Continuing on with the differences between Canada and the Netherlands...
1. The recycling system is a bit more inconvenient than in Canada. There's no recycling for aluminum, so that just goes in the trash. Cardboard gets picked up separately on certain days (once every two weeks, I believe). Glass goes to the glass bank, which you have to transport yourself (so you better be sure not to let it build up too much, otherwise you'll be carrying quite a load on your bike, with bottles clanking the whole way), and then dropped into huge containers in the ground, separated into colored and clear glass.
2. Used clothing stores are next to non-existent. The closest thing would be either the Kringloop, which has a horrible selection of clothes, or trendy vintage stores such as Cheap Fashion in Rotterdam or Zippers in Amsterdam, where you can buy things such as used Adidas track suits or t-shirts from family vacations to Miami. But instead of costing 50 cents for that Miami shirt, they charge anywhere from 7,50 to 12 euros. Needless to say, I miss Value Village.
3. You actually have to pay to use the bathroom at bars here (and some other public places as well, such as department stores). So on top of spending money on drinks, and sometimes cover, you also have to factor in the 30-50 euro cents it costs per bathroom trip. Some places will bargain with you. Example: at the beginning of the night you might be able to cut a deal where you pay 2,50 euros for the whole night. If you go to the bathroom a lot, it ends up being a better deal, especially if you know you'll be there all night. The bonus to paying to use the bathroom is, these bathrooms usually stock up on toiletries that come in handy: hairspray, hand lotion, and even deodorant.
4. They don't use stick deodorant over here. As far as I know, they just started introducing it, but I rarely see it in shops. Luckily I was forewarned about the deodorant issue, and came stocked with several sticks. However, I just recently had to make the switch from stick to spray when my stock ran out. I've discovered that most of these sprays are actually just deodorant, meaning if I do any sort of physical activity (including cycling), you start sweating, and have to reapply within a couple hours of the first application. Some of the sprays are anti-perspirant, but leave your armpits sticky. And as far as their stick selection, well, I have to admit that one of the biggest things I look for in a stick is a nice scent, and I've yet to find a stick that comes in a pleasant smell. So for the time being, I'm using a combination of anti-perspirant stick, with a spray of deodorant.
5. Another great thing about the train system: students ride free! They can either choose to ride free on weekends and receive a 40% discount during the week, or vice versa.
6. A lot of restaurants/bars get fussy when you ask for tap water. If you don't specifically ask for tap water, they will give you bottled water (and of course charge you for it). Some places won't even allow you to order tap water, even if you've been giving them your business by buying drinks all night, or eating a meal. Personally, I think water is a right to life, and I shouldn't have to pay for it!
7. More [nearly] non-existent foods: Reeses, Kraft Dinner, maraschino cherries, Aunt Jemimah, food coloring, Butterfinger, most cereals (no Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Lucky Charms, Cap'n Crunch, Honey Combs, Rice Krispies, Fruit Loops... you get the jist), Skittles (I only just seen them yesterday for the first time at the movie theater), salt and vinegar (yes, the entire flavor), English muffins.
3. You actually have to pay to use the bathroom at bars here (and some other public places as well, such as department stores). So on top of spending money on drinks, and sometimes cover, you also have to factor in the 30-50 euro cents it costs per bathroom trip. Some places will bargain with you. Example: at the beginning of the night you might be able to cut a deal where you pay 2,50 euros for the whole night. If you go to the bathroom a lot, it ends up being a better deal, especially if you know you'll be there all night. The bonus to paying to use the bathroom is, these bathrooms usually stock up on toiletries that come in handy: hairspray, hand lotion, and even deodorant.
4. They don't use stick deodorant over here. As far as I know, they just started introducing it, but I rarely see it in shops. Luckily I was forewarned about the deodorant issue, and came stocked with several sticks. However, I just recently had to make the switch from stick to spray when my stock ran out. I've discovered that most of these sprays are actually just deodorant, meaning if I do any sort of physical activity (including cycling), you start sweating, and have to reapply within a couple hours of the first application. Some of the sprays are anti-perspirant, but leave your armpits sticky. And as far as their stick selection, well, I have to admit that one of the biggest things I look for in a stick is a nice scent, and I've yet to find a stick that comes in a pleasant smell. So for the time being, I'm using a combination of anti-perspirant stick, with a spray of deodorant.
5. Another great thing about the train system: students ride free! They can either choose to ride free on weekends and receive a 40% discount during the week, or vice versa.
6. A lot of restaurants/bars get fussy when you ask for tap water. If you don't specifically ask for tap water, they will give you bottled water (and of course charge you for it). Some places won't even allow you to order tap water, even if you've been giving them your business by buying drinks all night, or eating a meal. Personally, I think water is a right to life, and I shouldn't have to pay for it!
7. More [nearly] non-existent foods: Reeses, Kraft Dinner, maraschino cherries, Aunt Jemimah, food coloring, Butterfinger, most cereals (no Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Lucky Charms, Cap'n Crunch, Honey Combs, Rice Krispies, Fruit Loops... you get the jist), Skittles (I only just seen them yesterday for the first time at the movie theater), salt and vinegar (yes, the entire flavor), English muffins.
8. This one may not be news to some or most of you, but it was one of the main things I had to get used to at first: they don't use AM and PM when referring to time. They use military time, and it was bit confusing at first to see all the digital clocks using a 24 hour clock. It used to take me a few seconds to figure out the time if it was between noon and midnight.
9. Obviously Dutch is the main language spoken in the Netherlands, but because the Netherlands is much closer to the UK than it is Canada, British English is more widely spoken. There are also a lot of British expats living in the Netherlands, so I've learned a few words along the way:
British English/Canadian English
Pants/Knickers = Underwear
Fit = Hot guy or girl
Wanker = Loser
Boot = Car Trunk
Courgette = Zucchini
Aubergine = Eggplant
Crisps = Chips
Iced Lolli = Popsicle
Fringe = Bangs
Cycling = Biking
Jumper = Sweater
Queue = Line (as in "waiting in line")
Cuddle = Hug
Nappy = Diaper
Candy Floss = Cotton Candy
Take Away = Take Out
Brilliant = Awesome
Chuffed = Proud
Cling Film = Saran Wrap
Plasters = Band-Aids
Fancy Dress = Costume
Pudding = Dessert
Pram = Stroller
Tea = Dinner
Bloke = Boy
Suss = To figure out
Lie in = Sleep in
10. Unlike Canada, it's not considered un-hygienic to bring a dog into a restaurant or bar. Of course, not all places allow animals, but it's definitely more acceptable here.
