COSMO POLITE
CITY GUIDE FEBRUARY 2010
February 2010 www.cosmo-polite.com page 1
Highlights of the Month DUTCH NEWS TOP STORIES The Dutch & Iraq and Wildersʼ trial p4 AMSTERDAM RESTAURANT REVIEWS Cinema Paradiso and Garlic Queen p8
Contributors Cover photo by Mehul Derodra mehul@derodra.com Blogger Amsterdam Foodie Vicky Hampton vicky@amsterdamfoodie.nl Blogger Babyccino Esther van de Paal esther@babyccinoblog.com Editor DutchNews.nl Robin Pascoe editor@dutchnews.nl Editor Expatica Natasha Gunn natasha.gunn@expatica.com Advertising & Sponsoring Get exposure within the Amsterdam expatriate market. Contact Kira for advertising opportunities: kira@cosmo-polite.com kira@cosmo-polite.com February 2010 Copyright Cosmo Polite
AMSTERDAM EVENTS February and March Gezelligheid p6 Upcoming Singlesʼ Events p16 KIDS & THE CITY How to entertain kids on a Rainy Day and Uniquely Amsterdam wallpaper p10 COSMO POLITE BLOGPOST Amsterdamʼs best… Dutch Restaurants p12 and more…. Guide to Public Transport p14 Dutch Social Culture p18 Expat Voices p 22 Shops for Everyday 14 English-Dutch Shopping list P26 Great Amsterdam Services p30
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Dear AMSTERDAM Newcomer It is my pleasure to introduce you to Amsterdam, the global village that I have come to love. Mind you, Amsterdam life was not always as enjoyable. Having lived in Cape Town, I missed the warmness of my Southafrican culture. The vibrant city feel of London is hard to find in Amsterdam. During my assignment in Hong Kong, I became accustomed to service standards that differ greatly to that of the Dutch. However, with my outgoing nature and a bike, I continuously discover bits of New York and other world cities in Amsterdam. As experiences are always better when shared, I enjoy keeping my friends up to date about my cosmopolitan discoveries. From good cocktail bars to authentic French bakeries, I list the best in town on my blog. Why only share information when you can share a bottle of wine? Via my company, Cosmo Polite, I host dinners and drinks for my network of expat friends and newcomers. As long as you leave your tie at work, you are most welcome to join us for drink and bite. Our gatherings always have a informal and social ambiance, so that it easy for you to meet other likeminded individuals in town. In this month始s city guide, I have listed various Cosmo Polite events, other Amsterdam happenings and extracts of my blog. I hope that with this information, you will enjoy your new life in Amsterdam. Sincerely, Kira
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Smokers should pay higher health insurance' The healthcare council is to recommend that health insurance companies be allowed to charge smokers and people with unhealthy lifestyles higher premiums. read >> Police break privacy rules on number plates Several police forces are breaking privacy laws by keeping lists of car number plates using certain roads for longer than permitted. read >> Prince Maurits promotes e-car, for a fee Prince Maurits is to get a maximum consultancy fee of €204,000 for promoting electric cars on behalf of the government. read >> Cost of pensions set to soar: report
Dutch News TOP Stories
Company pension premiums will go up by 30% over the next 15 years in order to meet worker expectations, a government commission set up to look at the effect of the credit crisis on pensions said. read >> McDonalds wrong to sack worker over cheese A branch of the McDonalds hamburger chain in the Friesian town of Lemmer was wrong to sack a worker for giving a colleague on a break an extra piece of cheese on her hamburger, a court rules. read >> Dutch bought 1.3 million bikes last year The Dutch bought 1.3 million bikes last year with a total bill of €950m, the RAI conference organisation said. read >> Increase prostitution age to 23: Amsterdam The age at which young women should be allowed to become prostitutes should be raised from 18 to 23, according to Amsterdam city council executive Lodewijk Asscher. read>> Dutch police develop mobile body scans Rotterdam police are trying to develop a portable scanner which will allow them to see through people's clothing and look for concealed weapons. read >>
© DutchNews.nl
Read articles online: www.DutchNews.nl
February 2010 www.cosmo-polite.com page 4
No legal basis for Iraq war, says report United Nations resolutions on Saddam Hussein's weapons programme were not a sufficient mandate to justify the invasion of Iraq by the US and Britain, according to a Dutch government committee. The Netherlands gave political but not military support to the 2003 invasion, a decision largely based on claims that
Iraq had weapons of mass destruction. Those claims later turned out to be false. 'The Dutch government lent its political support to a war whose purpose was not consistent with Dutch government policy,' the report states. It says prime minister Jan Peter Balkenende left the the matter up to foreign minister Jaap de Hoop Scheffer who drew up the Dutch line in a
DutchNews.nl provides quality English-language news about the Netherlands. Every day, either online or through a free subscription to its daily digital newsletter.
www.DutchNews.nl Can you vote in March 3 local government elections? Check out the special section on:
Visit Local Election Special Tiny Spyker takes over much bigger Saab Dutch luxury car maker Spyker is to buy Swedish car firm Saab from General Motors, after weeks of negotiations and an intense final five days of marathon talks. Spyker is to pay GM $74m in cash and $326m in preference shares for Saab, which has failed to make money for much
of the past 20 years. Spyker too has not made a profit since it was reborn as a brand in 2000. Spyker produced just 43 handmade cars in 2009 with a workforce of around 100. Saab has 3,400 workers and produced 40,000 cars last year. ‌ More
45-minute meeting with civil servants. The report says Dutch intelligence agencies had largely based their reports on information from the US and British secret services and that other, more nuanced assessments of the risks posed by Iraq's weapons programme were 'not reflected' by the relevant ministers and departments. ... More
Wilders' trial to resume in February The trial of MP Geert Wilders on inciting hatred and discrimination charges is to resume on February 3, following a one-day hearing in January. Judges are now deciding who will be called as witnesses and on other procedural motions from both the prosecution and defence. Wilders told the court his defence rested on freedom of expression laws and the fact he is telling the truth. 'This is why I ask [the court] to allow my expert witnesses. I have to be able to defend myself. I have to be able to show I have spoken the truth,' he said. Wilders' witness list includes university professors, radical imams and Mohammed Bouyeri, the man who murdered film maker Theo van Gogh. ...More
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Š DutchNews.nl
Cosmo Polite EVENTS Who are Cosmo Polite members? We have an equal about of men and women, mostly in their 30s, in the club. Certain events are more popular amongst women (eg. wine tastings and dinners) and others amongst men (drinks). We share a cosmopolitan lifestyle and a desire to enjoy life alongside our busy work schedules. We have a monthly event for singles; all other events are popular amongst both singles and couples.
How it works We invite you to meet us personally and attend an event as a guest. After attending one event, if you wish to attend more, we require you to become a member (E15 pmnth).
Event AGENDA Thursday 4 February Disco Bowling >> Sunday 7 February Go-Karting >> Saturday 13 February Valentine始s Speed Date >> Sunday 14 February Senior Speed Date view invitation > Thursday 18 February February Expat Drinks >> Friday 19 February Tuscany Wine Tasting Dinner >> Thursday 25 February Tapas Dinner >> Thursday 11 March Expat Drinks >> Sunday 14 March Cheese & Wine Tasting >> Thursday 18 March Southafrican Dinner >> Sunday 28 March Spring Wine Mixer >> February 2010 www.cosmo-polite.com page 6
February Drinks Meet new friends, socialize and have fun on an ordinary Thursday eve! Guests are asked to make a E5 donation to the Cosmo Polite Fund, which supports starting entrepreneurs in Third World countries. Date/Time: Thursday 18 February, 19h30 Venue: Bubbles & Wines, Nes 37 Thank you for announcing your arrival: RSVP Entrance fee: E5 + your personal consumptions. Free for members
Tuscan Wine Tasting Dinner Join us for a unique experience in the wine cellar hidden in Amsterdam Old South! Join our wine master on a journey through Turscany explaining us about Chiantis and Supertuscans. Of course, we shall also taste tjese wines… which one will be your favourite? Date/Time: Friday 19 February, 19h00 Venue: Bubbles & Wines, Nes 37 Entrance fee: E55 (+E7.50 for first-time guests) RSVP
Saturday 13 February Valentineʼs Speed Date Looking for love? Interested in making new friends? Meet the most eligible internationals at the Caffe Esprit in Amsterdam just in time for Valentineʼs Day. Donʼt miss out — true love could be waiting! Venue: Caffe Esprit, Amsterdam RSVP here
Sunday 14 March Cheese Tasting with Wine In the Reypenaer Cheese Tasting Room in the centre of old Amsterdam, we will personally test and evaluate the flavour, the aroma and the qualities of the Reypenaer cheeses, all under the guidance of an expert cheese taster and wine connoisseur. Entrance EUR 12.50 per person, includes cheese, wine and a glass of port.There is a E5 surcharge for first-time guests. RSVP first come (rsvp), first serve
Entrance fee: E40, includes 25 dates, 2 drink and love/friend matching.
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Restaurant REVIEWS by amsterdamfoodie
Cinema Paradiso (Italian) A: Westerstraat 186 (Jordaan) T: 623 7344 Rating Pricing
Teetotal Tiramisu I have made a very rash decision. For various reasons, I stupidly set myself the challenge of not drinking any alcohol for the month of January. Itʼs not a detox, nor a diet, so donʼt panic peeps. Nor is it in any way some kind of New Yearʼs resolution that I expect to extend past the 1st February. Still, a decision is a decision, and so far Iʼve made it through a week. The first few days were ok: I deliberately cooked meals that donʼt lend themselves to wine – like curry. But then Friday came and my first big test: a bar followed by an Italian restaurant, with four people Iʼd never met before. And no friendly Tempranillo to keep me company. So, when it comes to Cinema Paradiso (the unlikely name of the Italian that witnessed the Amsterdam Foodieʼs first tee-total dinner in this chilly city), I canʼt comment on the rather expensive bottles of wine that the rest of my party were drinking. I can, however, remember everything I ate, without the least bit of hangover-inducing blurriness. Restaurants of Amsterdam, beware! read more >>
Looking for more independent reviews like these? The Amsterdam Foodie reviews restaurants in Amsterdam and posts them on her blog, interactive map and – if they're good enough! – recommendations page. www.amsterdamfoodie.nl
© Amsterdamfoodie.nl
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Garlic Queen (European)
A: Reguliersdwarsstraat 27 (Rembrandtplein) T: 422 6426
Rating Pricing
Garlic Ice cream
Garlic Galore At nine oʼclock on Wednesday evening, after Iʼd ploughed my way through garlic soup, garlic prawns and garlic ice cream, I remembered something: I had a dentist appointment first thing on Thursday morning. Genius! The dentist probably wasnʼt a huge fan of my dinner at Garlic Queen; but was I? First impressions werenʼt great. The waiter was somewhat surly, with an obvious distaste for non-Dutch speakers (not ideal anywhere in Amsterdam, but especially right next to the Rembrantplein). The décor involved 80s-style wall photos of the Dutch royal family, lit by plastic-y chandeliers on the ceiling and fake candles in frosted glass on the tables. The menu took the form of a tacky multi-coloured palm tree-clad photo album (if you can imagine that!) with one dish featured on each of its 4×6 inch pages. I couldnʼt work out if the tackiness was supposed to be an ironic nod to kitsch, or just bad taste and – worse still – un-user-friendliness. Still, crashing on. We ordered a mixed starter to share, comprising garlic soup, duck liver pate (with garlic, obviously) and carpaccio of smoked halibut (I donʼt think I need to point out the addition of garlic by now). The food actually wasnʼt as bad as the décor had led me to fear it might be, but then again we still had a long way to go. read more >>
amsterdamfoodie suggests: - Low budget: Cafe Bern (Swiss)
read >>
- Mid-range: District V (European) - Mid-range: Razmataz (European)
read >> read >>
- Splashing out: Beddingtonʼs (International)
read >>
©
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KIDS & THE CITY Fifteen original activities to keep your kids entertained in- house on a rainy autumn or winter day, without turning on the computer or the television. 1. Prepare everything for a warm bath. Then go outside, paddle the puddles, get cold, get dirty, and get wet. Go back inside, undress completely while filling the bath, and warm up in the bath. Dress in loungewear and have hot chocolate. 2. Bake cookies. Eat them. Again with hot chocolate! In fact, activity 1 and 2 may very well be combined. 3. Make play dough. Not only playing with the dough is fun, but preparing it too! 4. Think about old-fashioned family entertainment and bring out the board games. From ages four and up most kids will love it, and nothing is better for bonding and teaching your kids a thing or two about competing and being a good sport (winning or losing). Read the other 11 things to do to entertain your kids. >> Happy rainy day!! xxx Esther P.S. The super-cute picture is from last-centuryʼs Dutch illustrator Rie Cramer.
Broer & Zus (Brother & Sister)
Broer&Zus is a wonderful kidʼs clothing shop here in Amsterdam that definitely comes recommended! They stocks a great selection of fantastic brands, which makes the shop irresistible to start with. But the best part for me is their own label! They have some great pieces for babies and little people, of great quality and lovely colours. Their knitted wear is made of the softest alpaca wool, which is anti-allergic, doesnʼt itch (I can still remember the worst itchy clothes from when I was a kid!) and is nice, warm and wonderful. The pieces are all made by hand in Peru in a workshop run just by women! I especially love the cardigans — theyʼre perfect for this time of year and have nice, vibrant colours. The shirts, skirts and dresses are made of soft poplin cotton, so thereʼs no need to iron and they stay in excellent shape, and the cotton jersey pieces are lovely in their detailing, like stitching on the outside and little pockets. Truly a brand to keep coming back to for great staples in your kidsʼ wardrobe! (more…) © Babyccino
xxx Esther February 2010 www.cosmo-polite.com page 10
Amsterdam walll stickers from Zuuz. Donʼt you love these wall decals? I mean, even if you donʼt live in Amsterdam, you surely must like them!?! These supercool stickers are made by Zuuz, and besides the fact that I really like the images of the typical Dutch canal houses, I love the fact that they are so big — my daughter can draw on them even when sheʼs standing up! We have a long hallway in our current apartment so we could fit both the crayon sticker set and the outlined houses set next to each other, and it really looks fantastic. I never knew crayon stickers were so much fun for the kids — my daughter really loves drawing in the windows, the doors, and the people… Brilliant! These (and other) fun wall decals are available through Dutch webshop Zuuz. (BTW, I love the combination of these wall decals and the pendant lampshade I wrote about earlier!) xxx Esther
About Babyccino Kids Babyccino Kids is a blog of four girls in 4 cities: Amsterdam, London, Paris and Milan. Together they discuss life with kids, style and all their favourite must-haves. With insider tips and reviews from each city, the girls offer up the best kid-friendly restaurants, shops and activities in their four cities – a great guide for ʻhip and happeningʼ mums who are either living in or traveling to their cities.
The Babysittersclub provides daycare service to families residing in Amsterdam. They also organise babysitters for company parties, weddings, in hotels and to come along on vacations.
www.BabysittersClubAmsterdam.nl
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Cosmo Polite BLOG COSMO-POLITE.COM/BLOG Dutch Cuisine - an oxymoron or something to be explored? If you go for the last, hereʼs a list of pleasant Dutch restaurants that serve more than a kroket or bitterbal.
Greetje - a Dutch Delight. Set in an old Amsterdam house, in the hidden corner of the old entranchment (oude schans) youʼll find Amsterdam gezelligheid as it must have been a century ago- it is almost as if you are moving back into time. Invite your foreign friends from abroad to introduce them to Dutch cuisine - not an oxymoron! I even took my Italian mother-in-law, who appreciated the dishes (but… naturalmente… it was not as good as cucina italiana). Restaurant Greetje, Peperstraat 23-25, Amsterdam Centre East (very east, that is), T. 77 97 450
Moeders No one cooks better than Mama! Moeders is Dutch for ʻMothersʼ. The whole cozy restaurant is decorated with pictures of guestsʼ their mothers (see photo right). It is here that I realized that Dutch food is true comfort-food, eg suddervlees (braised steak), hotchpotch and bitterkoekjes ice cream (cannot explain this flavour, you just need to try it). Portions are good and pricing even better. Being at Moeders is always a pleasant experience. Moeders, Rozengracht 251, Amsterdam Centre, T. 020-6267957
Restaurant Spelt - we need to check it out. This Dutch restaurant is on my to-go-visit list: the menu boasts authentic Dutch food as creamy mustard soup and Cruezes Zealand (- Zeeland is a Dutch province on the south of Rotterdam). The restaurant looks styling on pictures. Has anyone already dined here? If so, please reply! Restaurant Spelt, Nieuwe Spiegelstraat 5A, Amsterdam Centre, T. 420 70 22
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Eau de Vie - surprisingly (un)Dutch Only since my visit to De Bokkerdoorns (see below) am I open to Dutch cuisine. Little did I know that I had already been enjoying Dutch food! At Eau de Vie - a classy, small restaurant in Amstedam South- Dutch food is served with such style that I had mixed it up with French cuisine. Sevice was also unDutch elegant. May be the restaurant should be renamed to Levenswater or Vreugde des Leven (Joy of Life), because The Netherlands must be proud of such a restaurant. Eau de Vie, Maasstraat 20, Rivierenbuurt Amsterdam, T. 662 95 88
Contrast - French cuisine goes Dutch Contrast is a trendy restaurant with a trendy decor, trendy clientele and consequently trendy ambiance. As can be expected with trendy places, the menu is fusion: French cuisine with the usage of (seasonal) Dutch ingredients. Like many other trendy restaurants, the service is good (when it's not too busy, that is) and the food is of decent quality. My advice: visit Contrast on a weekday evening when it is not to busy and I trust you'll have a great, uhm, I mean, trendy eve! Contrast, Ferdinand Bolstraat 178, De Pijp Amsterdam, T. 471 55 44
Dorrius - not to be missed! Dorrius was already a great success and now, after the refurbishment, the new Dorrius has become a place not to be missed for foreigners. Dorrius shows that traditional restaurants do not need to be dark and brown; at this styling and light restaurant typical Dutch cuisine is served with flair. The well-known herring is on the menu and, for real men, the popular Hunterʼs hotpot. Eet smakelijk! Dorrius, Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 5, Amsterdam Centre, T. 420 22 24
De Bokkedoorns- Best Dutch restaurant in the “whole wide world” Hidden in the dunes west of Haarlem, youʼll find De Bokkedoorns - a restaurant that deserves every bit of the two Michelin stars they are awarded each year. The menu and service are of such a high level, it cannot be described. You just need to trust me. De Bokkedoorns, Wethouder van Gelukpark, Zeeweg 53, Overveen, T. 023526 36 00
Eet Smakelijk! Kira February 2010 www.cosmo-polite.com page 13
Guide TO Public Transport by EXPATICA
The Netherlands has a reasonably good public transport system, but the payment system is undergoing transformation. Here is a basic guide to tickets, trains, buses, trams, airports and taxis, including information for those with special needs. For national travel, www.9292ov.nl provides a door-todoor itinerary. After delays due to security issues, it will be possible to travel with the new OV-chipkaart (www.ov-chipkaart.nl) in more and more places during 2009 till, eventually, all services should be using this smart-card system. Cards are issued anonymously or for a particular individual. You buy a pass (or 始load驶 it from a bank account) and swipe the ticket upon entering and leaving the bus, metro, or tram. You pay for the distance travelled, unlike the current zonal system, the paper strippenkart. With a strippenkart, a journey costs EUR 1.60 for one zone (two strips) and there are discounts for kids and pensioners or for multiple strips (15-45). You can stamp more than one person on a strippenkaart and it is valid for an hour, regardless of transfers between, say, metros and trams. Night buses have a separate strippenkaart. If your journey includes one or more transfers and one of the public transport companies is not yet ready for the OV-chipkaart, paying by OV-chipkaart means you would pay the boarding rate twice. In this case, it is cheaper to use strippenkaart for the the entire journey. In most regions, season tickets and strippenkaart will continue to be valid as long as the launch of the OV-chipkaart throughout the Netherlands has not been completed. Afterward, travel tickets other than the OV-chipkaart will gradually be cancelled. This will be announced in time, in the media and by the public transport companies. Strippenkaarten work by stamping the card, either yourself (in the small yellow machines) or more often by a conductor or driver, at the beginning of the journey. You stamp the card one more strip than the number of zones through which you are travelling. You may also stamp for more than one person on a single card, which will no longer be possible with the new OV-chipkaart. Cards are valid for one hour (or more depending on how many strips are stamped) from the time stamped, regardless of the number of journeys made. To find out how many zones you will be crossing, consult the route map posted in tram or bus shelters, or ask conductors. There are also season cards, which can be bought to cover the desired number of zones for a week, a month, or a year and are particularly useful for daily journeys. How to use the OV-chipkaart Special needs on the train and other public transport
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In many of the smaller towns, and the town-to-town bus services are also now offering off-peak (dal) tickets that are cheaper, ask the bus driver. Also, often tickets for large cultural events now include free transport; ask the ticket office for details. There are also Night Bus services in many of the larger urban area that have their own tickets and routes, check the public transport site for these. Trains The Nederlandse Spoorwegen (www.ns.nl) is the national train company running between all main cities. They offer season tickets and discounts for offpeak travel including the korting card which offers 40 percent off the price of tickets, not just for you but for up to three other people travelling with you. This is a bargain at EUR 55 a year. Many trains are double-deckers. Tickets are checked regularly and fines are heavy. For smaller cities, you can organise a treintaxi when you buy your train ticket: this is a shared door-to-door taxi service at a fixed price (EUR 4.30). As well as treintaxis and buses for local onward travel, more than 80 stations also now offer 'OV-fiets', or public transport bicycles. You must apply in advance for a pass, the OV-fietspass, which can also be bonded to your train discount card, or can be a separate pass. It will cost EUR 9.50 per year for membership and EUR 2.85 for each 20 hour period (or part thereof) which is automatically taken from the bank account number you provided when you joined, retrospectively. Treintaxis/taxis Taxis are expensive and not allowed to pick up people on the street except by reservation or at a taxi stand, look for the 'standplaats taxis' sign. In the larger cities, at bar closing times, you can sometimes flag one down. Look for one with the taxi sign lit. Note from Kira, Cosmo Polite: I advice to only make use of Taxi Central Amsterdam (TCA) taxis. I have had multiple bad experiences with nonorganized (independent) taxi drivers. Though taxi drivers will protest, you have the right to refuse a taxi, even when it is ʻfirst in lineʼ. The red sign on the TCA taxis reads: 7x7. All other signs reading ʻTCAʻ are not in use (anymore) and are probably stolen. Program the phone number of TCA in your phone: 020-777 77 77. Taxis in Amsterdam
About Expatica.com Expatica.com has everything you need to help you to build your life abroad. Find information about Dutch Public Transport, Healthcare, Employment and Education online. Go to the toolbox to ask experts questions, buy and sell in the classifieds section, find a job or home and even locate a business on the site. Visit Expatica.
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Single
EVENTS Saturday 13 February Valentine Speed Date Looking for love? Interested in making new friends? Meet the most eligible internationals at the Expatica / Cosmo Polite Speed Dating. Upon arrival, you will receive a list of the singles you will meet that evening. Once the dating starts, you will have three minutes to find a click with each single of the opposite sex. After each session, the men move on for the next dating round. You can then indicate whether youʼd like to stay in touch with your date by marking them on your list. After 25 dates, weʼll have a drink and give you the change to talk with that cutey till midnight. ... Valentineʼs Day .... we sort out the paper work and with any luck, you will find a match in your mailbox! We can only invite 25 gentlemen and 25 ladies to this event, so make sure that you RSVP quickly!
Date/Time Saturday 13 February, 19h45 Venue Caffe Esprit, Spui 10, Amsterdam Purchase your ticket online: www.expatica.com Sunday 14 February Valentineʼs Speed Date SENIOR Expatica and Cosmo Polite invites singles above 50 to its first Senior SpeedDate, taking place on Valentineʼs Day. Looking for love? Interested in making new friends? Then join us; donʼt miss out — true love could be waiting! Date/Time: Sunday 14 February, 19h45 Venue: Caffe Esprit, Spui 10, Amsterdam Purchase your ticket online: www.expatica.com Entrance fee: E35, includes two drinks
Current Expatica Speed Dating Matching Results •1 Baby •2 Marriages •2 Couples Living Together •many Relationships •little less many Break ups •many more Friendships February 2010 www.cosmo-polite.com page 16
Sunday 28 March Meet singles at Expatica始s Wine Mixer in Amsterdam Why not get together with wintery wines and bites in the heart of Amsterdam? We will introduce you to other singles and various wines in a stylish and relaxed environment on Sunday 28 March. You will be welcomed with a Cava to get in the mood to socialise with other singles. When the champagne flutes are empty, the first South African wine is served by a true wine connoisseur. After learning more about this white wine, we leave you to taste and enjoy it. You may also discuss your experiences with the others and write down your findings on the tasting forms available. From South Africa, we move on France for the second white wine. The two red wines that follow come from Australia and South Africa respectively. Each wine is paired with a delicious appetizer. The wine mixer is closed with a dessert wine and a chocolate bonbon. After each wine, you can move freely to join a new group of singles, ensuring you will have met all singles of the opposite sex in a stressfree setting. Afterwards, you may even wish to have dinner and get to know any particular someone you may have happened upon with another glass or two... We will arrange a table at a nearby restaurant just in case. Expatica will connect all guests via a private Facebook group after the event ... and you can take it from there! We can only invite 25 men and 25 women to this event. So RSVP quickly! Date & Time: Sunday, 28 March, 16h00 to 18h30 Location: Bubbles & Wines. Nes 37, Amsterdam Tickets: Tickets are EUR 40, which includes a welcome drink, four glasses of wine with appetizers, and a glass of dessert wine with a chocolate bonbon, and can only be ordered online.
Dating Events 2010 20 March Gay Speed Date - Amsterdam 27 March Speed Date - The Hague 28 March Wine Mixer - Amsterdam 17 April Dinner Mixer - Amsterdam 18 April Wine Mixer - Almere 24 Speed Date - Utrecht
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Dutch SOCIAL Culture The Dutch are generally friendly people. If you ask a stranger for directions heʼll be happy to help you. However, the direct way of communicating can border to rudeness in foreignersʼ eyes. Putting matters in an elegant way interferes with the Dutch values clarity and structure; surprises are not appreciated, rules are made in great detail and clear boundaries give great comfort to the Dutch. The Dutchʼ social life also has clear boundaries. For starters, work and home are kept separate. Some Dutch youʼll meet are happy to teach you things about The Netherlands and have a drink with you. Still, personal space and time are well protected. Social boundaries are not limited to foreigners and locals. The Dutch social life is circular; people keep their different groups of friends (e.g. the old high school friends and the friends from their sportsʼ club) separately. Only on birthdays may the members of the different groups of friends meet one another. The agenda helps the Dutch keeping their lives organized and wellplanned. Even for a coffee meet up do the Dutch take out their agenda to make the appointment. To get into a Dutch social circle of friends, requires an active attitude and patience. Going to a bar wonʼt help you to get in first contact with the Dutch; joining some kind of club will be a more fruitful effort to get connected. The Dutch enjoy sports, so joining a team sport might be a great way of meeting people. Friendships grow more slowly than elsewhere, yet Dutch friendships do characterize themselves with great loyalty and equality. Dutch Hospitality Dutch hospitality is not associated with food. Dinners are private family time, so also donʼt call Dutch people around dinner time (17h30-19h). When being invited over to someoneʼs home, youʼll be served coffee (or tea) with biscuits. It is custom to take one biscuit; only when the host offers you more biscuits, you may take another on. In other words, always wait to be served and donʼt help yourself.When youʼre the host, do offer your guests a second round of coffee as they wonʼt ask for a refill themselves. - source: Holland Handbook, 2008.
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DO give three kisses or a hand Greeting ritual for good friends & family Good female friends greet each other and men with three 3 air-kisses on the cheeks. Men greet other men with a handshake. The order: right cheek- left cheek - right cheek. Ladies initiate the ritual by placing their right cheek against the right cheek of the other person. An ʻair kissʼ is made; meaning, only the sound of a kiss is made. No lips actually touch the cheek of the other person! Ladies kiss both the gentlemen and women. Men shake hands with men.
DO be gezellig* [gurgle sound]-uh-SELL-lih-[gurgle sound] Gezellig is an untranslated Dutch adjective that is frequently used, even amongst the expats. Whatever is ʻgezelligʼ is what we like. Whatʼs Gezellig? - nice friends - spending time with nice friends - a cozy bar, especially when youʼre meeting your nice friends - Amsterdam Whatʼs ongezellig? - the situation when your friend needs to work and cannot meet you. - the friend that needs to work and cannot meet you. - a modern bar, especially when youʼre sitting there by yourself. - Rotterdam
friendly ambiance chatty ● comforting ● relaxing jolly ● vivacious ● general togetherness cheerful ● gemütlich ● chatty ● animated cozy ●
GEZELLIG ● nice
warm setting ● relaxing ● cozy atmosphere charming setting ● pleasant ambiance having a good time together ● airy kind ● sociable ● genial warm hearted
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Do’s & Don’ts ✦ DONʼT show up unexpectedly on your friendʼs doorstep. Visits are to be announced, preferably a day in advance. ✓ DO be on time when meeting your friend. It is a sign of respect to your friend, his agenda and your friendship in general. ✦ DONʼT discuss personal matters as political views, salaries and religion. ✓ DO go Dutch. The Dutch really do; everyone pays their share of the bill. It may happen that the bill is completely analysed to calculate everyoneʼs personal consumption. ✦ DONʼT take offense in the Dutchʼ humor, which often is sarcastic and or based on ʻSchadenfreudeʼ. Also, Dutch intonation and great, yet not perfect English language skills can easily make a joke more insulting than intended. ✓ DO bring pastries or a birthday cake for colleagues to your work if itʼs your birthday. ✦ DONʼT forget to congratulate all relatives of the birthday boy/girl; say, for example ʻcongratulations with your brother/cousin/mother/etc etcʼ. ✓ DO stand when someone is being introduced to you. Give a firm handshake and say your first and last name. ✦ DONʼT approach someone with your question. Rather, start of with 'Excuse me, may I ask you something?' February 2010 www.cosmo-polite.com page 20
Expats in Amsterdam The expatriates in Amsterdam are more easy to befriend. For starters, they all find themselves in a foreign town without family and friends ʻfrom back homeʼ. Secondly, the international ways of socializing allows it to meet and befriend people more easily and quickly. Yet again: you do need to get out there and put yourself in situations where you can meet people. There are numerous of expat groups in Amsterdam; e.g. the British society, International Womenʼs Club, Hash (running) club, etc. Google online expatriate groups and also on Facebook you can find groups of expatriates that are happy to have you amongst them.
Cosmo Polite Cosmo Polite is the only professionally run social club for internationally oriented men and women in Amsterdam. Most of us are in their 30s and enjoy socializing over a glass of wine. On this page youʼll find when and where weʼre meeting up and you are welcome to join us for a drink. Cosmo Polite HomePage
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Expat VOICES EXPATICA
How does the quality of life in the Netherlands compare to the quality of life in other countries that youʼve lived in? I think the Netherlands has the best quality of life of the countries I have lived in. There is a happy feeling around the country. Biking keeps you in shape and is very ecological. I moved from Toronto, so I changed the winter jacket for an umbrella.
Name: Jorge Aristizabal (Colombian/Canadian) City of residence: Amsterdam Occupation: Houseman Reason for moving to the Netherlands: Partnerʼs career Lived in the Netherlands for: since October 2008
Name: Anthony Hodge (US) City of residence: Amsterdam Occupation: Marketing & Communications Executive Reason for moving to the Netherlands: Followed parents here and came to study Lived in the Netherlands for: 6 ½ years
I think the Dutch have one of the highest levels of quality of life, because there is balance of people versus the land and environment. Sure, this takes a lot more government involvement and legislation and rules, but it works!
Expat Voices are online interviews published on Expatica.com Read the latest Expat Voice interview online. If you have a question for other expatriates or would like to discuss your expat experiences, join the Expatica community for free.
© Expatica.com
February 2010 www.cosmo-polite.com page 22
If the quality of life pertains only to material security, the contrast between Belgrade and Amsterdam is becoming less and less prominent over the last couple of years. Otherwise, you have the same chance to enjoy your life in the Balkans or the Netherlands, depending on where your priorities lie.
Name: Irena Ajdinovic (Serbian) City of residence: Amsterdam Occupation: PhD researcher Reason for moving to the Netherlands: PhD and relationship Lived in the Netherlands for: since September 2008 Name: Sanjay Chandak (Indian) City of residence: Amsterdam Occupation: Software engineer at ING Reason for moving to the Netherlands: Work Lived in the Netherlands for: since 2007
After working and spending two years in London, I would say life is quite comfortable here. Things are systematic and people follow the rules and law which is appreciated.
In South Africa I had a bigger house, bigger garden, more space and of course all my friends and family around me. I also had awesome weather and sunshine most of the year. But I was always concerned for my safety. Over here, space is limited but cleverly utilised. I do not worry about safety anymore, but I am lonelier than ever before.
Name: Lizelle Smit (South African) City of residence: Wageningen Occupation: Copywriter Reason for moving to the Netherlands: My partner was transferred. Lived in the Netherlands for: since January ʻ09
Find information about lifestyle, expat voices and blogs & photos on Expaticaʼs Life in the Netherlands
© Expatica.com
February 2010 www.cosmo-polite.com page 23
Baby goods Hema, V&D, Prénatal Books English Bookshop, ABC, Selexyz DIY Gamma, Formido, Praxis Electronics Mediamarkt, RAF Fresh foods A.Cuypmarket (Mon-Sat), Farmerʼs markt Garden& Terrace ʻtuincentrumʼ Intratuin
Shops FOR Everyday
Department stores ʻwarenhuisʼ Bijenkorf, V&D Household goods Blokker, Hema, V&D, Bijenkorf Knickkacks Blokker, Xenos Organic foods Marqt, Farmerʼs markt (Noordermarkt, Saturdays) Sports Perry Sport, Bever Outdoor Zwerfsport Stamps AH, Bruna Stationery Gebr. Winter, Hema, V&D 7/7 Supermarket AH on Dam and Museumplein, daily from 8am-10pm. Tickets Amsterdam Uitburo, Lastminute ticketshop Toy Shops Bart Smit, Intertoys February 2010 www.cosmo-polite.com page 24
Great DUTCH Products Kaasschaaf A perfect device to cut thin slices of cheese, which is put on a slice of bread at breakfast and at lunch.
Hagelslag
Bugaboo Bugaboo, headquartered in Amsterdam, are those trendy strollers that you see around the city streets, in the country side and even on the beach.
Bitterballen Don始t ask what they are, what始s inside, just eat it! One of the best are from Van Dobben, Korte Reguliersdwarsstraat 5
Chocolate sprinkles put on buttered bread.
Dutch Inventions 1. MICROSCOPE 2. TELESCOPE 3. PENDULUM CLOCK 4. ELECTROCARDIOGRAPH (ECG) 5. CD
Uber-Umbrella In a bike-loving and rainy country having an umbrella that doesn始t invert can be quite a necessity. The SENZ umbrella effortlessly slices through the wind, from a summer breeze to a heavy storm. Due to its smart design, the SENZ Original umbrella will not invert, and is windproof up to wind force 10! Available at: De Bijenkorf, Dam 1, Bever Zwerfport, Stadhouderskade 4.
6. SAWMILL 7. ROAD RULE ENFORCEMENT CAMERA 8. SUBMARINE 9. ARTIFICIAL KIDNEY 10. SENSEO, 1-cup at the time coffee machine
Bike Lights They might not be Dutch inventions, but do get them! It is compulsory to have bike lights on when biking in the dark. Make sure you始ll always have them with you by putting them on your key chain. Then they can also function as key hole finder and mini-torch. Hema, 2 for E5.50
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Cosmo Polite PHONE BOOK EMERGENCY NO.
112 Fire Service 020.555 66 66 Local Police 020.559 91 11 Medical Service 088.003 06 00 Emergency road ass. 0800.08 88 Services Access Expat Helpline (10h-16h, free) 020.423 32 17 Telephone Directory 1888 Taxi 020.777 77 77
Gas, water, electricity Essent 088.851 10 00 NUON 0900.08 08 (press 1, then 3) Internet UPC 1580
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✂
Lost or Stolen Cards American Express 020.504 86 66 Diners Club 020.654 55 11 Eurocard/Mastercard 030.283 55 55 Visa Card 0800.022 31 10
Cosmo Polite SHOPPING LIST ❒ bread - brood ❒ cereals - cornflakes ❒ rusk - beschuit ❒ pasta - pasta ❒ rice - rijst ❒ flour - bloem ❒ butter - boter ❒ cheese - kaas ❒ yoghurt - yoghurt ❒ jam - jam ❒ choc. sprinkles - hagelslag ❒ salt - zout ❒ pepper - peper ❒ spices - kruiden ❒ sugar - suiker ❒ sweetener - zoetjes ❒ honey - honing ❒ oil - olie ❒ vinegar - azijn ❒ mustard - mosterd ❒ eggs - eieren ❒ cream - room / creme fraiche
vegetables - groenten ❒ lettuce - sla ❒ cucumber - komkommer ❒ tomato - tomaat ❒ onion - ui ❒ garlic - knoflook ❒ beans - bonen ❒ potatoes - aardappelen ❒ leek - prei ❒ cauliflower - bloemkool ❒ carrot -wortel ❒ spinach - spinazie
drinks - dranken ❒ coffee - koffie ❒ tea - thee ❒ milk - melk ❒ softdrinks - frisdranken* ❒ beer - bier* ❒ wine - wijn ❒ biscuits - koekjes ❒ cake - taart ❒ chocolate - chocolade ❒ candy - snoep ❒ nuts - noten / borrelnootjes ❒ cleaning products - schoonmaak artikelen ❒ dishwashing detergent - afwasmiddel / vaatwas blokjes (tablets) ❒ washing powder - wasmiddel ❒ plastic wrap - plastic folie ❒ alum. foil - alum. folie ❒ soap - zeep ❒ toothpaste - tandpasta ❒ shampoo - shampoo ❒ toilet paper - wc papier ❒ flowers - bloemen ❒ candles - kaarsen
✂
meat & fish - vlees & vis ❒ beef - rundvlees ❒ pork - varkensvlees ❒ veal - kalfsvlees ❒ chicken - kip(penvlees) ❒ salmon - zalm ❒ cod - kabeljauw ❒ tuna - tonijn ❒ trout - forel ❒ shrimps -garnalen
fruit - fruit ❒ apple - appel ❒ pear - pear ❒ orange - sinaasappel ❒ banana - banaan ❒ grapes - druiven ❒ lemon - citroen
❒______________________________ ❒______________________________ ❒______________________________ ❒______________________________ ❒______________________________ *don’t forget to return the bottles to receive your bottle deposit back (‘statiegeld’)
February 2010 www.cosmo-polite.com page 27
BOOKS & THE CITY Here's Holland by Sheila Gazaleh-Weevers, Shirley Agudo and Connie Moser provides expats and visitors of all ages and interests with a unique insight into Holland's treasures and pleasures, it's culture and customs. Families and international business people transferring to, or already living in Holland, will also find invaluable tips and advice regarding life in this tiny but fascinating country.
A Dictionary of Dutchness by DutchNews.nl Based on the popular column on the DutchNews.nl website and newspaper, A Dictionary of Dutchness is a handy-sized paperback with over 400 short and snappy entries which unravel the acronyms, abbreviations and jargon of everyday life in the Netherlands.
The Undutchables by Colin White and Laurie Boucke A very revealing treatise about the Dutch that has been selfcategorized by the publisher as "non-fiction/humour". The authors have looked much farther than wooden shoes and tulips. Even the way they stir sugar in their coffee has not escaped their notice. Everything in it is true, and only the humor with which it is written makes it at all palatable for the Dutch themselves.
Holland Handbook by Xpat.nl This handbook offers 256 full-color pages of essential information for the expatriate on all aspects of living and working in the Netherlands such as career, fiscal issues, health care, housing, insurance, international education, registration and telecommunications.
February 2010 www.cosmo-polite.com page 28
Amsterdam: The Brief Life of a City by Geert Mak A great book about the city's soul, part history, part travel guide. This story-telling book was a huge hit among the Dutch. Based on the popular column on the DutchNews.nl website and newspaper, A Dictionary of Dutchness is a handy-sized paperback with over 200 short and snappy entries which unravel the acronyms, abbreviations and jargon of everyday life in the Netherlands.
Excerpt from Blog COSMO-POLITE.COM/BLOG/BOOKS Brownies and Tea at The English Book shop. The English Bookshop is my favourite book shop in Amsterdam; it is friendly, personal and there is a bell hanging above the door, ringing happily when you step into the store. The cozy basement boasts checkered English sofaʼs, which are perfect for enjoying the chocolate brownies, freshly ground coffee or Rooibos Tea. The only thing I am missing is a fireplace and a sleeping Labrador at my feet! The Southafrican owner Liesl can order any book you wish, yet I am always amazed how many books she has managed to store in her picturesque shop. The English Bookshop, Lauriergracht 71 (Jordaan). Opening hours: Tue-Sat 11am-6pm.
ABC and itʼs Treehouse. The largest ʻEnglishʼ literary institution in Amsterdam is the American Book Centre. Besides a wide range of books, they host numerous self-development activities ranging from writing clinics and yoga classes to Hello Kitty book signing and open mike nights. American Book Centre, Spui 12. Opening hours: Mon 11am-7pm, Tue-Sat 10am-8pm, Thu till 9pm, Sun 11am-6.30pm.
Waterstoneʼs If the American style is not your cup of tea, try Waterstoneʼs, a four story bookshop with a welcoming, traditional ambiance. Waterstoneʼs, Kalverstraat 152. Mon 10am- 6pm, TueFri 9.30am–6pm, Thu till 9pm, Sat 10am-6.30pm, Sun 11am-6pm.
The Book Exchange is specialized in used English books and has acquired quite a stock (80.000 titles) over the past 30 years. The Book Exchange, Kloveniersburgwal 58, Opening hours: Mon-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun: 11.30am-16.00pm Read about book markets on www.cosmo-polite.com/blog/books Happy reading! Kira
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Great AMSTERDAM Great AMSTERDAM Services Services Dutch health care General health care is high but non-interventionist in nature. Two health care providers that are highly popular amongst Amsterdam expats are Dentist Practice Dennis van der Hoeve www.dennisverhoevetandarts.nl Expat Doctor Bloemgracht guy Emergency Number 112
Expat Information www.expatica.com Expatica provides daily news, features and essential information to help internationals settle into their new country of residence: how to find a job or housing, information on the local health and education systems, how to start a business or deal with pension plans in your adopted country. Annually, Expatica produces a Survival Guide for specific countries to give internationals on the ground the best of the site in a comprehensive and easy-to-use format.
Rental Housing There are many housing agencies on the market. Find below three agencies who are reliable and provide excellent service. Min. rent E1200 pm. Intermediairies CapitalLocations.com GrandRelocation.nl Portal for (service) apartments Apartments-for-Rent.com
(semi) Private Language Tutors Talencoach www.talencoach.nl Zoos Onderwijs www.zoosonderwijs.nl
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Pet Sitting dogs / cats / bunnies / birds / reptiles • • • •
Doggie day care centre Daily dog walks Behavioral correction Pet feeding and waste disposal
Basket & Bones, Leidseplein, T. 06.292 29 00
Beauty & Relaxation Cosmo Polite Members help other Members. Amongst our members we count a - Guy with a sloep (Aʼdam boat) -Lady who enjoys babysitting pets during your absence - Lady who organizing bachelorette (and other) parties. We also share recommendations for cleaners and handymen, etc.
Hairfashion by Leo Best hairdresser in town Rokin 105 T. 4232002 Cybersalon Hair- & Beauty salon Gravenstraat 22,T.3300662 Spa Zuiver Spa, Saunas & Massage Koenenkade 8 T. 301 07 10 Koan Float Floating & Massage Herengracht 321 T. 5550333
Expat Services Lifestyle Management Time of your Life www.timeofyourlife.nl
Corpus Rub Massage Van Breestraat 72hs T. 4165055
Your Company in the Cosmo Polite City Guide? Expat Tax Advisor OnestopTax Pat www.onestoptaxprep.nl
Cosmo Polite is an independent company that continuously looks for other service-providing quality companies. If you think your company deserves a mentioning on this page, please contact Kira at kira@cosmo-polite.com.
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Amsterdam winter Snapshots by Mehul Derodra
Event AGENDA
Thursday 4 February Disco Bowling >> Sunday 7 February Go-Karting >> Saturday 13 February Valentine始s Speed Date >> Sunday 14 February Senior Speed Date invitation > Thursday 18 February February Expat Drinks >> Friday 19 February Tuscany Wine Tasting Dinner >> Thursday 25 February Tapas Dinner >> Thursday 11 March Expat Drinks >> Sunday 14 March Cheese & Wine Tasting >> Thursday 18 March Southafrican Dinner >> Sunday 28 March Spring Wine Mixer >> February 2010 www.cosmo-polite.com page 32