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Expat Experiences of Life in the Netherlands (submit yours here)
Anna Gilhespy
My name is Anna Gilhespy, I am 29 and I run my own business making handmade ornaments which I sell mostly online. I moved to Hoofddorp (just outside Amsterdam) with my husband in 2003 when he was offered a good job over here. There was little work where we were living in the UK and opportunity was too good for us to pass up...
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If you want to work here, you need a work permit from the IND (Immigration and Naturalisation Service) as an addition to your residence permit. There are also many recruitment agencies for non Dutch speakers. Generally it is required (or at least desired) that you speak some Dutch. But I know that people who don't know (much) Dutch find jobs as well, but it does take some time...
You should be aware that the Dutch are usually very direct. When you are not used to this, you may consider that it is impolite but it is a normal way of reacting. If you want to meet a Dutch person, you must make an appointment (also with friends) and shouldn't be surprised if it takes a few weeks before you can meet each other. This is just because people have a busy schedule. Don't take it personally!
At a birthday party in Holland you are expected to sit in a circle eating a bit of cake and coffee (maybe 1 biscuit, but no more!) After that alcoholic beverages maybe served. Not attending a close family member's birthday party is really frowned upon. In UK, friends take the birthday boy/girl out to the pub and that person does NOT have to pay a Euro penny. Believe it or not, in Holland the birthday boy/girl is expected to pay for drinks should he/she celebrate this in a restaurant/pub.
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