Question So you crazy dutch people!

[inactionman]

There's an interesting job going in Amsterdam, and I'm thinking of applying for it. The organisation is english speaking, so that doesn't worry me.

They'll pay flights and hotel for the interview, so I might as well give it a go! If I get the job there's a relocation allowance and subsidised accomodation for the first 18 months, which is handy.

My questions are, what would it be like living in the Netherlands (Amsterdam) as an english speaker? Anything I should know about the tax system, etc?

 

[old.user4556]

Teeds and Yoni would be best placed to answer this, but as my mate found out when he went to work in Holland, he got absolutely pumped for income tax which is:

* Part of the income from EUR 0 to EUR 17,878: 33.5 % of EUR 17,878 is EUR 5,989
* Part of the income from EUR 17,878 to EUR 32,127: 42 % of EUR 14,249 is EUR 5,984
* Part of the income from EUR 32,127 to EUR 54,776: 42 % of EUR 22,649 is EUR 9,512
* Above that: 52 %.

So bear that in mind when working out your take home pay.

 

[Chilly]

Salaries will be suitably adjusted to the local tax regime, so 50k there wont be the same as 50k here in terms of what the job requires.

Working weeks tend to be shorter, too.

 

[old.user4556]

You would expect so, but certainly worth bearing in mind.

 

[Cadelin]

You also need to bear in mind the exchange rate. Currently its great to be paid in Euros but I would expect the pound to recover (at least slightly). This is of course assuming you intend to return to the UK at some point in the future (or at least visit it).

 

[Yoni]

I am not sure about Amsterdam although I think speaking English is a little more common there then in the South, where I live.

I love it here but I am blessed with living in a beautiful town (even if carnival is noisy). I get paid in sterling and I am subject to UK tax.

If you are paid in Euros and you are considered of the required level then you will receive 30% tax back as an expat but you will need to discuss this with your financial advisor.

As for women if you are not attached, the majority all walk like farmers (TdC has a friend who is the exception) and appear to be not only argumentative (they call it debating over here) but horribly dominant and from my experience to date screech loudly if they do not get their own way. Oh and their dress sense at times is really quite awful... trousers tucked in boots which leaves them with a bucket ass no matter how thin they are..

 

[rynnor]

I get paid in sterling and I am subject to UK tax.

Ouch - it must hurt what with the awful exchange rate and getting paid in one currency but having costs in another - how do you change your pay into euro's?

 

[Yoni]

withdraw it at current rate and pay it into my dutch bank account..... I get compensated though for differences which have occurred since my start date.

 

[rynnor]

withdraw it at current rate and pay it into my dutch bank account..... I get compensated though for differences which have occurred since my start date.

Awesome - your employer sounds great!

I believe there are websites where you can find people who want to convert cash in the other direction that give a good rate but this may be too much hassle in your case - its more used for people moving lump sums.

 

[Wazzerphuk]

As a twice visitor to Amsterdam, I have never encountered a Dutch person that doesn't put most English people's English to shame.

 

[TdC]

I might as well give it a go!

ofc you should. it's an interesting experience to say the least. there are many expats in Ams, but imo you should put the effort in to try and learn the lingo. Ofc it can be difficult, as many Dutch think they're being helpful by switching to English when you're about.

As for women if you are not attached, the majority all walk like farmers (TdC has a friend who is the exception) and appear to be not only argumentative (they call it debating over here) but horribly dominant and from my experience to date screech loudly if they do not get their own way. Oh and their dress sense at times is really quite awful... trousers tucked in boots which leaves them with a bucket ass no matter how thin they are..

yesh, I've been told that Dutch ladies are only awesome when they're in a foreign country for some reason. some of them are nice though

As a twice visitor to Amsterdam, I have never encountered a Dutch person that doesn't put most English people's English to shame.

haha until you urgently need someone from the council or a ministry...then all the decent ones are on their lunch break

 

[inactionman]

Thanks a lot for the info. So I basically shouldn't have any problems, although, if I get the job, I would take the (free) dutch lessons they offer.

I go to the cinema a lot, what language are (originally) english language films shown in?

 

[DaGaffer]

As a twice visitor to Amsterdam, I have never encountered a Dutch person that doesn't put most English people's English to shame.

Travelled with a bunch of Dutch girls when I was on holiday in Namibia last year and was really shocked that a couple of them didn't speak English; I think they were the first Dutch people I'd ever met who couldn't.

My personal experience of the Dutch is at both extremes; some of the nicest people I've ever known, and on a couple of occasions, the single rudest person I've ever met, and the only person I've ever known that I genuinely wanted to kill. Slowly.

 

[TdC]

Thanks a lot for the info. So I basically shouldn't have any problems, although, if I get the job, I would take the (free) dutch lessons they offer.

I go to the cinema a lot, what language are (originally) english language films shown in?

english, with dutch subs mate, so that shouldn't be too much of a prob. animations (pixar et al) you usually get in two versions: dubbed, for the kids, and the original, for adults.

Travelled with a bunch of Dutch girls when I was on holiday in Namibia last year and was really shocked that a couple of them didn't speak English; I think they were the first Dutch people I'd ever met who couldn't.

My personal experience of the Dutch is at both extremes; some of the nicest people I've ever known, and on a couple of occasions, the single rudest person I've ever met, and the only person I've ever known that I genuinely wanted to kill. Slowly.

afaik English is mandatory at most levels of education for several years, as was (when I went to school) German and French for at least two years. as for rude, yes, they can be very rude and people from the UK will notice a horde of other negative differences as well haha

Heh Gaffer, my rudest met in travels person was an Israeli gentleman, person I most wished death on was a woman from Austria o0 I quiver with anger just to remember her :/

 

[Yoni]

My personal experience of the Dutch is at both extremes; some of the nicest people I've ever known, and on a couple of occasions, the single rudest person I've ever met, and the only person I've ever known that I genuinely wanted to kill. Slowly.

I have also experienced the same extremes from the people in my local who have been so lovely in helping me fit in to my **** of a boss who thinks after me leaving the office at 9pm it is ok to call and scream at me for her own mistakes at 10pm....

 

[Wazzerphuk]

Yeah the Dutch are either really welcoming, friendly and talkative, or bitter and angry at your very presence.

 

[Yoni]

Well it is queens night and there is yet another rave in my front garden... although this time the music is vastly improved..... \o/

 

[mr.Blacky]

Well it is queens night and there is yet another rave in my front garden... although this time the music is vastly improved..... \o/

no it aint queens night its the night of the republic !


trust me tomorrow Queens day is a day not to go to Amsterdam

 

[TdC]

haha enjoy it tomorrow is going to be even more awesome hope you have something orange to wear

moozic in Arnhem is meh though. lots of lowbrow house :/

 

[TdC]

Queens day is a day not to go to Amsterdam

hah I am going to Amsterdam, but I'll be locked up in Paradiso to cover the London Calling music festival. I still have a three day pass, Blacky, if you want to go

 

[Calo]

yay!, queens day, that means free marihuana in the cofee shops!

 

[Yoni]

no it aint queens night its the night of the republic !


trust me tomorrow Queens day is a day not to go to Amsterdam

Everyone at work calls tonight Queens night as no one bothers going out tomorrow.

I am at the Efteling tomorrow night and then being a child all day Friday \o/

 

[TdC]

remember to get a gold coin. you'll know when you're there

 

[Yoni]

Oh I will... and the rave in my garden continues

 

[Gray]

BBC NEWS | World | Europe | Car crash at Dutch Queen parade

Eep.

 

[inactionman]

Well I put the application in earlier today, and I'm glad I finally got round to it as they seem to have just closed applications! We'll see how it goes, apparently I should hear in 3 weeks or so.

If you are interested in who/what the organisation/job is, it's to be the Information Security Manager at RIPE.