Stuff Dutch People Like

In this episode Colleen and Allard discuss what it is like to live in a country with so much history.  They reminisce while sharing their favourite stories and offer some tips on how and when to see the best hidden secrets of Amsterdam (hint: Open Garden Days). 

And surprise: Colleen has a pop quiz for Allard on some utterly odd Dutch expressions!  Can he recognise the English versions of famous Dutch idioms and translate them in time?! From "I go dead" to "doing it for bacon and beans"...and "dick black" (oh my!!), Colleen learns a whole slew of wacky new Dutch expressions she didn't know before! 

Lastly, Allard wants to quiz Colleen on whether she actually ever gets outside of her beloved Amsterdam. Spoiler alert: she's been places!! ;)

Colleen and Allard are back with another episode on all thing Dutch culture! This time, it's one of Colleen's favourite topics: the Dutch wedding! Yes, my friends, the Dutch do wedding *very* differently than North Americans.  As you can imagine we talk money as Dutchies maintain their stereotypical "thriftiness" right up to the altar!

Want to know why the Dutch don't do wedding planners? (hint: they force their friends to do it for free). Why do the Dutch marry so late? What's the average cost of a wedding in the US vs the Netherlands (hint: we are talking a differences of tens of thousands!) And lastly, what does Colleen ADORE about Dutch weddings? It ain't all bad! :) Allard also puts out a call to listeners: if you are having a big North-American style wedding, he wants to be there!! 

(..and ps. Colleen is allergic to winter in Holland. So she sounds even more nasal than normal ;)

In this episode Allard gets to ask all his questions about one of his favourite North-American mysteries: highschool!  Is it really like what the Dutch saw growing up on TV and the movies? From yellow school buses, to jocks, cheerleaders, school dances and prom - Colleen and Allard discuss what makes the Dutch highschool experience sooo completely different from that of North America.

And yes, there are lots of 90201 references (cause that's how Dutchies think it all was like), silly anecdotes and general confusion (why do American highschoolers drink from those big red plastic cups?!).

Tune in and don't forget to keep sending us all your questions and topics! We love hearing from you. xo

In this episode Allard and Colleen discuss all things Dutch healthcare - including their own blunders and some (painfully!) awkward encounters with Dutch doctors. 

Why do expats and foreigners have such a hard time getting used to the Dutch healthcare system, and could the Dutch huisarts (GP) simply be replaced by a Paracetamol dispenser?! 

Both Colleen and Allard have had their fair share of hospital visits, but find out why they both think 'Dutch directness' and health can either go to together really well....or spectacularly badly!

Happy 2023! On this episode Allard and Colleen talk houses and the notable differences between Dutch and North American design. Why is there so much carpet in America?! What is with all the wooden kitchen cupboards, leather couches, and the national obsession with countertops?! (Spoiler: no one cares if it's marble/granite/godknowswhat).

Didn't think the differences were that big? Think again! Colleen and Allard talk about their pet peeves including the HUGE ASS fridges of America vs the teeny-tiny minibar-esque fridges of Amsterdam, decorative bed pillows (Colleen is guilty of this!), and the Dutch tradition of keeping their curtains open for all to see!

Spoiler: Allard decided to bring Tequila to the show - and all of a sudden Colleen CAN'T CONTROL herself!

To end the episode, Allard presents Colleen with yet another 'Dutch mystery item'.....a necessary tool found in ALL Dutch kitchens! Can you guess what it is?!

Allard and Colleen are back bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for a new season of Stuff Dutch People Like!  And what better than jumping right into the most beloved Dutch holiday season?! That's right - Sinterklaas! As promised, this season will have its fair share of guests. This episode welcome Charlotte Bouman, a long-time friend of Allard, who just happens to have something in common with Mister Sint himself. 

Allard, Colleen and Charlotte get down to business discussing everything from Sint's sweet treats ('borstplaat' anyone?), to Piets, pakjes and pepernotten! 

Join us in celebrating the season when nearly all Dutchies finally have a smile on their (formerly black)face. Long live the Sint! 

(p.s. don't tell Allard we started the episode with a blooper! When will he be able to pronounce the name of our show?! )

On the Season Finale of Stuff Dutch People Like, Allard has a surprise for Colleen: a table covered in Dutch snacks (aka deep fried delights!). This is Colleen's official 'inburgering' (integration) exam! Has she been paying attention to Allard's description of his favorite snacks -- and more importantly, as a non-Dutchie, what will she rank each one?!

Warning: if you don't like listening to people talk with their mouths full, lick their fingers or "ohhh and ahh" over food - this episode might not be for you! ;)

On this double episode, Allard takes Colleen down a Dutch culinary journey from Patatje Oorlog to the beloved Frikandel. Can they finally agree on the superiority of Dutch snacks? In between some finger-licking, they discuss the highlights of the season, read some fan mail and share what their listeners liked the most --and the least! (Find out what Colleen said that had over 300 people send her messages of disapproval!)

In this episode Colleen and Allard discuss money and how the Dutch are different when it comes to their spending and lending habits. What's up with Dutch credit cards? Why are there no 'real' credit cards in this country? ...and more importantly: are the Dutch truly as cheap as everyone says or is it just practicality? Colleen and Allard agree it's likely somewhere in the middle....but don't get Colleen starting about the Dutch and their stingy gift giving habits! 

From extreme couponing to the Dutch obsession with 'zegels', the Dutch generosity for charity and avoiding debt - they go there.

Be warned: Allard insists on eating hagelslag and Calve peanut butter throughout the entire episode....just proving he is a walking, talking Dutch stereotype! ;)

On this episode, Allard and Colleen discuss what makes the Dutch "unique" when it comes to vacations and holidays. Which countries do the Dutch visit the most? How do they travel? And how the heck do they afford SO many holidays abroad?

They talk caravans, the differences between Dutch camping and North American camping...and how any self-respecting Dutchie would never leave home without their peanut butter, potatoes and hagelslag! A quirky comfort blanket, a cheap habit or simply practicality? Tune in to find out what our hosts really think!

...and lastly, a topic that utterly baffles Colleen's mind (and which Allard never even considered!): the Dutch obsession with Donald Duck! How did it start? And why are grown-men taking subscriptions en masse, to this comic?

This episode concludes with Allard explaining yet another Dutch snack: the Mexicano, which actually has nearly nothing in common with its namesake. Go figure!