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Latest NewsFrom Miles to Meters: A Tale of Two Systems
I’ve come to accept that I live a dual life. Not the cool, secret-agent kind, but the mildly confusing, math-induced panic kind. You see, I split my existence between the United States and the Netherlands. And while adapting to the cultural differences—like the appropriate amount of directness (Dutch: extreme, American: sugar-coated) or acceptable daily cheese […]
Read MoreWhy American Streets Are So Bad for Walking and Biking (Compared to the Netherlands)
Ever tried walking somewhere in the U.S. only to suddenly find yourself off the sidewalk, dodging a patch of gravel or a concrete curb that goes nowhere? Yeah — welcome to the wild, wacky world of American streets
Read MoreThe Dutch: Inventing the World While Pretending It Was No Big Deal
Somehow, a country the size of a large parking lot, mostly underwater, managed to invent finance, modern tech, and orange vegetables — all before lunch.
Read MoreThe Most Important Company You’ve Never Had to Explain at a Birthday Party: ASML
If you think AI chips come from Silicon Valley magic or Elon Musk tweets, think again. Behind every smart chatbot, self-driving car, and “this email was written by AI” message stands one very Dutch company: ASML.
Read More“Generational Wealth”: Why Scammers Love the Term
“Generational wealth” sounds noble. Responsible. Almost boring. Which is exactly why scammers love it. In recent years, this phrase has become a favorite weapon in online scams—especially aimed at Dutch people and other foreigners. Not because we’re naïve, but because we check a few very specific boxes scammers adore.
Read MoreThe Unsung Hero of the High Seas: Adriaen Block’s Wild Ride
Ah, Block Island A place of breathtaking beauty, rugged charm, and the occasional historical nugget that makes you say, “Wait, WHO was Adriaen Block?”
Read MoreWhy the Netherlands Is One of the Happiest Countries in the World (And It’s Not Just the Cheese)
Every year, the Netherlands pops up near the top of the World Happiness Report, and every year the Dutch react in exactly the same way: “Really? Are you sure?”
Read MoreDutch origins in English
There are a lot of English words that come from Dutch, thanks to historical trade, exploration, and cultural exchange between the Netherlands and England. Here’s a complete and detailed list of commonly known English words of Dutch origin, categorized by theme
Read MoreWhy the Dutch Almost Owned New York (and Probably Would’ve Installed More Bike Lanes)
Ah, New York City: the Big Apple, the City That Never Sleeps, the place where pigeons have more attitude than your average reality TV star. But did you know that before New York was “New York,” it was a humble Dutch settlement called New Amsterdam? Yes, that’s right! The land of bagels and Broadway was once the land of stroopwafels and… well, more stroopwafels.
Read MoreA Dive into American and Dutch Transit Differences
When it comes to transportation, the USA and the Netherlands are as different as night and day, each with its own quirks and let’s face it, plenty of charm. Picture this: cycling in the Netherlands is like an art form, with bicycle lanes smoother than a hip café’s latte foam.
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