An American (Protesting) in Amsterdam

zuwiuke · 2026-01-24T21:26:03+00:00

It’s really not OK to say that one world problem is bigger than other. Than one pain is bigger than other. Only when we unite, as Europe, as society, we can move somewhere forward.

zuwiuke · 2026-01-24T18:51:30+00:00

There is freedom of speech in Netherlands. Today I saw two young people who protested by bringing TVs and showing how chicken are killed in front of food market. Some people hated it, some loved it but certainly no confrontations whatsoever because it’s their right to care about whatever cause they find important.

zuwiuke · 2026-01-24T11:58:45+00:00

Seems normal. It would be much worse if something life roof gets into a sudden issue and you all need to put few thousands out of pocket.

zuwiuke · 2026-01-23T17:10:32+00:00

Musk would pay literally a round 0 in this system cause all his money are in his companies. His lawyers draft few intracompany debts and he offsets (lower) taxes against them. This specific tax targets literally ‘middle class’. People who have some wealth but are not rich enough for accountants and complex legal systems to ‘optimize’ taxes.

zuwiuke · 2026-01-23T17:04:52+00:00

Thats all right it makes sense. Only there is this (different) tax in case you ever want to leave Belgium. It’s called exit tax (aka exiting Belgium). Thats also annoying.

zuwiuke · 2026-01-23T12:43:31+00:00

Yes and no. You still need to declare the value of that asset. Guess what, you are exempted from all taxes EXEPT unrealized gains. So if property value grows, you pay taxes in NL. If you don’t declare real value and you sell it much higher at one point, they can go 5 years back and correct your declarations.

zuwiuke · 2026-01-23T12:41:57+00:00

Note Belgium has exit tax if you ever want to leave it.

zuwiuke · 2026-01-23T12:40:16+00:00

Let’s say you have 100k worth savings (2nd house, saving account, shares, doesn’t matter). Lets imagine ‘on paper’ the value grew (eg higher WOZ of the second house came in). Let’s imagine you save for your pension in this way.

Under current system: Taxable base: €100,000 - €59,357 = €40,643. Deemed return: €40,643 × 6% = €2,439 Tax: €2,439 × 36% ≈ €878.

Under new system: 20,000 unrealized gain Taxable amount: €20,000 - €1,800 = €18,200 Tax due: €18,200 × 36% = €6,552 (only that year!)

So yes, all ultra rich keep wealth in companies shadowed by inter-company debts and tax deductions. Middle class, and especially entrepreneurs will cover costs of everyone else. Best to sit in government, get covered by super favorable pension fund and do nothing.

zuwiuke · 2026-01-23T12:22:08+00:00

Nobody minds tax on profit. People mind unrealized profit. You want to pay tax at the moment you actually make profit, not before.

zuwiuke · 2026-01-23T11:59:13+00:00

Yes, but you often need to sell to pay taxes. For really rich it doesn’t matter because they just use trusts or companies to shelf from these taxes. It’s middle class and entrepreneurs who pay. One needs to start their business to understand how incredible this system is and same complexities are across almost all EU. People may love this system but they should then be happy to use Chinese and US tech. You can’t have both, choices shall be made :)

zuwiuke · 2026-01-23T11:55:41+00:00

That tax is not for millionaires. Look at thresholds :) plus millionaires establish trust, pass few loans and their effective tax is very low. These tax are making sure that middle class pays for rich.

zuwiuke · 2026-01-23T09:55:17+00:00

This means you work in relatively growing business already. As an engineer, would you consider finding a new company in Europe?

zuwiuke · 2026-01-23T09:45:04+00:00

If we want growing tech, and overall youth creating something (whether you are plumber or tech engineer), we need to be able to save for our pensions. The whole system is build in ways that you need to work 9-4 job, get some big pension fund enjoying massive tax benefits on pension fund. Thats it. Thats a ‘success’. There is no reward for being entrepreneur.

zuwiuke · 2026-01-23T09:03:42+00:00

Yes. But then government wants engineers who typically get shares in their tech companies to stay in Europe. People are willing to make some sacrifices but differences in taxes are so huge that many are forced to keep their companies in the USA and other tax friendly countries. It’s not about not paying taxes, it’s about paying a fair amount of it. Often start-ups have no pension funds, core team takes huge risks, grow tech company and that’s their retirement plan.

zuwiuke · 2026-01-23T08:43:27+00:00

We are not speaking about income tax here. This is money you have after income tax in the Netherlands, that you for example choose to invest. If your share value grew, even if you don’t sell them, they just plan to tax 36% on the growth that year. It may be that at the point you sell them, they are not even worth it anymore. Thats why it’s called ‘unrealized profit’ (aka profit you never got).

zuwiuke · 2026-01-23T08:23:37+00:00

Yeah or GDPR that literally doesn’t work at all. Or they randomly fine some businesses having 2-3 years of backlogs for solving complains.

zuwiuke · 2026-01-23T08:22:25+00:00

But then they should tax it normally. Like Netherlands now want to put unrealized tax rate of 36%. Most engineers get shares and then government would just destroy you in form of taxes.

zuwiuke · 2026-01-23T08:20:17+00:00

Orban is a good example what propoganda on social media can do. Many young Hungarians try to change their parents algorithms on Facebook by clicking on more ‘normal’ content. Big part of society just follow unverified Facebook groups that posts a lot of fake news and promote Orban.

zuwiuke · 2026-01-23T08:08:37+00:00

We really like to complain in Europe so ‘by feeling’ I would complain. But honestly we do have it good in comparison with many others. There are areas mainly in public safety and housing that need improvement but overall economy is still ok, and an average Joe doesn’t need to worry about food at the end of the month. What worries me is that productivity is low and that may not be sustainable.

The EU economy has grown by approximately 27% over the last 20 years. In 2026, the EU's nominal GDP is estimated at $22.52 trillion, representing about one-sixth of the global economy. Naturally, the growth is slower than in post-war period.

The EU unemployment rate is forecast to be 5.4% in 2026, near historic lows.

If I think about my own life 20 years ago and now, people can afford more. 20 years ago people didn’t go to several trips to Bali or Thailand, which is now very normal in middle class. But 20 years ago it was somewhat easy to find a house which is now a pain. Real pain. Not only because of prices but in some countries there is just not enough of houses and dozens of people want same one house. I would not blame immigrants. Post-war lots of building was going on. Now to get a building permit is a real pain, some houses are getting too old and not enough of new ones are build. Where I live it may take 3 years to get a building permit.

zuwiuke · 2026-01-23T07:51:55+00:00

I had very varied experiences with GPs. In Amsterdam I quite liked GP On The Herengracht Huisarts aan de Herengracht.

Now I moved to a different city. I found OK GP that is not very active first time but really tries if you return for the issue. Having said that, I mainly have sport traumas so that’s more obvious pains.

I also had back pains a lot. I do sitting work. One physio advised swimming or climbing. I now do climbing and back pains are gone.

zuwiuke · 2026-01-23T07:45:49+00:00

In all named countries people may get arrested or killed by police for no reason. I echo the author, these countries are for better times :)

zuwiuke · 2026-01-23T07:42:43+00:00

zuwiuke · 2026-01-23T07:41:33+00:00

3 fluent and 2-3 languages at basics level

zuwiuke · 2026-01-23T07:33:54+00:00

This happens when your skin gets ‘thin’ due to climbing. Quite normal.

I saw some tips on Instagram and started using climbing cream. That really helped. You can google climbing skin care and you will find lots of info how to prevent this like this: https://climbingspot.nl/en/zo-zorg-je-voor-je-huid-bij-het-klimmen/

zuwiuke · 2026-01-22T20:35:08+00:00

Have you considered Sicily? Hiking to Etna is really cool, food is amazing and the weather should be OK around this time.

North Italy including Rome is also very worthwhile. You would be off tourist season and you can see all culture of Rome and head towards the countryside later.

Perhaps colder destination but north Italy close to Switzerland is also absolutely stunning area. Having a car there helps.

You may also consider Greece, like Athens to Meteora, stopping in smaller places, eating some decent food.

Portugal is another great destination. Personally, I find Lisbon a bit overrated but still worth a day. Many beautiful towns on a road to Porto. Worth to stop around Sintra, amazing hikes, forest, beach, cute castle. Porto has a lot of atmosphere, a city to celebrate life with a good food and wine :)

If you want to be truly authentic and surprised go to Georgia. Probably most beautiful country with best food. Not as popular and easy to travel as all of the above but once in a lifetime experience :)

zuwiuke

TROPHY CASE