It's so common for Americans to complain about "lack of service" or "slow service" in European restaurants and for Europeans to complain about "being rushed" in American restaurants. I find it funny because so many expats and tourists on TH-cam complain about this, and only very few of them realize it's about more than just "poor service", but a real cultural difference between Americans and Europeans. We just expect very different things from a restaurant.
a lot of people go somewhere in the afternoon, spend talking over a few drinks before they order the food, then they sit enjoying the meal, few drinks afterwards too. if course we dont like to be rushed. its so ONGEZELLIG haha!
Every time I'm in the US at a restaurant, 5 minutes after I got my plate there's already someone who asks me "Is everything allright, do you need more form this or that? This goes on about every 5 minutes. Please leave me alone, if I need your service, I will call for you. This is not gezellig! :)
This isn't just Dutch, by the way. Most of Europe has a more leisure approach to dining than the US. I personally know France, Germany, Spain and Italy are very much the same. Here, the indication that you should order something or move on is the waiter appearing and asking if you want to order anything else. Imagine how we feel in the USA where you have someone come by every few minutes. It feels like a reminder that we should hurry up and leave. One explanation for this I've heard is the difference is WHY people dine out. In most of Europe, you eat out when there's something special. Meeting with friends you haven't seen in a while, something to celebrate, treating your (prospective) (business) partner, or just getting out of your boring normal. Time for something special! So we go and eat out where we'll get somewhat more special food than at home, with people that are likely special to us. We take our time to enjoy both. Having to wait a minute or two before the waiter comes for another round of coffee doesn't matter much. We're here all evening. Many restaurants know this and don't plan on re-using a table that has been reserved. From what I've heard from people from the US, eating out there is much more common often as a simple alternative to eating at home (and ordering stuff). It's a rote action, a standard meal, not something special. For that, you're not going to take extra time. You want your food and drinks in a timely fashion, because you'll leave again as soon as you're done eating. It's not just dinner. When European people eat out for lunch or breakfast, it's likely something special. You don't rush something special. Different approach to dining and thus a different idea of good service.
One more thing in the US I find ongezellig. When going to a restaurant with a group of friends, the waiter starts taking plates away while half of the party is still eating. That is absolutely not done in the Netherlands. A table is cleaned after all are done eating.
Argh YES! I find it the rudest thing ever. As a European child I’ve learned not to leave the table until everyone is finished. It’s cortious and polite. And the same goes for cleaning the table. While on the subject, waiters will bring the main dish 5 min after bringing the apatizers. Like, is it an eating contest?!
I think it is criminal not to pay waiters the minimum salary because they get tips. The minimum salary should count for everyone, making a tip an extra for extraordinary service and not an obligation because the boss is underpaying. The reasoning that the food and drinks will get more expensive does not count, as the tips paid will be less. The customers pay a higher price already because they tip. Also, sales taxes is part of your purchases, so the pricing in stores should show the prices including taxes I think.
True, but this is done in the US because it’s extremely common to not finish your food and save it for later due to the large portions. So the waiter can’t tell if you’re done eating or not. This is one of multiple reasons why serving oversized portions makes less sense than serving an average size.
The words “gezellig or gezelligheid” is best described as a moment in time that gives you a warm, enjoyable, cosy feeling. It can be everywhere at any time and is a personal state of mind.
The root of this word actually comes from "met je gezellen" (with your companions). In biology it is used to indicate a non-solitary animal. Of course it took on a meaning of it's own...
@@mourlyvold7655Huh, you learn something new about your own language every day. If gezelligheid kinda means "feeling companionship" it is kinda spot on so it makes sense.
I used to work at a grocery store in a 'lesser' neighbourhood and people drank sooooo much coffee. There was a little bench next to the coffee machine and it was basically a loitering place for elders and homeless people who would just sit there, drink coffee and chat with each other for an hour or longer. Some people would come in several times a day. At some point the bench got replaced with an actual table with chairs and magazines. Sometimes we would even serve cookies when we had a pack of broken ones.
Stores wrapping your presents is conveniant for you. But also just smart advertising by them. Recognizable wrapping paper, sticker with a logo to attach those curly decorative strings. And everyone at the birthday party seeing that. It's one of those "everybody wins" situations.
@@marijnfly Well sure. When that happens to me, I just think of the smile of whoever will get the present. 😁 And come on, they wrap 7 times as quickly as any normal person.
As a former bartender in the Netherlands I can confirm that the check thing is seen as rude here. If I, as a bartender, presented you with a check without you asking for it, it means: pay up and gtfo, because I don't want you here (whatever the reason might be, being drunk, being a nuisance, or whatever). So yeah, getting a check in the Netherlands without you asking for it means that you're being ongezellig. :) At least is does to me.
Except when sitting outside on the terrace, especially with large terraces, then it's not uncommone to be expected to pay directly when the waiter brings the stuff you ordered.
Besides from being rude.. if for instance i am in a restaurant i cant predict what i want next .. so in my case they have to put every time a new check on thew table adding things , getting a new drink.. people are more likely to add extra's to their dinner an extra drink or whatever if the check is not on the table yet
I hope that one day u will experience the gezelligheid of a cold winter with outdoor skating on ponds and canals and Koek and Zopie. It’s getting rare, but that is the a key element to Dutch gezelligheid.
So true...! I've had only few of these 'winter specials' in my 62 years so far... They were really special. Skating, 'zopie', the ice, the cold, the beautiful Dutch landscape all frozen and white.
Rebecca Albrecht zopie is an old drink that is no longer common, mostly replaced by gluhwein. It persists in the name of the stands only rly. nl.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koek-en-zopie
@@pjotrh Thanks for your reply & link. I moved here three years ago from the USA and live on a gezellig street. in Utrecht, with very nice neighbors. I feel a bit closer to them now that I know this bit of arcane knowledge. I'll ask a few of the old-timers about this custom and will take delight in their stories.
Talking about gift wrapping: I once went to the service desk of the supermarket to get a package of papers to roll cigs with. As you may know, they are tiny and cost maybe 20 cents. The girl without thinking asked me if I needed a receipt for my purchase, so I chuckled and as a joke said: "no, but can you gift wrap it". I guess it was a bit of a slow time, as she answered YES. Getting out fancy paper, she and her colleague made a elaborate wrapping for the tiny object, even adding a fancy bow when they finally noticed the queue slowly forming behind me. Oh, I forgot to say I don't smoke, the papers were for my wife, and she was quite surprised when I handed it over. For several weeks after the girls at the service desk kept grinning at me when I passed by, as you can imagine.
Lol once I was in a situation with my mum where we couldnt really celebrate christmas normally. She gave me some money for a book I had asked. I went to the store and bought it (patanjalis yogasuttras, interesting read actually). So the shopkeeper asked me if it was a present. So I answered "ehm well technically yes, but its for me, I cant really see my mum atm, but technically shes giving me this for christmas" So the guy looked at me for a second, and wrapped it beautifully anyway. I kept it wrapped for a few days even, lying there in anticipation. Thats us dutch for you. very direct, but also our kindness is very much heartfelt ^^
Hi . I'm Dutch..Was several times in the US & Canada. What was wondering me overthere in bars, restaurants ..The waiters always say : Hi : How are you today ? But then if i said : How are you today ? They dont know what to say..😮
One of the things that makes this video about `Gezelligheid' fitting is the "Broodtrommel" in the background in the closet. (with the knitted fox on top of it)
I'm the Italian friend! 🙋♀️😄 And yes, sipping a warm tea out of an actual mug while watching a movie is one of the most gezellig things ever, especially as movie theaters in Utrecht are so nice and cozy! Whereas most of the other things that you mention also happen in Italy, I've never seen this in any other country. It's just awesome.
As an American who lived in NL: you can resolve your Dutchiness in america by smiling a bit more, slow down how fast you speak, and softening how you say things. "I wonder if..." "Is it possible..." "I kind of feel that...".
@@GUITARTIME2024 thank you for the suggestions, very helpful! I definitely noticed how I’d say (for instance) “it is sunny” - saying stuff as a statement- whereas my US friends would say “I think it’s sunny!” or “it looks like it’s sunny”. Been in the US for almost 5 years, but still learning something new everyday!
Because here in the Netherlands the service jobs get paid a descent hourly wage, whereas in America they do not. The tips is how they earn a descent wage. This is even the case with hairdressers at places like SportClips.
@@Lilygirl283 My (now Dutch) girlfriend is from America, and she used to work at SportsClips. She got paid an hourly wage, but the bare minimum. At the end of the day they put all the tips together and gave everyone an equal share. That's why tipping is "a must" in America, and I simply do not tip at all in the Netherlands.
I think all of these cultural habits not only special to Netherlands but showing differences btw US and Europe :) %90 of your Dutch experience applicable across Europe. Still Netherlands is a lovely country to be an expat as I enjoy like you do. I can relate to your feelings though from my first visit to US, it was like another planet to me :D
I've worked retail for a while and liked wrapping gifts. You are right that there was no training, but colleagues would exchange tips and usually we'd try to find 2 or 3 ways to quickly make it look a little better that was not time intensive. During quiet hours I'd often fold a bunch of paper pouches that we could use during peak hours for smaller gifts. After we started doing this, suddenly a lot more people started claiming their purchases were gifts. I loved the idea that they just wanted it giftwrapped for themselves.
When you want your item wrapped but the store is busy or you're in a rush you can also ask/offer them to just give you the paper for you to wrap the item at home.
As a teenager, whenever there was a blank period in our school schedule, me and my friends would bike to the grocery store to get a free coffee and then buy like 1 croissant on the way out. We didn't like coffee, but it was free! That was when we learned to drink coffee. I guess that also really confirms the Dutch stereotype about free stuff :p. But I was like 15 and had no money :p.
The blankets have gotten a lot more common for sitting outside bars when the smoking prohibition inside bars became national. Before that, they were not common at all.
The coffee at the grocery stores is something from the last 10-15 ish years. We never had this 20 years ago when i was still a kid. Its something more modern.
pretty crazy, I never thought about the tiny cookies you get with coffee, it just seems so normal to me, never occurred to me they wouldn't have that in America
Pretty sure it stems from the tradition that when you visit someone at home to drink coffee or thee, they would always offer a cookie, biscuit or piece of chocolate. It's a showing of hospitality and imho it's pretty similar idea to the English tea tradition. So it's kind of surprising it's not a thing in american coffee/tea shops (but I recon it is when paying someone a visit, especially in the southern states) .
About the coffee in the supermarkt. Albert Heijn originates where I was born and still live, Zaandam, just North of Amsterdam. If I'm correct it was Albert Heijn introducing that custom to the supermarkts. Before Albert Heijn was split up in several diffent companies under the Ahold name, it had a large coffee department. They buy coffee beans all over the world and blend and roast it themselves. To present their coffee and new blends to the shopping people they offered it to drink in the supermarkts. Later other supermarkets took over this idea. Today this Ahold company is the Coffee Company. AH still has a coffee tasting corner.
So delightful to listen to you! And I'm neither American nor Dutch. I'm a Dane and notice that some Dutch things apply to Denmark too. Interesting. Also to hear about American culture. Thx!
if you go to a service cinema in the netherlands, you can press a button while you are watching the film and someone will take your order and bring it 😁
What I sometimes do is let them wrap it up and unwrap it at home and amaze myself with a present! Oh and with coffee, a Belgian bonbon (choclate) is the best.
If you like the little cookie with your coffee, you should visit Belgium too, their cookies are even better, and... if you order something alcoholic you will often get a free salty snack, like nuts or crisps or olives!
in spain you get often tapa's with your drinks, those could be hot or cold and served on an seperate plate, and for you and the person(s) that are with you. so it is not only dutch-belgium, even spain is gezellig :)
Another reason why so many people are sitting outside is that smoking is only allowed outside. Being a stopped smoker for 3,5 years I understand, but I'm glad I did
Oh btw btw btw, one one more thing (haha) about the coffee, its a big thing actually. When you have a meeting with somebody for business reasons, you offer or get offered a drink. when handymen visit your house ton fix something, offer them a coffee or tea, and yes cut some onbijtkoek or speculaas to go with it. grocery shopping, like you said, have some coffee! if you in to socialise a bit, that is. a lot of people drink coffee all day everyday. my grandma will even have a coffeehour at 5 o clock in the afternoon. she makes some coffee, and some cookies or everything to go with it, and we watch tv a bit and discuss how ridiculous it is.
Ahhh Eva you have a Levi’s shirt on, you’re now officially integrated! I had my wife’s family over 2 months ago from Seattle and they wouldn’t shut up about how big Levi’s is over here 😂
Wrapping is so convenient! Two of my friends and I have this thing around christmas time where we go to several stores in the city and buy presents for each other (the thing is: you can say what you want) then we act all secretly even though we know what's been bought. At a few stores there are little tables where you can wrap your things in free wrapping paper, sometimes even with ribbons. Then we will sit somewhere to give our presents to each other. With bookstores I will sometimes say yes because I bought it from checks that I got for my birthday or something so it kinda is like a present (for myself but semantics :P)
Our grocery store overhere normally has a table at the coffee corner. When you visit it early in the morning you will find about 8 elderly people sitting there drinking coffee and chit chat. Due to covid-19 it had to be removed temporary.
Hey Ava! Wat een gezellig filmpje!! Ik bleef een lach op mijn gezicht houden! Ja, we houden van gezellig... jammer dat de horeca (dat is een afkorting) nu verplicht dicht is. Wanneer ga je filmpjes in het Nederlands maken? Groetjes van een gezellige Groningse.
As a dutch guy, I really enjoy your reactions/comments on the Dutch. And they are accurate. Really like how you are pleasantly surpised and or enjoy your expieriences. For me it is just natural. For instance the tipping in bars/restaurants is very confusing to me in the USA. Here it is simple. You like the food and service you award what you like. There are so many things like this making a difference between th US and The Netherlands. And for me.... the choise is easy. Not that I dislike Amerika but here it is soooooooo much more "gezellig".......:)
Hi Ava, movie theatres can differ a lot from american style movie theatres where you can buy buckets of popcorn and (almost) American size to-go cups of soda and signs "not allowed to bring your own food and drinks" to on the other hand "very gezellige" movie theatres with a café, where you can take your drink in a real glas into the hall and in some rare cases even even service at your seat!
There are movie theatres in NYC where you can order drinks and food and it is brought to you with real silverware. The movies cost more to see, but it’s great. I live close to one.
In Japan, you don't at the table but at the cashier. There's a note with the table number or the receipt (which is provided with the last item of the order), you just need to. take the note and go to pay, no rush. It works the best with indoors restaurant/café, the cashier is at the door and double up as reception when customers arrives.
To respond to the 'friends' café. Looks like a basic level of gezellig. But what really is the most gezellig are the terraces of the restaurants. That is what I really miss in the USA.
The first time I bought a present when I was living in the UK I said: it is a present. The salesperson looked at me funny and repeated the price. I had to get used to wrapping things..
Annelies Egberink I had a sort of similar experience, the first time I went to the States. They couldn’t wrap it because they didn’t have wrapping paper, they said. I didn’t believe it at first. And I got the not so nice surprise of paying more than was on the price tag. I was beginning to get irritated and started to object. I thought that I, as a tourist, was being cheated in paying more than an American customer. But I quickly learned it was the sales tax. In every state it is a different percentage or there isn’t a sales tax at all, I discovered. It is a strange habit to not have the cashiers price on the price tag.
I'm curious where you were in the UK? Because I lived in London for a while and from what I remember there was a wrapping service in most stores. At least in book stores and more fancy stores. In the Netherlands there will also be the occasional store that doesn't wrap your present or will ask you to do it yourself, especially cheaper stores. For example Etos is known for it's wrapping service but Kruitvat isn't. At Xenos you can do it yourself. But at bookstores they will definitely do it for you.
Haha yes, being Dutch that was funny. The weird thing for me is that they call him Gunther which is a German name and would likely be written as Günther. In all, I think there are 3 moments in the series where supposedly Dutch people are involved. The exchange Gunther has with Ross, the Dutch girl during play for the Geller cup, and when Ross and Rachel are eying the apartment of a dying Dutch lady.
@@polipolimaui You forgot the "fake Monica", she spoke Dutch too. When Monica first finds out who the girls is that is stealing her money, she goes to the dance lessons she has to pay for now, and when she meets the fake Monica the real Monica introduces herself as "Monana. It's Dutch". Than the fake Monica replies "I lived in Amsterdam for three years, mag ik deze dans van u?".
@@GuusJanssen Haha inderdaad. Helemaal vergeten. Monana, typically Dutch, yeah right ;-) Het feit dat ze er zo'n rommeltje van maken, maakt het eigenlijk alleen maar grappiger.
Het meest gezellige vind ik wel dat mensen lekker op het terras zitten gezellig te doen. English translation: What I find the most “gezellig” is that you are sitting outside at a café with people.
The beauty of the things you mentioned is that they are those little things that make life enjoyable. And that is actually at the heart of true 'gezelligheid', making life enjoyable with a bunch of people. Did you know that the word 'gezellig' stems from the middle-age word 'gezel'? Gezel is an apprentice to a master of a trade. In these days a master would have a number of 'gezellen' he would teach. Most 'gezellen' were living in a house of the master. Given that these 'gezellen' were young guys, I think you can imagine they would hang out together in their spare time. This atmosphere of enjoyment with a bunch of guys gave rise to the word 'gezellig'.
A lot of the examples you mention reflect the mantality and the way we stand in life. Getting the cheque before you actually have finished your meal is absolutely the rudest thing to happen in a restaurant! The biscuit with the coffee or tea is so commonly done that we even do that at home. Serve you coffee and ask: koekje erbij? 😄
In my country Argentina they do that too...if you order a coffee or espresso it comes with a small cookie and a glass of water! Usually compliments of the coffee house! Cool to hear it also happens in the Netherlands!👍
You'll have to ask for the cheque cause in Dutch restaurant culture "natafelen" after tableling is very important. You first enjoy your meal together then when you're done, you'll sit together at the take talking etc. Maybe you order an extra drink. This is the part where most of the socializing happens. Therefor it's not done to rush this.
@kemme008 Yes, asking for the check yourself it is more of a businessmodel. The longer you sit the more drinks you will probably order. Only if you go to a restaurant where reservations are required time will be important because after you the table can be reserved at a certain time.
Next week I'm travelling to the Netherlands from Prague and today I ended up watching your videos - an awesome series of deep insight from American perspective. By the way, many things you mention in this video we also do here in the Czech Republic, so either we've imported it from the West (little cookies) or it's more or less a European thing (i.g. restaurant bills)...
Sometimes one is telling you: “ Nou dat is lekker gezellig hoor” meaning the opposit of the Dutch cosy generally related to asocial behaviour for instance
Talking in a sarcastic way is a very Dutch thing. When I lived in England I had many occasions that they didn't understand me right because I meant the opposite. I often even struggled with forming a sentence without adding all those adverbs like 'beetje' 'verschrikkelijk' 'hele' or as you are saying 'lekker hoor' while meaing the complete opposite.
The wrapping service, I'm always glad they offer. I can do it at home but I'll never get it wrapped as nice as they do. I always end up with strange folds and wrinkles in the paper. Also, just cutting the paper in a straight way, I just can't do it... The heaters and blankets outside a bar aren't there because we love staying outside when it gets colder. They are there because the only place at a cafe you are allowed to smoke is outside. And a lot of people who visit bars/cafe's do smoke (more than the average Dutch do). So it is a very lucrative thing for an owner of a bar/cafe to put those heaters and blankets outside. If he doesn't people will get to a place they could enjoy a heater or blanket...
'Gezellig' originates from the medieval word 'gezel', depicting a more experienced apprentice of a master/teacher of some guild. 'Gezellen' (plural) usually lived together in a 'zaal' (hall), a word also derived from 'gezel'. Becoming a 'gezel' and entering a guild was not quite easy, so being a 'gezel' was considered respectful. A guy (yeah, yeah, medieval times, okay?) would enter a guild by becoming a pupil of one or several masters (of the trade), after 2-3 years he would become apprentice of a single master. In the Netherlands we still use a word like 'timmermansgezel' (carpenter apprentice). Additionally, the word 'gezelschap' - 'a company of people' and phrase 'gezelschap houden' 'keeping (someone) company/having company' are also directly related to the word 'gezel'. Today 'gezellig' basically means: being together in a hall (well, larger room), sharing time with respected/in good company. A 'een bont gezelschap' (a colorful/mixed company of people) is a group of people of all kinds of origins ('bont' - 'colored', but its main translation is 'fur'). A group of furred apprentices in a hall? Ah, well... Gift wrapping service: when not asked by the employee, you can also tell them it's a gift and they will wrap it for you or hand you some free piece of gift wrap paper. Not in the supermarket, though, or some daily use product store/market. A liquor store, however, will put your bottle(s) in a fun colored or stylish paper bottle bag. Terrace heating: why, do you think, we like our coffee (and soup) boiling hot? Not because we like blistered palates or enjoy having a lead pipe ('looien pijp') for a throat. Coffee while shopping for groceries: house brand coffee sampler unit turned into an elderly hangout corner, with cookies. Next step would be handing out blankets to alleviate painful stiff muscles... Side cookie: you really don't want to get a little piece of chocolate next to your hot cuppa tea/coffee... Movie theater: you haven't visited a movie theater yet where you can call a waiter by the push of a button? Huh... Check please: obviously not being rushed is nice, but without a check you also can't see what you spent already. Sneaky little boogers...
In dutch. We are discussing dutch etymology. -- Ik denk dat je de originele en afgeleide betekenis omdraait. In de middeleeuwen konden de meeste mensen niet lezen. De enige manier om een vak onder de knie te krijgen was door het te leren van een meester. Daarvoor moest je in diens omgeving worden opgenomen. Een gezel was dus iemand die "bij de meester was". Wij gebruiken het kernbegrip "bij iemand zijn" nog steeds in woorden als vergezellen, metgezel, gezelschap en gezellig. Een gezel was een functie die we nu "assistent" noemen, wat overigens hetzelfde betekent: "degene die bij iemand is". Dat je als gezel/assistent het vak leert, is een gevolg. Het woord gezel beschrijft de functie van assistent, niet die van leerling.
When I get a haircut here they always ask me if I want a drink (I always ask for a cappucino) and we also get a beautiful set and special cookies or whatever they have. Very comfy, very gezellig and very yummie.
Normal in U.K. hairdressers too ( not men’s barbers because they’re not there long enough) pre coronavirus. Unfortunately at the moment there’s no coffee and biscuits and even no magazines. Hopefully we’ll get back to it soon.
Though it is nice to hear that you enjoy the Netherlands, I think I have heard that the free coffee in the supermarket is very much a marketing thing. You get your coffee so you don't rush your groceries and you buy more.... Though of course it is still nice to have the option.
Although that's true, I still won't buy 'more' just because they have a free coffee bar. But before all this covid stuff, that wants to make you go through the supermarket as fast as possible, I used to often take a cup, because well, it's free, so why not enjoy it!
@Stefan Dingenouts It doesn't help that a group in the US called "Pennsylvania Dutch" who are (predominantly) German. I think with settling the US (and later waves of immigration from Europe) "Dutch" was often used collectively for all people from Germanic origins and/or speaking Germanic languages, probably because all Germanic languages have/had some variant of the word Dutch/Deutsch/Duits/Diets/Deitsch meaning "(of) the people" (e.g. Germany's name in German, Deutschland, means land of the people); it's also why the Dutch national anthem has "van Duitsen bloed", not in reference to Germany, but in reference to the people, the anthem originated as a geuzenlied, a song by Dutch elite (like the Oranje's) in protest of the Spanish reign, and essentially making an argument that WIllem van Oranje would be a better ruler because he's one of the people, of the native population, Dutch/Duits.
No it's really not. Gunther says 'nederlands' and really talks (our) dutch. Pens Dutch is really never called nederlands and also doesn't really sound like that.
@@jannetteberends8730 that's true but I said he has dutch roots. Looking at the character he plays he doesn't seem like someone who learns a foreign language just for fun and his happy reaction to Ross speaking dutch heavily implies there's a familiiar connection wouldn't you say? :)
In the US we are rushed to leave the restaurant by being given the check already, because the waiting staff gets more tips in a day when they get more costumer in their section of the restaurant. As a waiter you do not get paid well by your employer so you rely on tips from costumers.
I love watching these videos to see the similarities between the Netherlands and the culture here in Ireland. Both of our countries are similar size and have a similar climate but we are not up the the gezellig standard 😊 Even though we have some of the same things like coffee while grocery shopping and the biscuit with the drink but that’s only at certain places like hotel cafés. Paying the bill/cheque is also the same here where you have to ask
I think the use of glassware in movie theatres is not as common as you think. It may depend on what theatre you go to. In large main stream theatres you still get hot beverages in regular cups or glasses, but it is usually not meant to be taken into the theatre itself (though you often can if you really want to). In an arthouse (film huis) this seems to be different. I have been to arthouses where not only you can take your glassware inside the theatre, in some the staff can be called to take your orders and it will be delivered to your chair, even if the movie is still being shown. In Amsterdam there is an arthouse - The Movies in the Haarlemmerdijk - which has a decent bistro-restaurant where you can have an meal-and-movie arrangement. Although you can't take your food, wine and such can simply be taken with you from the dinner table to the theatre. You won't be seeing the big blockbuster movies in such theatres but a more cerebral type of films.
As a Dutchie, on #5 I raise you my local cinema where they used to have phones at every seat so you could directly order any food or drinks from the bar and they would come and serve you. They're not in use anymore, but I will always make sure to get some bitterballen and wine for the movie :)
I love cozyness. I do miss the B-day thing where we all sit in a "kring" with each other, just enjoying some easy food (like snacks hot and warm) while talking and getting presents and so on. Like it's not as overly done in USA< but just simple. And yeah if we wanna do some overly things, we do. But there is always a moment where we sit with each other, looking how happy the person is unwrapping it's presents and enjoying some food :) I find that so gezellig. Like, you MATTER, instead of you WORK for your guest. You have everything already set, so the only thing that needs to be done now is enjoy yourself. Also, not sure if this is a thing in America or not, or even in some Dutch homes. The fact we sit with each other at the table, eating our diner together. I really like to. Like, it's not just a fast snack in front of the tv. No, it's like in a restaurant. Food is served on the table, "onderzetters" or something not sure how it's in English are used so the pans and so on don't damage the table. And then OR it's gotten for you on your plate, or youre allowed to take it yourself. (It's hard to write this in English). It's so, gezellig. And off course we must not forget the whole practice of fonduen and gourmetten. Like, when you have a simple christmas dinner, you get food. With these things you can make it yourself while being together, enjoying christmas music and eating till your full. Also I do find it cozy/gezellig we have "borrels" on work. Like we're even have special food for it called borrelhapjes xD It's just so nice to have a moment of from work, just enjoyin some drinks and foods together at work. At the end of a working day. Talking about other things then work like in lunch time and so on. Just everyone relaxing, being free to leave, but also to stay. It's so gezellig that we do these kind of things. I did miss those things in your list. But maybe, Americans also do this?
The wrapping of presents is indeed convenient for you, but it's mostly cheap advertising for the store, the wrapping paper always has the logo of the store printed on it.
The cafe in "Friends" is very un-cozy. A place is gezellig if it invites close, personal contact -- talking, that is, not smooching. It must be comfortable and forgiving of social blunders. So a place is gezellig if: * the furniture and the colors are not drawing attention. * Distances between seats are small. * Seating arrangements are flexible, e.g. you can pull in another chair if someone you know joins the group. * Seating encourages face-to-face conversation with as many as possible in your group. * Spilling a glass is no big deal. * Servers are attentive to patron's needs without being disruptive. Usually they wait for signs that attention is needed. That is why they are called _waiters._ * There is absolutely no pressure to leave or order quickly. The mistakes that the Friends cafe makes: * Garish colors * Large, unwieldy furniture. * Sofas with side-by-side seating, makes conversation awkward. * Disruptive service: the servers interrupt conversions rudely.
Another difference is using your cutlery to signal whether you're done eating. I'm used to laying my knife and fork on the plate at right angles, which means I'm still eating, and next to each other at the same angle when I'm done, but from my experience those signals are not understood in the US.
I bought a couple of dozen children's books and Dutch Language in Het Spui in Amsterdam from several different establishments. Each book was carefully wrapped. I worried that customs would take off the paper, but they didn't blink an eye.
Have you ever visited the group of TDWOL (The Dutch Way Of Life). It's a group run by two English people (Bob and Adele) who live in the Netherlands. It is a very gezellige group.
That 'gezellig' cafe in Friends, Central Perk, has the waiter/barista Gunther who eventually becomes the manager. He also happens to be fluent in Dutch. Coincidence? I think not! ;)
Pretty please, work on using the zachte G. Living now in Luxembourg I miss the zachte G from Limburg. Number 7 should be the gezellige corners at Waterstone, Scheltema and American Book Center where you can sit down and ´blader´ through a book. Of course 30 years ago I was always kicked out by the American Book Center staff when they spotted me as I was always reading books instead of buying them.
Sometimes when I buy books at the store for myself I just say 'yes' when they ask me if its a present😂
Me too 😂😂
I'll do this next time =D
Me too 😁
I do that too!
It is! a present for yourself. Buy it on time and try to keep it wrapped a.l.a.p.
It's so common for Americans to complain about "lack of service" or "slow service" in European restaurants and for Europeans to complain about "being rushed" in American restaurants. I find it funny because so many expats and tourists on TH-cam complain about this, and only very few of them realize it's about more than just "poor service", but a real cultural difference between Americans and Europeans. We just expect very different things from a restaurant.
a lot of people go somewhere in the afternoon, spend talking over a few drinks before they order the food, then they sit enjoying the meal, few drinks afterwards too.
if course we dont like to be rushed. its so ONGEZELLIG haha!
Every time I'm in the US at a restaurant, 5 minutes after I got my plate there's already someone who asks me "Is everything allright, do you need more form this or that? This goes on about every 5 minutes. Please leave me alone, if I need your service, I will call for you. This is not gezellig! :)
American service is almost always just fake and they do it for the tips..
This isn't just Dutch, by the way. Most of Europe has a more leisure approach to dining than the US. I personally know France, Germany, Spain and Italy are very much the same. Here, the indication that you should order something or move on is the waiter appearing and asking if you want to order anything else. Imagine how we feel in the USA where you have someone come by every few minutes. It feels like a reminder that we should hurry up and leave.
One explanation for this I've heard is the difference is WHY people dine out. In most of Europe, you eat out when there's something special. Meeting with friends you haven't seen in a while, something to celebrate, treating your (prospective) (business) partner, or just getting out of your boring normal. Time for something special! So we go and eat out where we'll get somewhat more special food than at home, with people that are likely special to us. We take our time to enjoy both. Having to wait a minute or two before the waiter comes for another round of coffee doesn't matter much. We're here all evening. Many restaurants know this and don't plan on re-using a table that has been reserved.
From what I've heard from people from the US, eating out there is much more common often as a simple alternative to eating at home (and ordering stuff). It's a rote action, a standard meal, not something special. For that, you're not going to take extra time. You want your food and drinks in a timely fashion, because you'll leave again as soon as you're done eating.
It's not just dinner. When European people eat out for lunch or breakfast, it's likely something special. You don't rush something special.
Different approach to dining and thus a different idea of good service.
so true
One more thing in the US I find ongezellig. When going to a restaurant with a group of friends, the waiter starts taking plates away while half of the party is still eating. That is absolutely not done in the Netherlands. A table is cleaned after all are done eating.
Argh YES! I find it the rudest thing ever. As a European child I’ve learned not to leave the table until everyone is finished. It’s cortious and polite. And the same goes for cleaning the table. While on the subject, waiters will bring the main dish 5 min after bringing the apatizers. Like, is it an eating contest?!
And almost asking for tips, it was kinda weird but I yea that’s their salary, but almost asking for it was to far..
I think it is criminal not to pay waiters the minimum salary because they get tips. The minimum salary should count for everyone, making a tip an extra for extraordinary service and not an obligation because the boss is underpaying.
The reasoning that the food and drinks will get more expensive does not count, as the tips paid will be less. The customers pay a higher price already because they tip.
Also, sales taxes is part of your purchases, so the pricing in stores should show the prices including taxes I think.
True, but this is done in the US because it’s extremely common to not finish your food and save it for later due to the large portions. So the waiter can’t tell if you’re done eating or not.
This is one of multiple reasons why serving oversized portions makes less sense than serving an average size.
The words “gezellig or gezelligheid” is best described as a moment in time that gives you a warm, enjoyable, cosy feeling. It can be everywhere at any time and is a personal state of mind.
Goed gezegd!
She interprets gezellig perfectly.
Dit is perfect (this is perfect)
The root of this word actually comes from "met je gezellen" (with your companions).
In biology it is used to indicate a non-solitary animal.
Of course it took on a meaning of it's own...
@@mourlyvold7655Huh, you learn something new about your own language every day. If gezelligheid kinda means "feeling companionship" it is kinda spot on so it makes sense.
I used to work at a grocery store in a 'lesser' neighbourhood and people drank sooooo much coffee. There was a little bench next to the coffee machine and it was basically a loitering place for elders and homeless people who would just sit there, drink coffee and chat with each other for an hour or longer. Some people would come in several times a day. At some point the bench got replaced with an actual table with chairs and magazines. Sometimes we would even serve cookies when we had a pack of broken ones.
with kids corner
Stores wrapping your presents is conveniant for you. But also just smart advertising by them. Recognizable wrapping paper, sticker with a logo to attach those curly decorative strings. And everyone at the birthday party seeing that. It's one of those "everybody wins" situations.
exactly! And it is also a way local stores can differentiate themselves.
Not everyone wins. The people behind in the line have to wait for the wrapping to finish and are forced to waste their time.
@@marijnfly Well sure. When that happens to me, I just think of the smile of whoever will get the present. 😁 And come on, they wrap 7 times as quickly as any normal person.
@@marijnfly of je bent gewoon een zeikerd hahahha grapje
Its even extra fun around Christmas when you’re just standing around your tree and guess who’s getting what by the packages 🍾
As a former bartender in the Netherlands I can confirm that the check thing is seen as rude here. If I, as a bartender, presented you with a check without you asking for it, it means: pay up and gtfo, because I don't want you here (whatever the reason might be, being drunk, being a nuisance, or whatever). So yeah, getting a check in the Netherlands without you asking for it means that you're being ongezellig. :) At least is does to me.
Except when sitting outside on the terrace, especially with large terraces, then it's not uncommone to be expected to pay directly when the waiter brings the stuff you ordered.
@@kilianhekhuis You are completely right. I never worked the outside terrace so I forgot that situation. thanks!
Besides from being rude.. if for instance i am in a restaurant i cant predict what i want next .. so in my case they have to put every time a new check on thew table adding things , getting a new drink.. people are more likely to add extra's to their dinner an extra drink or whatever if the check is not on the table yet
It’s considered somewhat rude in America too but we just kind of accept it.
@Dank Farrik as an American who lived in NL: ask them at the beginning not to bring the check until you signal them.
I hope that one day u will experience the gezelligheid of a cold winter with outdoor skating on ponds and canals and Koek and Zopie. It’s getting rare, but that is the a key element to Dutch gezelligheid.
So true...! I've had only few of these 'winter specials' in my 62 years so far... They were really special. Skating, 'zopie', the ice, the cold, the beautiful Dutch landscape all frozen and white.
Stamp pot met rookworst en kuiltje jus, hmmmm.
What is Zopie?
Rebecca Albrecht zopie is an old drink that is no longer common, mostly replaced by gluhwein. It persists in the name of the stands only rly.
nl.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Koek-en-zopie
@@pjotrh Thanks for your reply & link. I moved here three years ago from the USA and live on a gezellig street. in Utrecht, with very nice neighbors. I feel a bit closer to them now that I know this bit of arcane knowledge. I'll ask a few of the old-timers about this custom and will take delight in their stories.
Talking about gift wrapping: I once went to the service desk of the supermarket to get a package of papers to roll cigs with. As you may know, they are tiny and cost maybe 20 cents. The girl without thinking asked me if I needed a receipt for my purchase, so I chuckled and as a joke said: "no, but can you gift wrap it". I guess it was a bit of a slow time, as she answered YES. Getting out fancy paper, she and her colleague made a elaborate wrapping for the tiny object, even adding a fancy bow when they finally noticed the queue slowly forming behind me.
Oh, I forgot to say I don't smoke, the papers were for my wife, and she was quite surprised when I handed it over.
For several weeks after the girls at the service desk kept grinning at me when I passed by, as you can imagine.
Lol, that's an awesome story, and a great example of the dutch sense of humor :)
Good one, funny!
Great story, very funny!
I hope it paid off with your wife 🤣
@@AlphaGeekgirl She would have been quite happy even without the wrapping ;)
But now she had a story to go with it.
Lol once I was in a situation with my mum where we couldnt really celebrate christmas normally.
She gave me some money for a book I had asked. I went to the store and bought it (patanjalis yogasuttras, interesting read actually). So the shopkeeper asked me if it was a present. So I answered "ehm well technically yes, but its for me, I cant really see my mum atm, but technically shes giving me this for christmas"
So the guy looked at me for a second, and wrapped it beautifully anyway. I kept it wrapped for a few days even, lying there in anticipation.
Thats us dutch for you. very direct, but also our kindness is very much heartfelt ^^
All things we (Dutch) take for granted. Very well observed and clearly explained.
I love it when she says the word "gezellig". So sweet.
Hi . I'm Dutch..Was several times in the US & Canada. What was wondering me overthere in bars, restaurants ..The waiters always say : Hi : How are you today ? But then if i said : How are you today ? They dont know what to say..😮
One of the things that makes this video about `Gezelligheid' fitting is the "Broodtrommel" in the background in the closet. (with the knitted fox on top of it)
You are so great at complimenting Dutch on things we take for granted! 😄😄😄 Makes my day quite regularly! 👍👍👍
I did the gezellig drinking game, and now I'm drunk.
🤣🤣
I'm the Italian friend! 🙋♀️😄 And yes, sipping a warm tea out of an actual mug while watching a movie is one of the most gezellig things ever, especially as movie theaters in Utrecht are so nice and cozy! Whereas most of the other things that you mention also happen in Italy, I've never seen this in any other country. It's just awesome.
As a Dutchie in SF, this is very helpful to understand my Dutchness and how it reflects on Americans here.. thanks for your videos!!
As an American who lived in NL: you can resolve your Dutchiness in america by smiling a bit more, slow down how fast you speak, and softening how you say things. "I wonder if..." "Is it possible..." "I kind of feel that...".
@@GUITARTIME2024 thank you for the suggestions, very helpful! I definitely noticed how I’d say (for instance) “it is sunny” - saying stuff as a statement- whereas my US friends would say “I think it’s sunny!” or “it looks like it’s sunny”. Been in the US for almost 5 years, but still learning something new everyday!
I find you very gezellig and you make me appreciate all these Dutch things more by pointing them out
Ja, helemaal mee eens.
Ik ook eens
In the Netherlands, when you pay the check and don't leave a 15% tip for the waitress, she doesn't come after you screaming in anger.
Because here in the Netherlands the service jobs get paid a descent hourly wage, whereas in America they do not. The tips is how they earn a descent wage. This is even the case with hairdressers at places like SportClips.
In America the waiters/waitresses live of the tips, i don't think they get paid a salary.
@@Lilygirl283 They do get paid, but it's not enough without the tips.
@@Lilygirl283 My (now Dutch) girlfriend is from America, and she used to work at SportsClips. She got paid an hourly wage, but the bare minimum. At the end of the day they put all the tips together and gave everyone an equal share. That's why tipping is "a must" in America, and I simply do not tip at all in the Netherlands.
@@nightfly4664 Not at all?? Not even if the waiter offers especially good service or the food is especially good and brought timely?
When I’ve had doctors’ appointment at the hospital, a lady with a trolley comes around asking people if they want coffee or tea.
Getting a cookie with the coffee is also the custom in Belgium.
Hygge
Lekker boeie gast
Right.
@@ulver1187 Jij bent ook gezellig!
I think all of these cultural habits not only special to Netherlands but showing differences btw US and Europe :) %90 of your Dutch experience applicable across Europe. Still Netherlands is a lovely country to be an expat as I enjoy like you do. I can relate to your feelings though from my first visit to US, it was like another planet to me :D
Wow, good video. Never thought about those things. Only foreigners can notice small things like that.
Nope,.. it also depends on how you look at things and on experiences outside the Netherlands.
I've worked retail for a while and liked wrapping gifts. You are right that there was no training, but colleagues would exchange tips and usually we'd try to find 2 or 3 ways to quickly make it look a little better that was not time intensive. During quiet hours I'd often fold a bunch of paper pouches that we could use during peak hours for smaller gifts. After we started doing this, suddenly a lot more people started claiming their purchases were gifts. I loved the idea that they just wanted it giftwrapped for themselves.
When you want your item wrapped but the store is busy or you're in a rush you can also ask/offer them to just give you the paper for you to wrap the item at home.
As a teenager, whenever there was a blank period in our school schedule, me and my friends would bike to the grocery store to get a free coffee and then buy like 1 croissant on the way out. We didn't like coffee, but it was free! That was when we learned to drink coffee. I guess that also really confirms the Dutch stereotype about free stuff :p. But I was like 15 and had no money :p.
The fox is back! extremely gezellig! :D
Why thank you! Mr. Fox says hi.
@@DutchAmericano What did the fox say?
(Sorry couldn't resist)
The blankets have gotten a lot more common for sitting outside bars when the smoking prohibition inside bars became national. Before that, they were not common at all.
Except on the seaside, of course.
In other words, smoking is gezellig ;)
The coffee at the grocery stores is something from the last 10-15 ish years. We never had this 20 years ago when i was still a kid. Its something more modern.
I had it very early on in my life, which is definately 20 years ago. But back then it depended on the store quite a bit.
Even at McDonald's you get a cookie (speculoos) with your coffee.
You're pointing out exactly why I enjoy this country so much. It's gezellig to just be together.
pretty crazy, I never thought about the tiny cookies you get with coffee, it just seems so normal to me, never occurred to me they wouldn't have that in America
Pretty sure it stems from the tradition that when you visit someone at home to drink coffee or thee, they would always offer a cookie, biscuit or piece of chocolate. It's a showing of hospitality and imho it's pretty similar idea to the English tea tradition. So it's kind of surprising it's not a thing in american coffee/tea shops (but I recon it is when paying someone a visit, especially in the southern states) .
It's also common that coffee comes in a mug. (No coaster)
About the coffee in the supermarkt. Albert Heijn originates where I was born and still live, Zaandam, just North of Amsterdam. If I'm correct it was Albert Heijn introducing that custom to the supermarkts. Before Albert Heijn was split up in several diffent companies under the Ahold name, it had a large coffee department. They buy coffee beans all over the world and blend and roast it themselves. To present their coffee and new blends to the shopping people they offered it to drink in the supermarkts. Later other supermarkets took over this idea. Today this Ahold company is the Coffee Company. AH still has a coffee tasting corner.
As an American, i liked DouwEberts the best. French Roast! (Colruyt, AlbertHein)
So delightful to listen to you! And I'm neither American nor Dutch. I'm a Dane and notice that some Dutch things apply to Denmark too. Interesting. Also to hear about American culture. Thx!
if you go to a service cinema in the netherlands, you can press a button while you are watching the film and someone will take your order and bring it 😁
We had a movie theater like that in the last place I lived. Loved it.
What I sometimes do is let them wrap it up and unwrap it at home and amaze myself with a present!
Oh and with coffee, a Belgian bonbon (choclate) is the best.
Indeed! We all deserve to treat ourselves every once in a while.
@@DutchAmericano Led Zeppelin has a song called When the Leeve Breakes. My version is When the Choclate Melts...
@@mikehydropneumatic2583 the levy?
If you like the little cookie with your coffee, you should visit Belgium too, their cookies are even better, and... if you order something alcoholic you will often get a free salty snack, like nuts or crisps or olives!
in spain you get often tapa's with your drinks, those could be hot or cold and served on an seperate plate, and for you and the person(s) that are with you. so it is not only dutch-belgium, even spain is gezellig :)
And their chocolate is better than their cookies.
Watching you is always gezellig😊
Another reason why so many people are sitting outside is that smoking is only allowed outside. Being a stopped smoker for 3,5 years I understand, but I'm glad I did
Gezellig is more or less, = being together with people in a pleasant atmosphere
Yes, but people also like to make it gezellig when they are home alone, afteral you need a bit of gezelligheid in your life sooo ;)
It means coziness.
Yep, the word "gezel" translates as company in english. I do think that people use it also when you are having a nice day all by yourself.
Brilliant video. Loved it.
You should give a tedtalk :-)
Greets from Rotterdam, holland.
In the US, they used to allow glass in the theater. But one day a lady injured her ankle, so now they don't allow it anymore.
Oh btw btw btw, one one more thing (haha) about the coffee, its a big thing actually.
When you have a meeting with somebody for business reasons, you offer or get offered a drink. when handymen visit your house ton fix something, offer them a coffee or tea, and yes cut some onbijtkoek or speculaas to go with it. grocery shopping, like you said, have some coffee! if you in to socialise a bit, that is.
a lot of people drink coffee all day everyday. my grandma will even have a coffeehour at 5 o clock in the afternoon. she makes some coffee, and some cookies or everything to go with it, and we watch tv a bit and discuss how ridiculous it is.
Thanks for your lovely words of our country!!!
Ahhh Eva you have a Levi’s shirt on, you’re now officially integrated! I had my wife’s family over 2 months ago from Seattle and they wouldn’t shut up about how big Levi’s is over here 😂
Wrapping is so convenient! Two of my friends and I have this thing around christmas time where we go to several stores in the city and buy presents for each other (the thing is: you can say what you want) then we act all secretly even though we know what's been bought. At a few stores there are little tables where you can wrap your things in free wrapping paper, sometimes even with ribbons. Then we will sit somewhere to give our presents to each other.
With bookstores I will sometimes say yes because I bought it from checks that I got for my birthday or something so it kinda is like a present (for myself but semantics :P)
Ava! Wat superleuk dat je deze video’s maakt. Ik kwam de video tegen en dacht: hee die ken ik! Het café van Friends is zeker gezellig :)
Heyyy, wat leuk van jou te horen hier =D
Our grocery store overhere normally has a table at the coffee corner. When you visit it early in the morning you will find about 8 elderly people sitting there drinking coffee and chit chat. Due to covid-19 it had to be removed temporary.
Hey Ava! Wat een gezellig filmpje!! Ik bleef een lach op mijn gezicht houden! Ja, we houden van gezellig... jammer dat de horeca (dat is een afkorting) nu verplicht dicht is. Wanneer ga je filmpjes in het Nederlands maken? Groetjes van een gezellige Groningse.
As a dutch guy, I really enjoy your reactions/comments on the Dutch. And they are accurate. Really like how you are pleasantly surpised and or enjoy your expieriences. For me it is just natural. For instance the tipping in bars/restaurants is very confusing to me in the USA. Here it is simple. You like the food and service you award what you like. There are so many things like this making a difference between th US and The Netherlands. And for me.... the choise is easy. Not that I dislike Amerika but here it is soooooooo much more "gezellig".......:)
Hi Ava, movie theatres can differ a lot from american style movie theatres where you can buy buckets of popcorn and (almost) American size to-go cups of soda and signs "not allowed to bring your own food and drinks" to on the other hand "very gezellige" movie theatres with a café, where you can take your drink in a real glas into the hall and in some rare cases even even service at your seat!
Again...very nice! I love your updates on TH-cam & insights in 'my own' Dutch culture. Keep up the good work!
There are movie theatres in NYC where you can order drinks and food and it is brought to you with real silverware. The movies cost more to see, but it’s great. I live close to one.
In Japan, you don't at the table but at the cashier. There's a note with the table number or the receipt (which is provided with the last item of the order), you just need to. take the note and go to pay, no rush. It works the best with indoors restaurant/café, the cashier is at the door and double up as reception when customers arrives.
To respond to the 'friends' café. Looks like a basic level of gezellig. But what really is the most gezellig are the terraces of the restaurants. That is what I really miss in the USA.
The first time I bought a present when I was living in the UK I said: it is a present. The salesperson looked at me funny and repeated the price. I had to get used to wrapping things..
Annelies Egberink I had a sort of similar experience, the first time I went to the States. They couldn’t wrap it because they didn’t have wrapping paper, they said. I didn’t believe it at first. And I got the not so nice surprise of paying more than was on the price tag. I was beginning to get irritated and started to object. I thought that I, as a tourist, was being cheated in paying more than an American customer. But I quickly learned it was the sales tax. In every state it is a different percentage or there isn’t a sales tax at all, I discovered. It is a strange habit to not have the cashiers price on the price tag.
I'm curious where you were in the UK? Because I lived in London for a while and from what I remember there was a wrapping service in most stores. At least in book stores and more fancy stores. In the Netherlands there will also be the occasional store that doesn't wrap your present or will ask you to do it yourself, especially cheaper stores. For example Etos is known for it's wrapping service but Kruitvat isn't. At Xenos you can do it yourself. But at bookstores they will definitely do it for you.
Lily&River
We lived in Wales. And it was quite some time ago.
Haha
@@Lily_and_River At Kruidvat you can do it yourself on a side table.
Wasnt the Café owner in the series friends supposed to be a dutchguy?
I totally forgot about that, and it's SO TRUE!!!!
Haha yes, being Dutch that was funny. The weird thing for me is that they call him Gunther which is a German name and would likely be written as Günther. In all, I think there are 3 moments in the series where supposedly Dutch people are involved. The exchange Gunther has with Ross, the Dutch girl during play for the Geller cup, and when Ross and Rachel are eying the apartment of a dying Dutch lady.
He was of Dutch decent
@@polipolimaui You forgot the "fake Monica", she spoke Dutch too. When Monica first finds out who the girls is that is stealing her money, she goes to the dance lessons she has to pay for now, and when she meets the fake Monica the real Monica introduces herself as "Monana. It's Dutch". Than the fake Monica replies "I lived in Amsterdam for three years, mag ik deze dans van u?".
@@GuusJanssen Haha inderdaad. Helemaal vergeten. Monana, typically Dutch, yeah right ;-) Het feit dat ze er zo'n rommeltje van maken, maakt het eigenlijk alleen maar grappiger.
Het meest gezellige vind ik wel dat mensen lekker op het terras zitten gezellig te doen.
English translation: What I find the most “gezellig” is that you are sitting outside at a café with people.
The beauty of the things you mentioned is that they are those little things that make life enjoyable. And that is actually at the heart of true 'gezelligheid', making life enjoyable with a bunch of people.
Did you know that the word 'gezellig' stems from the middle-age word 'gezel'? Gezel is an apprentice to a master of a trade. In these days a master would have a number of 'gezellen' he would teach. Most 'gezellen' were living in a house of the master. Given that these 'gezellen' were young guys, I think you can imagine they would hang out together in their spare time. This atmosphere of enjoyment with a bunch of guys gave rise to the word 'gezellig'.
A lot of the examples you mention reflect the mantality and the way we stand in life. Getting the cheque before you actually have finished your meal is absolutely the rudest thing to happen in a restaurant! The biscuit with the coffee or tea is so commonly done that we even do that at home. Serve you coffee and ask: koekje erbij? 😄
In my country Argentina they do that too...if you order a coffee or espresso it comes with a small cookie and a glass of water! Usually compliments of the coffee house! Cool to hear it also happens in the Netherlands!👍
Cool to read you also have that in Argentina! 😄
Don't forget, the wrapping paper gives away where the present was from :-) so, its also good marketing.
Love your videos. Keep them coming!
Wat een leuke “gezellige” website
Ik woon al 50 jaar in de US en kan er echt van genieten
Dank
Erik Groenevelt
3:05
The check thing, is it because in a restaurant in the USA you are a customer wherein the Netherlands you are a guest.
Exactly.
You'll have to ask for the cheque cause in Dutch restaurant culture "natafelen" after tableling is very important. You first enjoy your meal together then when you're done, you'll sit together at the take talking etc. Maybe you order an extra drink. This is the part where most of the socializing happens. Therefor it's not done to rush this.
I agree! I love participating in the custom of natafeling, for sure =D
@kemme008 Yes, asking for the check yourself it is more of a businessmodel. The longer you sit the more drinks you will probably order. Only if you go to a restaurant where reservations are required time will be important because after you the table can be reserved at a certain time.
Thank you for your gezellige video, with this gezellige background! (love the cute fox)
Next week I'm travelling to the Netherlands from Prague and today I ended up watching your videos - an awesome series of deep insight from American perspective. By the way, many things you mention in this video we also do here in the Czech Republic, so either we've imported it from the West (little cookies) or it's more or less a European thing (i.g. restaurant bills)...
Sometimes one is telling you: “ Nou dat is lekker gezellig hoor” meaning the opposit of the Dutch cosy generally related to asocial behaviour for instance
Talking in a sarcastic way is a very Dutch thing. When I lived in England I had many occasions that they didn't understand me right because I meant the opposite. I often even struggled with forming a sentence without adding all those adverbs like 'beetje' 'verschrikkelijk' 'hele' or as you are saying 'lekker hoor' while meaing the complete opposite.
The wrapping service, I'm always glad they offer. I can do it at home but I'll never get it wrapped as nice as they do. I always end up with strange folds and wrinkles in the paper. Also, just cutting the paper in a straight way, I just can't do it...
The heaters and blankets outside a bar aren't there because we love staying outside when it gets colder. They are there because the only place at a cafe you are allowed to smoke is outside. And a lot of people who visit bars/cafe's do smoke (more than the average Dutch do). So it is a very lucrative thing for an owner of a bar/cafe to put those heaters and blankets outside. If he doesn't people will get to a place they could enjoy a heater or blanket...
Omg the cabinet in the background is exactly the same model as the one in my parent's house - the memories ☺
'Gezellig' originates from the medieval word 'gezel', depicting a more experienced apprentice of a master/teacher of some guild. 'Gezellen' (plural) usually lived together in a 'zaal' (hall), a word also derived from 'gezel'. Becoming a 'gezel' and entering a guild was not quite easy, so being a 'gezel' was considered respectful. A guy (yeah, yeah, medieval times, okay?) would enter a guild by becoming a pupil of one or several masters (of the trade), after 2-3 years he would become apprentice of a single master. In the Netherlands we still use a word like 'timmermansgezel' (carpenter apprentice).
Additionally, the word 'gezelschap' - 'a company of people' and phrase 'gezelschap houden' 'keeping (someone) company/having company' are also directly related to the word 'gezel'.
Today 'gezellig' basically means: being together in a hall (well, larger room), sharing time with respected/in good company.
A 'een bont gezelschap' (a colorful/mixed company of people) is a group of people of all kinds of origins ('bont' - 'colored', but its main translation is 'fur'). A group of furred apprentices in a hall? Ah, well...
Gift wrapping service: when not asked by the employee, you can also tell them it's a gift and they will wrap it for you or hand you some free piece of gift wrap paper. Not in the supermarket, though, or some daily use product store/market. A liquor store, however, will put your bottle(s) in a fun colored or stylish paper bottle bag.
Terrace heating: why, do you think, we like our coffee (and soup) boiling hot? Not because we like blistered palates or enjoy having a lead pipe ('looien pijp') for a throat.
Coffee while shopping for groceries: house brand coffee sampler unit turned into an elderly hangout corner, with cookies. Next step would be handing out blankets to alleviate painful stiff muscles...
Side cookie: you really don't want to get a little piece of chocolate next to your hot cuppa tea/coffee...
Movie theater: you haven't visited a movie theater yet where you can call a waiter by the push of a button? Huh...
Check please: obviously not being rushed is nice, but without a check you also can't see what you spent already. Sneaky little boogers...
In dutch. We are discussing dutch etymology. -- Ik denk dat je de originele en afgeleide betekenis omdraait. In de middeleeuwen konden de meeste mensen niet lezen. De enige manier om een vak onder de knie te krijgen was door het te leren van een meester. Daarvoor moest je in diens omgeving worden opgenomen. Een gezel was dus iemand die "bij de meester was". Wij gebruiken het kernbegrip "bij iemand zijn" nog steeds in woorden als vergezellen, metgezel, gezelschap en gezellig. Een gezel was een functie die we nu "assistent" noemen, wat overigens hetzelfde betekent: "degene die bij iemand is". Dat je als gezel/assistent het vak leert, is een gevolg. Het woord gezel beschrijft de functie van assistent, niet die van leerling.
When I get a haircut here they always ask me if I want a drink (I always ask for a cappucino) and we also get a beautiful set and special cookies or whatever they have. Very comfy, very gezellig and very yummie.
Normal in U.K. hairdressers too ( not men’s barbers because they’re not there long enough) pre coronavirus. Unfortunately at the moment there’s no coffee and biscuits and even no magazines. Hopefully we’ll get back to it soon.
We houden idd heel erg veel van gezelligheid 😁. En we willen graag alles gezellig maken. Zelfs in de bioscopen haha
Though it is nice to hear that you enjoy the Netherlands, I think I have heard that the free coffee in the supermarket is very much a marketing thing. You get your coffee so you don't rush your groceries and you buy more.... Though of course it is still nice to have the option.
Although that's true, I still won't buy 'more' just because they have a free coffee bar. But before all this covid stuff, that wants to make you go through the supermarket as fast as possible, I used to often take a cup, because well, it's free, so why not enjoy it!
I love to hear your perspective on the Netherlands, it's very interesting :)
Excellent eye for this social details 👍😊
Found your channel today. It's great, keep it up!
This gezellige video, made me smile and appreciate de little common things more. ☕
If I remember correct, Gunther from central perk (the friends cafe) has dutch roots so it actually makes sense that the decor is gezellig :)
Yep, in my 44 years have never met a single fellow Dutchman named Gunther. Not one. It is the most German name ever.
@Stefan Dingenouts It doesn't help that a group in the US called "Pennsylvania Dutch" who are (predominantly) German. I think with settling the US (and later waves of immigration from Europe) "Dutch" was often used collectively for all people from Germanic origins and/or speaking Germanic languages, probably because all Germanic languages have/had some variant of the word Dutch/Deutsch/Duits/Diets/Deitsch meaning "(of) the people" (e.g. Germany's name in German, Deutschland, means land of the people); it's also why the Dutch national anthem has "van Duitsen bloed", not in reference to Germany, but in reference to the people, the anthem originated as a geuzenlied, a song by Dutch elite (like the Oranje's) in protest of the Spanish reign, and essentially making an argument that WIllem van Oranje would be a better ruler because he's one of the people, of the native population, Dutch/Duits.
No it's really not. Gunther says 'nederlands' and really talks (our) dutch. Pens Dutch is really never called nederlands and also doesn't really sound like that.
I checked on Wikipedia, in one episode he speaks Dutch. That doesn’t imply he’s Dutch of course.
@@jannetteberends8730 that's true but I said he has dutch roots. Looking at the character he plays he doesn't seem like someone who learns a foreign language just for fun and his happy reaction to Ross speaking dutch heavily implies there's a familiiar connection wouldn't you say? :)
In the US we are rushed to leave the restaurant by being given the check already, because the waiting staff gets more tips in a day when they get more costumer in their section of the restaurant. As a waiter you do not get paid well by your employer so you rely on tips from costumers.
Ha ha costumers.
Dan geef ik maar commentaar in het nederlands ,je leeft hier nu hahaha ga zo door ,echt een leuke youtube kanaal die je hebt toppie .
I love watching these videos to see the similarities between the Netherlands and the culture here in Ireland. Both of our countries are similar size and have a similar climate but we are not up the the gezellig standard 😊 Even though we have some of the same things like coffee while grocery shopping and the biscuit with the drink but that’s only at certain places like hotel cafés. Paying the bill/cheque is also the same here where you have to ask
As an American, i find the Irish more joyful and outgoing.
I think the use of glassware in movie theatres is not as common as you think. It may depend on what theatre you go to. In large main stream theatres you still get hot beverages in regular cups or glasses, but it is usually not meant to be taken into the theatre itself (though you often can if you really want to).
In an arthouse (film huis) this seems to be different. I have been to arthouses where not only you can take your glassware inside the theatre, in some the staff can be called to take your orders and it will be delivered to your chair, even if the movie is still being shown.
In Amsterdam there is an arthouse - The Movies in the Haarlemmerdijk - which has a decent bistro-restaurant where you can have an meal-and-movie arrangement. Although you can't take your food, wine and such can simply be taken with you from the dinner table to the theatre.
You won't be seeing the big blockbuster movies in such theatres but a more cerebral type of films.
You make me smile and enjoy our Dutch lifestyle. Thanks
As a Dutchie, on #5 I raise you my local cinema where they used to have phones at every seat so you could directly order any food or drinks from the bar and they would come and serve you. They're not in use anymore, but I will always make sure to get some bitterballen and wine for the movie :)
I love cozyness.
I do miss the B-day thing where we all sit in a "kring" with each other, just enjoying some easy food (like snacks hot and warm) while talking and getting presents and so on. Like it's not as overly done in USA< but just simple. And yeah if we wanna do some overly things, we do. But there is always a moment where we sit with each other, looking how happy the person is unwrapping it's presents and enjoying some food :) I find that so gezellig. Like, you MATTER, instead of you WORK for your guest. You have everything already set, so the only thing that needs to be done now is enjoy yourself.
Also, not sure if this is a thing in America or not, or even in some Dutch homes. The fact we sit with each other at the table, eating our diner together. I really like to. Like, it's not just a fast snack in front of the tv. No, it's like in a restaurant. Food is served on the table, "onderzetters" or something not sure how it's in English are used so the pans and so on don't damage the table. And then OR it's gotten for you on your plate, or youre allowed to take it yourself. (It's hard to write this in English). It's so, gezellig. And off course we must not forget the whole practice of fonduen and gourmetten. Like, when you have a simple christmas dinner, you get food. With these things you can make it yourself while being together, enjoying christmas music and eating till your full.
Also I do find it cozy/gezellig we have "borrels" on work. Like we're even have special food for it called borrelhapjes xD It's just so nice to have a moment of from work, just enjoyin some drinks and foods together at work. At the end of a working day. Talking about other things then work like in lunch time and so on. Just everyone relaxing, being free to leave, but also to stay. It's so gezellig that we do these kind of things.
I did miss those things in your list. But maybe, Americans also do this?
Where, when you rise from your chair for some reason, they'll ask you, "Are you leaving?"
The wrapping of presents is indeed convenient for you, but it's mostly cheap advertising for the store, the wrapping paper always has the logo of the store printed on it.
The cafe in "Friends" is very un-cozy.
A place is gezellig if it invites close, personal contact -- talking, that is, not smooching. It must be comfortable and forgiving of social blunders.
So a place is gezellig if:
* the furniture and the colors are not drawing attention.
* Distances between seats are small.
* Seating arrangements are flexible, e.g. you can pull in another chair if someone you know joins the group.
* Seating encourages face-to-face conversation with as many as possible in your group.
* Spilling a glass is no big deal.
* Servers are attentive to patron's needs without being disruptive. Usually they wait for signs that attention is needed. That is why they are called _waiters._
* There is absolutely no pressure to leave or order quickly.
The mistakes that the Friends cafe makes:
* Garish colors
* Large, unwieldy furniture.
* Sofas with side-by-side seating, makes conversation awkward.
* Disruptive service: the servers interrupt conversions rudely.
This is a very thorough overview, haha. Thanks! And I do agree in particular about the disruptive service.
Another difference is using your cutlery to signal whether you're done eating. I'm used to laying my knife and fork on the plate at right angles, which means I'm still eating, and next to each other at the same angle when I'm done, but from my experience those signals are not understood in the US.
I bought a couple of dozen children's books and Dutch Language in Het Spui in Amsterdam from several different establishments. Each book was carefully wrapped. I worried that customs would take off the paper, but they didn't blink an eye.
The fox moved 😂love it. Gezellig ☺️
De koffie is ook fijn voor de eenzame oudere mensen
Have you ever visited the group of TDWOL (The Dutch Way Of Life). It's a group run by two English people (Bob and Adele) who live in the Netherlands. It is a very gezellige group.
That 'gezellig' cafe in Friends, Central Perk, has the waiter/barista Gunther who eventually becomes the manager. He also happens to be fluent in Dutch. Coincidence? I think not! ;)
'Get training to wrap these presents'?!!! 😂 I think we all learned this in kindergarten.
The cafe in friends is from the dutch waiter. That is why it is gezellig.
Lol.. the whole cafe design is ofcourse not made by Gunther, but people behind the series
The friends coffee place looks kind of cozy, but it doesn't really look like a cafe either.
Pretty please, work on using the zachte G. Living now in Luxembourg I miss the zachte G from Limburg. Number 7 should be the gezellige corners at Waterstone, Scheltema and American Book Center where you can sit down and ´blader´ through a book. Of course 30 years ago I was always kicked out by the American Book Center staff when they spotted me as I was always reading books instead of buying them.
Gift wrap is year round at department stores (and loads of smaller shops) in the US - you just have to ask