When you want to see how
the world was, you have to be in Europe, and when you wanna see how the world will be, you
have to go through Asia. 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. First is why <laugh>? 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 use 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
gonna walk around a little bit and ask people their perception of the US and its citizens. What is your name? Uh, Fonda Bohart. Ira. Ira. Ira. Ira. And you're
from the Netherlands. Where are you from originally? I was born in Amsterdam. Oh, Born and raised? Yes. Wow. I don't live here anymore.
Where do you live now? In the east of the country. And have you ever been to the US before? Uh, once I was in New York. Oh Yeah? Yes. What did you think of it? New York. Oh, wonderful.
<laugh>. Yeah. Yeah. What would you say is the perception here in the
Netherlands of the United States? Oh, uh, different. Like
before different, yes. Conservative country. Conservative country. Yes. What would you say was the
turning point when it changed? Like your perception? Did it change from positive to negative? The, the circumstances
with Trump? Mm-Hmm. That's, that's a kind of change. Yeah. Yeah. And by, by
conservative, in which ways? Point of view of abortion. Uhhuh, and,
the LGBTQ rights Zero tolerance. Yeah. Yeah. You think that that's too strict? Yes. Yeah.
And what, how would you describe the lifestyle here in the Netherlands? Oh, it's changed also. Oh yeah. Yeah. <laugh> But I'm 75 and I, I, in the years back after me, it was comfortable. And now it's, um, changed a lot. Uhhuh, as more expensive or more crowded? Everything, the way of, uh, the city, very expensive. In the east part of the country, it's less expensive. Uhhuh yes, very expensive here. I've noticed. <laugh>. Yes. Yes. But I was born here
and I love always this town. Mm-Hmm. This 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? Well, for me, it's just being here because I know every place, every market, every kennel, every street. So when I'm here, just
all of Amsterdam is good. Just the atmosphere.
Yes. It's just a feeling. Well, thank you so much.
Have a same trip. Thank you. Bye bye. What's your name? So we can get a--
Richard, Richard. And were you born and raised
here in the Netherlands. In The Netherlands, yeah. Yeah. Have you been to the United
States before? Yes. Where? I've been in, uh, New York
for several times. Mm-Hmm. I made a trip
from Washington to Miami, and I made a trip on the, on
the West coast, uh, California, San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego. That's where I'm from. Miami. And what did you think of the US? What were
your impressions there? Well, it's a, it's a very big country, so there are a lot of impressions. Uh, East Coast is different
from, uh, from the West Coast. My last trip was from,
uh, from Chicago to Miami through Louisville and
the mid the Midwest. And, um, uh, that was really sad. It wasn't the time that
Trump was president, and I had a, I had a
bad feeling about that. Mm-Hmm. Poor people, pessimistic, uh, environment. Hmm. So since then, I've
been, I, I haven't been back, but that's, that's, yeah. But because of Corona, of course. Yeah. So I'm, I'm, I'm thinking
about going back again to, uh, to the states, but it,
it didn't happen yet. Do you feel like there
was a, a noticeable change in the attitude of Americans when you
came back the last time? No, not, not the attitude of Americans. When you are a traveler, you, you are, have very, you feel welcome. That's no problem. Yes. It's just your, your your
own observations, uh, 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 of
America is different from, uh, from the, from both coasts. Yeah. That's what I,
that's what I discovered. Yeah. And, um, where
else have you traveled to? Oh, I travel. I, I'm retired
now, so I travel a lot. I'm you, you, you are lucky
that I'm in Amsterdam, because I'm not, I'm not
much here, last year. No. Uh, what is your favorite country? Can you, can you pick a favorite? Uh, counting my, my favorite, uh, Constantly in Asia all the time Mm-Hmm. I, I'm, I, I just, I'm guess back from three months in, uh, Vietnam and Cambodia. Yeah. And, uh, well, I like Asia very much because my experience is
when, when you wanna see how the world was, you
have to be in Europe. And when you wanna see
how the world will be, you have to go to Asia. I love that. Yeah. It's like
the future of, of Earth, the Energy and the dynamics and the, the, the, the most
people are there in, in, in, they are going, going up. And here it's, it's, it stays
the same or you go down. Interesting. That's,
That's, that's what I feel when I, when I am, when I am in those countries. You feel like the west is
on the downward trajectory? Well, the, yeah. Because because they are, they
are, they are passed by, by especially the Asian, uh,
Asian countries like China. But, but also the smaller
countries like Vietnam or Thailand is very, very, uh, dynamic. Indonesia is very dynamic. As a traveler, 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? I don't adapt. I, I just,
I just go there and, and, and, uh, I, I don't feel, I,
I've, of course you feel, you, you, you see that you, you experience you're
in a different culture. But that's, that's, that's no shock. That's, that's, that's very
pretty. It's very nice. Yeah. And I'm traveling alone and, um, I'm not very, not very much in, in talking to people. I'm, I'm, I'm looking
Mm-Hmm. So that's, that's what I do. And that's, that's very interesting. And, uh, to, to be, uh, to
be, uh, to be a watcher, to be a spectate--spectator. Uh, I agree. That's what I do. <laugh>. Yeah. Here in here in Holland.
Yeah. Everywhere. Yeah. 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 locals and, and immigrants? Well, That's very dependent on, uh, where the, where people come from. Yeah. When you are, when you
are an American or an, or an or a European from, from Western European or Australian, when you
are, when you are then, then you are, there is a lot of, lot of common ground in the cultures from all these cultures
in America and Australia. They come from Europe. And that's what language is no, no problem. Because everybody speaks English. But when you come from,
from Africa, from from or from Asia, you maybe, then it's the gap is, is bigger, I think. And then, then you, then you
hear stories, uh, which are, that is more difficult to-- Yeah. To integrate. Yeah. Thank you. Have a great
travels <laugh>. Bye. What's your name? Uh, my Name is Lavinia Lavinia Yes. Lavinia Yes.
And where are you from? Um, I'm from Utrecht
Oh yeah. So not Amsterdam. Yeah, I was going to go there this week, but it's been raining
so much. <laugh>. Ah, Yeah. Yeah. The weather was not
that nice though, <laugh>? No, no, not at all. Um, have you ever been to the United States? Yes, I've lived in New
York for one year in 2005. Have you lived in any
other countries as well? Uh, In, uh, in Aruba, Uhhuh. and in Spain as well. Oh, I love that. Yeah. Uh, 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? Yeah. Um, to experience
more about yourself as well, and to meet new people. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. And how were your experiences? Do you feel like you achieved
your goals in that respect? I think so. I mean, you, you never know what would've happened
if you would've not gone to those countries, but I do think that it has
opened up my mind, uh, my, um, view on, on things and view on myself that I can,
uh, survive wherever I live. And, um, yeah, that it's so,
so nice to see how people live and, and interact and work in, in different countries. Yeah. And did you go by yourself? I did, yeah. I went by myself. Yeah. Me too. Female travelers. Solo female travelers. What, what Are you doing in Amsterdam? Um, I just really like it here. So I usually come here a
couple of months per year. Okay. But we-- Where in United states are you From? I'm from Miami. Miami, yeah. Yeah. So you miss the
weather, I think, or no? Yeah, I'm going back tomorrow. <laugh>. Okay. For Thanksgiving. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, for
Thanksgiving. Ah, that's nice. What was your perception of the US like before you lived there? And then how did it change
once you lived in New York? Um, well, my perception
was, uh, of holidays 'cause I went on holiday there
and also of course of movies. Um, that, um, it's, well,
it's, 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 day, 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. Harsh. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. A lot different than it
looks in the movies. Exactly. And TV shows. Yeah, Definitely. Yes. Yeah. Does that, did that experience
make you appreciate more the social services that
are here in the Netherlands? Definitely, yeah. I mean, I, I just came from
a documentary from the IDFA and it, it does say like, okay,
every country has its, 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 are not able to work, you have a support system and it doesn't feel like
you have that there. So, Yeah. Yeah. I con concur that
we don't really have much of a support system there, <laugh>. That's why I spend most
of my time in Europe. Even though I'm not part of the tax system and the healthcare system,
I just feel safer here. Yeah. And 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? No, not really. I mean, you, you have to be careful everywhere you go. And a week before I, I
think, or maybe a month before I went to the
States, uh, uh, they, some, some person stole my back from me, like ripped it off right
in front of my house. So I mean, and it states nothing happened, so it's just, oh yeah. It's just a matter of being
careful. So I don't feel, yeah. I didn't feel unsafe there. No. No. Do you plan on living in any other countries in the nearby future? Um, not at the moment. I'm
happy in Utrecht right now. Yeah. Yeah. <laugh>, how
long you're staying here? Um, I've been here
for about a month. Okay. And then I go back for Thanksgiving and then we'll probably
come back in the spring. <laugh>. Okay. Okay. I'm
freezing. Good thinking <laugh>, 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? Uh, take it one day at a time. Um, when, when you arrive you feel, uh, 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. Thank you. Yeah. Well, Thank you so much Lavinia,
What are you using this for? Uh, my YouTube channel is
called Traveling with Kristin. Okay. And it's a lot about culture and living abroad. Okay. What's your name? I'm Sasha.
And where are you from in Belgium. From Brussel.
Oh, okay. And are you just visiting Amsterdam? Yeah, We are just here for a
trip, uh, off a weekend. So it's a cool city. Yeah. Um, have you ever
been to the US before? Uh, long time ago. So like when I was 10 years old. Oh, okay. What would you
say that the perception is among Europeans about the US right now? I don't really know because, uh, when I was
in the US I was so young that I don't really
remember, uh, what is life. Mm-Hmm and
what is the difference between there and here. Right. Um, what would you say are
like the biggest differences between the lifestyle of Europeans versus Americans? Uh, chill.
It's more chill here. I think European are more chill. Yeah. Than Americans. That's my point of view. Yeah, I would agree. Okay. 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? Yeah, The social security is really cool. And the price of university also. Mm-Hmm. 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. Yeah. Why should people visit Belgium? Because Belgium is beautiful. There is, uh, good beers
there. More than 1000 beers. There is, uh, a lot of beautiful city, also older than Brussel, like
Chent, Liege, Antwerp. And uh, Brussel is also
the capital of Europe. So there is a lot of tourists and a lot of thing to do with friend. We go out, uh, all, uh, week, uh, to dance and do some things. Yeah. Uh, I've been to Chent, and Bruges, but not Brussels yet. Okay. Or Antwerp, 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? Party <laugh> meet
friend and just go drink and then, uh, yeah, dance. Awesome. So who has better French fries? Belgium or the Netherlands? Belgium, <laugh>, Bursa french fries
are the best one. That was a trick question. <laugh>. All right, well thank
you so much. Have a great day You're welcome. Thank you
also for the interview. Bye. What is your name?
My name's Lois. And where are you from originally? I am from Harlem, a small
town next to Amsterdam. Okay. I haven't been there yet, but it's on my list. <laugh>. Oh, you should. Yeah, you should. It's really nice. And are you just hanging
out here for the weekend? Uh, no, I just came from work. I'm working at the theater Carré.
Oh yeah, I've seen it. So, and IDFA's there right
now, so I've been working there. 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? Ooh, 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. Yeah. <laugh>. Uh, I've been
traveling a lot myself, uh, 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. <laugh>. Yeah. Um, but I think, um, some people in Amsterdam
are a little bit fed up with tourists, but other people, I'm, I think especially
younger people, uh yeah. Are finding it really cool and interesting and are really welcoming also the American tourists. Yeah. Yeah. Have you been to the US before? Uh, I have. Yeah. Yeah,
I've been to New York twice. Oh, everyone's been to New York. Yeah. That I've talked to <laugh>. I guess it's a popular place to go. 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 traveling. Yeah, yeah. Yeah. And
how did you like New York? What was your perception of
the vibe there and the energy? Uh, very good actually. Yeah.
Very, um, uh, alive. Mm-Hmm. and very big and busy. Uh, 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? Uh, no, it matched my
perception. Yeah. Yeah, yeah. And every, yeah, kind
of. Yeah. Yeah, yeah. Everyone was, uh, very nice. Uhhuh, um,
and welcoming I think. Uh, but I, maybe New York is not really a good representation of the whole US. Yeah. 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. Yeah. As well. <laugh>. Alright. Could you see yourself ever
living in the US someday? Or do you prefer the lifestyle here? I prefer the lifestyle here. Yeah. Yeah. I think for me it's a bit too
far away from home. Mm-Hmm. Um, and I actually
prefer Latin America. Oh, Yeah. Yeah. <laugh>. What about Latin America? Uh, well, last year I traveled
through Central America, 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. Uh, so like Central America, Latin America has my preference. Yeah. I used to live in Costa
Rica, so I can relate <laugh>. Oh, nice. Yeah. Then, then, you know.
Yeah. Then, you know, <laugh>, a lot of people ask me, 'cause I'm from Florida too,
and I lived in Costa Rica. They're like, why would you come here? Because it's so cold and it's so rainy. 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? Uh, well, what I really like
is that it's, uh, diverse. So I really like the beach,
but I also like nature. Um, like the forest is more,
uh, in the east, um, part of the, of the country. Um, I like that it, 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, 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. So yeah. I like the diversity of the
Netherlands. Yeah. Yeah. Is there anything that you would change or like want to improve
about your country? Ooh, 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 think it's good to spend
a little bit more attention to those people as well. Yeah. Yeah. And, uh, 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? I think it really depends
on where you go as a yeah. When you come to live here. But I think, uh, in the
beginning it, it's kind of hard. Yeah. A lot of people in the Netherlands
speak in the Netherlands speak English or American. But I think to really integrate
it's, it's kind of hard. Yeah. Yeah. Because I think
like when I was traveling last year, I was in Central America and, 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. Mm-Hmm. the
Dutch people are more together. Yeah. They stick together. Yeah. It's easier, you know, to,
to speak your own language. Um, so I can imagine it, it could be a little bit
hard in the beginning. Yeah, yeah. But once you
meet the right people and you come to the right places, I think especially in Amsterdam, then it'll be fine. Yeah. Yeah. I know. I always feel
bad when I'm the only one who doesn't speak Dutch. Yeah. But any Dutch
words that we should know besides Lekker? <laugh> Yeah. Lekker is a very good one. Loek. What's that? Loek is nice. Oh, okay. Yeah.
Everyone says, oh, Loek. Okay. I'm gonna start
hearing it everywhere now, I'm sure. Yeah, I think so too. Yeah. All thank you. Thank you so much. You're Welcome. Have a
good rest of your Sunday. Good Luck. Bye. Bye. <laugh>. Well,
everyone was really nice here. 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
they all thought so 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 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. <laugh>. Just ask you a couple
quick questions. Oh, okay. No problem. Do you guys live
here? No, but that's okay. Oh, you can.
