As someone new to Netherlands, I have witnessed a lot of unusual things and practices I've only seen here.
This is dedicated to stuffs that seem strange to me but are rather normal for people in Netherlands.
Imagine my shock and curiosity when I had the chance to own these things or see them.
Though not all are specifically seen or used only in Netherlands but I have never owned or seen them in my home country.
The following are things and practices I've never had or done before I stepped in Netherlands: • Verjaardagskalender (birthday calendar) This one is definitely a necessity in every Dutch home.
What makes it even more odd is where it is usually placed.
You wouldn't have guessed it - in the toilet.
This calendar is solely for the purpose of recording birthdays of friends and family.
In addition, these calendars don't have a year, birthdays are simply written as a list which saves the owner time and money to update or buy a new one every year.
Clever isn't it? • Flessenschraper (bottle scraper) or flessenlikker (bottle licker) Ever had problems with emptying your favorite sandwich spread bottle because you can't reach the bottom or side parts? Then the bottle scraper is the answer.
This kitchen tool is almost exclusively found only in Netherlands and is unknown to other countries.
When I brought one for a friend in my home country, I had to actually tell her what it is and demonstrate how it is used.
It is similar to a spatula and is usually one foot long.
It can be used for scraping round bottles or angled boxes.
• Bicycle repair kit Bicycle is also considered a necessary item in Netherlands.
Almost everyone owns one.
Unlike in the country I grew up in, we do not use bicycle as our daily transportation to wherever we go.
It is deemed dangerous for highways and inconvenient for traveling far.
However, in Netherlands bicycle is an important mode of transportation.
Their roads are jam-packed with bicycle riders going to work, school or even to do their groceries.
That's why every rider must also possess a bicycle repair kit just in case of emergencies.
But if you're not comfortable repairing your bike on your own, don't fret, Netherlands has more than enough bike repair shops to cater to everyone's bicycle needs.
• Koffielepelties (coffee spoons) Though coffee spoons are not exclusively from Netherlands, but I rarely see these being used in the countries I've been to.
Since the Dutch is one the biggest coffee drinkers in the world, it is expected that these coffee spoons are normally seen hand in hand with coffee.
• Hanged backpack If you are new to Netherlands, you'll be a little surprised to see a Dutch flag raised outside someone's home along with a school backpack.
This means that someone in the family has graduated.
Unusual isn't it? • Herring Aside from the Japanese, the Dutch also love eating raw fish.
One type of fish very popular in Netherlands is herring.
They are usually eaten raw and pickled.
The annual Dutch herring festival commences when the first herring is caught.
This is dedicated to stuffs that seem strange to me but are rather normal for people in Netherlands.
Imagine my shock and curiosity when I had the chance to own these things or see them.
Though not all are specifically seen or used only in Netherlands but I have never owned or seen them in my home country.
The following are things and practices I've never had or done before I stepped in Netherlands: • Verjaardagskalender (birthday calendar) This one is definitely a necessity in every Dutch home.
What makes it even more odd is where it is usually placed.
You wouldn't have guessed it - in the toilet.
This calendar is solely for the purpose of recording birthdays of friends and family.
In addition, these calendars don't have a year, birthdays are simply written as a list which saves the owner time and money to update or buy a new one every year.
Clever isn't it? • Flessenschraper (bottle scraper) or flessenlikker (bottle licker) Ever had problems with emptying your favorite sandwich spread bottle because you can't reach the bottom or side parts? Then the bottle scraper is the answer.
This kitchen tool is almost exclusively found only in Netherlands and is unknown to other countries.
When I brought one for a friend in my home country, I had to actually tell her what it is and demonstrate how it is used.
It is similar to a spatula and is usually one foot long.
It can be used for scraping round bottles or angled boxes.
• Bicycle repair kit Bicycle is also considered a necessary item in Netherlands.
Almost everyone owns one.
Unlike in the country I grew up in, we do not use bicycle as our daily transportation to wherever we go.
It is deemed dangerous for highways and inconvenient for traveling far.
However, in Netherlands bicycle is an important mode of transportation.
Their roads are jam-packed with bicycle riders going to work, school or even to do their groceries.
That's why every rider must also possess a bicycle repair kit just in case of emergencies.
But if you're not comfortable repairing your bike on your own, don't fret, Netherlands has more than enough bike repair shops to cater to everyone's bicycle needs.
• Koffielepelties (coffee spoons) Though coffee spoons are not exclusively from Netherlands, but I rarely see these being used in the countries I've been to.
Since the Dutch is one the biggest coffee drinkers in the world, it is expected that these coffee spoons are normally seen hand in hand with coffee.
• Hanged backpack If you are new to Netherlands, you'll be a little surprised to see a Dutch flag raised outside someone's home along with a school backpack.
This means that someone in the family has graduated.
Unusual isn't it? • Herring Aside from the Japanese, the Dutch also love eating raw fish.
One type of fish very popular in Netherlands is herring.
They are usually eaten raw and pickled.
The annual Dutch herring festival commences when the first herring is caught.
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