While you’re in the Netherlands…
Traditional cuisine
- The ‘Bitterbal’, a typical Dutch delicacy made of beef ragout with a crispy coating.
- The ‘Frikandel Speciaal’, a typical Dutch snack with mayonnaise, curry, and some onions. Available among others at the ‘Febo’ in the city center of Tilburg.
- The ‘Stroopwafel’, is a sweet cookie with syrup on the inside. Especially nice when it’s fresh and a little warm.
- A ‘Haring’, is a typical Dutch seafood. It is a freshly caught fish that you need to eat in a typical Dutch way. It is available at every fish store. If you don’t know how to eat it, simply ask the seller, he/she can show you how to do it! Tip, especially nice with some onions on it.
Helpful Dutch phrases
If you feel comfortable doing so, try to use some Dutch words. The Dutch really appreciate it when you try to speak their language. Don’t worry though, most people in the city are also happy to speak English.
- Hello: Hallo (Ha-Low)
- Goodbye: Doei (Doo-Ee)
- Yes: Ja (Yah)
- No: Nee (Nay)
- Good morning: Goedemorgen (Who-Da More-Gah)
- Good afternoon: Goedemiddag (Who-Da Mid –Dag)
- Good evening: Goedenavond (Who-Dan A-Vand)
- Thank you: Dankuwel (Dan Que Vel)
- You are welcome: Graag gedaan (Heir-He-Dan)
- Please: Alstublieft (Alls-Too-Bleaft)
- I Don’t Understand: Ik Snap Het Niet (Ick-Snup-Het-Nit)
- Cozy/fun/sociable/pleasant atmosphere: Gezellig (Ge-l-lig)
10 Fun facts about the Netherlands
- The Dutch are some of the tallest people in the world. On average, Dutch women are 170.7 cm (5 ft 7 in) tall and Dutch men are 185 cm (6’1) tall. So, don’t be surprised if you encounter a bar or table that seems surprisingly tall…
- Orange is the national color, despite not being present in the national flag (red, white, and blue).
- The Netherlands has been a pioneer in LGBTQ+ rights, becoming the first country in the world to allow same-sex marriage in 2001.
- There are more bicycles (23.5 million) in the Netherlands than people (17.5 million).
- The Netherlands is a powerhouse of food and drink export. It is the world’s second largest food exporter (after the USA) and beer exporter (after Mexico). Pretty impressive considering the country’s size!
- The Netherlands has the highest concentration of museums in the world.
- The famous Dutch company ‘Philips’ is the inventor of the audio tape, videotape, compact disk, and CD-ROM.
- One-third of the Dutch territory is located below sea level, resulting in Dutch water management systems being some of the most advanced in the world.
- “The (balancing) bridge was open” is considered the traditional Dutch excuse for being late (there are a lot of canals after all…)
- The National Football/Soccer Team is the best in the world (at least that’s what we think 😉). Korfball and Fierljeppen (canal-vaulting) are two particularly Dutch sports that we also really do excel at.