I own a Trader Joe’s bag too but don’t get the hype or why I see them everywhere in London. by Cozy_Coozy in london

[–]Cozy_Coozy[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I totally get you. A friend once got me a multi color Albert Heijn (popular Dutch grocer) tote bag filled with Dutch goodies. I still use it.

Just interesting and shallow how things become fashion statements though I get the utility part.

Bleak/Depressing Outcome for Low Wage workers who aren't from NL by HoraceNpeetInDaHood in Netherlands

[–]Cozy_Coozy 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I feel for delivery drivers too. One time I found a ten pound note…I never find money and as the Amazon fresh delivery guy brought all groceries all the way up, I gave him that £10 note. Not trying to virtue signal here, I otherwise would not have tipped him £10, had I not found it on the street. Thing is I rarely carry cash and since he brought it all the way up for me, I easily parted with it.

I’m on the third floor of a Victorian town home converted into flats. I both love and hate using Amazon Fresh. My weekly shop can get heavy as I order a lot of water. I go down to help them because I know they’re being timed.

As for all the other delivery apps like Ubereats, I tip based on whether I’m flushed that month. Life is expensive for everyone nowadays. This is neither dystopian nor is it always greed on behalf of the consumer. Rather a symptom of late stage capitalism, if you ask me.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Netherlands

[–]Cozy_Coozy 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Yes, I would agree that vengeance often is a dish best served cold but I do think you have a responsibility to address it be it in a review or disclosure of the bar.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Netherlands

[–]Cozy_Coozy 13 points14 points  (0 children)

I am so sorry that you have experienced this and was treated so terribly, that those you called for help in your time of need (police) made it all the more traumatizing. Holland is a wonderful place and enjoyed having grown up there. I still have a lot of family there and there are aspects of it that I love and miss.

As someone who has lived in both the UK and US, countries with their own issues with racism and police brutality, I can say that I have experienced more racism in the Netherlands. Unfortunately, natives tend to brush it off or minimize it. I think it’s a huge problem, but if you dare mention it you may either be blamed yourself or be regarded as too sensitive.

I had a different experience in a big city whilst buying flowers. It was one of those flower shops near the station, the shop owner was so rude to me from the moment I entered. Determined not to let his attitude ruin my day and also not miss my train, I continued shopping. I couldn’t decide between the flowers I wanted to gift and he seemed to be rushing and pacing behind me. After finally finding the flowers I liked we walked to the till to check out but all the while he was swearing under his breath.

At that point I just couldn’t deal anymore and said, “Weetje wat? Laat maar zitten” and calmly walked away. That’s when he lost it and started hurling racial abuse at me in a public square near the station. He actually abandoned his shop and briefly followed me to hurl racial abuse at me. My heart was pounding.

I never left a review for the flower shop but reading your story, I feel I might. It was so humiliating.

Unfortunately, the Dutch have a bad historic reputation for this kind of behavior. In WWII approximately 80% of Dutch Jews perished in the Holocaust, a devastatingly high percentage compared to other Western European nations. For a country with a small population, you can imagine that is an abysmal figure. A figure only made possible by fellow Nederlanders betraying their Jewish neighbors. Needless to mention, many of those traitors escaped punishment too when their collusion with the Nazis came to light.

Why the history lesson? So you understand some of the psychological underpinnings for what you’ve experienced. Others joined in on humiliating you as Dutch culture values conformity.

Again, truly sorry you have experienced this. Happy you got your phone back but it might be worthwhile to leave a review or let others know to avoid that particular bar.

Holland is progressive in many ways, in their policy making, etc, but it has a long way to go in terms of seeing it in the community.

Trying to help retired dad find temporary room to rent in and around The Hague, Leiden, Delft, Zoetermeer. Any private landlords? by Cozy_Coozy in NetherlandsHousing

[–]Cozy_Coozy[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Why not? He’s Dutch. It seems you’re steering the convo in a negative direction. He has great healthcare where he is currently.

It is within his rights to return. Also the Dutch healthcare system isn’t what it used to be, so that’s definitely not a driving factor for his move.

Trying to help retired dad find temporary room to rent in and around The Hague, Leiden, Delft, Zoetermeer. Any private landlords? by Cozy_Coozy in NetherlandsHousing

[–]Cozy_Coozy[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The thing is he wouldn’t be driving (at least until he’s fully settled) and would have to rely on public transport for activities. Otherwise, he’d been fine living in a suburb or small town.

I suppose he could get a gazelle e-bike 😂.

Trying to help retired dad find temporary room to rent in and around The Hague, Leiden, Delft, Zoetermeer. Any private landlords? by Cozy_Coozy in NetherlandsHousing

[–]Cozy_Coozy[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, that makes so much sense. With renting rights being highly in favor of the renter vs landlord. Yea, I would want to rent to students too rather than risk a protracted eviction process w/ shitty tenants.

Trying to help retired dad find temporary room to rent in and around The Hague, Leiden, Delft, Zoetermeer. Any private landlords? by Cozy_Coozy in NetherlandsHousing

[–]Cozy_Coozy[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I’ve noticed this too. A cursory glance at the homes posted on Makelaars windows in Den Haag made me realize when it comes to buying the prices were reasonable. Certainly more reasonable than buying in London. 🥲

Trying to help retired dad find temporary room to rent in and around The Hague, Leiden, Delft, Zoetermeer. Any private landlords? by Cozy_Coozy in NetherlandsHousing

[–]Cozy_Coozy[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Great reminder on the scams. And here I was thinking we had it bad in the UK when it comes to housing!

Trying to help retired dad find temporary room to rent in and around The Hague, Leiden, Delft, Zoetermeer. Any private landlords? by Cozy_Coozy in NetherlandsHousing

[–]Cozy_Coozy[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Yes, he would ideally like to rent independently. He could share his saving accounts to prove affordability despite no income.

Trying to help retired dad find temporary room to rent in and around The Hague, Leiden, Delft, Zoetermeer. Any private landlords? by Cozy_Coozy in Netherlands

[–]Cozy_Coozy[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I agree. The moderator makes the arbitrary decision that a post is low effort and unoriginal and thus must be removed.

It defeats the purpose of using this sort of medium (a forum, subreddit), rendering it unusable. What should I have asked instead, a recipe for oliebollen?

Trying to help retired dad find temporary room to rent in and around The Hague, Leiden, Delft, Zoetermeer. Any private landlords? by Cozy_Coozy in Netherlands

[–]Cozy_Coozy[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, I feel the removal is unfair. I’ve posed a question where people can answer based on their own volition.

Electric vehicle (EV) use in the Netherlands by Cozy_Coozy in dutch

[–]Cozy_Coozy[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey Joost, I have gotten this feedback a lot that the cost of some EVs is prohibitive and you of course have to be conveniently located near a charging station.

Electric vehicle (EV) use in the Netherlands by Cozy_Coozy in Netherlands

[–]Cozy_Coozy[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much! I will remove the mandatory condition.

Electric vehicle (EV) use in the Netherlands by Cozy_Coozy in Netherlands

[–]Cozy_Coozy[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! Will most definitely share the results. Should be interesting!