider yourself a spontaneous, adventurous person, then maybe the Netherlands isn’t the place for you.
Dutchies don’t like surprises — in fact, they LOVE to plan.
Call the Dutch old-fashioned or technophobic, but you can pry their agendas out of their cold, dead hands. 😵💫
What is it?
Whether you’re inviting someone to a wedding or just want to grab an afternoon coffee, Dutch people will whip out their agendas to schedule in the precious five minutes or five hours you intend to keep them busy. ⌚️
Dutchies will plan absolutely everything in their agendas. Image: Depositphotos
They will bring out the agenda for EVERYTHING. As expected, these agendas are used to schedule holiday dates and birthdays (well, they actually have an equally weird tradition for this) — but they’ll also use it for the smallest things.
Football training? In the agenda. Need to go out a pick up a cake from HEMA? In the agenda. Walk the dog and do groceries? In the agenda! ✍🏼
Why do they do it?
While you can call Dutch people stingy with money, you could also call them stingy when it comes to time, too.
That is to say, they take their personal and leisure time very seriously. 🧐
They won’t be late to dinner with their friends because they value and respect each other’s commitments and boundaries. And they expect other people to do the same for them.
Why is it quirky?
For many people,the act of making plans doesn’t usually involve a pause to whip out an agenda and see if they can schedule you in.
You might find it uptight, but it’s actually quite a compassionate way to think of making plans, especially in contrast with typical Dutch directness.
Rest assured, if you make plans with a Dutchie, they’ll turn up on time and you’ll have their undivided attention for the allocated time you spend together.
Should you join in?
Absolutely! One thing we can learn from Dutchies is their mindset for organisation and planning — with an agenda, you’ll rarely miss an appointment or be late for a social function again! Lekker, hé? 😉
Be warned, however! Dutch agenda culture is not for those who want to use their highlighters, washi tape, and expect to have beautiful handwriting with calligraphy brushes. Just because they’re organised doesn’t mean they’re neat. 😬
What do you think of this Dutch quirk? Have you experienced it? Tell us in the comments below!
Why pay €29 in taxes to fly from Amsterdam when you can hop across the border, grab a bratwurst and save some money?
That is the question more and more Dutch travellers seem to be asking, and the answer is increasingly “Auf Wiedersehen, Schiphol.”
According to AD, in 2024 alone, a record-breaking 2.3 million Dutch travellers packed their suitcases and headed to Germany’s border airports, mostly Düsseldorf and Weeze.
That’s not a gentle flow; it’s a full-on flood
Düsseldorf welcomed 1.5 million Dutchies last year, 25% more than the year before.
Weeze, meanwhile, is practically a Dutch colony at this point: 40% of its passengers are from the Netherlands.
Why the mass migration eastward? Flying from Germany is cheaper.
For example, compared to a €29 air passenger tax on intra-European flights, Germany keeps it to a modest €15.
And Dutch airports are only getting more expensive
German airports become even more appealing when you consider that, starting in 2027, Dutch flight taxes are set to climb even higher: €47 for medium-haul flights and €71 for long-haul.
And not even KLM’s legendary sandwich can sweeten the deal this time.
Speaking with AD, director Frank Radstake of the Dutch Association of Airline Travel Agencies (ANVR) warns that the Netherlands is “pricing itself out of the market.”
Translation: if you want Dutch travellers to stay in the Netherlands, maybe don’t make flying from here feel like buying champagne on a beer budget.
A trend that will continue
Government research predicts 45,000 Dutch travellers will ditch home airports for foreign ones in 2030.
A spokesperson for Düsseldorf Airport tells AD, “We expect growth to continue. We estimate that the number of Dutch passengers could increase to two million in the coming years.”
So, picture it: Dutch holidaymakers will keep filling up their cars, blasting André Hazes on the radio, and happily driving an extra hour to Germany.
Because what’s a bit of Autobahn traffic compared to saving at least €14 per person (and maybe enjoying better airport coffee while you’re at it)?
Are you loyal to Schiphol, or will you be rolling your suitcase across the border next time? Drop your travel hacks in the comments.
Ever been so stressed by life that you have to book yourself a timeslot in an open grave? No? Well, Radboud University can offer you that option if you want it.
We’re not kidding.
Known as the “Purification Grave“, the open grave site can be found behind the university’s chapel. It’s fitted with a comfy yoga mat (with the words “stay weird”), a sign that says “Memento Mori”, and a pretty good view from six feet under.
Oh, and probably some bugs — but who cares.
Ok, but… why?
The grave site is actually an initiative of the university’s chapel — and it’s not exactly new. In fact, the story of the “Purification Grave” started over a decade ago.
In 2009, the chaplaincy decided to dig a grave in its garden in order to allow students the opportunity to lie down and reflect on their lives.
And that’ll certainly do it. According to the chaplaincy’s website, the grave site is “A modern form of memento mori, which means that you are aware that you are mortal.”
The grave was initially temporary and was filled in 2011. However, it proved to be so popular with students that a number of them requested it to be re-dug.
As a result, in 2019, student pastor John Hacking and secretary of the student church Ilse Hubers grabbed the shovels and got digging once more.
“I think it is important that people have the opportunity to reflect, especially at a time when stress among students is becoming increasingly worse,” Hubers tells Vox.
To make you contemplate life
The idea is pretty simple: you get in the grave and think about your life. However, you are not allowed to bring your phone or your books.
This is not meant to be a quirky place to stalk your ex on Instagram or read Carl Jung (although it may, indeed, trigger ego death). Instead, it’s meant to help you see the bigger picture.
If you’re currently packing your bag for a flight tomorrow, you might want to stop what you’re doing. KLM ground staff have announced a six-hour strike on September 24.
The strike will last from 6 AM to 12 PM and has already led to the cancellation of 119 flights.
This marks the third strike in a row, and if ground staff’s demands aren’t met, another strike will follow next week on October 1, lasting from 6 AM to 2 PM.
What’s this all about?
The strikes were initially organised by workers unions FNV and CNV, along with three other ground staff unions, the NOS writes.
However, while the three other unions reached an agreement with the airline to increase wages by 2.5% earlier this month, the FNV and CNV don’t agree to this and demand further compensation.
The goal of the strikes? According to the FNV, the employees are “fighting for the preservation of purchasing power” among other things, such as adequate protection for vulnerable groups and a better balance between permanent and flexible contracts.
In a press release, the FNV warns that more strikes will follow if the airline doesn’t come up with something better:
“The FNV emphasises that the union, together with the CNV, will expand the actions as long as management refuses to come up with concrete proposals that do justice to the deployment of ground staff.”
If you’ve recently moved to the Netherlands and are in the process of getting a Dutch phone number, you likely know how difficult it can be.
You want to find a SIM plan that fits your new Dutch life, while having enough data to keep in touch with friends and family at home. Of course, you also don’t want to overpay.
If those are your priorities, you might want to consider Lyca’s prepaid SIMs. 👇
1. You’ll get network speeds faster than you can bike
Let’s face it, no one wants a slow network. From minor inconveniences, like being unable to scroll TikTok on your lunch break, to major issues, such as being unable to access your mobile banking app, it’s a real headache.
Thankfully, Lyca operates on KPN’s network, giving you discounted access to one of the fastest and most reliable networks in the Netherlands.
Slow internet? Nee, we don’t know her. 😉 Image: Dreamstime
With median speeds of 133.92 Mbps and 5G compatibility, you’re guaranteed a rock-solid connection whether you’re streaming, mobile gaming, or more.
And, if you’re looking for a handy way to stay on top of your SIM subscription, Lyca’s mobile app is convenient and user-friendly. You can check your credit balance and data availability and switch between plans — the app even sends you reminders to renew your plan or top up your balance.
(That’s one less thing for you to worry about, leaving your agenda free for more important things, such as planning coffee dates three weeks in advance like a true Dutchie! ☕)
Plus, for those uncertain how long you’ll be staying in the Netherlands, you won’t be stuck paying for a SIM plan you’re not using.
3. You can easily keep in touch with all your new friends
So you’ve lived here for a few weeks, and you’re finally starting to make some friends — congratulations! 🥳
If you’re dying to tell them about the cute cats that live down your street, you’ll be thrilled to know that all of Lyca’s prepaid SIMs come with unlimited minutes and texts.
No need to worry about the length of your call. Image: Dreamstime
To make the process of getting a Dutch phone number faster and stress-free, Lyca also offers prepaid eSIMs and doesn’t require credit checks for any of its prepaid plans.
In other words, you can start basically chatting ASAP!
4. You’ll access affordable plans that won’t break the bank
Another thing you’ve probably noticed about the Netherlands is that it can get pretty expensive here. 😬
Saving money is an absolute must, so it’s a good thing that Lyca’s prepaid SIMs make that super easy for you with plans starting at only €10 per month.
Looking for affordability and massive data packages? You can even get monthly unlimited data packages, which is a feature rarely found in prepaid SIMs.
(In fact, most major Dutch providers don’t actually offer monthly unlimited data plans for their prepaid SIMs — so, with Lyca, you’re getting a better deal for less money.💸)
If you can commit to the lowlands, you can opt for a one-year prepaid plan that allows you to save an additional 20%.
5. You can even stay connected while you travel
If you’re keen on taking a jaunt down to the Belgian coast, Lyca’s roaming plans make sure you won’t break the bank while Google Mapping your way around.
Go anywhere in the EU, stress-free. Image: Dreamstime
Even better: with a Dutch SIM card, the EU’s roam like at home policy ensures you don’t have to pay any additional fees while travelling through Europe.
Although your provider can still set a data limit usage outside of the Netherlands as a part of the EU’s “fair use” policy, Lyca is very generous with its roaming cap. Their unlimited bundle, for example, offers a generous 51GB of data within the EU for only €40 per month.
If your needs don’t necessarily require unlimited data, you can get an even more affordable deal. All Lyca prepaid SIMs include at least 10GB of roaming within the EU, so go ahead and listen to all of your Spotify playlists when you travel. 🎶
Providing a fast network, all the flexibility your heart desires, and super affordable prices, Lyca’s prepaid SIMs are the best tools for staying connected as an international in the Netherlands.
Scenes in The Hague on Saturday afternoon were anything but typical. Rioters threw bottles and bollards, police cars were set on fire, windows were smashed, and rioters attempted to enter the Binnenhof.
Nope, these activities were not typical of a Saturday in The Hague. According to some Dutch politicians, they were acts of political violence.
Wait, what happened?
Before we get into how Saturday’s events are being viewed, let’s quickly break down what happened.
At 1 PM on Saturday, right-wing activist, “Els Rechts”, organised an anti-immigration demonstration on the Malieveld.
While the demonstration started peacefully, things quickly escalated to scenes straight out of Trump’s wet dreams.
A group of rioters entered the Utrechtsebaan (A12) and began clashing with police. The area around the Malieveld quickly turned to chaos. Police cars were set alight, and bottles and bollards were thrown.
The group of rioters then moved into the city centre, where they smashed the windows of the office building belonging to D66 (Democrats 66, a social liberal party).
As they carried out the attack, some rioters could be heard screaming “kankerjoden” (cancerjews).
The rioters also attempted to enter the Binnenhof, smashing windows in the historic building as they went before moving to Het Plein, a busy area full of cafés and restaurants.
According to the NOS, Els Rechts later condemned the actions of the rioters.
Not just hooligans
Speaking with the political program Buitenhof, D66 party leader Rob Jetten has described the far-right riots as an expression of political violence.
While some politicians, such as outgoing finance minister Eelco Heinen, are telling the press that the rioters were merely hooligans who had “nothing to do with politics,” many others disagree.
Speaking on Buitenhof, Jetten points out that the rioters used words and phrases often used in the House of Representatives by politicians such as Geert Wilders.
“They didn’t shout ‘Go ADO’ or ‘Go FC Utrecht,’ but they chanted slogans about reclaiming the Netherlands,” Jetten says on the show.
According to the NOS, the SP (Socialist Party) and GroenLinks-PvdA (GreenLeft-Labour Party) agree with Jetten, with SP’s leader Jimmy Dijk saying that “this is the Netherlands after decades of right-wing politics.”
Far right symbol used
What also doesn’t help the “hooligans” argument is the fact that rioters displayed prince’s flags. These flags have become a symbol for the far-right.
The NOS reports that alongside the use of antisemetic slogans, the Hitler salute was also used by rioters.
Taking to X, GroenLinks-PvdA leader Frans Timmermans described the riots as “Trumpian situations, fueled by politicians who sow fear and division.”
NSB-vlaggen op het Malieveld. Geweld tegen de politie door extreemrechts. Onacceptabel. Dit zijn Trumpiaanse toestanden, gevoed door politici die angst en verdeeldheid zaaien.
The Netherlands has islands, over 70 animal species, and, to say the least, it’s very flat. Travelling across this tiny country from the east to the westwill only take you a little over two hours.
The geographical placement of the Netherlands makes the country quite unique and gives it an agricultural advantage over countries further from the equator.
The Netherlands has a lot of greenery, vegetation, smart irrigation systems, and it’s technically below sea level.
The highest point in the Netherlands, with a staggering altitude of 322 metres above sea level, is the summit of Vaalserberg, a hill located in the province of Limburg.
The lowest point (which lies 6.74 metres below sea level) is found in the Zuiderplaspolder in Nieuwerkerk aan den IJssel. What else is there to know? Check out this video by Geography Now to find out.
Did you learn anything new about the geography of the Netherlands? Let us know in the comments below!
Yesterday, a 15-year-old boy was shot dead by Dutch police outside a McDonald’s in Capelle aan den IJssel. According to the NOS, the boy had stolen a fatbike at gunpoint.
Several people, including young children, witnessed the fatal shooting of the boy. The suspect reportedly tried to run away before police shot him.
Theft at gunpoint
At around 4:15 PM, police responded to a report of a fatbike theft on the Wisselspoor. Witnesses of the robbery told police that the suspect had threatened the victim with a gun.
The suspect had fled the scene, however, police then located him near a McDonald’s on Hoofdweg.
The police then decided to approach the boy using a technique for apprehending dangerous people. After warning the boy several times, shots were fired as he attempted to flee.
The NOS reports that two other boys have been arrested for their involvement in the theft. One was present at the shooting, while the other later turned himself in.
Investigation launched and victim support offered
The fatal shooting of the boy is now under investigation by the National Criminal Investigation Department, and victim support has been offered to those who witnessed the shooting.
In a statement, the mayor of Capelle aan den IJssel, Joost Manusama, asks people to wait for the results of the investigation:
“Only then can we draw conclusions. I therefore urge everyone not to speculate and to await the results of the investigation.”
He describes the shooting as “a great loss for the deceased boy’s relatives” and says “I also realise that this incident has had a deep impact on all the bystanders who witnessed it. This can be particularly shocking and frightening for children.”
Moving to a new country is often something to be celebrated. However, for new international students arriving in the Netherlands, this is often a stressful time.
International students moving to the Netherlands often find that it’s not a hangover that causes them to miss their university commitments — but homelessness.
Instead of being greeted with the idyllic image of eating cheese whilst riding a bike and wearing clogs, many are faced with an unfair, confusing, and often discriminatory housing market. 🏡
Student housing crisis: The problems
One of the major issues seems to be a lack of affordable housing for all students, not just the internationals. Often, rooms are subpar and overpriced, but the lack of a viable alternative means that students have little choice but to take what they can.
The Dutch student housing crisis is only predicted to get worse with time… Image: Unsplash
Just to illustrate how bad the situation is, in 2025, Utrecht set up a Glamping Spot for new students because there wasn’t enough room for them (involuntary camping adventure?). 🏕
Universities in the Netherlands are not responsible for finding their students’ accommodation. New students are left to face the daunting task of finding a room alone.
On top of all this, new students may only find out that they actually have a seat at university as little as a month before they are due to start.
Facebook and student housing: it’s problematic 💸
To begin, Facebook groups are often plagued by scammers waiting to take advantage of desperate people. They offer a room if a deposit is sent straight away, but of course, no such room exists.
Some people have been scammed out of hundreds of euros before they’ve even arrived in the country.
Even if you go through a housing agency, there are risks.
There are plenty of stories circulating of people who have paid huge agency fees to these companies only to be left with no house and considerably less money.
Even reputable agencies will charge vast sums in agency fees, contract fees, and basically, any fee that they can justify.
Utrecht student and vlogger Levi Hildebrand read this article and set out to give you 5 reasons why it’s a good idea to house an international student!
The Facebook groups paint a grim picture of exactly how bad things are. For every room posted, there are at least 50 posts from concerned prospective students pleading for somewhere to stay.
“Dutch girls only” 🙅♀️
This is when the internationals are faced with the cherry on top of all of their problems. The dreaded words at the top of nearly every post: “Dutch girls only”.
The arguments for girls wanting an all-female house are understandable, and some might say that it’s reasonable to want to live in an all-Dutch house in your own country.
Unfortunately, what Dutch students want is in contradiction with what Dutch universities want.
There’s a real drive from Dutch universities to bring in more internationals, but the housing market, as it stands, cannot cope with this influx.
As a result, there are people who have missed their first lectures, people sleeping in tents, couch-surfing, and dropping out of university.
This is clearly not the best welcome and can lead to a feeling of a divide between Dutch and international students, which is far from ideal…
Student housing: Is there a solution?
For now, a solution to the student housing crisis seems to be far away in the distant and foggy future. However, over the past few years, students have started coming together across the Netherlands to try and ensure a fairer housing system.
How do you feel about the student housing crisis? Tell us in the comments below!
History is full of butterfly effects. The first voyage of the Dutch to China is no exception, thanks to the Portuguese.
During the Eighty Years’ War — the Netherlands’ struggle for independence from Spain — the Dutch faced increasing hostility in overseas trade.
First, the Spanish closed all their ports to Dutch ships. And after Portugal fell to the Spanish in 1580, all Portuguese ports closed down too.
Why did the Dutch go to China?
As a result, the supply of spices to Amsterdam came to a halt. Driven by the love for spice and money (and probably also the adventurous spirit of the Age of Discovery), the Dutch decided to find their own way to Asia, with China as one of the top destinations.
But why China? The tremendous fascination for the Chinese can (at least partially) be credited to two men who sailed to Asia while in service of the Portuguese: Jan Huygen van Linschoten and Dirck Gerritszoon Pomp.
Van Linschoten, who stayed in the East Indies from 1583 to 1589, gathered as much information about the Asian countries as possible. He published his travel book Itinerario naer Oost ofte Portugaels Indien upon his return.
His reporting on China was, funnily enough, based on the work of a Spanish priest, Juan Gonzalez de Mendoza, who had never been to China, and used information from Augustinian and Dominican preachers who had.
Nevertheless, it sang praises of the Chinese goods, spurring the Dutch interest in the Far East.
From Dirck Gerritszoon Pomp to “Dirck China”
Dirck Gerritszoon Pomp had visited Macau several times and could not stop talking about its wonders after returning home. He also spread the word of the ridiculously lucrative trade the Portuguese were doing there.
Gerritszoon Pomp revealed that the most profitable trade in Asia was between Asian empires, with the Portuguese as middlemen. He even got a nickname for his enthusiasm for the “land of tomorrow” — “Dirck China”.
The barter of Chinese silk for Japanese silver yielded particularly great treasures.
The Portuguese situated in Macau would stock up on Chinese silk and gold (which were in high demand in Japan) and exchange them for cheap silver in Nagasaki before returning to China to trade the silver for silk and porcelain to bring back to Europe.
The exchange of goods through the Asian ports yielded so much revenue that the purchase of spices for Europe could be financed by the profit made along the way. Understandably, China became one of the top destinations for the Netherlands.
Finding the way
Seeing that the Portuguese were under Spanish rule and the Dutch were at war with Spain at the time, the Dutch wisely chose to avoid the Portuguese routes and find their own way to Asia.
It took some failed attempts, including the famous “Nova Zembla” incident, where a crew tried to go through the Arctic but got stuck due to sea ice.
Their story lives on in Dutch national history as an example of perseverance and heroism.
However, one voyage to the city of Bantam on the west coast of Java proved to be a breakthrough. According to Jan Huygen van Linschoten, Bantam — whose pepper production attracted many Chinese merchants — had no Portuguese occupants.
Upon arrival, however, the leader Cornelis de Houtman was greatly disappointed that there were already Portuguese merchants there, eyeing them suspiciously.
Still, a silver lining came in the form of wealthy Chinese merchants living in their own “Chinatown” outside the city walls. They treated the Dutch crewmen with hospitality and could tell them all about their hatred of the Portuguese merchants.
Even though this journey resulted in heavy losses — both in human life and goods — the Dutch were proud to finally have found their own way to the East Indies.
However, too much competition in Asia meant that the Dutch needed to find a settlement as close to China as possible.
In the end, the Dutch set their eyes on Macau in the Pearl River Delta, where the presence of the Portuguese was, at best, tolerated by the Chinese Ming dynasty.
Meeting in Macau
On June 28, 1600, a fleet of six ships set sail to the East Indies under Admiral Jacob van Neck’s command. Initially, they intended to send two ships to China after arriving in the East.
However, due to bad wind conditions in South and Southeast Asia, they decided to head straight for Macau, where they could stock up on provisions and gather information about their trade.
After some struggle with the notorious typhoon on the Chinese sea, Van Neck was, with the help of some Chinese fishermen, finally greeted by the sight of Macau — “a large city, built with Spanish fashion… on the mountain stands a Portuguese church with a giant blue cross.”
Shortly after their arrival, they sent a small boat carrying some sailors to the city. The moment the crew set foot on Chinese soil, they were arrested. A day later, another boat was sent to find a better anchor point and was captured.
A total of 20 sailors disappeared into the mouth of Pearl River, never to be seen again. Except for one — Maarten Aap, who returned to the Netherlands several years later.
The Dutch travelled all across the world. Image: Depositphotos
Any attempts to retrieve the lost crew were futile. Van Neck was deeply frustrated and thought the Chinese were barbaric for imprisoning his men without any warning. However, the truth, as history has taught us time and time again, is never that simple.
The tragic faith of 17 Dutch sailors
At the end of the sixteenth century, the Chinese Ming government had developed somewhat of a “love-hate” relationship with the Portuguese. On the one hand, the speedy growth of the Portuguese settlement was seen as a threat.
On the other hand, The Ming government needed the Portuguese for their “divide-and-conquer” strategy — the Portuguese received advantageous trading deals while other countries didn’t, leaving the Portuguese to deal with jealous competitors.
So, it was no surprise that when the strange newcomers arrived in Macau, the Chinese officials and the Portuguese had opposite reactions.
The Chinese and Portuguese had different reactions to the Dutch arrival. Image: Unknown author/Wikimedia Commons/Public Domain
The Portuguese, who arrested the Dutch sailors, wanted nothing more than to remove these protestants threatening their trade monopoly.
Meanwhile, Chinese authorities wanted to speak with the new foreign merchants and offer them a piece of land elsewhere at the mouth of the Pearl River. That might turn them into enemies of the Portuguese and, hopefully, lead to greater conflicts in which both sides would lose.
Alas, the Portuguese were too quick to take action.
When the local authority ordered them to hand over the Dutch sailors as soon as possible, 17 sailors had already been hanged by the Portuguese, while the remaining four were sent to Goa. Not even converting to Catholicism convinced the Portuguese to spare their lives.
The Portuguese also sabotaged Chinese attempts at communication with the Dutch ships, either through translation or bribery. On October 3, Van Neck finally decided to turn back without the imprisoned sailors.
Throughout the whole ordeal, the Chinese learned nothing of the Dutch except for their appearance, describing the event as such:
“In September 1601, two barbarian ships arrived in Macau. Even the interpreters didn’t know from which country they came. People called them “red-haired devils.” Their hair is reddish, and their eyes are round.
They stand at about ten feet, seemingly as strong as the barbarians of Macau (the Portuguese). Their ships were huge and covered with copper plates, sinking twenty feet into the water.
The barbarians of Macau were concerned about these potential competitors in trade and drove the ships out to the Pacific Ocean by force. The ships were then blown away by a typhoon. There’s no way to know where they ended up.”
Heemskerck’s revenge
Well, so the first voyage to China turned out to be a complete failure. The ships returned with fewer goods, fewer men, and a whole lot of rage. A year later, the Dutch finally learned of the fate of the imprisoned sailors.
In April 1602, Admiral Jacob van Heemskerck (leader of that Arctic exploration) captured a Portuguese ship off the Javanese coast and discovered documents detailing the murder of the 17 sailors.
Furious, Van Heemskerck swore to avenge his fallen countrymen. He stayed true to his vow when he captured the Portuguese carrack (meaning merchant ship, kraak in Dutch), Santa Catarina, on February 25, 1603, which was fully loaded with Chinese silk and porcelain from Macau.
The fate of the 17 Dutch sailors was revealed one year later. Image: Rijksmuseum/Wikimedia Commons/CC01.0
The cargo was then auctioned off in Amsterdam and brought in over 2.5 million guilders. Since then, Kraak Porcelain has become a household term in the Netherlands.
The hijacking of Santa Catarina, however, attracted international attention and set off a ripple effect in the course of global history.
It marked the start of the Dutch–Portuguese War, which would end with the Dutch overthrowing the Portuguese monopoly on trade in the East Indies and establishing colonies in Indonesia that served as bases for colonial advancement in China.
Unfortunately, news of the hijack wasn’t well-received in China.
After the first encounter in Macau, the Portuguese told China that the Dutch “red-haired devils” were all barbaric pirates who didn’t deserve mutual trade. The Chinese were initially suspicious of their words but changed their mind when they caught wind of the hijack.
Little did the Chinese know they would be dealing with more “barbarians” than just the Dutch as a result of this hijack. The auction of Chinese goods was an eye-opener for many European merchants. Until that point, the Portuguese had kept their trading activities in Asia a secret.
However, the selling of the Santa Catarina cargo made many Europeans realize the enormous profits that could be made in Asia, especially in China. Following this, foreign traders and colonialists started to plague the coasts of China.
As for the Dutch, their bad reputation led to a century of conflict with China.
Failed attempts at mutual trade resulted in invasions with twists and turns, which inevitably dragged both countries into the ever-growing monster that is the global trading system.
Did you know about this interesting chapter in Dutch history? Tell us in the comments below!
