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Blog: wordgeyser Topics:expat, netherlands, family and life expatsblogs
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Category Archives: Dutch Culture
Living in The Netherlands: What to Bring with You
I was recently asked what would be an essential item to bring to the Netherlands if I was moving here. A loaded question – one I didn’t want to answer without serious consideration. Much depends on where you’re coming from, whether … Continue reading
Posted in Advice for New Arrivals in the Netherlands, Dutch Culture, Expat Experiences, Family Life, The Netherlands
Tagged american school of the hague, expat relocation to the netherlands, help moving to the netherlands, living in the Netherlands, moving to the hague, moving to the netherlands, relocating to the netherlands, tips for international moves, tips for moving overseas, what do expats need to bring to the ntherlands, what to bring to the netherlands
4 Comments
Interview with Expatsblog – USA to the Netherlands
A while ago I was interviewed by Expatsblog for their great website which is full of resources for anyone moving from somewhere to, well, just about anywhere else. Their website a phenomenal amount of information available on wherever it is you’ll … Continue reading
Posted in Advice for New Arrivals in the Netherlands, Dutch Culture, The Netherlands, Travel
Tagged advice moving to the netherlands, expat family, expat life, global travel, living in den haag, living in Holland, living in the hague, living in the Netherlands, living overseas, moving family to the netherlands, moving from USA to the Netherlands, moving overseas, moving to the netherlands, Netherlands, should i move overseas?, third culture kids
1 Comment
Living in the Netherlands: The Good, The Bad and The Frustrating.
I first wrote about moving to the Netherlands several years ago when I’d had time to settle in and get established, but was still new enough to the Dutch culture to see it through fresh eyes. Since that original article … Continue reading
Queen’s Day: The Quieter Side
I’ve decided to share the quieter side of Queen’s Day, Koninginnedag, a day to celebrate the birthday of the former Queen, Juliana. The present Queen, Beatrix, spends the day with members of the Royal family, visiting towns throughout the Netherlands. … Continue reading
Managing Expectations: The Dutch Health Service
Before we start I’d like to make it absolutely clear that on arrival in any foreign country, whether to live, work or take a vacation my expectation of the local health care systems is always neutral. This avoids confusion should … Continue reading
Dutch Car Insurance: You’re On Your Own
We all have those times when negative energy seems to stick to us like glue, overshadowing everyday life with lethargy, leaving us dispirited and resentful without fully understanding why. It saps strength and creativity, sucking away fun and joy as … Continue reading
Law and Order Dutch Style: Impersonating a Police Officer
Last weekend our youngest son experienced a rite of passage we had hoped he could have avoided, unlike his older siblings. With much high-fiving from them, he joined their ranks, having come into contact with the local constabulary during a … Continue reading
Grand Theft Auto : The Bureaucracy Begins
. . . a continuation from previously, when I entered our secure garage to find my car gone . . . There was an awful blank moment when the enormity of the empty space hit me like a train. Where … Continue reading
Grand Theft Auto : And Not The Computer Game
I know many of you will be wondering where I’ve been, why there have been no entertaining posts to read and absorb over morning coffee for most of the past week. My apologies; I take my coffee duties seriously and … Continue reading
Dutch News Round Up : Are They Serious?
It’s a fabulous Friday, the sun is shining, I’m in a frivolous mood and feeling flippant. And no, I haven’t been enjoying a liquid lunch. For a change I thought it might be fun to comment on a few snippets … Continue reading
Pylons and Pianos Unrelated?: Not as Much as You’d Think
Sometimes you read an article or catch something on TV that stops you in your tracks and makes you wonder about life. I had two experiences like that yesterday which (on a small scale) blew me away. The first was … Continue reading
Posted in Dutch Culture, England and Things English, Inspiration and Reflection, The Netherlands
Tagged Department of Energy and Climate, design and tecnology, electrical pylons, Energy, incubate festival, luke jerram, Netherlands, nurturing the spirit, play me I'm yours in Tilberg netherlands, Pylon Design Competition, Royal Institute of British Architects, Technology, Tilburg
10 Comments
Expat Tax: What the Dutch Really Think
Catching up on the Dutch news today I was stopped in my tracks by an item headed ‘Minister to stop 30% tax ruling . . .’ and didn’t read any further. For those who don’t know (and why would you?) … Continue reading
Posted in Advice for New Arrivals in the Netherlands, Dutch Culture, Dutch Laws, Taxes and Bureaucracy, Expat Experiences
Tagged 30% rule, 30% tax rule in the Netherlands, dutch tax, exats and foreign tax, expat taxes in the netherlands, Frans Weekers, how much tax do the dutch pay?, tax breaks for foreigners in the Netherlands
9 Comments
S.A.D or Just Sad?: The Legacy of the Dutch Summer
I have bemoaned the non-arrival of the Dutch summer for well, the whole of the summer. Much was promised in the warm, soft days of spring when we could venture outdoors sans sweaters and coats, absorb the warming sunlight through our … Continue reading
Brothels Closed at 10pm and No Magic Mushrooms? In AMSTERDAM?
One thing with living in the Netherlands, visitors are always asking about the drug culture and sex industry. It’s a source of great fascination to many people that the Dutch are tolerant and open about these less than respectable, by the … Continue reading
Repatriation of the Deceased: If You Die Overseas Die in The Netherlands
I did have a mental debate as to whether I should write about today’s topic. After listening to both sides for several days I’ve decided we’re all adults and can deal with grown up things. Ever given a thought to what … Continue reading
Posted in Dutch Culture, Expat Experiences, The Netherlands
Tagged airport mortuaries, amsterdam's schiphol airport, death overseas, death overseas. death while travelling oversea, funerals, getting the body home, holland, mortuary at Amsterdam airport, Theo de Haardt, when an expat dies, when an expat dies overseas
8 Comments
How much personal living/working space does a Dutch person have?
I’m hoping everyone is up to a mental workout as I’ve come across some facts on the Netherlands which make for very interesting reading. This morning there was an article on the dutchnews.nl website, quoting information released yesterday by the … Continue reading
Dutch Sending the Poles Home?
So the Dutch are considering sending Polish and other east Europeans home? I didn’t read the full story immediately as my brain went into complete melt down and shock at the thought of the Dutch economy grinding to a halt … Continue reading
And I thought the Dutch Were Tolerant
Last night after a day driving down and around Victoria BC, we settled with our hosts to watch a movie. Nothing too challenging but with enough entertainment value to stop us drifting off to sleep. John Grisham’s The Rainmaker suited … Continue reading
Why Holland is the Worst Country for Drivers
Excuse me while I take a moment to swallow some heavy-duty Tylenol (to stop the pulsating banging in my head) washed down with something even stronger to subdue the need to kill anyone who comes into my field of vision. The … Continue reading
Dutch Workmen: Tips On Understanding The Tribe
I’ve been doing some unofficial research of late into the habits and behaviour of Dutch workmen. I say unofficial because it’s more observation than research and has happened only because we have decorators repainting the exterior of our building. It’s supposedly a twelve … Continue reading
Eurovision Song Contest: the Ultimate Revenge for Past Wrongs
Tonight the population of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland will be holding its collective breath in anticipation, fascination and fear of humiliation. It is the annual Eurovision Song contest, held this year in Düsseldorf, Germany. Created in … Continue reading
Foreign Invasion: When the Tourists Arrive
The sun is beaming gloriously from a blue sky and it’s two days to go to the Easter weekend. As a family we hate traveling at peak holiday periods, we know Schiphol airport (Amsterdam) will be bursting at the seams … Continue reading
Posted in Dutch Culture, Expat Experiences, The Netherlands
Tagged Dutch attitudes to expats, Dutch attitudes to foreigners, Dutch life, expats and locals, holidaymakers in the netherlands, holidays in the netherlands, summer in the netherlands, wassenaar netherlands, wassenaar the netherlands
3 Comments
Dutch Death and Taxes: Where There’s a Will There’s a Lawyer
This week has seen the Captain and I have our annual meeting with our Dutch and US accountants – enough angst to put both of us in need of a long vacation somewhere warm, with hammocks, and 24-hour room service. … Continue reading
Posted in Dutch Culture, Dutch Laws, Taxes and Bureaucracy, Expat Experiences, Family Life, The Netherlands
Tagged do you need a will in the netherlands, do you need to have a will in holland, does an American living in the netherlands need a dutch will, dutch inheritance laws, Dutch inheritance laws and wills, dutch taxes and inheritance, dutch wills, expat and wills in holland, expat and wills in the netherlands, expat life, expats and wills, last will and testament
7 Comments
Loving your Dutch Bike
Ask anyone to think of anything Dutch and I guarantee the top four will be, in no particular order, tulips, windmills, clogs and bikes. Bikes will always be listed – they are such an ingrained part of Dutch life and … Continue reading
Posted in Advice for New Arrivals in the Netherlands, Dutch Culture, Expat Experiences, Family Life, The Netherlands
Tagged best bike for the netherlands, biking in the netherlands, choosing a bike, dutch bikes, exploring the netherlands on a bike, humor, Jeremy Clarkson, learning to ride a bike, Netherlands, omafiets bikes in the netherlands
7 Comments
Dutch Rules and Regulations
There’s no getting away from it, the Dutch are a nation managed by infinite rules and regulations. They are there for a reason, they work and are immoveable. Even Moses would have had a tough time without the Ten Commandments in … Continue reading
Posted in Advice for New Arrivals in the Netherlands, Dutch Culture, Dutch Laws, Taxes and Bureaucracy, Expat Experiences, Family Life
Tagged bureaucracy in the netherlands, correct forms of ID in the netherlands, dutch bank cards and acceptable ID, dutch rules and regulations, humor, Identity document, Netherlands, Passport, passport as ID in the netherlands
8 Comments
Leash Laws and Dog Wardens
The bell tolls long and loud for all Dutch dog owners from 1 March through to 1 August. The annual leash laws mean rather than running freely through public parks and woodland (in slow motion with the theme to Chariots of … Continue reading
Posted in Advice for New Arrivals in the Netherlands, Dutch Culture, Dutch Laws, Taxes and Bureaucracy, Expat Experiences, Family Life
Tagged dog laws in the netherlands, Dogs, dogs in the netherlands, Expat, expat family, expat pets, leash laws in the netherlands, Life Around The Hague, Netherlands
2 Comments
Raunchy Daffodils and Randy Tulips: Learning the Lingo Part III
February, and those fragile signs that winter is finally drawing to a close and spring is just around the corner. Spending time outdoors walking the Archster I’m perhaps more aware than most of the changing seasons – when the first snowdrops appear and … Continue reading
Posted in Dutch Culture, Expat Experiences, Family Life, Learning Dutch, Personal challenges
Tagged daffodils, Dutch language, Dutch tulips, Expat, expat experiences, expats and new languages, how to speak Dutch, learning a foreign language, learning Dutch, Life Around The Hague, Netherlands, speaking Dutch, Tulip
3 Comments
Life’s Certainties: the Dutch and Taxes
It’s January and there’s that sinking feeling in my stomach. Not the winter blues, nor the realisation that the New Years Resolution to lose 10 lbs by the end of the month is a lost cause. No, this is the gargantuan … Continue reading
Posted in Advice for New Arrivals in the Netherlands, Dutch Culture, Dutch Laws, Taxes and Bureaucracy, Expat Experiences
Tagged belastingdienst, Dutch taxes, Expat, expats and international tax, Internal Revenue Service, international tax, international tax in the netherlands, IRS, IRS and international tax, US citizens and Dutch tax, USA taxes
3 Comments
Snow Day in The Hague
Snow Day! Well, we have about an inch but the way the Dutch roads have ground to a halt makes you think we had at least six feet. Driving into The Hague this morning was easy – driving out after four hours of continual snow … Continue reading
wordgeyser 
Dutch Navy 1: Somali Pirates 0
It’s been brought to my attention today that Somalian pirates are in the news again. In the Netherlands. “Five Somalis are appearing in court in Rotterdam today charged with piracy. They are accused of attempting to capture a South African yacht … Continue reading →