I remember raising my eyebrows when I first heard that question. I was viewing rental properties at the time with one of my expat clients. The house was not furnished and without any linen. I simply could not imagine what one could do in a bathroom while visiting an empty house. Did my client want … Continued

It was extremely irritating in September 2012 to watch my husband and two sons head off to the polling station to cast their votes in the general election. There I was; a taxpayer, a homeowner and an entrepreneur with no vote, simply because after 30 years, I still don’t see why I should stop being … Continued

On the odd occasion when frigid temperatures and snow hit the Netherlands, you are sure to hear Dutch people grumbling about how cold it is, how the snow is slowing down trains, how flights are not taking off from Schiphol airport and how long it took them to get to work – but secretly they … Continued

I’ve read that a positive mental attitude can boost your health. Dutch research seems to have concluded it’s better to admit we’re all dying. Perhaps it’s because many Dutch people pride themselves on their directness. Back home I learned, “Don’t talk about religion and politics in mixed company”. Here, it’s not uncommon to start a … Continued

Have you ever been to one of those Dutch historical museums, where you can see Dutch classrooms as they existed years ago? I visit one every day. It’s called ‘My Kid’s School.’ While Dutch society may be progressive in many ways, Education is not always one of them. I was watching a speech at the … Continued