American Reacts to Asking Europeans What They Think of America

Added: 2026-05-15

[00:00:00]Hey guys, welcome back to the channel.

[00:00:02]Today I'm going to be reacting to a video called Asking Europeans what they think of America. So this I'm a little bit scared. I don't know what they're going to be saying. Hopefully it's going to be a lot of good things or maybe neutral things. I don't know. I I think America Americans get like a bad a bad rep in Europe. I don't know. But we'll see. So let's check it out and comment, like, and subscribe.

[00:00:25]>> See how the world was, you have to be in Europe. And when you want to see how the world will be, you have to go to Asia.

[00:00:31]>> What was your perception of the US like before you lived there? Is there anything that you would change or like want to improve about your country? I've been in Europe for the past year. And whenever I tell people that I'm from the US, I always get one of two reactions.

[00:00:49]First is why, as in why would you leave the US to live here? People find it very strange that I would prefer to live in Europe compared to the US. But then the other reaction is, is it dangerous? And I have to say that that's a response that I didn't used to get 10 or 15 years ago. But in the past few years of living abroad, people have been asking me more and more about safety in the US. So, here in Amsterdam, I'm going to walk around a little bit and ask people their perception of the US and its citizens.

[00:01:27]What is your name?

[00:01:28]>> Uh, Ferrar.

[00:01:32]And you're from the Netherlands. Where are you from originally?

[00:01:35]>> I was born in Amsterdam.

[00:01:37]>> Oh, born and raised. Wow.

[00:01:39]>> I don't live here anymore.

[00:01:41]>> Where do you live now?

[00:01:42]>> In the east of the country.

[00:01:44]>> And have you ever [clears throat] been to the US before? Uh once I was in New York.

[00:01:49]>> Oh yeah. What did you think of it?

[00:01:51]>> New York. Oh, wonderful. [laughter] >> Beautiful city. Yes.

[00:01:55]>> What would you say is the perception here in the Netherlands of the United States?

[00:02:02]>> Oh. Uh different like before.

[00:02:05]>> Different.

[00:02:06]>> Yes.

[00:02:06]>> Conservative country.

[00:02:08]>> Conservative countries.

[00:02:10]>> Yes.

[00:02:10]>> What would you say was the turning point when it changed like your perception?

[00:02:15]Did it change from positive to negative?

[00:02:18]>> The the circumstances with Trump and that's that's a kind of things.

[00:02:24]>> Yeah.

[00:02:25]>> Yeah.

[00:02:25]>> And by by conservative in which ways?

[00:02:29]>> Point of view of abortion.

[00:02:32]>> Uhhuh.

[00:02:32]>> And ala betq.

[00:02:36]>> Zero tolerance.

[00:02:38]>> Yeah.

[00:02:38]>> Yeah. You think that that's too strict?

[00:02:41]>> Yes.

[00:02:41]>> Yeah. Compared to the narrow. How would you describe the lifestyle here in the Netherlands?

[00:02:46]>> Oh, it changed also.

[00:02:48]>> Oh, yeah.

[00:02:49]>> Yeah. [laughter] >> But I'm 75 and I in the years back after me, it was comfortable >> and now it's um changed a lot.

[00:03:01]>> Uh-huh. As more expensive or more crowded?

[00:03:05]>> Everything.

[00:03:06]>> Everything. the way of uh >> the city very expensive in the east part of the country it's less >> expensive everyone complain yes very expensive here I've noticed >> yes but I was born here and I love always >> she's going to love it >> the city >> well since you're from here um do you have any recommendations for us as as visitors is there something special that you think everyone should see here in Amsterdam >> I have to say I don't know how it's going to be but I love that the interviewer that's clear clearly not from there is wearing gloves and they aren't because it's like one of the most I think like spot a tourist situations like one of the easiest ways to spot a tourist is in like colder places when they were they're wearing gloves because most people are so used to the cold that they they don't really wear gloves unless it's like literally like it's snowing it's like in the middle of a of a sto a a snowstorm and even then a lot of people that are like from there don't even wear gloves. I just thought it was funny. Well, for me it's just being here because I know every place, every market, every course you know everything, every street. So when I'm here, just all of Amsterdam is good.

[00:04:15]>> Just the atmosphere.

[00:04:17]>> Yes. It's just I love that you love.

[00:04:19]>> Well, thank you so much. Have a safe trip. Bye. [snorts] >> What's your name so we can >> Were you born and raised here in the Netherlands?

[00:04:28]>> In the Netherlands. Yeah. Yeah.

[00:04:29]>> Have you been to the United States before?

[00:04:32]>> Yes. where >> I've [clears throat] been in New York for several times.

[00:04:36]>> Mhm.

[00:04:36]>> I made a trip from Washington to Miami.

[00:04:40]>> Oh, >> and I made a trip on the on the West Coast, California, San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego. [clears throat] >> That's where I'm from, Miami. And what did you think of the US? What were your impressions there?

[00:04:52]>> Well, it's a it's a very big country, so there are a lot of impressions.

[00:04:57]>> East Coast is different from uh from the West Coast. My last trip was from uh from Chicago to Miami through Lewisfield and the mid the Midwest.

[00:05:07]>> Yeah.

[00:05:07]>> And um that was a little bit sad. It was in the time that Trump was president and I had a had a bad feeling about that.

[00:05:16]>> Poor people, pessimistic uh environment.

[00:05:20]>> So since then I've been I haven't been back.

[00:05:23]>> That's that's because of corona of course. Yeah.

[00:05:27]>> So, I'm I'm I'm thinking about going back again to uh to the States, but it it didn't happen yet.

[00:05:34]>> Do you feel like there was a a noticeable change in the attitude of Americans when you came back the last time?

[00:05:44]>> No, not not the attitude of Americans because when when you're a traveler, you you have very you feel welcome. That's no problem.

[00:05:52]>> Yeah.

[00:05:53]>> Yeah. Because you're just your your own observations. the how the country is and this this this area was different from the east coast or the west coast. It's it's the central >> middle Americ from from both coasts. Yeah, >> that's what I that's what I discovered.

[00:06:10]>> Yeah. And um where else have you traveled to?

[00:06:14]>> I travel I I'm retired now so I travel a lot. So lucky.

[00:06:18]>> You're lucky that I'm in Amsterdam because I'm not I'm not much here last year. So >> what a lucky lifestyle. What is your favorite country? Can you pick Can you pick a favorite?

[00:06:27]>> Uh my my favorite uh continent is Asia.

[00:06:31]No tail.

[00:06:32]>> I'm I I just I'm just back from 3 months in Vietnam.

[00:06:37]>> A lot of times >> and um well I like Asia very much because my experience is when when you want to see how the world was, you have to be in Europe and when you want to see how the world will be, you have to go to Asia.

[00:06:50]>> I love that.

[00:06:51]>> Yeah. It's like the future of of earth >> energy and the dynamics and the the the most people are there in in in they are going going up and [clears throat] here it's it's it stays the same or you go down.

[00:07:06]>> That's so interesting.

[00:07:08]>> That's that's what I feel when I when I am when I am in those countries.

[00:07:12]>> You feel like the west is on the downward trajectory.

[00:07:16]>> Oh my god.

[00:07:17]>> Yeah. because because they are they are they are passed by by especially the Asian Asian countries like China but but also the smaller countries like Vietnam or Thailand is very very dynamic.

[00:07:30]Indonesia is very dynamic >> as how do you uh fit in when you go to countries that are so different from yours? Do you ever feel culture shock or how do you adapt to these other places?

[00:07:44]>> I don't adapt. I I just I just go there and and and uh [snorts] I I don't feel I of course you feel you you see you you experience you're in a different culture.

[00:07:55]>> There's no shock. That's that's that's very pretty. It's very nice.

[00:07:59]>> Yeah. Of course.

[00:07:59]>> And I'm traveling alone. [clears throat] >> Oh.

[00:08:02]>> And um I'm not very not very much in in talking to people. I'm I'm I'm looking.

[00:08:08]>> Mhm. So that's interesting like different sets of travelers >> to to be to be to be a watcher to be a spect spectator. Uh >> I agree. That's what I do.

[00:08:20]>> Yeah. [laughter] Here in here in Holland.

[00:08:22]>> Yeah. Everywhere.

[00:08:23]>> Yeah.

[00:08:24]>> And uh for people who are coming here to Amsterdam specifically, it's a very international city. Do you feel like people from other countries can really integrate here or is there always a kind of a division between local and >> and immigrants?

[00:08:41]>> Well, that's very dependent on where the where the people come from. Yeah, >> when you're when you're an American or or a European from from Western European or Australian when you're when you're then Europe there is a lot of a lot of common ground in the cultures from the all these cultures in America and Australia they come from Europe [snorts] and that's what you did language is no no problem because everybody speaks English but when you come from from Africa from from or from Asia you may >> Asia yeah And then it's then the gap is is bigger I think and then then you then you hear stories which are that it's more difficult to to integrate.

[00:09:23]>> Thank you.

[00:09:24]>> You would have to change up that to an actual immigrant but >> my name is Ainia.

[00:09:30]>> Ainia.

[00:09:32]Yes.

[00:09:32]>> And where are you from?

[00:09:33]>> Um I'm from Utre.

[00:09:35]>> Oh >> yes. So not Amsterdam. Yeah.

[00:09:37]>> I was going to go there this week but it's been raining so much.

[00:09:41]>> Yeah. I I would think that's normal for the Netherlands.

[00:09:44]>> No, no, not at all. Um, have you ever been to the United States?

[00:09:49]>> Yes, I've lived in New York for one year in 2005.

[00:09:53]>> Have you lived in any other countries as well?

[00:09:56]>> In uh in Aruba >> and in Spain as well.

[00:09:59]>> Okay. A lot of different places.

[00:10:01]>> What inspired you to live in other countries? um to experience um other um cultures or other societies for longer than a couple of weeks when you're on holiday.

[00:10:12]>> Yeah, of course.

[00:10:13]>> To experience more about yourself as well >> and to meet new people.

[00:10:17]>> Yeah. Yeah.

[00:10:18]>> And how were your experiences? Do you feel like you achieved your goals in that respect?

[00:10:23]>> I think so. I mean you you never know what would have happened if you would have not gone to those countries.

[00:10:29]>> But I do think that it has opened up my mind my um view on things and view on myself that I can uh survive wherever I live >> and um yeah that it's so nice to see how people live and and interact and work in different countries.

[00:10:45]>> And did you go by yourself?

[00:10:46]>> I did. Yeah, I went by myself. Yeah, >> me too. Female travelers. Solo female travelers.

[00:10:51]>> What were you doing in Amsterdam? Um, I just really like it here. So, I usually come here a couple of months per year.

[00:10:58]>> Okay.

[00:10:59]>> Are you in the States or you from?

[00:11:01]>> I'm from Miami.

[00:11:02]>> Miami.

[00:11:02]>> Yeah. So, you miss the weather, I think.

[00:11:04]Or no.

[00:11:05]>> Yeah. I'm going back tomorrow.

[00:11:07]>> Okay. For [laughter] Thanksgiving.

[00:11:08]>> Thanksgiving.

[00:11:09]>> Oh, that's nice.

[00:11:10]>> What was your perception of the US like before you lived there? And then how did it change once you lived in New York?

[00:11:17]>> That's a very good question. Well, my perception was of holidays cuz I went on holiday there and also of course of movies um that um it's well it's a beautiful country that people are super nice and work hard and what I realized when I was living there is that they definitely do work hard and sometimes like even harder than people work here in the Netherlands like three they have three jobs sometimes to support themselves. So that was something that really surprised me that like maybe sometimes life can be really hard there.

[00:11:48]Harsh. Yeah. Yeah.

[00:11:49]>> A lot different than it looks in the movies.

[00:11:53]>> Definitely. Yes. Yeah.

[00:11:54]>> Does that make you appreciate more the social services that are here in the Netherlands?

[00:12:01]>> Definitely. I mean I I just came from a documentary from the itvah and it it does say like okay every country has his um corruption or things that are not going well but mainly you feel quite safe here when you I mean if you lose a job you have a support system uh if if you're not able to work you have a support system and it doesn't feel like you have that there so yeah >> yeah I can concur that we don't really have much of a support system there that's why I spend most of my time in Europe Even though I'm not part of the tax system and the healthare system, I just feel safer here.

[00:12:37]>> Um, did you feel like the US has gotten less safe when you were there >> compared to Europe? Did you feel like it was dangerous at all?

[00:12:45]>> No, not really. I mean, you you have to be careful everywhere you go >> and uh a week before I think or maybe a month before I went to the States, uh uh they some person stole my bag from me, like ripped it off right in front of my house. So, I mean, nothing happened. So, it's just >> Yeah, it's just a bit matter of being careful. So, I don't feel Yeah, >> I didn't feel unsafe there. No. No.

[00:13:10]>> Do you plan on living in any other countries in the nearby future?

[00:13:14]>> Um, not at the moment. I'm I'm happy in Utre right now. Yeah. Yeah.

[00:13:20]>> How long you staying here?

[00:13:22]>> Um, I've been here for about a month.

[00:13:23]>> Okay.

[00:13:24]>> And then I go back for Thanksgiving and then we'll probably come back in the spring.

[00:13:29]>> Okay. [laughter] Okay.

[00:13:30]>> When the weather is nicer, >> what what advice would you have for people that are thinking of living in another country, but they're a little bit uh intimidated, let's say, or uncertain about it?

[00:13:41]>> Uh take it one day at a time. Um when when you arrive, you feel you might feel lonely and uh misunderstood, but it does take some time. And if you are open to experiencing new people and new culture, then it might even surprise you and um enrich your life. So yeah, >> that's nice. That's beautiful.

[00:14:01][laughter] >> Thank you so much.

[00:14:02]>> What are you using this for?

[00:14:04]>> My YouTube channel is called Traveling with Kristen. And it's a lot about culture and living abroad. What's your name?

[00:14:10]>> I'm Sasha.

[00:14:11]>> And where are you from in Belgium?

[00:14:13]>> From Brussels.

[00:14:13]>> Oh, it's from And are you just visiting Amsterdam?

[00:14:17]>> Yeah, we are just here for a trip uh of a weekend. So it's a cool church of the Netherlands.

[00:14:23]>> Have you ever been to the US before?

[00:14:25]>> Uh long time ago.

[00:14:27]>> Mhm.

[00:14:28]>> So like when I was 10 years old.

[00:14:30]>> Oh, okay. What would you say that the perception is among Europeans about the US right now?

[00:14:39]>> I don't really know because uh when I was in the US, I was so young that I don't really remember what is life and what is the difference. He just remembers little things for a little, >> right? Um, what would you say are like the biggest differences between the lifestyle of Europeans versus Americans?

[00:15:02]>> Uh, chill.

[00:15:04]>> It's more chill here.

[00:15:05]>> European are more chill >> here. Yeah.

[00:15:07]>> Than Americans. That's my point of view.

[00:15:09]>> They're very stressed.

[00:15:10]>> Yeah, I would agree. I think the lifestyle is more relaxed here than the US. Uh what are some of the best benefits of being from a country like Belgium? What kind of like social services do you guys have?

[00:15:26]>> The social security is really cool and the price of university also because uh it's uh the same amount for everybody >> and uh it's like an acceptable amount regarding uh America or UK or other country.

[00:15:44]>> Yeah, >> even the Netherlands. Why should people visit Belgium?

[00:15:47]>> Because Belgium is beautiful. There is a good beers there. More than 1,000.

[00:15:54]>> I love I didn't know that.

[00:15:55]>> There is a lot of beautiful city also other than Brussel like Kent Dwerp and uh Brussel is also the capital of Europe. So there is a lot of tourism and a lot of thing to do >> with friend. We go out uh all week uh to dance and do some things.

[00:16:17]>> A very active lifestyle.

[00:16:19]>> Uh I've been to Gent and Bruge, but not Brussels yet or Antworp, so I'll have to go. Um yeah, what do people like to do there on the weekends? What is like a typical of the culture there?

[00:16:33]>> Party, [laughter] meet friends, and just go drink and >> Oh my god. Okay.

[00:16:37]>> Dance.

[00:16:38]>> Awesome. So, who has better French fries, Belgium or the Netherlands?

[00:16:43]>> Belgium. Brussel [laughter] French fries are the best one.

[00:16:46]>> That was a trick question.

[00:16:48]>> Yeah, of course you're going to say >> Thank you so much. Have a great day.

[00:16:51]>> You're welcome. Thank you also for the interview. Bye.

[00:16:55]>> What is your name?

[00:16:56]>> My name is Lo.

[00:16:58]>> And where are you from originally?

[00:16:59]>> I am from Harlem, a small town next to Amsterdam. Like, >> I haven't been there yet, but it's on my list.

[00:17:06]>> Oh, you should. Yeah, you should. It's really nice. And are you just hanging out here for the weekend?

[00:17:11]>> Uh, no. I just came from work. I'm working at the theater, Kare.

[00:17:15]>> Oh, yeah. I see.

[00:17:16]>> So, and the Itva is there right now. So, I've been working there.

[00:17:19]>> What would you say is the attitude towards like American tourists, for example, who are coming to Amsterdam? Is it very welcoming or are there any stereotypes that people have here?

[00:17:32]>> Oh, I think that's a good question. Um, I think the stereotype of tourists in Amsterdam is that they go to a lot of coffee shops.

[00:17:41]>> Uh, I've been traveling myself last year and everyone was saying to me, "Oh, you're from Amsterdam. Well, you must go to the coffee shop a lot." But that's not the case.

[00:17:51]>> Um, but I think some people in Amsterdam are a little bit fed up with tourists, but other people, I think, especially younger people uh, yeah, are finding it really cool and interesting and are really well I [snorts] have to say it's probably because they're because they're younger. They have an experience like, "Oh, it's so nice." But people I would think like older people are so jaded by the tourists and they're like, "Talk to me in like 20 years when you've been dealing with them for like 30 years." I don't know. Something of the sort.

[00:18:18]>> Wuming also the American tourists.

[00:18:20]>> Yeah.

[00:18:20]>> Yeah.

[00:18:21]>> Have you been to the US before?

[00:18:23]>> Uh, I have. Yeah. Yeah. I've been to New York twice.

[00:18:26]>> Oh, everyone's been to New York.

[00:18:27]>> Everyone. Yeah. [laughter] >> I guess it is a popular place.

[00:18:30]>> Well, yeah, it is. And Yeah. Yeah, it is. And it's also for on the on the on the good side for us because otherwise it's a lot more >> travel.

[00:18:40]Yeah.

[00:18:40]>> And how did you like New York? What was your perception of the vibe there and the energy?

[00:18:46]>> Uh very good actually. Yeah. Very um uh alive and very big and busy, >> but I really liked it. Yeah, it's beautiful. Yeah. Did your experience there match kind of your preconception of the US before you went there from TV and movies or was it different?

[00:19:07]>> Uh, no, it matched my perception. Yeah, kind of. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Everyone was uh very nice >> um and welcoming I think. Uh but maybe New York get a good >> representation of the whole of us. I'm not sure if that's correct, but >> yeah, like it is and it isn't because um it has so many people there, but also it's very unique compared to the other cities. So, it's like everyone's represented, but then it because of that it's very unique as well.

[00:19:39]>> All right.

[00:19:39]>> Could you see yourself ever living in the US someday or do you prefer the lifestyle here?

[00:19:45]>> I prefer the lifestyle here. Yeah. Yeah.

[00:19:47]I think you prefer too far away from home. Um, and I actually prefer Latin America.

[00:19:54]>> Oh, yeah.

[00:19:55]>> What about you?

[00:19:56]>> In a lot of places as well.

[00:19:57]>> Uh, well, last year I traveled through Central America and um, and I really like the vibe there and like, you know, the the salsa dancing and the music and the nice weather and the people are very nice. So, I think it's more like a summer vibe. I don't think like Central America, Latin America has my preference.

[00:20:18]>> Yeah. I used to live in Costa Rica, so I can relate.

[00:20:21]>> Oh my gosh, you've also lived in so many places.

[00:20:23]>> Yeah, then you know. Yeah, then you know.

[00:20:25]>> A lot of people ask me because I'm from Florida, too, and I lived in Costa Rica.

[00:20:29]They're like, why would you come here?

[00:20:30]Because it's so cold and it's so rainy.

[00:20:33]But I really like the lifestyle here. I think it's very like laid-back and very welcoming and very safe as well. What would you say are your favorite things about living in the Netherlands and being from here?

[00:20:46]Uh well, what I really like is that it's uh diverse. So I really like the beach, but I also like the nature. Very different beaches from Central.

[00:20:55]>> Like the forest is more uh in the east um part of the of the country.

[00:21:00]>> Um I like that there it has many possibilities for a job. For example, >> my family is living here. So, uh, Harlem is really a nice place for me to have a bit of both worlds. It's It's kind of small, but I'm in Amsterdam in like 20 minutes and I'm at the beach in like 20 minutes. [snorts] >> Yeah. I like the diversity of the Netherlands.

[00:21:26]>> Yeah. Yeah.

[00:21:27]>> Is [clears throat] there anything that you would change or like want to improve about your country?

[00:21:33]>> Oh, that's a good question. Um, I think it can be more equal so that we are really uh welcoming everyone. Um, and that the the amount of money that people are making is a little bit more equal because >> we are earning a lot of money in the Netherlands. I think it's a very wealthy country, but still there's a lot of people living on the streets, for example, or >> um small families with kids that have a lot of issues. And I didn't know that.

[00:22:04]>> I think it's good to spend a little bit more attention to those people as well.

[00:22:09]>> Yeah.

[00:22:09]>> Yeah. Of course, people in need. And one last question. Do you think that it's possible for people from the US and other countries to fully integrate here into Dutch society or do you think there's always like a line between like locals and Dutch um speakers versus foreigners who speak English?

[00:22:29]>> They can learn. It really depends on where you go as a when you come to live here. But I think uh in the beginning it's kind of hard.

[00:22:38]>> Yeah. since every place >> most people in speak in the Netherlands speak English or American but I think to really integrate it's >> you need to learn a language >> yeah because I think like when I was traveling last year I was in Central America and everyone was together so it really didn't matter where you where you came from everyone was together >> and I think when you come to the Netherlands you are a bit more >> um apart from the Dutch people the Dutch people are more together. They stick together. Yeah, it's easier, you know, to to speak your own language, >> but I think the language is a big part of it.

[00:23:14]>> So, I can imagine it it could be a little bit hard in the beginning. Yeah.

[00:23:18]But once you >> meet the right people and you come to places, I think especially in Amsterdam, then it will be fine.

[00:23:26]>> Yeah, I know. I always feel bad when I'm the only one who doesn't speak Dutch.

[00:23:31]But any Dutch words that we should know besides leer? What's liquor?

[00:23:36]>> Leor is a very good one.

[00:23:37]>> Is it liquor? No. Oh, what's that? Is nice.

[00:23:41]>> Oh, >> yeah. Everyone says, "Oh, Luke." Okay, I'm going to start doing it everywhere now, I'm sure.

[00:23:47]>> Yeah, I think so, too. Yeah.

[00:23:48]>> All right. Thank you so much. Have a good rest of your Sunday.

[00:23:52]>> Good luck. Bye >> bye. [laughter] >> Well, everyone was really nice here.

[00:23:56]Thank you to all of the kind people who stopped to talk to me, standing out here like a crazy person on the sidewalk. I thought it was nice that even though it's so foggy, it's so beautiful positively and highly of Americans and of our country and even that they had a lot of empathy for really the reality of living in the US and how difficult that can be and how hard we [music] work. If you like this video, then give it a thumbs up. Feel free to subscribe and I have lots more videos over here talking to locals in Dublin, Ireland and Belfast. Okay.

[00:24:33]>> Just ask you a couple quick questions.

[00:24:35]Oh, okay. No problem. Do you guys live here?

[00:24:37]>> Oh, okay. They said no.

[00:24:38]>> But that's okay. Oh, you can >> Oh, I'm surprised that people said like no. Why would they say that? Well, maybe they were busy. This this is quite quite quite interesting. I I have to say like I I didn't know I don't know why I name I don't know. Maybe it was I'm being very innocent about it, but I thought that everyone that she, you know, interviewed was like they were only like the only ones that that she actually like talked to because everyone on the street was like, "Yeah, sure. Like, I'll talk to you." I understand the ones being saying no because maybe they're tourists and they were like, "No, I don't really, you know, I don't really live there. I don't really have a lot of a lot to say." Although, I think I would love to to listen to the perspective of someone that's not Dutch. Then maybe or maybe the others are like we don't really speak English. I don't know, like whatever. But I was like, "Oh, I thought everyone that she asked like said, "Yes, of course, I'll talk to you because you're seeing like it's an interview." I don't know. But maybe they were busy.

[00:25:32]Whatever. So, this was this is very interesting to me. I think they were I was expecting a little bit of like the worst. I was like, "Oh my god, they're going to like destroy American people.

[00:25:42]They're going to be like, "Oh no, all the cliches and all like probably like negative stereotypes or negative things." But no, I think everyone like spoke very highly of of of of the country and even if they're not speaking like they weren't like super positive like it was just like it wasn't about the people maybe it was just about like the circumstances and not just Joshua oh you know people you know it's I think it's a different thing to say like oh maybe they're going through a hard time or I don't know like there's been a shift in the culture and how people think I think it's a bit different for from you to for for to that and to say something like I don't know Americans are lazy. I don't know to put an example. So I I think it's a bit of like one is just like a generalization of like okay maybe not not that but the other I think it's it's more thoughtful and more of a you know maybe it's just the circumstances that I' that I've observed and I think it depends on like a lot of factors. So I do like the fact that I think everyone was actually like that. Everyone's like, "No, you know, it's like if even if they think like obviously the the culture is going to be like very different and the lifestyle is going to be different because it's it's to be expected like it's a different continent. It's a different it's a different I was going to say city, but no, it's a different country. Like it's a different country and it's a different continent. Of course, like people are going to be thinking differently. Not everyone's going to be like you're used to like a certain lifestyle or a certain like way of thinking. And of course, yes, it's going to change because, you know, it's not they're not where the where you grew up or what you're used to. So, it is it is kind of like it's normal. I do think most of them were like it's even like it it's funny because they were like I think it's more like a strict over there. They're a little bit more conservative about a lot of things. And I think especially coming from a place like the Netherlands, of course, I can understand their thinking.

[00:27:28]Like I think people here live maybe like a freer lifestyle. Well, I don't know if free is the right term, but it's more like more liberal maybe. And of course, they're going to be thinking that because I think the the Netherlands, it tends to be like a pretty liberal country in general with like terms of like right and rights and lifestyle and laws. So, it is of course they're going to be thinking like, wow, that's so like that's so strict how they lived over there. But at the same time, and I think maybe that goes goes a little bit handinand with the whole like, oh, I think people are way more chill over here. like they are more I think in the in the United States people are a little bit more like stressed because they're like constantly working and they have to have like three jobs to support themselves and it's all like a very like you know again you have to like work and the the whole mindset is obviously you know what what kind of job and you know I'm not earning enough money or stuff like that and I think in like they said in the Netherlands I think everyone everyone's a little bit more chill about a lot of things and of course that depends on like a lot of factors not just like you know the econ economy like again the lifestyle the actually obviously all the social social like helps that they have you know the the the support that probably like the government can give you you know obviously that those are factors that obviously are going to are going to interfere with like how chilled you probably are when it comes to those things but I do think it was it was very interesting that part the whole like safety part I think it was funny that she was like one thing was the the girl from from Utre was like no I actually got mocked here like I got well it wasn't it was mugged yes you know like someone like a pickpocketer basically just like grabbed her backpack and she was like no in the United States she said like people are constantly asking me like oh is it safe and most people that she interviewed were like no I don't think it's like more safe in general but I think maybe the one from the the example of the backpack was like a bad example because I think there's big bucketers like everywhere although I do think that they are probably more common in Europe just because it's more like a touristy place and I think peak buckers are very much like they are very like in in tourist like hunting grounds because they say they think it's like easy prey and probably it's because of that but I think someone like grabbing your backpack or your purse like I think maybe again it's a little bit more common in in in Europe I don't think and maybe in some places in the US again probably like New York but it's more of like again very touristy places like I don't think like in the Midwest that's going to happen because it's like no I don't think again I hardly doubt that someone's going to get like pickpocketed in the middle of I don't know Indiana or I don't know but I'm I'm I'm finding it a bit a little bit hard to believe. It's also like very like it's so funny to me that everyone I think mostly yeah I think everyone actually was like oh the place that I bet all of them had been in the US and it's like they all been to New York which is like yes of course it's it's funny if you think about it it's like okay everyone's been to New York but it's like well yeah why wouldn't them why wouldn't they? It's like it's probably the most like famous like city in the US, not just because of the like the whole cultural thing of like it's been represented in like so many films and in so many like shows and in culture in books and it's everything.

[00:30:44]So I think everyone like if you're thinking of I want to I want to go visit you know the United States you know probably you're going to be thinking well I'm going to go to New York. It's like when you're thinking about France you want to go to Paris. when you're thinking about, you know, going to to England, you're thinking about London.

[00:31:00]Like, it doesn't it does make a little bit sense even though New York is not the capital, but it is it is probably like the most famous like place or one of the most famous places in the famous cities in the US. So, it isn't like yes, everyone's been to to New York at least once in their lives. Everyone loves it.

[00:31:17]Of course, it's a gorgeous city. I think it's funny that the one of them was like, "No, I don't think it's it's that it was that different from how it is portrayed in, you know, in the culture and in the media." I I I kind of disagree a little bit with that. I think, you know, it is I think it's a difference obviously because it's all it's all very glossy like in in in you know, especially like in shows and I don't know in stuff like that. But I think it's very I don't know they make you it's not that they make you believe something that it isn't because yes New York is again it's a gorgeous place and yes they people tend to do like a very fast-paced lifestyle but I think there are some New Yorkers get a bad rap for from being like oh they're very like you know they don't like tourists which you know sort of yes that that can be argued but I think it's more about you know they're very rude. I think a lot of people I don't know if it's just like in the US or people somewhere else like also think about this. They think, "Oh, New Yorkers, like they're super rude." I don't think they are, actually. It's more of a like, well, yes, they're very I think they have probably a low tolerance for tourists, but especially like if they again, if you're like in Time Square or people are trying to go around their day, like of course they're going to be annoyed if you're just like standing in the middle of a sidewalk taking pictures because they're like, "Can you please move around? Like, I need to go to work." But it's not it's not just that. But I think again it's it's more about like you're thinking maybe it's a little accident it's a bit like a a high pace like super fastpaced like lifestyle or you know everything's open like so very late. Like I don't think it's like that actually. I think most bars close at like 2:00 a.m. or 3:00 a.m. Like it's not like oh the city that never sleeps. I don't think it's like that quite quite as much. At least that's what I that that's just my personal opinion. So I think like they make you believe that it's just like oh the city that never sleeps. is like, you know, a little bit. Yes, you're going to be finding people everywhere probably 24 hours a day, but it's like close the the place is actually like closed quite what I would think is a little bit earlier to what I've been probably like sold if I didn't really know how it works. I don't know. But again, that's just like my opinion. But yes, this was a very a very like pleasant I think surprise.

[00:33:22]anything. A lot of people I would I think the only thing I would love to have seen was for her to ask an actual immigrant like how because she asked them like do you think it's actually like you know it's that the Netherlands in general is a good place but not a good place like do you think that you can just like an immigrant can get like fully integrated into this culture and a lot of them were say well I think it just depends obviously if if you're coming from like a totally opposite different culture like a different country like like they he said like for for instance like Asia or Africa Like yes, of course those countries like lead like they have like there's a lot of cultural differences. of course are going to have like a harder time adjusting to how you know how people live in the Netherlands from you know if you compare it to I don't know someone from a German or you know a Swiss because they're going to have like a bit of a framework that's going to be a little bit similar and even though of course their differences I think it's going to be obviously a little bit easier to adapt and and they were you know one of them was saying that other was like yeah I think I think they they there can be like welcoming I think which is good because I would think oh I think the Netherlands have a reputation for also being a little bit colder and maybe not as welcoming like they're if it's a tourist I would think like they're going to be super welcoming like yes of course because you know that they know that again you're just visiting but if someone comes and like no you know I'm moving here maybe they're just a little bit colder in general it's not that they actually want to be colder to you or want to be like oh they want to be mean no it's just like their nature is a little bit colder maybe you're expecting like a more welcoming situation but it's just like that's not really how they do things so I'm glad that they were like yeah for the most part I think they they are which I'm like oh That's good because I would have think I would have thought otherwise.

[00:34:59]But I do have to mention the thing about the language barrier like even though you probably don't need it because like they said everyone speaks English. I think if you're planning on staying like longterm again, not just visiting that but you're actually like planning on moving there for at least for a few years or you're you're moving like no, I'm staying here. It's my forever forever home here. I think you need to learn, you know, Dutch at some point because again I it like at the beginning like earlier on I think probably people are not going to give you like that much of a hard time because it's like well you you know you're new here but once you've been living there and you're planning on staying like it's going to make it so much easier to integrate. I think language is such a like big part of a culture and how again how a culture and how people like how people talk and how people communicate like that's such a like huge part of of of creating like bonds with people. So I don't think like even though it's like yeah I can get around you know it can make friends and it's like yes it can communicate very very well. Yes, but at some point again if you if you want to stay there, I am a firm believer that you're going to have to learn whatever language that you are, you know, if you're there, you're going to have to learn it because again, that's going to make it easier to form relationships and to actually understand how how they do things, how they work, and how the lifestyle is. And again, how why people are the way they are. I think that's such an important part and language is such a big big big part of it all that if you're staying there, I think you're going to have to learn it at some point. But yes, it's like yes, I it's good that the that at the beginning like you can get around with English.

[00:36:33]But again, if you're planning on staying, please learn Dutch. It's going to make you it's going to make your life easier. I promise you. And again, people are going to be probably nicer to you if they know that there's like an actual effort on your part of actually trying to understand the culture and learning the language. I think that's always very welcome. It's it's always like a welcome welcome situation if you're like, "Oh, you're trying to learn learn Dutch."

[00:36:53]Well, yes, of course. You know, we're going to help you along. But that was it for today and I'll see you soon. Bye.