Spot The Difference

Last week Mr T received three speeding tickets in the post. In the UK this would result in points, points, points and probably a spell back at Driving School. In the Netherlands you just pay your fine and wait for the next ticket to drop through the letter box. Generally speaking the Dutch do drive under the speed limit; cars don’t go rushing past you on the motorway. The Dutch are frugal people and they certainly won’t want to keep wasting money on speeding fines.

This made me think about the differences between us and them. There are certain aspects of UK life which seem to have become very Americanized; everything is becoming very 24/7. Over here, that is definitely not the case.

Shops have only recently started opening on Sundays, and even then it tends to be the bigger high street shops, as opposed to the small independent stores. The Dutch are not early risers.  Sunday shopping doesn’t begin until twelve and will finish promptly at six.  During the week, apart from the larger supermarkets, shops shut at five or five thirty on the dot, and even the largest supermarket will be shut by eight. Most places will stop letting you in ten or fifteen minutes before closing time so that the staff can leave on time. To me, this is a good thing. I think they’ve got the work-life balance quite right.

On Mondays most of the Netherlands remains completely shut. Larger shops will open at twelve but smaller establishments including many museums etc, won’t open at all.

A lot of businesses appear to be run from the family home and seem to function more as a hobby, than a profit making enterprise. The Dutch are more than happy to leave you to browse on your own. If you want to buy anything, you will need to make the first move.

What else is noticeably different? Bicycles - apart from the obvious ie everyone uses one, helmets are another phenomenon that just doesn’t happen here. Nor do brakes on the handlebars.  Mopeds and scooters are also included in the no-helmet situation, and they are entitled to use the cycle paths.

Health care – you have to pay for it. Fortunately so far our contact with the Dutch health care system has been minimal. We have registered at a local doctor’s surgery and Mr T needed one appointment for his frozen shoulder – which he got straight away, same day.  You have to join an insurance scheme. Fortunately Mr T’s work have taken care of this for us, which generally seems to be the thing. I’m not sure what happens to the elderly, or the unemployed.  On the whole the Dutch seem very fit, healthy  and super-slim – obesity is definitely NOT a problem.

I’ve no idea about the education system and for the first time in many years it’s been a total relief not to have to worry about finding the right schools. Most of Mr T’s British and American colleagues with families have based themselves in The Hague where there are several international schools. In Haarlem I understand you have to put your child’s name down for the establishment of your choice the moment they are born.  I believe childcare is subsidised, and as a lot of Dutch only work part-time it’s a common (and refreshing sight) to see Papa out and about entertaining the little ones during the day.

Language – as nobody else in the world speaks Dutch apart from Belgium and Surinaam (which despite me thinking for the last nine months is in Indonesia is actually in South America) most Dutch are multi-lingual. They are also very fond of the F word – you’ll hear it regularly from the mouths of little kids to radio presenters. Be warned.

Red Lights – Amsterdam is notorious for its sleazy red light district but even a sleepy little place like Haarlem has its fair share of brothels. These are not hidden away down dark alleyways but on very normal streets. Anyone seriously thinking of moving to the Netherlands, check out your prospective neighbours lighting arrangements after dark before signing that rental agreement.

Coffee shops - if you are after a cup of tea and scone, these are not the place for you. If you are looking for refreshments, head for a tea rooms or a cafe.  

Cats v Dogs – it’s very much a cat orientated society especially here in town. Cats in pubs, cats in shops, cats in windmills, cats in my garden, and in my house. The patio doors are now firmly shut to prevent any more intruders!