17 Features of Life in the Netherlands That Surprise Tourists and Foreigners

The land of tulips and windmills is one of the most technologically advanced countries in the world; some even call the Netherlands “European Japan”. It is a nation that invests in the well-being of the population, so that most technological innovations are aimed at the comfort of the Dutch. Therefore, sometimes what may seem normal to locals is able to impress tourists even more than the sights.

We, from awesome.club, we found 17 amazing things about life in the Netherlands. And some left us even questioning: “What can’t be invented?” At the end of the article, a bonus still awaits you — a story about the peculiarities of local toilets and a well-known “fact” about the country that is, in fact, not true. Check out!

When shopping in Dutch markets, you can use a dedicated scanner to save time at the checkout counter. The small device is located at the entrance to the supermarket and can be placed on the trolley. As soon as you take the item off the shelf, just scan the barcode. When you finish shopping, just pay using your card.

“There is another way. You download an app to your phone and scan the products with the camera,” said one Reddit user.

The popularity of bicycles as a means of transport in the Netherlands generates interesting ideas that contribute to the convenience of citizens. Along the cycle paths, there are special bins that you can throw your garbage without having to slow down.

A Dutch supermarket was the first store in the world to sell its products in biodegradable packaging, without using plastic. “The supermarket has more than 700 products. And all plastic-free,” shared one Reddit user. This material is one of the main environmental issues today: as it is a petroleum product, it contributes to global warming.

I was walking with my mother and we saw them. They posed for us and we were able to get really close! © RachidHinton / RedditJust don’t get too close. You can let them get close to you, but not the other way around, and that’ll be fine. Do not pet them. And never feed them. © Jacks_Chicken_Tartar / Reddit

A few years ago, a jet wash was developed that allows the wagon to pass at 20 km/h. The type of washing is environmentally friendly and economical. The soap used is a normal detergent. Furthermore, the process is controlled by a computerized system that checks whether the train really needs to be washed as planned.

In Holland we have mayonnaise and fritessaus — a special sauce for French fries. While mayonnaise contains up to 80% fat, fritessaus only has 25%. It’s cheaper and healthier. © LaoBa / Reddit

It is common to find high beds in Dutch apartments. This is because it is not customary for women to stay in the hospital for a long time after giving birth; it is usually discharged after a few hours. But then, the new mother is accompanied by a nurse — this service is included in the health plan. There is only one requirement: the bed has to be a certain height for the medical exam to be comfortable, if it is not high enough you have to buy special supports for her legs.

Initially, these cars were designed for people with disabilities, but the Dutch quickly appreciated the convenience of such transport in the narrow streets of Amsterdam. In addition, these cars do not consume much fuel and there are models that run on electricity. Moreover, it is not necessary to have a driver’s license to ride them and the vehicles can circulate on the bike paths.

Not everything is rosy in the Netherlands. Sharp bricks are placed under windows to prevent vandalism and homeless people. This is an example of hostile architecture. However, not everyone agree with such methods and many ask for a different solution to the problem.

Many apartments in the Netherlands have cupboards to hide pipes and systems, and can also be used to store tools or even the internet modem.

The Dutch say that finding these machines is nothing unusual: local farmers install them to market without the need for intermediaries. “It is much cheaper than the products you will find in the supermarket, and the farmer will still earn more money. Plus, there’s always fresh food,” shared one Reddit user.

Sidewalks in the Netherlands are continuous, with no intersection between them and the street. Cars often do not slow down at pedestrian crossings or even at traffic lights. The model of a continuous sidewalk forces the driver to drive more slowly.

Hooks above large windows in Amsterdam are used so that the property owner can use a rope to move large furniture in and out of apartments. This difficult method was invented because the stairs in houses are usually very narrow. This is a medieval technique that still works today in buildings old and new.

Locals say that unless the hook is secure it is not advisable to use it. Therefore, in most cases, furniture is lifted by a rented car with a lift.

The Dutch use these automatic retractable pins to control traffic in the city center or in industrial areas, for example. The pins come down when a bus needs to pass through the street. In other cases, they impede the movement of motorists, leaving the road accessible only to pedestrians and cyclists.

Because of the marshy and unstable soil, local builders are forced to build houses on stilts. Sometimes these piles, made of wood or concrete, go more than 12 m deep. Some old houses are leaning because the stilts they were built on are rotting and settling.

“Most Dutch people can swim,” explains one Quora user, “and the channels are not very deep.” In addition, the area along them is often unpaved: there is little space, and cars are often parked there. This is also a local custom, as the canals were a loading area for deliveries of goods onto barges, and attempts are now being made to revive this practice.

Many public toilets in the Netherlands do not have paper towels. Instead, they are reusable fabrics. You pull it out like paper and dry your hands. The used piece of towel is automatically pulled into the inner compartment. And after use, that same towel is washed, disinfected and used again. © Artem Stepanenko / Facebook

Although over 70% of the world’s production of this flower is Dutch, tulips originally appeared in the Ottoman Empire in the 14th century. Every year, from mid-April to the first week of May, they begin to bloom and turn Dutch farmland into a colorful patchwork.

Have you ever been to the Netherlands? What impressed you most there? If not, do you want to meet? Tell us in the comments section.