Some happy news

[PA5COR]

https://dutchreview.com/news/dutch-kids-grow-up-happiest/
Not for the first time as well, the Netherlands is the best country for children to grow up.
Dutch children rank highest for happiness.

The UN children’s rights organisation conducted a study (https://www.unicef.nl/files/Report%20Card%2016%20UNICEF_3%20sept_2020.pdf) about the mental health, physical health, and academic and social skills of children aged 0 – 18 in the 41 wealthiest countries. The research shows the Netherlands is the number one place to be a kid — it received the highest overall score, followed by Denmark and Norway.
Ranking highest also in life satisfaction, children in the Netherlands are a whopping 93% satisfied with their lives.
Denmark and Norway are 2nd and 3rd.

We've been round the top 3 the last 20 years or so.

[WZ7U]

I wanna be a Dutch kid

[KG4CGC]

I wanna be a Dutch kid
You'll have some big shoes to fill.
17162

[W3WN]

I wanna be a Dutch kid
Brings a whole ‘nother meaning to “going Dutch”...

[PA5COR]

Every parent like me wants his kids to do better as himself, problem some country's have is that the system can work against you.
Looking back at raising my son i know i made mistakes, but overall i'm satisfied.
Our social democracy puts great effort in education and giving chances to every kid be it poor or rich to go to school and get the best out of them.

We have our "poor" people, still having enough money to pay the bills even long time unemployed people, the social benefits don't run out here.
Special programs for kids of these "poor" people are in place to keep the kids in the education system and help them out so they can do their best and get a good chance in life.

Add our social healthcare system, free schools and entrance to universities for all kids poor or not, or even from abroad.
Is it perfect? nope, still a work in progress.


Our society is aimed more at people and their interests, less as bling and showing off, we're quite down to earth, but quite outspoken as well, not always accepted in some cultures.
We say things as we see them, no woolly talk here.
Social networking here is the norm, helping people out is standard.

[kb2vxa]

"less as bling and showing off, we're quite down to earth, but quite outspoken as well, not always accepted in some cultures. We say things as we see them, no woolly talk here."
That being the case I would be a welcome addition, your culture is my culture.

Happy children, that reminds me of the happy child that started a major American corporation, National Lead & Titanium, makers of Dutch Boy brand paint. I don't know why the original National Lead became redundant, white lead is the industry name for titanium dioxide, white paint pigment. It has many uses from that white stuff on a lifeguard's nose to making non dairy coffee "creamer" white. Unlike red lead, a lead compound that used to make primer paint red, white "lead" is non toxic. To make the Dutch Boy unmistakably Dutch he's wearing klompen, wooden shoes for the non Dutch speakers. That's a bit of artistic license, being perhaps the most uncomfortable footwear ever made (next to a cut up tire and rope) they're NOT everyday shoes!

17164

[PA5COR]

I had klompen in the past as kid, you need to get used walking on them.
Ideally for football........guess why.
Here up north in the rural provinces there are still lots of people wearing them every day....
Interesting tidbit, in the industry in place of safety shoes "klompen" are fully considered safety footwear.
mostly at home i wear Swedish 1/2 "klompen" leather top section wooden undersection, good footbed, good support.

Being very direct in our opinion saves time rather as selling crap niceties which you don't mean anyway and everyone knows you don't mean.
No decorum to hold up, short, direct and to the point, does it hurt? not sorry.
I do expect the same, thick skinned as you all know ;)
Saves time and misunderstandings as well, good if you have to work together.
Never had problems with people i had to steer, i made myself very clear from the start, so everyone understood the rules.
Not affraid to take on our city council and mayor as well, costing the city 7.7 million Guilders then.
( 3 million Euro's )
I respect authority if they behave like it and follow the rules, break them and i'll be after you like a bloodhound, mayor and council or not.
( mayor got ditched, council members lost their place )
Since then i have had no problems here with the council, even with erecting antenna's....;)

[K4PIH]

Been to your country many times while I lived in Europe. Great people, beautiful country, awesome food and drink. Very organized and spotless. We could learn a lot from the example.

[PA5COR]

We try to please ;)

[WZ7U]

Been to your country many times while I lived in Europe. Great people, beautiful country, awesome food and drink. Very organized and spotless. We could learn a lot from the example.

We could, but would we?

[KG4CGC]

We could, but would we?

No. We'd call it socialism and bitch about being oppressed.

[kb2crk]

Wasn't it the Dutch that overthrew, Killed and cooked their prime minister? Imagine the attitude of our politicians if that was even a remote possibility.

[kb2vxa]

Killing and cooking is OK with me, but I doubt I'd be keen on eating rats and eels.

[PA5COR]

All you need to know about us Frisians
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gi8Ki3HOf8Y

[K4PIH]

We could, but would we?

When I lived in Germany may Americans, being the ugly slobs we are, would say things like "Germany is really nice and organized it'd be really nice if it weren't for the people".

If Americans ran Germany or any other country in Europe it would be just as messed up as America. I'm glad Americans don't run Europe!

[KG4CGC]

All you need to know about us Frisians
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gi8Ki3HOf8Y

Thanks for the video, Cor. I think many of us, myself anyway, had more of this in mind. But you did say Frisians. This is more Amsterdam-ish.
However, I did learn a good bit from your video.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yu3pvWGnYVs&feature=youtu.be

[PA5COR]

I'm Frisian by birth, though born in the Hague where my dad was policeman.
AT the ripe age of 10 we moved to Sneek where i still live after a few other places in the past.
Own language, the only other language recognized as such.
Dutch are direct as we are, not always appreciated, Frisian language comes close to English, lots of Dutch over the centuries moved to the UK/USA.

i already seen the video about Amsterdam, good one as well.
WE used to rule the world long time back, luckily we learned our place in history.
We are one of the most spending people per head of population in gifts or good causes as well.
All Dutch feel connected in a way through our constant battle with the sea, and realizing that as then working together is better as being egoistic.
One reason we never understood the patriotic flag waving USA peeps, but turning around ripping everyone off for their own benefit.
Our social democracy is based for the people, not corporations and working together to let every citizen have a decent life.

AS dutch we are the 3rd largest investor in the USA, our pension plans hold 1.5 trillion Euro's in funds to pay out our extra pensions next to the state pension everyone gets.
Just the state pension and subsidizing rents and healthcare is enough to live on decently.
Not having the worry healthcare costs put you on the street.
Nor getting without work you will lose anything how long unemployment might last.

Ah, and we dont pick flaming idiots as prime minister or president either.

[KG4CGC]

See my recent post with regard to flaming idiots.