I thought it might be entertaining to start a thread reserved for discoveries of situations in the Netherlands that would, if known to the outside world, be regarded as unbelievable. This can be a very odd and very disturbing country. What things would our compatriots back home find incredible (or even a little disturbing) about this place if they knew about it?

I would like to suggest that each post be limited to just a few lines.

I would also like to suggest that we not include "you're not going to believe what happened to me?" stories. Let's restrict this to ordinary facts about this country. As the Dutch say, "doe normaal - dat is gek genoeg."

The Dutch government charges a tax of €60 to hire a car at the airport.

If you need to rent a car in the evening, the only place you can do it (in the entire country apparently) is at the airport. The total cost: €110 per day (that's about 100 pounds or $150 US.) A day.

This post has been edited by stone: Apr 2 2009, 10:06 PM

The Dutch are controlled by their government and complacent, with a few well known exceptions regarding drugs, prostitution, euthanasia, etc. and that is only because it is easier/cheaper. They keep their heads down in just about everything, because the government ultimately has control of them, for these reasons:

- You can be arrested and detained without charge.

- Any attempt at seeking compensation for losses due to government negligence are futile (unless you have a lot of money or are prepared to go broke), as they will never give enough compensation to cover the legal costs.

- There are currently Dutch laws that restrict freedom of speech and expression including lèse majesté, i.e., insulting the queen, insulting of a head or a member of government, censorship, i.e., banning Mein Kampf, and also blasphemy laws that pertain to Christianity.

- Even simple defamation, not characterized as slander or libel, is punishable, with an increase in punishment when it is in regard to public authorities and institution; or a public servant while working.

- There are no rights for individuals to be free from government coercion, there are laws that allow for government eavesdropping on journalists, recording conversations between suspects and their lawyers, wiretaps with very limited restrictions, and the unrestricted ability to monitor the e-mail, newsgroups, and chat rooms of its citizens.

Hip hip Holland!

This post has been edited by quest: Apr 2 2009, 10:30 PM

Dutch supermarkets charge their customers for grocery bags.

The Dutch government charges car owners a tax of around €400 a year to own a car.

That's around 370 pounds or $540 US. This is not to register the car. Not to park it. Not even to drive it. Just to own it.

Every three months you get a demand from the tax department to pay them €100 for your car.

For a while a Dutch television station (RTL4, I think) had the slogan "Fcuk it!"

This post has been edited by stone: Apr 2 2009, 10:39 PM

The Dutch goverment gives it's residents an allowance if they claim to have kids living abroad.

If a Dutchy sends a burglar to it's maker it's that very same cloggie who's going to be spending a few more years in the slammer than any rapist would.

Fun post Stone.... I forgot one:

- If you stand up to the government, clearly there is something wrong with you. Most Dutch people take it up the a** and then make suveys to say how wonderful it is in Holland.

Dutch law expressly forbids polygamy but the muncipalities officially register the second and third wives of immigrated muslims.

This post has been edited by emilio416: Apr 3 2009, 11:09 AM

Echte? (really?).

While we are at it:

- if you choose to not work because you have children, you get a subsidy from the government to do it. Even if the children are 10-16 years old and in school all day! It amounts to about Euro 120 per month, but it is a huge disincentive to work for women when the taxes are are higher if they do work.

I have lived in the most dangerous country in the world (Pakistan) for 27 years without any security problems. In 12 years in Netherlands I have had my bag snatched, my car broken into and intruders in my yard in the middle of the night. And I don't even live in a so called black neighborhood.

I was told that if Dutch police see you in a car - say a brand new Mercedes - and they simply suspect that you and the car do not match, they may very well jot down your license plate number.

They may go back to the station, punch in your numbers, seek other info on you if they are interested (bank accounts, salary, etc.) and compose a profile.

If the numbers do not compute they may then knock on your door and request as to how you're behind the wheel of a brand new Mercedes.

Do Dutch police use "probable cause" to conduct searches (personal & property)?

Murder will most likely only get you 10-20 actual years in jail.

This Dutch situation is hardly "unbelievable" to foreigners since it exists in many countries in various forms (subsidy or tax reduction), for example in Belgium,, France, Germany, etc.

Actually, you might get out of the lick earlier!

I have two:
Many Dutch do not rinse the dirty dishes after they wash them. They just leave the soapy dirty water on them to dry.
That universal health care does not mean everyone is covered and that it is just as expensive if not more costly than in the USA.

Hi everyone, first post here, but I've been a long time reader.

I am curious about this tax. Why is it I never had to pay 100 euro every three months for my car? (And I've been driving a car for many many years).

depending on where you live, you cant simply paint your house / door / windows any colour you like.

If you are dutch, it is difficult to bring your partner/husband/wife and children to the Netherlands unless you meet some specific requirements (ie 120% of the minimum wage etc)

a dyke can break if it gets too dry (at least the old ones) causing a flood during a drought

it depends on the weight of your car and the kind of fuel it uses - a small light petrol engine car can be as little as 40 or 50 euros a quarter. A large deisel can be up to 300 euros a quarter - you can work it out here: http://www.autobelastingen.nl/berekenmrb.php

So Stone means vehicle tax. That is not a Dutch thing which people abroad won't belief. It exists in the UK too
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Motoring/Ownin...cle/DG_10012524