The Netherlands, interesting cities and towns

Information point: the VVV

One pointer I would like to offer you, if you want any kind of information about a particular city or bigger town you should check a VVV office in the Netherlands. Almost each town has one. This bureau is specialised in touristic information and can help you out in how to get there and what is going on or worth while visiting. Oral information is free of charge, you only pay for booklets, maps and such.

Dutch emergency numbers

Urgent help dial 112 Only for emergencies, state the help you need (ambulance, fire department, police) and make sure you know where you are (town, street, number). They will also ask for your name. Be as patient as possible. This number is free of charge.

Police 0900 88 44 For less important matters such as loss of wallet, fights, small accidents. You are lucky if they show up.

US Consulate (020) 67 98 321 You only dial the 020 if you are outside of Amsterdam. US Embassy/Consulate

British Consulate (020) 67 64 343 You only dial the 020 if you are outside of Amsterdam. British Embassy/Consulate

For other embassies in the Netherlands you could check this page (even though it has netherlands2 in the bar, I did not set it up)

Air Raid Sirens Every first Monday of the month (except for May 4th and June 1st 2009) at 12 in the afternoon, all sirens in the Netherlands are tested for 1 minute and 26 seconds. Panic should only be in place if they don't stop. Just keep an eye on the locals, when in doubt you can always ask a policeman if you can find one...

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World weather (you will leave this site)

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Pickpockets

In trams, busses and crowded places it is easy to get lifted from your wallet and other important items. Backpacks are easily cut open without you knowing or feeling it. Sometimes thieves operate in groups, one person will come up to you with a general question and while you are unaware of it, an other person will try to lift you from your stuff. It is not necessary to walk around totally scared or freeked out but it helps if you are careful and alert. You don't need to be impolite but always be aware of tricks. Try not to show how much money you got on you, preferably divide it and keep it in different spots on you or divide it between your traveling companion and yourself. Better be safe than sorry.

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Handy converter

currency converter

More converting

For now I can offer this site where you can convert almost everything.

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Languages

People in The Netherlands all speak Dutch of course but in several cases people developed a new language. You will find this in the province Friesland (Fries is declared an official language!) and in the province Limburg. For a Dutch person who has no connections here the language is completely foreign, just a few words could be picked up. In Friesland you will also see that language on all the roadsigns. Just thought it would be interesting to mention.

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Habits and other interesting facts

Some Dutch habits are quite different.

Family and good friends kiss each other 3 times on the cheeks at greetings, goodbyes and special events. You will see the same amongst co workers at birthdays.
If it is someones birthday and it is celebrated at the families house, all members are congratulated.
If you have the opportunity to visit a Dutch persons home you will often find a birthday calendar in the toilet room. This is very common.
In supermarkets you will have to bag stuff yourself and there are no ice cubes available for your ice chest.
Coffee cups are extremely cute and tiny but the coffee is so strong you don't mind.
If you order a small drink, expect a SMALL drink!
Refills are unheard of. There is one exception at the AC hotels/restaurants you find on highways, they offer one refill which you will have to get yourself.
If you are used to (ice)water with or just before your dinner, order it and expect it charged on the bill. In some cases a little water is offered with the coffee to wash away the strong taste.

Some Dutch holidays in 2009

April 12th and April 13th Easter (yes, 2 days) 'Pasen'

April 30th Queens day 'Koninginnedag'
The only day that everyone is allowed to sell items on the street without permits.

May 4th Remembrance day (2 minute silence at 8 pm) 'Herdenkingsdag'
May 5th Liberation day 'Bevrijdingsdag'
both explained here.

May 31st and June 1st Whitsun(tide) 'Pinksteren'

December 5th Saint Nicholas 'Sinterklaas' (Dutch version of Santa)

December 25th and December 26th Christmas day (yes, 2 days) 'Kerstmis'

Some of these days are observed and some are not.

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Some useful Dutch words

In no specific order the most common used:

Good morning= goedemorgen or morgen
Good afternoon= goedemiddag or middag
Good evening= goedenavond or avond
Hello= hallo
Goodbye= dag, hoi, houdoe (depends on the part of the country)
Thank you= dank u
You're welcome= graag gedaan
Please= alstublieft
Food= eten
Hungry= honger
Thurst= dorst
Pay= betalen or afrekenen
Stolen= gestolen
Lost (something is missing)= verloren or kwijt
Lost (you are lost)= verdwaald or de weg kwijt (lost the way)
Insurance= verzekering
Health insurance= ziektekosten verzekering
Sick= ziek
Hospital= ziekenhuis, marked on roads with an H
Doctor= dokter
Nurse= verpleegster
Medecine= medicijn
Druggist, Drug store= apotheek, drogist(erij) (first one is specialised in medication the doctor prescribes, the second one is for common medication and many other things).
Pain= pijn
Dentist= tandarts
Toothache= tandpijn (tooth), kiespijn (molar)
Cartrouble= autopech
Money= geld
Fire= brand
Fire department= brandweer
Police= politie
Ambulance= ambulance
Forbidden= verboden
Mandatory= verplicht
Drivers licence= rijbewijs
Accident= ongeluk
Right (you are)= juist or gelijk (depends on the sentence)
Correct= juist
Right (turn)= rechts(af)
Left (turn)= links(af)
Straight= recht(door)

Smoking

Like most countries, The Netherlands also accepted the common knowledge that smoking is very bad for ones health and therefore it should be banned as much as possible. However, there always will be people who just can't give it up, no matter how high the costs are. A few places can provide a separate smoking section according to the law, others just provide it, period. You will be able to locate them on this website. The site is in Dutch but I think you will be able to figure it out with some online translators.

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