No fanny pack and sprinkles for Dutch holidaymakers
The Dutch summer holidays have already started and most of the preparations have been made. But how prepared are the Dutch and what are they taking with them? Almost everyone is familiar with the cliché image of the Dutch tourist with zip-off trousers, the belt bag and a suitcase full of Dutch cheese, licorice and chocolate sprinkles.
But research from MasterCard shows that clichés are not always correct: we don't bring our own pillow and toppings en masse, but instead throw ourselves into the adventure and immerse ourselves in the local culture. More than 70 percent of the surveyed holidaymakers indicate that they prefer to be surprised on holiday.
Except when it comes to money of course! Because although people can always count on their debit card abroad, 77 percent of the respondents still take extra cash with them. And that while 98 percent indicate that they are not at all afraid that paying with a debit card will not work on holiday.
Internet greater loss than family & friends
Just because we leave our familiar things at home doesn't mean we don't miss them. Number one of trusted things we crave abroad? A good internet connection! 79 percent say they miss access to the digital highway. Not far behind are your own bed (78 percent) and friends and family (69 percent). In any case, we can do without our neighbours, liquorice and the newspaper for a while: 84, 82 and 80 percent respectively say they do not miss these three things at all.
The same trusted payment convenience as at home
While the Dutch pay very carefree with a debit card in their own country, they are still unsure about this when on holiday. About 32 percent indicate that they also withdraw a large amount of cash upon arrival at the holiday destination. That is not necessary, because with the Maestro debit card you can go to more than 15 million shops all over the world as a Dutch person. If you stay within the Eurozone, paying with your card is also free. Are you traveling outside the Eurozone? Then paying with your debit cards is cheaper than converting to foreign currency.
Men vs. women
Confidence in debit cards appears to be greater among men than among women. While women are slightly more likely to withdraw a lot of money in one go (36 vs. 28 percent), men prefer to wave their credit card (30 vs. 20 percent). In addition, women have more difficulty missing their own pillow (65 vs. 48 percent) and men are more concerned about traffic jams and delays on the road (58 vs. 40 percent). Fortunately, we often agree with each other, because both men and women adjust their eating habits and watch less television during their holiday abroad.
There are also differences between the Northern and Southern Netherlands. For example, travelers from the Northern Netherlands take their credit card on holiday less often, they find it more annoying to spend too much money on average and they are more concerned about the progress of the trip. People from the south of the Netherlands, on the other hand, take less cash with them and are more annoyed by crying babies on the plane.
I also think those fanny packs are horrible things and I never thought I would ever walk with them, but they are so incredibly easy, instead of stuffing your pockets full of money, cigarettes, lighter, passport (OID) you now stuff it all in your I think hip bag, pouch bag or belt bag is a better name, just not such a huge thing, put on a slightly loose shirt and make sure it falls under that, then it won't be so noticeable, by the way I'll take those things I only take it with me when I travel, if I just stay on the island everything is in the safe, I'm quite ashamed of that thing and never expected to ever walk with it, but they are so easy.
I don't commit the rest of the clichés and certainly no zip-off pants, an adult man in short or 3/XNUMX length pants and sandals (sometimes with white socks) I find completely laughable, especially when you visit family or in walking the city and visiting attractions or official institutions, a little smart clothing is generally appreciated.
The 1st thing I can spare is internet in the room and the last money and credit and passport.
What also strikes me is that every tourist can be recognized by the eternal bottle of water that he/she carries with him and that most people leave their good manners at home.
Yours faithfully,
Lex K.
Drink water all day long so indeed always have that 'eternal' bottle of water with me and as soon as it is empty there is always a 7/11 nearby to replace it with a full one. Nothing is more delicious than a cold bottle of water with that warm weather, moreover it also has favorable properties, especially because of that warm weather, which I do not want to tire you with.
Incidentally, it is not only tourists, but also the many expats who walk around in hideous zip-off trousers, sandals, with or without white socks, often also with a sleeveless shirt from a Thai beer brand, but that aside. 😉
Agree with you that those fanny packs are terrible things, but despite being so easy, I don't even want to be found dead with them.
There are of course plenty of shops that cannot accept debit cards at all. But withdrawing money with cards with Maestro is not always successful, despite the fact that the logo is on almost every payment terminal and that I can also withdraw money with those cards outside Europe. Recently in Burma (Myamar).
Visa always works, but there are often some costs involved.
and men make traffic jams and delays on the road more of a problem (58 vs. 40 percent). ”
I think it must have been a general investigation. A follow-up question to this is “Do you drive yourself (too)?” . For example, I can imagine that if you are behind the wheel yourself, traffic jams will become more of an annoyance than if you are a passenger in the car, and even less so if you are stuck in a traffic jam in a comfortable bus. I'm guessing that on holidays within Europe it is often the man who travels the most (or sometimes even only the man) and therefore more men indicate in absolute numbers that they are annoyed by traffic jams, while proportionally the figures can be very different (for example, than men and women who are themselves behind the wheel are annoyed by traffic jams).
“Are you traveling outside the Eurozone? Then paying with your debit cards is cheaper than converting to foreign currency.”
Exchanging a large amount in large denominations in one go (not at the airport!) was actually slightly cheaper than ATM, debit card or frequent exchanges, right?
Such a lovely waist bag. I've been going on a (flying) holiday with one of these for decades. Always all important things "on the man" (it will be my military tap). Passport, pen, sweets, phone, cigarette, papers; everything at hand. If I have to fill in the visa paper on the plane: open the zipper and everything is within reach. I see dozens of people on the plane looking for their carry-ons, taking half out for pens and other items, then cramming everything back in, only to find their place in storage taken by another bag. I can always keep my bag with me and I don't have to store it above me during the flight. Everything in safe hands. (certainly considering the coverage of thefts on the plane)
It looks bad! It'll be a pain for me. Some people don't look good without such a bag! Me neither, by the way, so there is no difference: with or without a bag.
You will also never see me walking with a bottle of water, other than to water plants. If there is a 7/11 on every corner, you don't have to. Plus, it's piss lukewarm in your hand in minutes and only good enough to throw over your head. It is also quintessentially American. Recently saw a neat American swimming with a mug of coffee in her hand. And just swim and try to keep that mosquito above water. If you're talking about turn offs.
When I see some feet passing by, I sometimes think: had put on socks! Green, red or even white: put on socks!
It also surprises me that so many people are walking around here in shorts and sandals. At these temperatures, long trousers (preferably wool) and wellies are much better. And then of course also a balaclava over your head. Some people look much better that way! Don't forget those sunglasses on top of your head, you won't look good otherwise!