10 Things You Should NEVER Do in the Netherlands | From an American Living in the Netherlands

Planning a trip to the Netherlands? Before you go, make sure you know what not to do to avoid cultural misunderstandings and embarrassing tourist mistakes! This guide, from an American living in the Netherlands, will help you navigate the country like a pro. Whether it's avoiding common taboos or learning how to respect local customs, these tips will ensure you have an amazing experience without offending the locals.

Watch now to learn the top TEN things to avoid doing in the Netherlands!

0:00 Intro
0:44 #1 Don’t assume everyone can or wants to speak English
01:50 #2 Don’t call the country Holland
05:48 #3 Don’t walk in the bike lanes
06:46 #4 Don’t confuse coffeeshops with cafes
08:04 #5 Don’t assume that you can use your credit card
08:50 #6 Don’t show up unannounced
09:41 #7 Don’t beat around the bush
10:34 #8 Don’t barge into the trains
11:01 #9 Don’t speak in the silent cars
12:19 #10 Don’t assume Amsterdam is the Netherlands
13:55 Outro

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#netherlands #americanabroad #dutchculture #expatlife

[SideWalkAstronomyNetherlands]

Number one of the list should be: Do not be LATE.

[Splinkies]

Finally a normal do and donts about the netherlands.
Except, i personally always will choose terschelling or the other islands. But never texel.

[yestedayssolutionstotodays]

One more piece of advice for Americans specifically (that also applies to the rest of Europe). Try to lower your volume a notch, especially in public transport, and in restaurants and cafes. What seems a natural volume to you, is often perceived as too ‘loud’, and that is usually not appreciated as it interferes with the conversation of others or even their own ‘quiet space’.

[PieterBreda]

Nr 2: I hate it when they call our country Holland.
Nr 3: Standing on the bike lane is a horrible sin.

[AbeIJnst]

Just a few weeks ago, a tourist asked me: "Kunt u mij de weg naar het station vertellen?" Clearly an English accent (Canadian as it turned out), but obviously very proud they were able to remember the sentence. As I do like joking around a bit, I told them: "Die kant uit, bij de tweede brug rechtsaf, alsmaar rechtdoor en u loopt er zo tegenaan." The utter confusion on their faces was priceless 😂 We all had a good laugh and they were indeed quite happy I was able to show them the way in English. I don't mind speaking English at all, but I do like it if people try to speak Dutch (and I'm always willing to help them to do it correctly).

If you want to try some cannabis, by all means, please GO to a coffeeshop. There they can help you find what you want. Don't (I repeat: DO NOT) buy it on the street. And especially if you're not used to it, don't mix with alcohol. Be responsible. You don't want to end up in a canal.

[AmelieVeenstra]

Nice to listen to your insights.
About planned social contact: in more rural regions it is usual to stop by spontaneously. Haarlem is not the 'norm' 🙂

[viev]

As an ADHD Dutchie... - chronically late for unknown reasons - I can confirm, my fellow Dutchies are 'not amused' with this behavior 🙄😅

Also, the person in the comments about, if you want to try weed, go to a coffeeshop and DO NOT EVER buy of the streets!
Let the people behind the counter inform you and DO AS TOLD. So no drinking with smoking etc.

One 'Dutch rule' I personally really dislike is the
'you get 1 cookie with a cup of coffee' and
'It is time for us to go eat😬' (meaning : you have to go now)

[obiwanjacobi]

Pretty good list. I always find it interesting how foreigners perceive our culture. Thanks.

[AdvdW]

I really love the relaxed way you're explaining the don'ts about the Netherlands. In general it's all true. But if I speak for myself. If someone visiting me, it is not necessary to bring a gift. I actually wonder if it is common to bring a gift. Of course it is appreciated when it's the first time. And yes you are totally right about Amsterdam. It's a nice city, but the most for the tourist. Amsterdam is certainly not the example of truly Dutch. Have a nice day and a happy new year.

[dikkiedik]

Hi Mike. Dutch grandpa here. I loved your remark about the connection between Dutch and English language. My granddaughter was 3 years young and in daycare she has a 3 yr older sister that is quite good at her iPad and she had learned English from YouTube kids channels and helped the younger one. On the daycare there came an English girl and my granddaughter started talking English. Our daughter was called to the daycare women and that woman requested our granddaughter would stop talking English. The little ones comment.. "She only says it a bit different, but she means the same." It's quite true Dutch and English are sibling languages I understood. There are complete sentences written and meaning the same. Making learning Dutch language a bit more simple ... know how Dutch notations are pronounced... you will be surprised with Dutch words sounding like English and meaning the same and the other way around. Both languages have influences from parts of other languages but are still close.

[meticulousgeek]

As for #6 - a gesture is nice but I think we even appreciate it more if you are punctual. I guess you could call it agenda-driven but I also wonder about how much it has to do with the fact that we don't really like surprises. Number #7 absolutely true. And for #8 - so glad you pointed this out. It's so silly how much people just don't think about this. It's not only about trains but when ever entering through a door: first let the people out before going in.

[SideWalkAstronomyNetherlands]

Don't brag, don't show off, don't do drugs, don't be drunk on a street, or in a car. Don't be late. Never call the country "Holland". Don't lie out of politeness, that is actually very rude. So do not ask "how are you" if you do not want to know...etc..

[MrSinsummer]

As a Dutchman i can relate to your observations. However i want to add 11# Don't talk about how much you make for a living . It is just not polite i think !

[TheHighlander]

I espcially enjoyed the "ting!" on the bikelane :) That was epic.

[peterkeijsers]

I'm from the southeast of the country, and I'm always amazed how FEW people in Amsterdam speak Dutch anymore! Finding someone who speaks Dutch there is truly a challenge these days!

[BabzV]

It's very Dutch of you Mike to mention that Amsterdam isn't the best representation of the entire country. 😉
I think the Netherlands is a country that is definitely worth a visit, but we don't have massive mountains or jungles or anything impressive like that.
But I think it's more a combination of being able to cycle everywhere(which makes a lot of visitors feel like a kid again+the freedom) and us funny, tall, weird Dutchies(or that's what I just tell myself 😂) that makes it an interesting place to visit.

Oh another don't is littering, I think most Dutch people find it important to keep the streets clean and livable. (I mean we even pick up our dogs sh*t 😂)


Thanks for another good one Mike. 😊🌷

[HSBlok-swhq]

Hello dear youngman, love your respectfull approach of us Dutchies. Permit me to rectify one statement. The biggest density of people living in the Netherlands is in the 2 provincies called North- and South-Holland indeed, as you stated. However, Leiden and Haarlem are minor cities and therefore not the reason of a dense population in these provinces. The main reason is the economic base of the country, which is in these 2 provinces: harbours of Rotterdam and Amsterdam, trade, administration of The Netherlands in The Hague, etcetera. The biggest cities Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague are a result of the economical and administrative activities in these 2 provinces. Thus a clustering of people as a result in these parts of The Netherlands. Hope I could be of any assistence. Keep up the good work 😃!

[gertstolk]

Indeed Mike, don't go to Starbucks. The way they treat their staff and pull out all the stops to keep the unions out, horrible. By the way, you now have officially entered my personal top 3 of youtubers 🎉 The other two are automotive: Simon Fordman and Sarah 'n' Tuned. As always looking forward to your next video 🤠🚍

[bvdheide]

I speak English more than Dutch and I'm from Holland. I prefer that people say that I'm from Holland.

[Weener]

Thank you for your great and insightful video. Everything you've stated is 100% correct!