What I Disliked in the Netherlands

What I don't like about the Netherlands

This is a very short list, because I truly love the Netherlands. It is my favourite country to live in so far.

Ready?

Number 1. Stairs!

The Dutch have amazing architects, simply look at the amazing Rotterdam or read about their whole system against floods. They are true innovators. But somehow these geniuses fail when it comes to one simple thing: staircases. The Dutch seem to have troubles with designing stairs, and it goes way back. The old Dutch houses have terrible staircases and hallways. First, they are too narrow. Secondly, the stairs are way too steep. Thirdly, the thread depth is too small, I have to walk up and down the staircase with my averagely sized feet turned sideways.

Nowadays, the staircases are not narrow, but I still come across those that makes climbing up and down feel very unnatural, for example the 'rise height' is too low or too high.

Why, Dutchies, why? Stairs aren't that difficult, inquire any other country.

''Stairway to hell''

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Obviously, this issue attracted the attention of other expats as well.

Number 2. Toilet seats

This one is a tricky to explain, actually an awkward one to explain at best. So, you know how the toilet seats have that exit filled with water where your products go? Well, it’s not quite so in the Netherlands. Their toilet seats have of course that ‘exit filled with water’ very close to the front side of the seat. The back side is, well I heard someone call it ‘’inspection shelf’’. Basically the back part is designed so that it’s high and that all your ‘’products’’ stay there on the pedestal.

Here is some visual aid:

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Number 3. NS Ticket Machines

When I recently wrote this post I couldn't think of a third thing that I really dislike about the Netherlands. My sister's trip to Belgium changed that. She is flying to the Netherlands, and then taking a train to Belgium, I am planning her trip for her. I'm explaining to her where to buy which tickets, where to change stations, etc.

I've mentioned this point in my post about the train and OV system in the Netherlands, but here it is again... Travelling by train is possible with the OV chipcard with a minimun of 20 euros balance on it, or by buying the tickets online or at the station. All three options are tourist, at least non-EU tourist, unfriendly.

Problem with the OV chipcards is that they can be purchased and the money loaded on it on the NS ticket machines. The catch is, the payment is only possible with coins or credit cards. For a non-EU card holder there is probably a bank conversion fee. As for payment with coins, it's not likely that somebody will have 20 euros in coins by him or herself. Buying tickets online is only possible with Dutch online payment system called iDeal which is only for Dutch credit cards. Lastly, when buying with cash at the Service and Tickets office, there is a 1 euro surcharge.

What I imagine as fixes are:

• Make payment (for loading the OV as well as buying single tickets) with banknotes possible
• Place some machines that break banknotes into coins.

It would really make transportation easier for travelers.

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