596 Comments »

1. 

   You could have considerably shortened your article on the Dutch….by simply saying..the Dutch are the biggest idiots in Western Europe.
   This explains why there are so many sayings about the Dutch.”Dutch Courage”,going dutch,double dutch…etc etc.
   The English whipped their sorry arses years ago and threw them out of India and elsewhere.One of the characteristics of
   the Dutch was the cruelty of their colonial period….base brutality against unarmed civilians.

   As for calling Germans dumb….that is a bloody cheek coming from an idiot Dutchman.Germans have only produced some of
   the worlds great philosophy and engineering.Noticeably the well known supposedly great painter ,Van Gogh was a complete madman…
   Shame the Germans didn’t bomb more of the Dutch IDIOTS.

   NOTE:No one likes the Dutch for good reason…they are IDIOTS

   Comment by Dave spart — May 27, 2016 @ 9:49 pm

2. 

   Come on! FEBO is de lekkerste! Man I travel four thousand miles for the satekroket and the bamiball. Married a grootmokumer 15 years ago and I love Dutch culture and the Dutch. I love how plain spoken they are, not like North America where everyone walks on eggshells. Nope. If they think you’re full of shit they’ll tell you as soon as the thought crosses their mind. No filter. But they can take it too – they just look at you and say “well that’s what you think” and everything is cool. I love it.

   Comment by twinkytoze — May 30, 2016 @ 4:44 am

3. 

   Regarding Dutch my heritage and of Europe:

   We idiotically invented the slave trade, sailed all the seas to East Indies, invented the spice trades with tea, whittle shoes from a piece of wood, fire blue delft, build huge windmills, frequently win speed skating at the Olympics.

   I personally chopped off one of my ears like Rembrandt, or is it Van Gogh? I can’t “ear” you!

   Some sayings may be “You can tell a Dutchman, but you cant tell him much”.

   It is because we don’t call other races “Idiots” we merely tolerate them. Let the “IDIOTS” build our engineering marvels to accost the North Sea. Let “IDIOTS” cut the jib for ole Master Bourkum Riff, the Dutch Captain with a pipe who has already made bank. “IDIOTS” are thrown overboard any crew as a Dutchman, a “Skip”.

   Comment by Wes Vanderhorst — June 11, 2016 @ 12:46 am

4. 

   @dave spart, that was indonesia

   Comment by cocu — June 12, 2016 @ 11:27 am

5. 

   How dare u talk about Dutch people in that way, I am a from the Netherlands and I am top set in nearly all my subjects so ha and don’t judge someone from where they come from,we are all equal so u guys are just being so horrible and u guys ovisoubly have a big ego so stop being so mean and cruel ok!!!!!!

   Comment by Danker — June 13, 2016 @ 8:23 am

6. 

   I have never heard the Dutch being called Idiots..But I do know that envy is usally the main reason for calling names.

   Comment by Rene Hurricane — June 18, 2016 @ 5:27 pm

7. 

   Dave Spart is the village idiot…if you are to speak about any nationality like that, you show how much of an idiot you are.
   There are nationalities I do not prefer due to their beliefs, values, etc. but I do not speak so badly about them. I just choose not to speak about them. Look in the mirror Dave…that is an idiot you are looking at.

   Comment by Frank Uithoven — June 22, 2016 @ 5:57 pm

8. 

   I am from Holland, and I think that you should add one thing;
   We speak lots of languages, but nobody speaks ours. I have never heard a tourist say things like ´Hallo´ or ´goedemorgen.´
   They just don´t know simple words like that.
   Meanwhile, the dutches prepare themselves by learning some basic words from the country they are going to stay.
   And almost every ´Nederlander´ knows a couple languages like English or French. For instance, I know how to speak Latin, Greek, Englisch, French and German and I am just 14 years old.

   (don´t mind the grammar in this comment, I´m tired)

   Comment by Marit — June 25, 2016 @ 6:48 am

9. 

   I find it hilarious that the dutch are being called ‘idots’ , yet they are one of the savest countries. They have strict laws agains guns and owning them, none like america where you can buy guns whenever you like. Maybe thats why there arent any mass shootings in the netherlands. Even prisons are being closed because there arent enough criminals to fill all of them. They also have loads of nature and these briges over highways just so that wildlife can cross over without getting hit by cars. Also, yes its rude how 1 guy told germans were stupid for digging a hole, but thats just 1 person out of the 17 milion people living in the country. And as far as the weired accent, atleast they speak english i dont see any americans learning dutch.

   Comment by Louk — June 27, 2016 @ 7:41 pm

10. 

    heey dave
    Maybe we hate germany because they started a war, and a lot of people died. All the ‘old’ people hate them and than they say to their children that german peolpe are bad and they ‘say’ it to their own children and that will never end….
    okay maybe it will end in a few years but yeah..

    Comment by Maaike — June 29, 2016 @ 8:26 am

11. 

    Let me clear up a few things:
    3. It’s not because we only eat one hot meal a day. It’s because most people eat the biggest meal of the day in the evening and it’s usually hot. If you had your “hot” meal. You are probably pretty stuffed and you probably don’t want to eat anything “big” so they make you a nice light meal.

    6. This is just a joke. But it is true that mainly germans are digging holes on our beaches. We don’t know why, we are just OK with it and joke about it a little. Sometimes our jokes can be a little rude, but then again we don’t care if you call us cheeseheads “Kaaskoppen” Or potheads or even a little greedy. Ask us why germans are stupid and the most common answers are: “I don’t know. They just are.” and most will just say “It’s a joke”

    Now there are some people who take these jokes way too serious. Even the dutch themselfs.

    7. There are drains everywhere to guide the water to another place and they are extremly well kept. As a dutchie even I think we sometimes go to far, and replace things long before they need to be replaced. We have a lots of other types of sand, but the drains just work really well.

    9. This is true in most cities, but it really depends. Most people use 2 locks just to be sure, but my bike never got stolen and it wasn’t double locked all of the time. I guess locking your bike is almost of a form of art. Never lock your bike to itself. A fence or your friends bike will do.

    Comment by LivingdaLife — July 6, 2016 @ 1:01 pm

12. 

    Without question the Netherlands is one of the most overrated countries on earth… It’s absolutely vile.

    1. The cities & towns are ugly- slabs of concrete mixed with dirty red bricks, generally very 1960’s looking, as if it were all bombed in WW2 and they had to rebuild within a matter of weeks. Poor selection of shops with no supermarkets other than budget German retailers and their own Monopoly supermarket-Albert Heijn.

    2. The Dutch are generally the most self-righteous, arrogant and rude people I have ever come across in my life. I certainly wouldn’t employ one…, the Dutch will typically justify this by proclaiming it’s them being direct but it isn’t. In meetings for instance the Dutch must be made to feel important and valued where each Dutch person has their ‘moment to talk’, this is very important to them, very false too. To give you an example the Dutch generally will not answer the door to you unless you have scheduled in advance the time and reason for your visit- also if you are lucky enough to get in and it’s Winter time remember to wrap up warm… because they will NOT have the heating on.

    3. Their English is awful- annoys me how the Dutch are praised for their English but generally speaking their English is horrendous especially so when combined with the odd/annoying Dutch/American accent. Typically speaking an average 30 year old Dutch person’s English will be on par with a 10 year old child from the UK/US- if not slightly below this level as the Dutch don’t understand expression. The Swedish and Danish have far better natural English.

    4. Without question amongst the worst dressed in the World, zero-fashion sense combined with being cheap results in grown men dressed in green trousers and red sweatshirts whilst the women will wear anything ranging from white ankle boots to machine washable polyester jackets, literally anything goes.

    5. Many Dutch women, particularly those over 35 appear ‘man-like’, 6 foot 2, short-practical hair….should have been men at birth, you know the type. Well the Netherlands is full of them.

    6. Unbelievably cheap…again at first glance it might look ‘cool’ how they cycle everywhere- the truth is they cycle everywhere because it’s cheaper than running a car. The heating will not be switched on no matter how old it is outside, if you go for a drink you will definitely be paying for your own choice of poison. If a Dutch man had to pay for a round I’d imagine they would go into cardiac arrest.

    7. The countryside is boring and flat and has nothing going for it- much of Europe’s mass produced pork products, tomatoes, etc. come from the Netherlands.

    8. Heavy taxation yet no Government healthcare.

    9. The weather is ultra depressing. The default setting is overcasted with a slight to moderate wind.

    10. Schiphol Airport hasn’t been refurbished since 1982 it’s like walking around your own migraine.

    11. By far home to the oldest trains I have ever seen that are still in use.

    12. Huge racial divides-the overwhelming impression i got from the Dutch is that they are extremely anti-muslim….anti-everyone who isn’t Dutch

    13. The food… everything seems to revolve around pancakes or the mixture used to make pancakes, syrup, sprinkles, and herring. Washed down with a beer that is half froth half liquid in a pathetic 200ml glass…

    14. Full of white South-Africans- presumably because their own country can’t offer them work. Not necessary a bad thing however many will be devoid of any personality or charm- ultra serious.

    15. The red light district and weed….clever as the only reason 99% of people ever visit this hell hole is to smoke a joint with the prospect of getting laid for 50EUR…it certainly isn’t for the weather.

    16. Riyadh feels safer than Rotterdam.

    Summary: One to avoid.

    DailyCandor: Why do so many English people absolutely loathe everyone? The more you know someone, the more you seem to hate them.

    Comment by CJ — July 10, 2016 @ 8:34 am

13. 

    First the Dutch started with free bikes for several years after they have stopped. Then the Danes started. Most Dutch have more than one bicycle.

    Comment by K.Mahadewsingh — July 19, 2016 @ 11:20 am

14. 

    I have traveled the world several times and still travelling, have seen and experienced a lot.
    The Netherlands is one of the most developed and richest countries in the world. Many can learn from the Netherlands.

    Comment by K.Mahadewsingh — July 19, 2016 @ 11:40 am

15. 

    @CJ

    “Without question the Netherlands is one of the most overrated countries on earth… It’s absolutely vile.”

    Beautiful, let’s dissect this.

    “1. The cities & towns are ugly- slabs of concrete mixed with dirty red bricks, generally very 1960’s looking, as if it were all bombed in WW2 and they had to rebuild within a matter of weeks. Poor selection of shops with no supermarkets other than budget German retailers and their own Monopoly supermarket-Albert Heijn.”

    I wonder if you’ve ever been to the Netherlands, because cities differ greatly from one another. Amsterdam has the old looks, which goes way back before the 60’s (because it didn’t get damaged during WW2) and Rotterdam has your NYC look with the sky scrapers and modern buildings (because Rotterdam was largely destroyed during WW2).

    As for supermarkets, Aldi and Lidl are the only ones and they are found elsewhere across Europe, including the UK. There’s Albert Heijn, Hoogvliet and Jumbo as the major Dutch supermarkets, and there’s other smaller ones.

    “2. The Dutch are generally the most self-righteous, arrogant and rude people I have ever come across in my life. I certainly wouldn’t employ one…, the Dutch will typically justify this by proclaiming it’s them being direct but it isn’t. In meetings for instance the Dutch must be made to feel important and valued where each Dutch person has their ‘moment to talk’, this is very important to them, very false too. To give you an example the Dutch generally will not answer the door to you unless you have scheduled in advance the time and reason for your visit- also if you are lucky enough to get in and it’s Winter time remember to wrap up warm… because they will NOT have the heating on.”

    Never heard of national pride? The majority of the countries have this. It is not something new. Also, the Dutch don’t need to feel important. It IS Dutch directness and we like to share their opinion, unlike other people who tend to say nothing and expect everything to be ok, such as the Brits who’d rather bite their own lip.

    The Dutch will answer the door, but it is polite to call the person before knocking on their door, so that the person knows he/she’s expecting somebody and can make some preparations, like a biscuit and tea/coffee. Also, the heating being off? Where in the world? The heating is off at night, because that is logical and practised AROUND THE WORLD, BECAUSE YOU’D WASTE ELECTRICITY THIS WAY, but other than that, the heating tends to be on. Unless the people inside the household aren’t cold, in which case there’s no point for them to have it on. Have you… have you ever travelled to the Netherlands?

    “3. Their English is awful- annoys me how the Dutch are praised for their English but generally speaking their English is horrendous especially so when combined with the odd/annoying Dutch/American accent. Typically speaking an average 30 year old Dutch person’s English will be on par with a 10 year old child from the UK/US- if not slightly below this level as the Dutch don’t understand expression. The Swedish and Danish have far better natural English.”

    This depends on who you’re speaking to. If you’re speaking to a person over 50, they weren’t taught English in the level that people are nowadays, it is worse for those who are older, because it wasn’t considered, at the time, a priority. The same applies to English speaking people not being taught an additional language.

    As for who speaks better English? Does it really matter? And where are your facts? Your sources? Aside from that, generally speaking, the Dutch are multilingual, as they get taught German and French as well in secondary school.

    As for accents? Every other person who isn’t English speaks with an accent. The Swedish certainly do and so goes for every other Scandinavian country. Heck, people in the UK have all sorts of different accents themselves and let’s not even look at the US where there’s plenty of accents, from NYC to Texas.

    “4. Without question amongst the worst dressed in the World, zero-fashion sense combined with being cheap results in grown men dressed in green trousers and red sweatshirts whilst the women will wear anything ranging from white ankle boots to machine washable polyester jackets, literally anything goes.”

    What? Once again, have you ever been to the Netherlands? And have you seen people in the UK?

    “5. Many Dutch women, particularly those over 35 appear ‘man-like’, 6 foot 2, short-practical hair….should have been men at birth, you know the type. Well the Netherlands is full of them.”

    Okay then, buddy.

    “6. Unbelievably cheap…again at first glance it might look ‘cool’ how they cycle everywhere- the truth is they cycle everywhere because it’s cheaper than running a car. The heating will not be switched on no matter how old it is outside, if you go for a drink you will definitely be paying for your own choice of poison. If a Dutch man had to pay for a round I’d imagine they would go into cardiac arrest.”

    Bogus and lies. People cycle everywhere in their LOCAL area, because it is easier. Parking in a town centre is impossible, whilst cycling will get you anywhere.

    Heating is switched on during the winter, you lie.

    The Dutch buy rounds all the time, but they expect you to buy rounds as well, so you lie once again.

    “7. The countryside is boring and flat and has nothing going for it- much of Europe’s mass produced pork products, tomatoes, etc. come from the Netherlands.”

    Sorry the country does not have any mountains, nothing can be done about that. There’s plenty of historical architecture though!

    It has nothing much going for it, but most of the trade comes from the Netherlands. Love your contradiction there, buddy.

    “8. Heavy taxation yet no Government healthcare.”

    If you’re referring to the NHS in the UK? No. But then again, the NHS is not that free either, as people still pay towards the NHS. Anyway, there is the WLZ in the Netherlands, which is insured by the government, but people are expected to take out their own basic healthcare.

    “9. The weather is ultra depressing. The default setting is overcasted with a slight to moderate wind.”

    The weather is fairly similar across Europe. Sure, it is not Southern France, Spain, Italy or Greece, but the weather is similar to the UK and Germany and it certainly is warmer than the Scandinavian countries.

    “10. Schiphol Airport hasn’t been refurbished since 1982 it’s like walking around your own migraine.”

    Departure Lounge 2 is being refurbished, it was announced TWO YEARS ago and Departure Lounge 4 had already been refurbished. What are you blabbering on about!?

    “11. By far home to the oldest trains I have ever seen that are still in use.”

    Actually, it has some of the more modern trains. Maybe take a train ride in the UK and decide for yourself. Still… Once again – have you ever been to the Netherlands?

    “12. Huge racial divides-the overwhelming impression i got from the Dutch is that they are extremely anti-muslim….anti-everyone who isn’t Dutch”

    There’s a far right wing group in every nation. It is not exclusive to the Netherlands.

    “13. The food… everything seems to revolve around pancakes or the mixture used to make pancakes, syrup, sprinkles, and herring. Washed down with a beer that is half froth half liquid in a pathetic 200ml glass…”

    The food is a vast variety of different cuisines. Fries more so than pancakes for that matter. And Dutch beers tend to be pilseners and it is common practice to server a pilsener with two fingers of foam. Not the half/half you referred to. And yes, you get smaller glasses than the pint glasses in the UK, or the steins and mugs you get elsewhere.

    “14. Full of white South-Africans- presumably because their own country can’t offer them work. Not necessary a bad thing however many will be devoid of any personality or charm- ultra serious.”

    What?

    “15. The red light district and weed….clever as the only reason 99% of people ever visit this hell hole is to smoke a joint with the prospect of getting laid for 50EUR…it certainly isn’t for the weather.”

    If you travel for a country for the weather in Europe, it is only going to be the Southern European countries, so I don’t even know why that is a point you’re raising. And generally speaking people go the Netherlands for its history and culture, what the majority of tourists do either way.

    So yeah.

    “16. Riyadh feels safer than Rotterdam.”

    Clearly never been to either then.

    “Summary: One to avoid.”

    Summary: you don’t have a clue what you’re talking about.

    Comment by JB — August 5, 2016 @ 11:40 am

16. 

    “You could have considerably shortened your article on the Dutch….by simply saying..the Dutch are the biggest idiots in Western Europe.
    This explains why there are so many sayings about the Dutch.”Dutch Courage”,going dutch,double dutch…etc etc.
    The English whipped their sorry arses years ago and threw them out of India and elsewhere.One of the characteristics of
    the Dutch was the cruelty of their colonial period….base brutality against unarmed civilians.

    As for calling Germans dumb….that is a bloody cheek coming from an idiot Dutchman.Germans have only produced some of
    the worlds great philosophy and engineering.Noticeably the well known supposedly great painter ,Van Gogh was a complete madman…
    Shame the Germans didn’t bomb more of the Dutch IDIOTS.

    NOTE:No one likes the Dutch for good reason…they are IDIOTS”

    Dutch courage is based around drinking Dutch gin and was used by English soldiers to keep warm, or how Dutch soldiers became more brave and vigurous after drinking Dutch gin.

    Double Dutch is a slur towards the Germans, not the Dutch themselves.

    Going Dutch is a fair idea where people pay for themselves.

    As for the English whipping the Dutch out of India. The Dutch never controlled India. Indonesia they controlled, but it was lost when the Japanese army took control during WW2 and they were only politically involved. As a matter of fact, the Dutch have fought and won wars against the UK and have also fought alongside the UK and helped the UK take down the Spanish Armada.

    One of the characteristics of any colonial period is brutality. Unless you think the Egyptians having slaves was fine. Or how about the Greeks and their slaves? What about the crusades? Or was that fine? My point is, it is not a Dutch characteristic. The Atlantic slave trade was done by the Britsh Empire, Portguese, French and Spanish too. In any way, the Dutch don’t look back proudly at that.

    As for calling the Germans dumb, the Dutch call the Belgians dumb. The English call the Welsh sheep shaggers. Most nations make fun of their neighbours, like the Americans and the Canadians. Gee, take a joke. Oh wait, the Germans don’t have a sense of humour!

    The Dutch have other famous painters, Van Gogh was just one painter. He does not represent a country, for the same reason the SS does not represent Germany.

    Shame the Germans didn’t bomb more of the Dutch? Dude, that is a cold awful thing to say. No country deserves that. You have serious issues if you get this upset about one person making a comment about a German person on a beach.

    The article is misleading either way, the Dutch used to hate the Germans, because of WW2, despite the Dutch being neutral and Germany invading regardless. However, nowadays the Dutch people hardly care. Seriously though, seek help.

    Comment by JB — August 5, 2016 @ 12:10 pm

17. 

    Responding to comment #1…. You’re a fucking idiot. Yeah the dutch had a dark colonial period but compared to the British and German “colonial periods”) they were pretty mild. For such a small country they have accomplished a lot and Germans aren’t perfect since they’re arrogant bastards but they have a lot to be proud of too. Also, you speaking like an English man I assume you’re from England, so let me tell you that the English right now are the dumbest fucking people in the world for leaving the EU. Your country’s history also has a lot to be ashamed of so don’t go hating on the Dutch you bloody wanker.

    Comment by Lucas de Block — August 11, 2016 @ 1:01 am

18. 

    You should have removed the hater comment, normally articles like this are followed by interesting or funny comments. Now not so much:( It’s a bit of a killjoy after your observations.

    I think it’s been a few years ago you wrote this, FEBO’s are called different on train stations, mushrooms are banned and somehow the Germans stopped digging holes on the beach. Dunno why they did, dunno why they stopped. That was just a fact your boyfriend stated, in my childhood they dug like crazy.. A running gag with a bitter undertone is asking a German when he’s going to return your grandpa’s bicycle. (They plundered everything not bolted down, without the bikes the long treks to find food during the ’44-’45 famine was extra hard.)

    The parking ticket story sounds like a hoax, playing on the assumption that the inhabitants of Rotterdam must still hate the offspring of the bastards that levelled the city in 1940. Please, the ones that remember are very old, and why I know it’s a hoax for sure? Try finding a cop speaking both German and flawless English, lolmao.. And they can’t shred a ticket, it’s digitally printed and before that they had to match numbered carbon copies..

    PS
    Jim Jefferies does an excellent comedy story on his visit to Amsterdam, highly recommended.

    Two books with a humorous outsider perspective:; the Undutchables (classic by now) and Why the Dutch are different ( that guy explored my country more than I did). Google has some chapters you can check for free, that’s how I found them.

    Comment by Bas — August 24, 2016 @ 7:27 pm

19. 

    Why do people seem to forget that slavery has always existed throughout history. The Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, Ottomans, kalifeits of the middle east. The Europeans were the ones who ended this.

    Comment by Wout — August 25, 2016 @ 4:43 pm

20. 

    Well at least we bother to learn English, take Spain for example. If you don´t speak any Spanish or at least brought a dictionary you won´t get nowhere. We understand your every word. I mean, have you ever bothered to learn a foreign language when visiting? (maybe you have, idk you´re probaly a nice peson but for those who didn´t). And our ¨terribble accent¨ might have something to do with the fact that we´re foreign.. and what is it with people going ´Oh the people that lived 200 years before you killed a pregnant woman so you´re all automatically assholes´.. I´m not calling y´áll homophobic for only legalizing gay marriage recently, am I? (just an example)

    Hey, just defending my idiot country..
    Don´t blame me I just can´t seem to pick a new netflix show and I ran out of books to read so, oh well.
    btw we´re biking because we don´t wanna get lazy and fat but you all don´t seem to mind..

    Comment by Yonne — August 28, 2016 @ 2:10 pm

21. 

    Well Dave spart forgot about chatham…the biggest defeat of the british navy… and if you imagine britain was 50 times more bigger than the dutch republik in those days than who are the biggest idiots? yes the british. they made a mess of every country they took over.
    they started apartheit in southafrica, started murdering the indians in america, the aboriginals in australia and new zealand and dont forget india and the rest of africa .
    Im not saying the dutch ancestors did have clean hands, no .. infact im am born int he netherlands bir am not considerd dutch as im born in the deep south. Holland was and is far away, our culture is different were in between belgium and germany. were not fond of the hollanders thats why we have our own languages.

    and even modern inventions are dutch, wich one ?
    – cd/dvd bluetooth, wifi , compact casette, laserdisc. ambilight,blue ray , and even the lightbulb. and many more.

    so who are the dunbasses of europe ? the british and they prove i with brexit ! and they only speak some kind of english wich nobody understands.. esp when they are drunk and they are that a lot of times.

    Comment by J. — September 5, 2016 @ 5:09 am

22. 

    Hmm, I have to disagree on a few things.
    The Dutch don’t hate the Germans, yes there is some rivalry in sports and we call them names, but it isn’t really all ghat serious.
    And only 1 hot meal a day? Can’t have 2? Sounds like you were in some farmers village,last time I’ve heard that being said was 20 years ago…

    And the only spending 50 Euro on a bike only happens in the big cities like a’dam, r’dam and den haag.

    And the r sound nothing like the ch or g, you use the r with the front of your tongue and the g and ch with the back of your throat.

    Comment by Arno — September 13, 2016 @ 12:16 am

23. 

    Wow our english is bad?
    You guys speak dutch, french, german and englisch ?
    Becaus a dutch 14 year old does.

    Comment by Anna — September 16, 2016 @ 1:05 pm

24. 

    I was in Italy last year fun to see the english and americans struggle caus there to selfish and arrogant to laern another language

    Comment by Anna — September 16, 2016 @ 1:16 pm

25. 

    I find this comments so funny to read!
    First of all you don´t know what a country is like until you go there and live there!
    I also want to say that why judging Dutch people on their english? They are supposed to speak dutch? I would not judge an american or german etc. on how he/she speaks dutch?! It´s not their first language. Who cares. At least they are able to learn other languages, which some people in the world can´t because of poverty. I think everybody should be proud of their country. And we shouldn´t have any preconceptions about countries we don´t live in. We don´t know what it´s like.

    So love you all.
    Sorry about my tremendous english!
    I live in the Netherlands and i´m proud of it!
    Hell yeah!

    Comment by Chelsea — September 25, 2016 @ 8:29 am

26. 

    I met a boy from Amsterdam in Spain in 1967 and he was my first love. He had to go into the Arrmy and have his Beatles hair cut short….not the done thing then, but I still loved him…..and although we didn’t marry in the end, although I was proposed to, we are both divorced and still in contact regularly and.both seventy next year,! Aah….and I love his Dutch accent and he loves everything about England, especially the sixties music!

    Comment by Sandra — October 8, 2016 @ 2:23 pm

27. 

    Hey Dave…you are so wrong that the english beat us…..we won 3 wars (AgainstgFrance,England,Spain at the same time….)
    So go die in a fire, if you would even know one dutch person you would know we are nice people and so your going with the nazis should bomb more of us?? you are officaily retarded
    do you know more swearwords then idiots?? depressing, and by the way we did not make the sayings dutch courage and some of the others you noted, they were made by others… wich is saying something you cant blame us for things 300 years ago.

    and about indonesia the english didn’t free th,m you retard… they were no longer a colony,and the dutch aren’t dumb not by a long shot, you probably support trump and are on heavy medication… or else your just neonazi anti social and drunk….
    and we dont call germans dumb they are now our allies…

    Comment by Dundar — October 21, 2016 @ 9:09 am

28. 

    I wrote earlier about my first love in 1967…a Dutchman, Johan from Amsterdam, whom I met in Spain and we are still pals. I went over to Amsterdam for weekends quite a lot and got to like the “sprinkles” for breakfast, loved the museums and Anne Frank’s house very sad.
    Johan would often take his father for visits to Germany and couldn’t understand why I was surprised that they liked the Germans so much, saying the War has been over a long time. But as my father was a 17 yr old Paratrooper at the battle of Arnhem I did get annoyed that his father never fought for his own country…and how many Dutch did…but my dad was risking his life for another country’s safety and was one of the lucky ones to get back home alive.
    The last time I visited Amsterdam, about ten years back, I couldn’t believe all the immigration and everyone smoking in restaurants etc…but then the last time I visited London I found it difficult to meet a real Londoner, all moved to Essex, and the city taken over by other nations, thus losing our identity….the way of Europe now I guess…
    But I think the Netherlands is a well balanced country and has a lot going for it…good living standards and health facilities, but yes, on the whole, they don’t waste money!!?

    Comment by Sandra Johnstone — October 22, 2016 @ 1:53 am

29. 

    Funny to read how foreigners see my lil’ country. Think most are pretty accurate, eventhough I think the (stupendous) hatred against Germans for what happened in WW2 is a thing of the past.

    Never really knew it was a Dutch thing to eat only one hot meal a day.. it’s true though. You seldom eat 2 hot meals a day, don’t even know why that is – maybe because a sandwich is easy to make and cheap.

    And yes, the heavy accent. I’ve been speaking english for decades but somehow I can’t seem to get rid of it.

    Comment by Djoop — October 28, 2016 @ 7:48 am

30. 

    My experience tells me that you can never trust a Dutch person, I met so many Dutch people in my life , at work , friends ( not really) even lovers and finally I´m so sorry about it but I have to say that you can not trust them.

    Comment by Jesse — November 20, 2016 @ 8:27 am

31. 

    How Dah F can you decide that all dutch people are not trustworthy, you know nothing, you probably agree with the idiot up there that we shoulda suffered more losses, 1 in 38 0f our people died.
    You are probably a child that wants attention or a adult that voted for trump or his like in where ever you live.

    Comment by Dundar — November 28, 2016 @ 2:43 pm

32. 

    I have been married to a Dutchman for nearly 50 years so I am VERY familiar with Dutch in all its forms. I love my husband but that comes at a price (doesn’t everything?). In my case it’s the in-laws, from the jealous, psychologically incestuous mother-in-law who flirted outrageously with her son, yet was extremely cold and rude to me the first time we met, to the sisters-in-law who scolded their brother relentlessly because he is not paying enough attention to his mother. This, so I have been told by other Dutch people, is not unusual. Apparently, the family of origin is of primary importance so due adoration and attention must be paid, especially to The Mother.

    The Dutch I have met are pathologically competitive about EVERYTHING. Example: one of the relatives bought a new sofa. Another relative went out and also bought one, except it was bigger. So big in fact that it they couldn’t get it through the front door. Example: they say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. If this is true, then my father-in-law must admire us enormously. The man has, over the years, bought or constructed the following (without ever praising his son or making any sort of favourable comment regarding our possessions): a car, an expensive clock, outdoor furniture, renovation, landscaping, real estate investment x 2. The man went so far as to put a large extension on his housewhich was identical to ours. And don’t get me started on his sister who has bettered her father’s record by proclaiming her pregnancy 2 months after the announcement of our second pregnancy. This is after telling all and sundry previously that they couldn’t afford another child as they ‘simply did not have the resources’. The thought of our two child family vs. their only son was just too much to contend with obviously.

    The Dutch also know EVERYTHING and they are never EVER wrong. There is no room for dissent. There is only one opinion, and that is theirs. They also can be extremely rude. This is not ‘refreshing directness’. I am Australian. We are direct. The Dutch are just plain rude and arrogant.

    Do I like the Dutch? No, not at all, although I love my husband. After 50 years I have managed to undo to some extent the values and culture of his upbringing, although my husband was never ever competitive. I was also very fond of several of my husband’s aunts. The Dutch, however, are blissfully unaware of their unpopularity across the world. Indeed, they think their culture is utterly superior to all others. And they do hate the Germans, this is true at least among the older generation, and, I have to say, after the way they were treated by the Germans in WW 2, with very good reason.

    Comment by Katy — January 1, 2017 @ 8:18 pm

33. 

    I think I’m noticing a pattern here. American people that’ve met Dutch people in their country seem to hate them. People actually visiting the country seem to hate the Dutch less, or not at all. Also, people living in Europe also seem to hate the Dutch less than people outside Europe. (like the Americans)

    Either way, I think hating something is, to simply put it, STUPID. There is no reason to hate something unless it significantly made your life worse.

    Did the Dutch do something really, really bad to the Americans? Maybe, but probably not in your life time, so why should you, a Dutch, hate the Americans?
    Did the Americans do something really, really bad to the Dutch? Maybe, but again, probably not in your life time. Again, there’s no reason for the Americans to hate the Dutch.

    Also, I, someone Dutch, am not hating on the Germans for something they’ve done before I was born. In many ways, I actually consider them to be superior to the Dutch.

    To the Americans, the Dutch, and everyone in between, can we please be REASONABLE when writing comments on why we like or don’t like something? Thank you.

    Comment by Someone Reasonable? — January 7, 2017 @ 4:18 am

34. 

    Hi Dave,
    no nation made so much history falsery like the UK. So I can’t blame you that you don’t know anything about the truth of your own nation.

    Fact is that an Indian man came to me, and thanked me for the time that India was a colony of the Netherland. England brought so much injustice, horror and terror when England took over India, he said. Of course I felt embarriced about the fact that the Netherlands colonised India; and appoligised to him about the behavior of our anciestors.

    But this tells something about the way England thinks about their honnesty, and especially it tells a story about the lack of real knowledge about there very bad infuence on world history.

    Just imagin what peace there could be in the world as England didn’t divide India in Pakistan, Afganistan and kashmir; or just vanished Kurdistan, or just gave away the country of the Palestines to the Jews, helped the Saudi’s to do there genocide to get in power in Saudi-Arabia. Just think about the 300 ships of gold that England have stolen from India. Than the hundreds of ship with juwelery, like all the diamons that now are build in the royal crown.

    The English concentration camps in South Afrika (the first in the world) where they killed women and children. How horroble they behaved in Afrika where they killed nummerious Afrikans. How many drug did England brought to China to overrule the local authorities. whole Chinese generations where distroyed by the English opiumhouses.

    And if you are proud about the wright brothers; let me tell you the truth. It where two Indian young scientists who invented the first airplane. The British gouverment put them in jail and forced them to tell how they did it. If you don’t believe, just read old version of the London Times, where later on this embassesing fact was revealed.

    There is so much of this to tell, about British history falsery that I have to stop here. But if your really British than of course you don’t even want to know about, I gues. Because I would distroy your whole view of ‘the wonderful England’.

    Regards, Marcel

    Comment by Marcel — January 7, 2017 @ 7:46 pm

35. 

    So it’s me again…the “girl” with the ex 60s Dutch boyfriend as above!!
    So much hatred guys…I don’t know enough Dutch people to generalise like that but to the person above Marcel..French? …who said the UK faked their history…I can think a lot of great things we did do for the Indians and others, and hey we created this thing you are on now, and isn’t it funny how so many people want to come to our little island, watch our TV and films, listen to our music, follow our fashion, love our humour…so “J” you say we were idiots to leave the EU …well if you worked at the UN as I did many years back, (and I never met one Dutch person there irronically) and saw this dull concrete building full of overpaid, underworked, lazy, flirtatious drunken diplomats having long boozey lunches and dinners, and waiting for the next freebie and their great pensions. Also I never met so many racists as in that building with all the different nations (especially the Middle Eastern men) arguing between themselves, meanwhile terrible things were happening outside, and still are, Syria especially, and what do they do…so yes I voted Brexit as the EU is an identikit building who have a great lifestyle and high salaries…and what did the UK ever get from the EU…stole our fisheries, and more. Maybe it is good for Holland and other countries, but we can’t take anymore cash in hand car washers, plumbers,cleaners etc etc….how are they contributing to our society? And actually we were fed up with paying idiots salaries of whom we never voted for, and keeping up Juncke’s cognac bill and I predict that in a few years the EU will be a crumbling heap….so sorry, not much here about Holland but I won’t let my country be trashed Marcel..and If you are French, remember how we fought for your country twice while you all sucked up to the Nazis!! And London is full of your wealthy elite who don’t want to pay Hollande’s taxes! And I can speak a few Dutch words..but they are are all rude ones!! Sandra J

    Comment by Sandra Johnstone — January 9, 2017 @ 9:27 am

36. 

    Marcel the wright brothers where English Dutch.

    Comment by Dundar — January 10, 2017 @ 7:45 am

37. 

    First of all mind your own country like wtf
    im not trying to insult americans but lemme hear you try saying our “g” oh yeh wait u cant
    insulting our accent just hurts, i’m dutch but i’ve lived in America for 3 year when i was 2-5 and i can speak English like an
    American person. So yeh Dutch people dont have to have an accent
    I sometimes eat hot 2 times a day its not like its not allowed.
    And not all Dutch people hate germans, my whole family got murdered because of WW2 but my grandfather
    do i hate germans? No
    a frikandel is not left overs from an animal, its made of pig so gtfo
    our “g” and “r” dont sound the same and try to atleast respect our language.
    Btw a lot of Germans go on vacation to holland and they love it, so dont go and say “i wish we bombed more idoit dutch people” because the majority of your people love our country.
    This is written to all people who hate holland, don’t read this if your gonna hate on us.
    Oh yeah our “g” is not a “K” fyi you dont say “SKHIP-hol its a very specific sound.

    Comment by someone — January 14, 2017 @ 1:36 pm

38. 

    Here I am again..see 26 and 28…my sixties Dutch love just went to Arnhem and sent me magnets/ brochures on the battle “A Bridge too Far” where as I said above about my 17 yr old dad being a Paratrooper and fighting to free your countries. Made me teary to get these but I shall pass them on to my son and keep in family. I remember going to the film premiere with my dad and feeling very proud, although it did in the film it did look like the Yanks (Robert Redford) had won the Battle all by themselves…as usual!!
    And as I said before, I have found the Dutch welcoming ..maybe a bit of moaning, like us Brits…and they have a good quality of life as far as I can see. (My Dutch love would say the English spoke with like “a hot potato in their mouths”….but that’s laughable when you listen to the harsh guttural Dutch language) – anyway “love and peace” as John and Yoko said in their Amsterdam bed?

    Comment by Sandra Johnstone — January 19, 2017 @ 6:40 am

39. 

    Greetings,
    A whole lot of stereotypes here but I guess we cant run away from them.
    Few things first, Ive been in a few Dutch cities (both in Holland and Netherland) for a few months stay.
    Now, for the CJ and alike:
    – horrible fashion choices: sure they are present in Dutch cities, also in the UK, Switzerland, Germany and so forth in every country in the world; Sure some people or nationalities save money and pay no notice to what are you wearing but if youre there to stay permanently, honor the country and blend in.
    – Shabby looking cities: As a man who loves architecture thats a pure insult right there, thousand types of bricks, thousand types of houses and decor and thats bad, maybe blunt and monotone … Sir, thats horrible to say. Every city and every province has their own “something” in decor and housebuilding (btw Dutch drain a swamp and build a 5 star hotel or something in record time so lay low with bad comments).
    – Dutch personality type: Ive met so many Dutch people (True Dutch and Naturalized) and can say they are direct, blunt sometimes and know it all stereotype is part of that directness which cant sit with people who arent used to sincerity of that level. Also they are friendly and talkative, in normal measures, no one likes people who suffocate you with talk (few pros and cons left but Im keeping it responsive to the Sir).
    – English level: Depending on the generation (from older to younger it increases in quality due to English not being a priority so this is understandable), Dutch do have their accent and there is no problem in normal or professional speech (also, people learn French and German alongside so give them a break if they miss a few words).
    – At least Dutch speak few languages or can communicate in phrases so be a good tourist or human being and learn at least a few basic words (thats the first thing I did, and I did it more to make Dutch with who I interact, feel more comfortable knowing someone learned a few phrases of their language, trust me, it matters to everyone).
    – Not buying rounds = Cheap Dutch – thats ridiculous, they buy – you buy, its the same almost everywhere (although avoid outdrinking Irish or Finns).
    – taxes and Health insurance: Im not a permanent resident or citizen of Holland/Nederland but I do have a brother (Dutch citizenship) and he speaks well of those two fields although there is place for improvement.
    – Weather: Windy and in winter ice, sun and rain combine into something new, but the Dutch are still cycling and walking and driving so, northern weather is northern, deal with it (I come from a mountainous region and did feel weird few days, but adapt and get used to seeing for miles around you ;)). Oh and go in summer its much better.
    – Dutch brains: the list is too long to list out all the Dutch contributions to science, health, art and such its just too long (as Im a biologist, mr Zernike, thank you).
    – Old trains: Seriously, best trains and public transport since Switzerland, end of story (Scandinavia and FInland yet to be accounted for ;)).
    – Racial and religious issues: anti-this and anti-that is everywhere and sure people may seem anti-many-things but thats more because they (Dutch) work hard and break their back and taxes take away their money to dont-wanna-work classes or whatever (kudos to those who seek job when immigrate).
    – Slavery in Colonial Era: A dark spot on human history but not reserved for only the Dutch, add UK, France, Belgium etc. (even from the early history, a common principle in human society by the looks of it).
    – Pot and Red Lantern District: Whatever rocks your boat, your carnal desires as well as poison of choice are not concern of merchandise or service provider (most of Dutch dont do drugs or cohort with RLD ladies or men).

    Final words: Visit Holland and Nederland, see many great things of marvel, architecture, museums etc., meet and greet people, overdose on fries and cheese, buy a pair of wooden clogs, and learn a few Dutch phrases. Less slander and more enjoyment please, now when it comes from a war torn, backwater, underdeveloped yet beautiful and amazing country, Bosnia and Herzegovina, enjoy the wonder that is Europe.
    Kind regards.

    Comment by Allen H. — January 20, 2017 @ 12:09 pm

40. 

    Sorry but not everybody in the Netherlands is always high or something like that!! Dutch people are very intelligent and when you call them “idiots” it’s NOT right; dutch people are smart but when they are not at work or something else with a lot of stress, they know but I mean they really know how to make a awesome party! They make fun when they aren’t stressed but not nearly always WITHOUT drugs or alcohol. They’ve good and funny music. They are awesome and I was there for about 3.5 years it was the best time of my life!! Now I’m back in England and I think that even if they’re are a bit rude sometimes, it’s good because then you know what they think and then you know what somebody did wrong or not really good. I think that the funny, good and modern dutch people deserve more respect from the rest of Europe.

    I love them and everyone has to have a lot of respect for them.

    Comment by John — January 20, 2017 @ 3:45 pm

41. 

    g & ch are definitly the same ( i can know im dutch)

    Comment by paul — January 21, 2017 @ 4:08 am

42. 

    I’m sorry but half of this article is complete bullshit, you might think you know the Netherlands because you’ve lived there for a couple of years but as a Dutch national this article just makes me cringe and very upset that this article is getting so many viewings because a lot of it just isn’t true and giving Dutch people a bad name. I’ve lived in England for 4 years and I don’t go around writing articles about them because it’s just simply offensive what you’re doing.

    Comment by Inge — January 21, 2017 @ 5:43 am

43. 

    I have been reading the rude and vile comments from my fellow Britains about the Dutch people, and find it unbelievable how we have the arrogance to even comment on people not being able to speak English. We are lazy and still have the view we have an Empire and everyone should fit in with us. I avoid going on holiday to resorts where I know the British will be as I find them distasteful and disgusting animals. As for BREXIT it is the worse thing that has happened to this country in thirty years and the best thing for the Europeans they will not have the moaning Brits to listen to anymore. Before you ask my wife and I are both born and bred in this country, so are our fathers, mothers and grandparents. I am sick and tired of people saying how great BREXIT is and being offensive to other countries in Europe, this country disgusts me and everything it now stands for, good luck for the future Great Britain!

    Comment by Stephen Deverson — January 22, 2017 @ 3:36 pm

44. 

    Excuse me no 43 Stephen Deverson above. Not everybody writing on here is English…there are all different nationalities if you read where they come from – even a Texan – and I don’t recall Brits above knocking Holland in particular.. in fact I have been saying good things. Left 3 comments already. We have been getting knocked for Brexit and I’ve been called a Troll, even though my name is blatantly here, and when I talk back the facts to these people it’s funny how they never get back again…see 26, 28 and 38…and funny how as an example I was just reading a lovely article about a Polish nurse living in England, who said she has received no racism and says the Polish are more racist and unfriendly and she loves our way of life. And how many E.European countries are taking in their share of refugees…even the Arab countries, but anyway, back to Holland, as a English woman who has travelled far, I would never knock people who speak English with an accent, it can be very attractive to hear an accent…and especially so when I don’t speak their language…even though the French try and show us up when we speak French and pretend they don’t understand!! So Stephen Deverson, where are you living? If in this country and you hate it so much, move on sunshine!! I have lived and worked in USA, Spain and Italy years back, before the EU, and doing so was not hard at all!! Youngsters here seem to worry more about their mobile phone costs and travels abroad, than the state of their country filling up with people who don’t want to integrate with us!!!! I will admit one thing, people in UK are not as polite as they used to be, but I think people everywhere are just generally more aggressive these days…look at the rap and porn and god knows what everywhere which kids grow up with…I’ve met rude people in lots of countries, but as I said, most of this stuff is being written by other nationalities. People say New Yorkers are rude but when I lived there it is just their gruffness…if you fainted in the road someone would pick you up!!
    SO PLEASE DON’T GENERALISE ANY COUNTRY…THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE YOU HAVE TO MEET IN A DIFFERENT COUNTRY BEFORE YOU CAN SAY THAT….
    Sandra Johnstone …half English/half Scottish/married a Malteser!!

    Comment by Sandra Johnstone — January 24, 2017 @ 9:06 am

45. 

    I just want to say…All of these comments are extremely rude. Being Dutch, I know that absolutely none of this is true. The language is a great language and it is my second language. I learned it on my own so I hope none of you said that us ‘americans’ can’t speak Dutch because we can. Holland also isn’t a disgusting country, and maybe we are a little ‘open-minded’. i’m not going to deny that, but what does it matter? sure it can be bad at times, but that’s just how we are. Get over it. You don’t have to like us if you don’t want to.

    Comment by Lauren — February 22, 2017 @ 12:22 pm

46. 

    Since when are the Dutch famous for fries???? As a Belgian is that a really weird thing to read.

    DailyCandor: Maybe you were unaware that there were other nations out there other than Belgium, and that they might see things differently from Belgians.

    Comment by Willem — February 28, 2017 @ 1:41 pm

47. 

    Willem friet kwam van NL/België, ik weet niet waarom het Franse friet genoemd word.

    Comment by Dundar — March 7, 2017 @ 6:06 am

48. 

    I love chips with mayo…had them often in Amsterdam. (My son here in England puts mayo on just about everything!!)
    If people think that’s crazy try living in the States, they put jello (what we call jam) on their eggs!!) and couldn’t believe I put ketchup on my fried eggs….?
    Differences in countries is what makes travelling interesting…remember the expression “when in Rome…”

    DailyCandor: “in the States, they put jello (what we call jam) on their eggs!!”
    WHAAAAAA?!?! Where on earth in the US did you witness this?

    Comment by Sandra Johnstone — March 7, 2017 @ 6:53 am

49. 

    Forgot to push “notify me of follow up, so pushing it now!

    Comment by Sandra Johnstone — March 7, 2017 @ 6:55 am

50. 

    Well, apparently you didn’t really live there, because then you would know that most of the fries in the Netherlands are fried on the Belgian way and that’s generally known.

    DailyCandor: You’re right; you’re not granted residency in NL until you admit that patat are fried “on the Belgian way.”

    Comment by Willem — March 9, 2017 @ 12:05 pm

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