Surviving the Netherlands

This page gives you some general information about Dutch people and their habits so that you do not feel completely lost when you first come to the Netherlands and to Wageningen.

First 3 tips after arrival 

1. Arrange a bike

2. Buy a raincoat

3. Pick up a free Lebara Simcard for a Dutch Phone number at the IxESN office

Do's and don'ts

Alcohol

In Wageningen, you can behave pretty much like you normally do. Though, there are a couple of things you shouldn’t do. First of all, don’t drink at public places.This means that you can’t drink alcohol anywhere except of places like bars and discotheques.

Drugs

In contradiction as what most people think, drugs in the Netherlands are still illegal. The police however allows you to have a small amount (5 grams) for usage at home or at a coffee shop. The usage of drugs is forbidden in public places. Take care that drugs might be bit stronger in the Netherlands than in your home country. Never mix drugs with alcohol.

Cigarettes

It is prohibited to smoke cigarettes indoors. It’s no problem if you smoke on the streets, but when you enter any kind of building you should not smoke. In many of the student residences it is not allowed to smoke in the common areas.It is also prohibited to smoke cigarettes inside of restaurants, bars and clubs. You will have to go outside or into a special smoking area inside the location to smoke. Sometimes the owner allows people to smoke inside, you will recognise this by the smell and ash trays on the tables. The owner of these places take a risk to be fined to let you smoke.

Identification

It is also required (by law) to have your passport or European ID card with you all the time. If the police asks you to show your identification, you have to be able to. The fines for not carrying a valid ID card is high.

Some not to serious facts about Dutch people

• Dutch people are very direct. Depending on your point of view, this is rude, tactless or refreshing.
• The French speak French, and the Germans speak German. Italians speak Italian, Spanish people speak Spanish. You can't say Netherlanders speak Nederlandish. The people are the Dutch, and the language is Dutch:). Almost all Dutch can speak English and are willing to do so. After English, German is the most commonly spoken foreign language.
• There are bicycles everywhere. Aside from having absolute priority everywhere on the roads, they also make drinking nights a hazard. English visitors have "do not fall, it hurts" deeply ingrained into their subconcious, so even when drunk the life preservation instinct kicks in. In the Netherlands, even that is not safe. Immediately you step outside a café you run the risk of colliding with a high speed cyclist.