The majority of the Dutch experience stress when looking for the ideal last minute holiday. About 66% of the Dutch indicate that they experience some degree of stress. This is choice stress, but also tension as a result of irritations during the search. Too high prices (39%) and too much choice (25%) are the most frequently mentioned reasons for this stress.
There is an article in the Volkskrant about the many accidents with rented scooters during a holiday. Thailand is especially notorious. Every year, mostly young Dutch people die or are seriously injured.
About half of the Dutch rate their financial situation as good to very good. According to three in ten Dutch people, their financial situation has improved in the past 12 months, while a quarter of the Dutch have seen their own financial situation deteriorate.
Dear readers of this blog. A few days ago there were extensive discussions about the deductions/discounts from AOW benefits, where I noticed that almost none of them were accompanied by a source reference and were written down off the cuff. With this contribution I try to shed some light after 7 years of unsuccessful litigation on this issue with the CRvB.
The new Stichting Nederlanders Buiten Nederland was officially launched in The Hague last week. The aim is to exert political pressure on 'The Hague' to realize that we are a large group of Dutch people abroad. Too often it is fighting for legal rights, against bureaucratic obstacles and incompetence of civil servants.
A Dutchman from Cha Am has complained to the ambassador about the presence of a Dutch diplomatic representative last Saturday when Thanathorn of Future Forward had to report to the police station. This would endanger the interests of the Dutch in Thailand.
Is there a Dutch bar in Chiang Mai?
Only 10% of the Dutch are gloomy about their lives
The majority of Dutch adults are satisfied with their lives. Almost 6 out of 10 are also optimistic about how things are going in the Netherlands in general. More than 3 in 10 are pessimistic about this, 1 in 10 is even strongly pessimistic. The latter group relatively often includes the elderly, the low-educated, men and people with a Dutch background.
Wealth of the Dutch increased due to the value of homes
In 2017, the median wealth of Dutch households, or the balance of assets and liabilities, amounted to 28,3 thousand euros. That is more than 6 thousand euros more than in 2016. This increase in wealth was mainly due to the increase in value of homes. Excluding the owner-occupied home, the assets at 14,1 thousand euros are slightly higher than in 2016
'We are the link between a prisoner abroad and the home front'
About 2.000 compatriots are serving prison sentences abroad, some of them in Thailand. The Dutch government provides assistance if they wish through its network of embassies and consulates. Cluster Head of Consular Affairs Tessa Martens: 'We can really mean something, but we don't make empty promises.'
Minister Blok: 'More services for Dutch people abroad'
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will expand and modernize the services for Dutch nationals abroad. This is stated in the policy memorandum 'State of the Consular' that Minister Blok of Foreign Affairs presented today.
Despite frequent attention in politics and the media, the state pension age is still higher than expected for many people. A majority therefore indicates that they would like to stop working earlier than the state pension age.
Interests of Dutch companies and Dutch expats in Thailand
Not so long ago there was an announcement here on Thailandblog that the brand new ambassador of the Netherlands in Thailand, Mr. Kees Rade, would write a monthly blog. That statement gave me some thoughts. For what it's worth but hopefully the embassy will read along.
Contact with Dutch and/or Belgians in Phetchabun
As usual, I stay in Phetchabun for six months every year, but have not yet met any Belgians or Dutch people there. Hence my question whether I can get in touch with Belgians or Dutch people because it is nice to speak their own language and to exchange experiences.
The Dutch turn their back on religion
For the first time, a majority of the Dutch population does not consider itself to be a religious group. In 2017, less than half (49 percent) of the population aged 15 or older reported belonging to a religious group. A year earlier that was still half and in 2012 more than half (54 percent) belonged to a religious group.
Complain, split bill, coal English? Fortunately, the Dutch have to laugh about it themselves. And we don't have it that bad because more than 60% of the Dutch would like to be born as a Dutch again.
Dutch people living in Thailand can participate in a study into the experiences with the services of the Dutch government abroad.