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Offside Speakers: Music in the Referee’s Domain
On entering my dressingroom, I noticed a few small bags, but not typical ref bags.
But on my return from my game there was another huge one with a ref picking his gear from a large collection of shirts and socks.
So far nothing remarkable. But what stunned me was his bluetooth speaker blasting loud music. I was changing clothes and taking a shower, but no apologies for his claiming the locker…
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The Whirlwind Weekend: A Referee's Unexpected Adventure
Hey there, my fellow sports fans!
Let me tell you about my wild ride last weekend in the world of refereeing.
Picture this: it was Friday evening and my planned game was cancelled last-minute. So, I was chilling out, thinking I’d lucked into a Saturday off. The weather promised to be glorious, warm winds blowing in from Northern Africa, and at lunch time I was sipping on a nice glass of white…
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Navigating Dutch Realities: 10 Key Insights into Culture, Education, and Politics (10)
This last blog in a series of 10 is about the most complicated Dutch themes: Politics. The complexity forces me to split this blog in two parts even. It would be too much to digest for outsiders. Here is part 1.Complexity and Compromise. The Dutch political system is a fascinating blend of complexity and compromise, quite distinct from the ‘winner takes all’ systems found in countries like the…
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Navigating Dutch Realities: 10 Key Insights into Culture, Education, and Politics (9)
This time we will dive into the issue of Dutch religious divide between Protestants and Catholics. The religious division, historically split between the Protestant north and the Catholic south, has deep roots dating back to the Spanish conquest of the region and the Reformation.
Let’s dive into a bit of history so you will get to understand the cultural differances in Holland.
Historical…
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Navigating Dutch Realities: 10 Key Insights into Culture, Education, and Politics (8)
The Dutch Education System. For expats considering a move to the Netherlands, understanding the intricacies of the Dutch education system is essential. Here’s a comprehensive overview to help you navigate the Dutch educational landscape:
Compulsory Education: Education is compulsory (‘leerplicht’) for children in the Netherlands from the ages of 5 to 16. This ensures that all children have…
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Whistling in the Dark: My Referee Blackout and Loss of Appetite
Last weekend plunged me into another U19 match, a distant hour’s drive into the depths of eastern Holland. Unfamiliar clubs greeted me with raised eyebrows at the sight of a referee journeying from afar.
Adding to the spectacle, an announced assessor appeared oddly early, introducing himself at the pre-game rendez-vous. I waved farewell to deciphering their sour critiques and instructions after…
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Navigating Dutch Realities: 10 Key Insights into Culture, Education, and Politics (7)
Unlocking Dutch Social Welfare Benefits. Thinking of making the Netherlands your new home? Understanding the ins and outs of Dutch social welfare benefits is crucial for a smooth transition. Here’s what you need to know:
Contributions and Coverage: Everyone residing and working in the Netherlands contributes to the social security system, ensuring access to essential benefits and allowances when…
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Navigating Dutch Realities: 10 Key Insights into Culture, Education, and Politics (5)
Decoding Dutch Health Insurance.Picture this: you lose your job unexpectedly, but you’re not left scrambling for survival. In the Netherlands, social security and healthcare are intertwined in a unique system that ensures everyone has access to essential medical care, regardless of their circumstances. But how does it work for expats accustomed to different systems?
Yes, it’s true. When you pay…
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#Nederland#theNetherlands#welfare#Dutch#Dutchtutor#HealthInsurance#Holland#LearnDutchm#Rodric Leerling
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Navigating Dutch Realities: 10 Key Insights into Culture, Education, and Politics (4)
Blondes and Blue Eyes: Debunking Dutch Stereotypes
“Tall, blond women everywhere.” It’s a common stereotype associated with the Dutch, and to some extent, it holds true. According to the UN, the Dutch rank among the tallest people in the world, second only to the Masai of Kenya. But what about the pervasive notion that all Dutch women are blond with blue eyes? Let’s unpack this stereotype and…
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#blondhair#blueeyes#Dutch#Dutchtutor#Holland#LearnDutch#Nederland#Rodric Leerling#stereotypes#TheNetherlands
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Navigating Dutch Realities: 10 Key Insights into Culture, Education, and Politics (3)
Wooden Shoes, Windmills, and Tulips: Icons of Dutch Heritage
Ah, the quintessential Dutch imagery – tulip fields stretching as far as the eye can see, windmills towering over the landscape, and yes, the unmistakable ‘klomp’ or wooden clogs. But do we all really walk around in clogs? And what’s the deal with those funny hats women sometimes wear?
Wooden Shoes: While it’s true that wooden shoes,…
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Navigating Dutch Realities: 10 Key Insights into Culture, Education, and Politics (2)
Living below sea-level. How does that work?
For many outside the Netherlands, the concept of a country situated below sea level might evoke visions of canals overflowing like the streets of Venice. Among Americans, there’s often a general confusion not just about the name of the place, but also about its geographical layout.
Is the Netherlands just one big city akin to London? And is Dutch the…
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#BelowSeaLevel#Dutch#Holland#LearnDutch#Nederland#Rodric Leerling#TechMarvels#TheNetherlands#TutorDutch
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Navigating Dutch Realities: 10 Key Insights into Culture, Education, and Politics (1)
USE OF DRUGS. Let’s kick things off with a topic that often gets Americans talking: drug use. In the Netherlands, soft drugs like marijuana are legalized for personal use, a move driven by Dutch pragmatism. The idea is simple: since people are going to use drugs anyway, why not regulate it to ensure safety and quality? By keeping soft drugs openly available, their use becomes safer and easier to…
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Navigating Dutch Realities: 10 Key Insights into Culture, Education, and Politics
The Netherlands – or as some folks still affectionately call it, “Holland” – is a country known for its open-mindedness and tolerance. But with that come a unique set of challenges. And boy, do these topics get people talking, especially our (former Dutch) friends across the pond who are often keen to defend their own turf while keeping an eye on their Dutch roots.
Today, we’re diving headfirst…
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Navigating Dutch Realities: 10 Key Insights into Culture, Education, and Politics
The Netherlands – or as some folks still affectionately call it, "Holland" – is a country known for its open-mindedness and tolerance. But with that come a unique set of challenges. And boy, do these topics get people talking, especially our (former Dutch) friends across the pond who are often keen to defend their own turf while keeping an eye on their Dutch roots.
Today, we're diving headfirst into the 10 burning issues that frequently pop up whenever the Netherlands is on the table for discussion. These are the kind of topics that keep the conversation spicy, whether it's about our relaxed stance on drugs, the infamous Red Light District, or the engineering marvels keeping us dry below sea level.
So, buckle up as we explore everything from clogs to politics, windmills to healthcare, and everything in between. It's time to peel back the layers and get to the heart of what makes the Netherlands tick. Welcome to our series on Dutch culture, education, politics, and beyond. And what better way to start than with a bold look into the world of soft drugs and red-lit streets? Let's dive in!
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Don't be a bore, learn a new language!
I recently wrote a blog about the much talked about mantra created by Iris Apfel: “More is more and less is a bore“.
Her mantra hit me as an encouragement to embrace abundance, diversity, and a richness of experiences in life. I also realized that combining her, maybe peculiar sounding philosophy with a sense of curiosity can in fact lead to a more vibrant and fulfilling life.
One of the things…
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The One and Only Dutch Food Delight: 'Bitterballen'
Whenever you are invited to join after-office drinks on Friday (the ‘VrijMiBo’ aka Friday Afternoon Drink) or other social event in the Netherlands, you can expect a so-called ‘bitter garniture’ to be served alongside. Be careful how you eat this, see a note of warning at the bottom.
First of all, it’s not a garnish for ‘bitters’, but ‘bitter’ in this sense that it refers to the ‘balls’ that…
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#bitterballen#Dutch#Dutchtutor#LearnDutch#Nederland#Nederlands#Rodric Leerling#snacks#TheNetherlands#tutor
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Never stop asking 'why?'!
As a kid, I was never really bothered with the ‘whys.’ Things were as they were in my childhood experience. It was as if I had this built-in hesitation to ask questions, as if I thought the world might implode if I dared to utter a simple ‘why.’
Questions like ‘why is the sky blue?’ Or: ‘why are apples green?’ where simply not part of my mental toolkit. At an older age, I realize my dad (or mum)…
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