Stuff Dutch People Like

In this episode Colleen and Allard are looking back through history at all the cool shit the Dutch invented! And we aren't talking deep fried snacks my friends, we are taking MASSIVE life-changing inventions.

Who invented essentially all the major tech developments of the last century?? The Dutch! Are you currently reading this on that little magical device in your hand? Well guess what, it couldn't do half the stuff it does without our cheese-loving Lowland friends!

Come take a deep dive into history with us, and we promise we'll have you laughing along the way as well!

P.S. Allard and Colleen make a surprise call to a special guest this week, to find out where Allard went wrong with his NorthAmerican/Dutch culture clast!

The fans have been sending in A LOT of questions and Colleen and Allard finally sit down and randomly select a few to answer. The results? Hi-larious, of course!

From questions about Dutch weddings, the cost-of-living, how much money Amsterdammers really make and Dutch toilet habits (eeww), our listeners have questions and luckily Allard and Colleen have answers!

Ever wondered why Dutch people are so poorly portrayed on TV & Film? Allard has a theory! Plus, have you heard Matt Damon speak Dutch. Our hosts are seriously impressed!!

(Oh, and don't miss some very "direct" criticism of both Allard and Colleen's podcast habits. This one is worth a gasp!)

In this episode Allard and Colleen re-visit one of the most talked about topics surrounding Dutch culture: directness! And guess what? Allard finally is starting to understand what all the fuss is about!

From Allard's recent experiences at a Dutch circle party, to Colleen's endless anecdotes of the Dutch blurting out whatever is on their minds, tune in to hear how they handle it!

Oh and find out that one Dutch letter Colleen still has a hard time pronouncing! Doei!

Colleen and Allard are back from their North American travels, but they do have a few things they wish the Dutch would learn from overseas! From the seemingly trivial 'doggie bag' to washers and dryers that ACTUALLY WORK, the SDPL duo has questions and WANTS answers!

Next up, Colleen is utterly baffled when her kids request a 'dropping' in a Canadian forest. She learns (to her huge amazement) that her own daughter was 'dropped' in the Netherlands in the middle of the night at school camp. Allard is of course totally unfazed about this wild Dutch tradition and has a few stories of his own! What the what?! Tune in and find out!

Guys, Colleen and Allard are finally back for another season!! Where the heck were they!? Well in Alaska and Canada, of course!

In this season's first episode the've got a ton of dirt to discuss from their recent travels; everything from good old North American manners (Allard finally gets it!) to Lazy-Boyz (peak ugly comfort), North American fridges (as big as an Amsterdam studio) and the one food item Colleen always brings back in her suitcase (think: meat in a bag)!

You asked and we delivered! Yes it's our season finale, and yes we have decided to discuss, debate and devour a whole new round of Dutch deep-fried delights!

In between mouthfuls Allard and Colleen discuss this last season, the highs the lows and listeners feedback!

Of course, they drift off topic and end back up on some new Dutch expressions and an entirely new Dutch word for Colleen "Bokito-proof" (say what?!). Tune in for the last episode of Season 2....and don't blame us if you leave hungry for more!

In this episode Colleen and Allard discuss the hauntings of Amsterdam! Take a trip back through Amsterdam's dark past and find out on which streets you may hear a few extra screams in the night! From Bloedstraat (Blood Street) to Spooksteeg (Ghost Alley), Amsterdam has creepy secrets at every turn.

Of course, Allard and Colleen both have a few ghost stories of their own to share. Allard casually shares how he grew up in a real-life 'poltergeist house' and Colleen tells us about the crazy thing she did to avoid a curse from a psychic!

The plan is to go on Amsterdam's ghost tour, put these stories to the test and report back! Until then.....boo!

After a short (and unannounced!) hiatus, Allard and Colleen are back! Find out what has been keeping them both super busy the last 2 months and what their loyal listeners had to say about it!

In this episode Colleen and Allard discuss what it means to 'feel at home' somewhere, and how certain cities immediately give you energy while others suck you dry! Allard is curious to hear if Colleen, as a transplanted Canadian truly feels at home in the Netherlands surrounded by all these Dutchies!

Is the Netherlands a hard place to integrate? Are international’s lonelier in Amsterdam than elsewhere? Can you be homesick for a city that’s not “yours”? And ultimately, what does "home" really mean?

In this episode Allard and Colleen enter new territory: Stuff Dutch People Hate! Together they've made a list of the top ten 'pet peeves' of the Dutch --everything from terrible tourists on bikes to being confused for Germans (oops)! Colleen joins in the rant fest mostly agreeing with all the Dutch dislike, apart from their distain of spontaneity and queuing (common guys, even children can behave better in lines!!)

Curious what the Dutch really think about being on time, or their local celebrities? Tune in and join in the moaning and groaning -- after-all, it is the national past time!

Allard has finally got his episode where he can talk about sex….while kinda ;)

On this episode Colleen and Allard discuss how the Dutch truly have no shame. Whether it comes to sex on television, peeing in public or openly discussing their bathroom (and bedroom!) habits, the Dutch seem to have much less shame than their North American counterparts!

Colleen and Allard discuss the butt-naked Dutch sauna and Colleen’s first humiliating experience (who knew you could do naked wrong?!). Colleen is impressed with the Dutch approach to sex education and nudity and utterly fascinated with the Dutch tv show Gewoon Bloot (completely naked adults onstage answering unscripted questions from kids about their bodies), while Allard thinks that the sex scenes in Dutch movies are far too harsh.

From their lack of hand-washing to nose-picking, Colleen and Allard discuss how --and why-- the Dutch feel so darn comfortable in their skin!

In this episode Colleen and Allard discuss what it is like to live in a country with so much history.  They reminisce while sharing their favourite stories and offer some tips on how and when to see the best hidden secrets of Amsterdam (hint: Open Garden Days). 

And surprise: Colleen has a pop quiz for Allard on some utterly odd Dutch expressions!  Can he recognise the English versions of famous Dutch idioms and translate them in time?! From "I go dead" to "doing it for bacon and beans"...and "dick black" (oh my!!), Colleen learns a whole slew of wacky new Dutch expressions she didn't know before! 

Lastly, Allard wants to quiz Colleen on whether she actually ever gets outside of her beloved Amsterdam. Spoiler alert: she's been places!! ;)

Colleen and Allard are back with another episode on all thing Dutch culture! This time, it's one of Colleen's favourite topics: the Dutch wedding! Yes, my friends, the Dutch do wedding *very* differently than North Americans.  As you can imagine we talk money as Dutchies maintain their stereotypical "thriftiness" right up to the altar!

Want to know why the Dutch don't do wedding planners? (hint: they force their friends to do it for free). Why do the Dutch marry so late? What's the average cost of a wedding in the US vs the Netherlands (hint: we are talking a differences of tens of thousands!) And lastly, what does Colleen ADORE about Dutch weddings? It ain't all bad! :) Allard also puts out a call to listeners: if you are having a big North-American style wedding, he wants to be there!! 

(..and ps. Colleen is allergic to winter in Holland. So she sounds even more nasal than normal ;)

In this episode Allard gets to ask all his questions about one of his favourite North-American mysteries: highschool!  Is it really like what the Dutch saw growing up on TV and the movies? From yellow school buses, to jocks, cheerleaders, school dances and prom - Colleen and Allard discuss what makes the Dutch highschool experience sooo completely different from that of North America.

And yes, there are lots of 90201 references (cause that's how Dutchies think it all was like), silly anecdotes and general confusion (why do American highschoolers drink from those big red plastic cups?!).

Tune in and don't forget to keep sending us all your questions and topics! We love hearing from you. xo

In this episode Allard and Colleen discuss all things Dutch healthcare - including their own blunders and some (painfully!) awkward encounters with Dutch doctors. 

Why do expats and foreigners have such a hard time getting used to the Dutch healthcare system, and could the Dutch huisarts (GP) simply be replaced by a Paracetamol dispenser?! 

Both Colleen and Allard have had their fair share of hospital visits, but find out why they both think 'Dutch directness' and health can either go to together really well....or spectacularly badly!

Happy 2023! On this episode Allard and Colleen talk houses and the notable differences between Dutch and North American design. Why is there so much carpet in America?! What is with all the wooden kitchen cupboards, leather couches, and the national obsession with countertops?! (Spoiler: no one cares if it's marble/granite/godknowswhat).

Didn't think the differences were that big? Think again! Colleen and Allard talk about their pet peeves including the HUGE ASS fridges of America vs the teeny-tiny minibar-esque fridges of Amsterdam, decorative bed pillows (Colleen is guilty of this!), and the Dutch tradition of keeping their curtains open for all to see!

Spoiler: Allard decided to bring Tequila to the show - and all of a sudden Colleen CAN'T CONTROL herself!

To end the episode, Allard presents Colleen with yet another 'Dutch mystery item'.....a necessary tool found in ALL Dutch kitchens! Can you guess what it is?!

Allard and Colleen are back bright-eyed and bushy-tailed for a new season of Stuff Dutch People Like!  And what better than jumping right into the most beloved Dutch holiday season?! That's right - Sinterklaas! As promised, this season will have its fair share of guests. This episode welcome Charlotte Bouman, a long-time friend of Allard, who just happens to have something in common with Mister Sint himself. 

Allard, Colleen and Charlotte get down to business discussing everything from Sint's sweet treats ('borstplaat' anyone?), to Piets, pakjes and pepernotten! 

Join us in celebrating the season when nearly all Dutchies finally have a smile on their (formerly black)face. Long live the Sint! 

(p.s. don't tell Allard we started the episode with a blooper! When will he be able to pronounce the name of our show?! )

On the Season Finale of Stuff Dutch People Like, Allard has a surprise for Colleen: a table covered in Dutch snacks (aka deep fried delights!). This is Colleen's official 'inburgering' (integration) exam! Has she been paying attention to Allard's description of his favorite snacks -- and more importantly, as a non-Dutchie, what will she rank each one?!

Warning: if you don't like listening to people talk with their mouths full, lick their fingers or "ohhh and ahh" over food - this episode might not be for you! ;)

On this double episode, Allard takes Colleen down a Dutch culinary journey from Patatje Oorlog to the beloved Frikandel. Can they finally agree on the superiority of Dutch snacks? In between some finger-licking, they discuss the highlights of the season, read some fan mail and share what their listeners liked the most --and the least! (Find out what Colleen said that had over 300 people send her messages of disapproval!)

In this episode Colleen and Allard discuss money and how the Dutch are different when it comes to their spending and lending habits. What's up with Dutch credit cards? Why are there no 'real' credit cards in this country? ...and more importantly: are the Dutch truly as cheap as everyone says or is it just practicality? Colleen and Allard agree it's likely somewhere in the middle....but don't get Colleen starting about the Dutch and their stingy gift giving habits! 

From extreme couponing to the Dutch obsession with 'zegels', the Dutch generosity for charity and avoiding debt - they go there.

Be warned: Allard insists on eating hagelslag and Calve peanut butter throughout the entire episode....just proving he is a walking, talking Dutch stereotype! ;)

On this episode, Allard and Colleen discuss what makes the Dutch "unique" when it comes to vacations and holidays. Which countries do the Dutch visit the most? How do they travel? And how the heck do they afford SO many holidays abroad?

They talk caravans, the differences between Dutch camping and North American camping...and how any self-respecting Dutchie would never leave home without their peanut butter, potatoes and hagelslag! A quirky comfort blanket, a cheap habit or simply practicality? Tune in to find out what our hosts really think!

...and lastly, a topic that utterly baffles Colleen's mind (and which Allard never even considered!): the Dutch obsession with Donald Duck! How did it start? And why are grown-men taking subscriptions en masse, to this comic?

This episode concludes with Allard explaining yet another Dutch snack: the Mexicano, which actually has nearly nothing in common with its namesake. Go figure!

On this episode Allard and Colleen discuss the Dutch language --in particular, Dutch people's love of idioms and expressions! Colleen explains how understanding the Dutch language is one thing, but mastering ALL the Dutch expressions (and their befuddling meanings!) could truly take a lifetime. 

So which expressions cause the most confusion for foreigners? Colleen challenges Allard on a few of her favourites, and Allard tries (hopelessly?) to make sense of them! What do cows, wind, rain and 'angel piss' have in common? Tune in, to find out! 

On this episode, Colleen and Allard discuss Dutch working culture; Allard wants to know if it really is as different as foreigners say it is, and Colleen is here to answer with a big "hell YES"! 

But the big question is: are the Dutch slackers? They work the least amount of hours in Europe, have tons of holidays and seem to be home on time for the school pick-up. How do they do it? 

With their love of meetings and lack of hierarchies, Colleen and Allard discuss the pros and cons of working in a Dutch office. Colleen's used to it now, but Allard sometimes wishes the Dutch worked a bit more like the Americans!

The episode concludes with Allard's favourite topic: Dutch snacks! This time he wants to talk milkshakes and fries. Oh...and who could forget mayo!!!

This episode starts with Colleen and Allard discussing the Dutch seasons; they both can agree that spring in the Netherlands is the bomb. But Dutch summer? Often a tragedy. Somehow they end up on the 'elfstedentocht' and the Netherlands best cookie (hint: it is NOT the stroopwafel).

They then launch into their full assault of Dutch 'fashion' (think strips, red pants and bad jeans), before trying hopelessly to figure out who is responsible for the female red spiky mullet and WHY is it a thing?! Are white leggings back (please say no), and how do you spot a Dutchie on vacation?

Finally Allard talks Dutch Chinese food...or does he? Colleen wants to know how (and why) 'bami' and 'nasi' somehow got into the mix. A bamihap? Never heard of it, but we are willing to give it a try!

In this episode, Allard and Colleen discuss the Dutch kitchen. Allard proclaims his love for all things mashed, boiled and fried - and tries (hopelessly) to explain to Colleen the difference between Ketchup and Ketjap, the merits of all the Dutch 'spreads', and why Kale is not cool. At least they can agree on Filet Americain....or can they?

Things takes a turn for the worst when they start discussing the Dutch and their toilet habits. Make.it.stop.

The episode concludes with a confession from Colleen....guess what Dutch delight she ate last week and LOVED? Did she make Allard proud? Allard challenges Colleen to try something even better....

In this episode, Colleen and Allard discuss biking in the Netherlands. We all know the Dutch love to bike, but what's it really like to live in a city that's always on two wheels? Why does Colleen hate e-bikes so much? And why are Allard's bikes *constantly* getting stolen?

Our two hosts somehow move on to an equally fascinating topic: Dutch flirting...or lack thereof. Finally something Allard and Colleen can both agree on! And lastly, what about the tradition of the Dutch three kisses? Is Allard a fan? Is it a lost art? Has Colleen come to embrace it?

This week's star of the 'snack segment' is the Kaassoufflé. Yet another Dutch deep-fried delight that both Colleen and Allard can get behind...but watch out, it may just leave you injured. 

Allard wants to talk about 'gezellig'. Does Colleen, a Canadian, truly understand what it means? Is there really no English translation?....and more importantly, does Colleen agree with her Dutch doctor that giving birth can even be 'gezellig'?
The episode also covers the odd springtime tradition of 'Rokjesdag', the Dutch love of complaining, and how Allard thinks a good cup of coffee can solve just about any problem.
Like always, the episode concludes with Allard's favourite topic, and this time a test for Colleen: can she properly describe a Frikandel Speciaal?

Colleen and Allard dive deep into Dutch traditions, starting with the infamous Dutch Birthday Party. What is a kringfeestje? Why do you have to bring cake to work in the Netherlands, every year, on your OWN birthday? Why does Colleen have such a problem with the Dutch kraambezoek? Why do Dutch grown adults eat sprinkles on their bread in this country?!
The episode concludes with a discussion on the Kapsalon and Paatje Oorlog (both fries!), while Allard hopelessly continues to try to impress Colleen with Dutch snack-culture.

Colleen and Allard kick off the very first episode of the Stuff Dutch People Like podcast with an investigation into Dutch directness. Are the Dutch really as direct as people say they are? What do the Dutch themselves think of this honesty? And why is it such a faux-pas to brag in this country!?

Colleen and Allard conclude the episode with an explanation of the Dutch kroket and bitterballen while pondering the rituals around Dutch snack-culture.