Observations IV

December

- There's a good chance I've already said this, but Dutch people have two Christmases- Eerste kerstdag and Tweede kerstdag or first and second Christmas. 25th and 26th of December. They do this so they can visit both sides of the family. Isn't that the most Dutch thing ever? So practical haha.

- This is according to my host mom, but apparently people west of the Netherlands tend to be more blunt and forward while people in the east tend to be less direct all the time. Think more southern hospitality. Personally, I have no idea because I am barely in the east of the NL, but it makes sense because the cities and businesspeople are all in this one area in the west of the Netherlands. The east is more farms and countryside.

- There are these sayings that Dutch people have that are really funny. There is one that is "Helaas pindakaas" which directly translates to Unfortunately, peanut butter. Sometimes people say this when something wrong happens like if someone were to fall on the ground. Also, there is this saying that people say when something makes your mouth water because it tastes so good. "Alsof er een engeltje op je tong piest" which directly translates to it's like an angel pissing on your tongue. It just tastes that good.

- On the train, people stand up from their seats a minute or two before the train stops to walk to the train doors so they can immediately get off the train. I thought it was pretty ridiculous to do that at first, but now I do it too because right when people get off the train, the new people rush into the train. So basically you have to or you won't get off the train.

- No refills at restaurants

- Waiters will not come to you unless you get their attention. Usually when you eat at restaurants, you pick a table and sit down at a table immediately. If there's not a sign that indicates you need to be seated by someone, you do it yourself.

- I think fundraising is uncommon here. My Rotex partner says that people here don't really raise money or ask people for money in the fundraising way.

- when people want to get rid of their Christmas trees, they just leave it outside of their house. Kids pick up the trees and bring them to their own houses. Then, they call the government and the government sends people to pick the trees up. They give the kid a euro per tree they've collected.