February 2010 www.cosmo-polite.com page 1

COSMO POLITE

CITY GUIDEFEBRUARY 2010

February 2010 www.cosmo-polite.com page 2

Contributors

Cover photoby Mehul Derodramehul@derodra.com

Blogger Amsterdam Foodie Vicky Hampton vicky@amsterdamfoodie.nl

Blogger BabyccinoEsther van de Paal esther@babyccinoblog.com

Editor DutchNews.nl Robin Pascoe editor@dutchnews.nl

Editor Expatica Natasha Gunnnatasha.gunn@expatica.com

Advertising & Sponsoring Get exposure within the Am-sterdam expatriate market. Contact Kira for advertising opportunities: kira@cosmo-polite.com

kira@cosmo-polite.com

February 2010 Copyright Cosmo Polite

Highlights of the Month

DUTCH NEWS TOP STORIES The Dutch & Iraq and Wildersʼ trial p4

AMSTERDAM RESTAURANT REVIEWSCinema Paradiso and Garlic Queen p8

AMSTERDAM EVENTS

February and March Gezelligheid p6Upcoming Singlesʼ Events p16

KIDS & THE CITY

How to entertain kids on a Rainy Day and Uniquely Amsterdam wallpaper p10

COSMO POLITE BLOGPOST

Amsterdamʼs best…Dutch Restaurants p12

and more….Guide to Public Transport p14Dutch Social Culture p18Expat Voices p 22Shops for Everyday 14English-Dutch Shopping list P26Great Amsterdam Services p30

February 2010 www.cosmo-polite.com page 3

It is my pleasure to introduce you to Amsterdam, the global vil-lage that I have come to love.

Mind you, Amsterdam life was not always as enjoyable. Having lived in Cape Town, I missed the warmness of my Southafrican culture. The vibrant city feel of London is hard to find in Amster-dam. During my assignment in Hong Kong, I became accus-tomed to service standards that differ greatly to that of the Dutch. However, with my outgoing nature and a bike, I continu-ously discover bits of New York and other world cities in Am-sterdam.

As experiences are always better when shared, I enjoy keeping my friends up to date about my cosmopolitan discoveries. From good cocktail bars to authentic French bakeries, I list the best in town on my blog.

Why only share information when you can share a bottle of wine? Via my company, Cosmo Polite, I host dinners and drinks for my network of expat friends and newcomers. As long as you leave your tie at work, you are most welcome to join us for drink and bite. Our gatherings always have a informal and social ambiance, so that it easy for you to meet other like-minded individuals in town.

In this monthʼs city guide, I have listed various Cosmo Polite events, other Amsterdam happenings and extracts of my blog. I hope that with this information, you will enjoy your new life in Amsterdam.

Sincerely,

Kira

Dear AMSTERDAM Newcomer

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Smokers should pay higher health insurance'The healthcare council is to recommend that health insurance companies be allowed to charge smokers and people with un-healthy lifestyles higher premiums. read >>

Police break privacy rules on number platesSeveral police forces are breaking privacy laws by keeping lists of car number plates using certain roads for longer than permit-ted. read >>

Prince Maurits promotes e-car, for a feePrince Maurits is to get a maximum consultancy fee of €204,000 for promoting electric cars on behalf of the govern-ment. read >>

Cost of pensions set to soar: reportCompany pension premiums will go up by 30% over the next 15 years in order to meet worker expectations, a government commission set up to look at the effect of the credit crisis on pensions said. read >>

McDonalds wrong to sack worker over cheeseA branch of the McDonalds hamburger chain in the Friesian town of Lemmer was wrong to sack a worker for giving a col-league on a break an extra piece of cheese on her hamburger, a court rules. read >>

Dutch bought 1.3 million bikes last yearThe Dutch bought 1.3 million bikes last year with a total bill of €950m, the RAI conference organisation said. read >>

Increase prostitution age to 23: AmsterdamThe age at which young women should be allowed to become prostitutes should be raised from 18 to 23, according to Am-sterdam city council executive Lodewijk Asscher. read>>

Dutch police develop mobile body scansRotterdam police are trying to develop a portable scanner which will allow them to see through people's clothing and look for concealed weapons. read >>D

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Read articles online: www.DutchNews.nl © DutchNews.nl

February 2010 www.cosmo-polite.com page 5

No legal basis for Iraq war, says reportUnited Nations resolutions on Saddam Hussein's weap-ons programme were not a sufficient mandate to justify the invasion of Iraq by the US and Britain, according to a Dutch government commit-tee.

The Netherlands gave politi-cal but not military support to the 2003 invasion, a decision largely based on claims that

Iraq had weapons of mass destruction. Those claims later turned out to be false.

'The Dutch government lent its political support to a war whose purpose was not con-sistent with Dutch govern-ment policy,' the report states.

It says prime minister Jan Peter Balkenende left the the matter up to foreign minister Jaap de Hoop Scheffer who drew up the Dutch line in a

45-minute meeting with civil servants.

The report says Dutch intelli-gence agencies had largely based their reports on infor-mation from the US and Brit-ish secret services and that other, more nuanced as-sessments of the risks posed by Iraq's weapons pro-gramme were 'not reflected' by the relevant ministers and departments.

... More

Wilders' trial to resume in FebruaryThe trial of MP Geert Wilders on inciting hatred and dis-crimination charges is to re-sume on February 3, follow-ing a one-day hearing in January.

Judges are now deciding who will be called as wit-nesses and on other proce-dural motions from both the prosecution and defence.

Wilders told the court his de-fence rested on freedom of expression laws and the fact he is telling the truth. 'This is why I ask [the court] to allow my expert witnesses. I have to be able to defend myself. I have to be able to show I have spoken the truth,' he said.

Wilders' witness list includes university professors, radical imams and Mohammed Bouyeri, the man who mur-dered film maker Theo van Gogh. ...More

Tiny Spyker takes over much bigger SaabDutch luxury car maker Spyker is to buy Swedish car firm Saab from General Motors, after weeks of negotiations and an intense final five days of marathon talks.

Spyker is to pay GM $74m in cash and $326m in preference shares for Saab, which has failed to make money for much

of the past 20 years. Spyker too has not made a profit since it was reborn as a brand in 2000.

Spyker produced just 43 hand-made cars in 2009 with a workforce of around 100. Saab has 3,400 workers and pro-duced 40,000 cars last year.

… More

DutchNews.nl provides quality English-language news about the Netherlands. Every day, either on-line or through a free subscription to its daily digital newsletter.

www.DutchNews.nl

Can you vote in March 3 local government elections?

Check out the special section on:

Visit Local Election Special

© DutchNews.nl

February 2010 www.cosmo-polite.com page 6

Who are Cosmo Polite members?

We have an equal about of men and women, mostly in their 30s, in the club. Certain events are more popular amongst women (eg. wine tastings and dinners) and others amongst men (drinks). We share a cosmopolitan lifestyle and a desire to enjoy life alongside our busy work schedules. We have a monthly event for singles; all other events are popular amongst both singles and couples.

How it works

We invite you to meet us personally and attend an event as a guest. After attending one event, if you wish to attend more, we require you to become a member (E15 pmnth).

Event AGENDA

Thursday 4 February Disco Bowling >>Sunday 7 February Go-Karting >>

Saturday 13 February Valentineʼs Speed Date >>Sunday 14 February Senior Speed Date view invitation >

Thursday 18 February February Expat Drinks >>Friday 19 February Tuscany Wine Tasting Dinner >>

Thursday 25 February Tapas Dinner >>

Thursday 11 March Expat Drinks >>Sunday 14 March Cheese & Wine Tasting >>

Thursday 18 March Southafrican Dinner >>

Sunday 28 March Spring Wine Mixer >>

Cosmo Polite EVENTS

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Saturday 13 February Valentineʼs Speed Date

Looking for love? Interested in making new friends? Meet the most eligible internationals at the Caffe Es-prit in Amsterdam just in time for Val-entineʼs Day. Donʼt miss out — true love could be waiting!

Venue: Caffe Esprit, AmsterdamRSVP here Entrance fee: E40, includes 25 dates, 2 drink and love/friend matching.

February Drinks

Meet new friends, socialize and have fun on an ordinary Thursday eve! Guests are asked to make a E5 donation to the Cosmo Polite Fund, which supports starting entrepreneurs in Third World countries.

Date/Time: Thursday 18 February, 19h30Venue: Bubbles & Wines, Nes 37Thank you for announcing your arrival: RSVP

Entrance fee: E5 + your personal consumptions. Free for members

Sunday 14 March Cheese Tasting with Wine

In the Reypenaer Cheese Tasting Room in the centre of old Amsterdam, we will per-sonally test and evaluate the flavour, the aroma and the qualities of the Reypenaer cheeses, all under the guidance of an expert cheese taster and wine connoisseur.

Entrance  EUR 12.50 per person, includes cheese, wine and a glass of port.There is a E5 surcharge for first-time guests.RSVP first come (rsvp), first serve

Tuscan Wine Tasting Dinner

Join us for a unique experience in the wine cellar hidden in Amsterdam Old South!

Join our wine master on a journey through Turscany explaining us about Chiantis and Supertuscans. Of course, we shall also taste tjese wines… which one will be your favourite?

Date/Time: Friday 19 February, 19h00Venue: Bubbles & Wines, Nes 37Entrance fee: E55 (+E7.50 for first-time guests)RSVP

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Restaurant REVIEWS by amsterdamfoodie

© Amsterdamfoodie.nl

Cinema Paradiso (Italian)A: Westerstraat 186 (Jordaan)T: 623 7344

RatingPricing

Teetotal Tiramisu I have made a very rash decision. For various reasons, I stupidly set myself the challenge of not drinking any alcohol for the month of January. Itʼs not a detox, nor a diet, so donʼt panic peeps. Nor is it in any way some kind of New Yearʼs resolution that I expect to ex-tend past the 1st February. Still, a decision is a decision, and so far Iʼve made it through a week. The first few days were ok: I deliberately cooked meals that donʼt lend themselves to wine – like curry. But then Friday came and my first big test: a bar followed by an Italian restaurant, with four people Iʼd never met before. And no friendly Tempranillo to keep me company.

So, when it comes to Cinema Paradiso (the unlikely name of the Italian that witnessed the Amsterdam Foodieʼs first tee-total dinner in this chilly city), I canʼt comment on the rather expensive bottles of wine that the rest of my party were drinking. I can, however, remem-ber everything I ate, without the least bit of hangover-inducing blurriness. Restaurants of Amsterdam, beware!

read more >>

Looking for more independent reviews like these?

The Amsterdam Foodie reviews restaurants in Amsterdam and posts them on her blog, interactive map and – if they're good enough! – recommendations page.

www.amsterdamfoodie.nl

February 2010 www.cosmo-polite.com page 9

©

Garlic Queen (European) A: Reguliersdwarsstraat 27 (Rembrandtplein) T: 422 6426

Rating Pricing

Garlic GaloreAt nine oʼclock on Wednesday evening, after Iʼd ploughed my way through garlic soup, garlic prawns and garlic ice cream, I remembered something: I had a dentist appoint-ment first thing on Thursday morning. Genius!

The dentist probably wasnʼt a huge fan of my dinner at Garlic Queen; but was I? First impressions werenʼt great. The waiter was somewhat surly, with an obvious distaste for non-Dutch speakers (not ideal anywhere in Amsterdam, but especially right next to the Rembrantplein). The décor involved 80s-style wall photos of the Dutch royal family, lit by plastic-y chandeliers on the ceiling and fake candles in frosted glass on the tables. The menu took the form of a tacky multi-coloured palm tree-clad photo album (if you can imagine that!) with one dish featured on each of its 4×6 inch pages. I couldnʼt work out if the tackiness was supposed to be an ironic nod to kitsch, or just bad taste and – worse still – un-user-friendliness.

Still, crashing on. We ordered a mixed starter to share, comprising garlic soup, duck liver pate (with garlic, obviously) and carpaccio of smoked halibut (I donʼt think I need to point out the addition of garlic by now). The food actually wasnʼt as bad as the décor had led me to fear it might be, but then again we still had a long way to go.

read more >>

©

amsterdamfoodie suggests:

- Low budget: Cafe Bern (Swiss) read >>

- Mid-range: District V (European) read >>

- Mid-range: Razmataz (European) read >>

- Splashing out: Beddingtonʼs (International) read >>

Garlic Ice cream

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KIDS &THE CITYFifteen original activities to keep your kids enter-tained in- house on a rainy autumn or winter day, without turning on the computer or the television.

1. Prepare everything for a warm bath. Then go outside, paddle the puddles, get cold, get dirty, and get wet.  Go back inside, undress completely while filling the bath, and warm up in the bath. Dress in loungewear and have hot chocolate.

2. Bake cookies. Eat them. Again with hot chocolate! In fact, activity 1 and 2 may very well be combined.

3. Make play dough.  Not only playing with the dough is fun, but preparing it too!

4. Think about old-fashioned family entertainment and bring out the board games. From ages four and up most kids will love it, and nothing is better for bonding and teaching your kids a thing or two about competing and being a good sport (winning or losing).

Read the other 11 things to do to entertain your kids. >>

Happy rainy day!! xxx Esther

P.S. The super-cute picture is from last-centuryʼs Dutch illustrator Rie Cramer.

© Babyccino

Broer & Zus (Brother & Sister)

Broer&Zus is a wonderful kidʼs clothing shop here in Amster-dam that definitely comes recommended!  They stocks a

great selection of fantastic brands, which makes the shop irre-sistible to start with. But the best part for me is their own label! They have some great pieces for babies and little people, of

great quality and lovely colours.

Their knitted wear is made of the softest alpaca wool, which is anti-allergic, doesnʼt itch (I can still remember the worst itchy

clothes from when I was a kid!) and is nice, warm and wonderful. The pieces are all made by hand in Peru in a workshop run just by women! I especially love the cardigans — theyʼre perfect for this time of year and have nice, vibrant colours.

The shirts, skirts and dresses are made of soft poplin cotton, so thereʼs no need to iron and they stay in excellent shape, and the cotton jersey pieces are lovely in their detail-ing, like stitching on the outside and little pockets. Truly a brand to keep coming back to for great staples in your kidsʼ wardrobe! (more…)

xxx Esther

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About Babyccino Kids

Babyccino Kids is a blog of four girls in 4 cities: Amsterdam, London, Paris and Milan. To-gether they discuss life with kids, style and all their favourite must-haves. With insider tips and reviews from each city, the girls offer up the best kid-friendly restaurants, shops and activities in their four cities – a great guide for ʻhip and happeningʼ mums who are either living in or traveling to their cities.

Amsterdam walll stickers from Zuuz.

Donʼt you love these wall decals? I mean, even if you donʼt live in Amsterdam, you surely must like them!?!

These supercool stickers are made by Zuuz, and besides the fact that I really like the images of the typical Dutch canal houses, I love the fact that they are so big — my daughter can draw on them even when sheʼs standing up!  We have a long hall-way in our current apartment so we could fit both the crayon sticker set and the outlined houses set next to each other, and it really looks fan-tastic.I never knew crayon stickers were so much fun for the kids — my daughter really loves drawing in the windows, the doors, and the peo-ple… Brilliant!

These (and other) fun wall decals are available through Dutch webshop Zuuz. (BTW, I love the combination of these wall decals and the pendant lampshade I wrote about earlier!)

xxx Esther

The Babysittersclub provides daycare service to families residing in Amsterdam. They also organise babysitters for company parties, weddings, in hotels and to

come along on vacations.

www.BabysittersClubAmsterdam.nl

February 2010 www.cosmo-polite.com page 12

Cosmo Polite BLOG

COSMO-POLITE.COM/BLOG

Dutch Cuisine - an oxymoron or something to be explored? If you go for the last, hereʼs a list of pleasant Dutch restaurants that serve more than a kroket or bitterbal.

Greetje - a Dutch Delight.Set in an old Amsterdam house, in the hidden corner of the old entranchment (oude schans) youʼll find Am-sterdam gezelligheid as it must have been a century ago- it is almost as if you are moving back into time. Invite your foreign friends from abroad to introduce them to Dutch cuisine - not an oxymoron! I even took

my Italian mother-in-law, who appreciated the dishes (but… naturalmente… it was not as good as cucina italiana). Restaurant Greetje, Peper-straat 23-25, Amsterdam Centre East (very east, that is), T. 77 97 450

Moeders - No one cooks better than Mama!

Moeders is Dutch for ʻMothersʼ. The whole cozy res-taurant is decorated with pictures of guestsʼ their mothers (see photo right). It is here that I realized that Dutch food is true comfort-food, eg suddervlees (braised steak), hotchpotch and bitterkoekjes ice cream (cannot explain this flavour, you just need to try it). Portions are good and pricing even better. Being at Moeders is always a pleasant experience. Moeders, Rozengracht 251, Amsterdam Cen-tre, T. 020-6267957

Restaurant Spelt - we need to check it out.This Dutch restaurant is on my to-go-visit list: the menu boasts authentic Dutch food as creamy mustard soup and Cruezes Zealand (- Zeeland is a Dutch prov-ince on the south of Rotterdam). The restaurant looks styling on pictures. Has anyone already dined here? If so, please reply! Restaurant Spelt, Nieuwe Spiegel-straat 5A, Amsterdam Centre, T. 420 70 22

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Eau de Vie - surprisingly (un)DutchOnly since my visit to De Bokkerdoorns (see below) am I open to Dutch cuisine. Little did I know that I had already been enjoying Dutch food! At Eau de Vie - a classy, small restaurant in Amstedam South- Dutch food is served with such style that I had mixed it up with French cuisine. Sevice was also unDutch elegant. May be the restaurant should be renamed to Leven-

swater or Vreugde des Leven (Joy of Life), because The Netherlands must be proud of such a restaurant. Eau de Vie, Maasstraat 20, Rivierenbuurt Amsterdam, T. 662 95 88

Contrast - French cuisine goes DutchContrast is a trendy restaurant with a trendy decor, trendy clientele and consequently trendy ambiance. As can be expected with trendy places, the menu is fu-sion: French cuisine with the usage of (seasonal) Dutch ingredients. Like many other trendy restaurants, the service is good (when it's not too busy, that is) and the food is of decent quality. My advice: visit Contrast on a weekday evening when it is not to busy and I trust

you'll have a great, uhm, I mean, trendy eve! Contrast, Ferdinand Bolstraat 178, De Pijp Amsterdam, T. 471 55 44

Dorrius - not to be missed!Dorrius was already a great success and now, after the refurbishment, the new Dorrius has become a place not to be missed for foreigners. Dorrius shows that traditional restaurants do not need to be dark and brown; at this styling and light restaurant typical Dutch cuisine is served with flair. The well-known herring is on the menu and, for real men, the popular Hunterʼs hotpot. Eet smakelijk! Dorrius, Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 5, Amsterdam Centre, T. 420 22 24

De Bokkedoorns- Best Dutch restaurant in the “whole wide world”Hidden in the dunes west of Haarlem, youʼll find De Bokkedoorns - a restaurant that de-serves every bit of the two Michelin stars they are awarded each year. The menu and service are of such a high level, it cannot be described. You just need to trust me. De

Bokkedoorns, Wethouder van Gelukpark, Zeeweg 53, Overveen, T. 023-526 36 00 Eet Smakelijk!Kira

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Guide TO Public TransportThe Netherlands has a reasonably good public transport system, but the payment system is un-dergoing transformation. Here is a basic guide to tickets, trains, buses, trams, airports and taxis, in-cluding information for those with special needs.

For national travel, www.9292ov.nl provides a door-to-door itinerary. After delays due to security issues, it will be possible to travel with the new OV-chipkaart

(www.ov-chipkaart.nl) in more and more places during 2009 till, eventually, all services should be using this smart-card system.

Cards are issued anonymously or for a particular individual. You buy a pass (or ʼloadʻ it from a bank account) and swipe the ticket upon entering and leav-ing the bus, metro, or tram. You pay for the distance travelled, unlike the cur-rent zonal system, the paper strippenkart.

With a strippenkart, a journey costs EUR 1.60 for one zone (two strips) and there are discounts for kids and pensioners or for multiple strips (15-45). You can stamp more than one person on a strippenkaart and it is valid for an hour, regardless of transfers between, say, metros and trams. Night buses have a separate strippenkaart.

If your journey includes one or more transfers and one of the public transport companies is not yet ready for the OV-chipkaart, paying by OV-chipkaart means you would pay the boarding rate twice. In this case, it is cheaper to use strippenkaart for the the entire journey.

In most regions, season tickets and strippenkaart will continue to be valid as long as the launch of the OV-chipkaart throughout the Netherlands has not been completed. Afterward, travel tickets other than the OV-chipkaart will gradually be cancelled. This will be announced in time, in the media and by the public transport companies.

Strippenkaarten work by stamping the card, either yourself (in the small yellow machines) or more often by a conductor or driver, at the beginning of the jour-ney. You stamp the card one more strip than the number of zones through which you are travelling. You may also stamp for more than one person on a single card, which will no longer be possible with the new OV-chipkaart.

Cards are valid for one hour (or more depending on how many strips are stamped) from the time stamped, regardless of the number of journeys made. To find out how many zones you will be crossing, consult the route map posted in tram or bus shelters, or ask conductors. There are also season cards, which can be bought to cover the desired number of zones for a week, a month, or a year and are particularly useful for daily journeys.

How to use the OV-chipkaart

Special needs on the train and other public transport

by EXPATICA

February 2010 www.cosmo-polite.com page 15

In many of the smaller towns, and the town-to-town bus services are also now offering off-peak (dal) tickets that are cheaper, ask the bus driver. Also, often tickets for large cultural events now include free transport; ask the ticket office for details. There are also Night Bus services in many of the larger urban area that have their own tickets and routes, check the public transport site for these.

TrainsThe Nederlandse Spoorwegen (www.ns.nl) is the national train company run-ning between all main cities. They offer season tickets and discounts for off-peak travel including the korting card which offers 40 percent off the price of tickets, not just for you but for up to three other people travelling with you. This is a bargain at EUR 55 a year. Many trains are double-deckers. Tickets are checked regularly and fines are heavy. For smaller cities, you can organise a treintaxi when you buy your train ticket: this is a shared door-to-door taxi serv-ice at a fixed price (EUR 4.30).

As well as treintaxis and buses for local onward travel, more than 80 stations also now offer 'OV-fiets', or public transport bicycles. You must apply in ad-vance for a pass, the OV-fietspass, which can also be bonded to your train discount card, or can be a separate pass. It will cost EUR 9.50 per year for membership and EUR 2.85 for each 20 hour period (or part thereof) which is automatically taken from the bank account number you provided when you joined, retrospectively.

Treintaxis/taxisTaxis are expensive and not allowed to pick up people on the street except by reservation or at a taxi stand, look for the 'standplaats taxis' sign. In the larger cities, at bar closing times, you can sometimes flag one down. Look for one with the taxi sign lit.

Note from Kira, Cosmo Polite: I advice to only make use of Taxi Central Amsterdam (TCA) taxis. I have had multiple bad experiences with non-organized (independent) taxi drivers. Though taxi drivers will protest, you have the right to refuse a taxi, even when it is ʻfirst in lineʼ.

The red sign on the TCA taxis reads: 7x7. All other signs reading ʻTCA ̒ are not in use (anymore) and are probably stolen. Program the phone number of TCA in your phone: 020-777 77 77.

Taxis in Amsterdam

About Expatica.comExpatica.com has everything you need to help you to build your life abroad. Find information about Dutch Public Transport, Healthcare, Em-ployment and Education online.

Go to the toolbox to ask experts questions, buy and sell in the classifieds section, find a job or home and even locate a business on the site. Visit Expatica.

February 2010 www.cosmo-polite.com page 16

Saturday 13 February Valentine Speed Date Looking for love? Interested in making new friends? Meet the most eligible internationals at the Expatica / Cosmo Polite Speed Dating.

Upon arrival, you will receive a list of the singles you will meet that evening. Once the dating starts, you will have three minutes to find a click with each single of the opposite sex. After each session, the men move on for the next dating round. You can then indicate whether youʼd like to stay in touch with your date by marking them on your list. After 25 dates, weʼll have a drink and give you the change to talk with that cutey till midnight.

... Valentineʼs Day .... we sort out the paper work and with any luck, you will find a match in your mailbox!

We can only invite 25 gentlemen and 25 ladies to this event, so make sure that you RSVP quickly!

Date/Time Saturday 13 February, 19h45Venue Caffe Esprit, Spui 10, Amsterdam

Purchase your ticket online: www.expatica.com

Single EVENTS

Sunday 14 FebruaryValentineʼs Speed Date SENIOR

Expatica and Cosmo Polite invites singles above 50 to its first Senior SpeedDate, taking place on Valentineʼs Day. Looking for love? Inter-ested in making new friends? Then join us; donʼt miss out — true love could be waiting!

Date/Time: Sunday 14 February, 19h45Venue: Caffe Esprit, Spui 10, AmsterdamPurchase your ticket online: www.expatica.comEntrance fee: E35, includes two drinks

Current Expatica Speed Dating Matching Results

•1 Baby•2 Marriages•2 Couples Living Together•many Relationships•little less many Break ups•many more Friendships

February 2010 www.cosmo-polite.com page 17

Sunday 28 MarchMeet singles at Expaticaʼs Wine Mixer in Amsterdam

Why not get together with wintery wines and bites in the heart of Am-sterdam? We will introduce you to other singles and various wines in a stylish and relaxed environment on Sunday 28 March.

You will be welcomed with a Cava to get in the mood to socialise with other singles. When the champagne flutes are empty, the first South African wine is served by a true wine connoisseur. After learning more about this white wine, we leave you to taste and enjoy it. You may also discuss your experiences with the others and write down your findings on the tasting forms available.

From South Africa, we move on France for the second white wine. The two red wines that follow come from Australia and South Africa respec-tively. Each wine is paired with a delicious appetizer.

The wine mixer is closed with a dessert wine and a chocolate bonbon.

After each wine, you can move freely to join a new group of singles, ensuring you will have met all singles of the opposite sex in a stress-free setting.

Afterwards, you may even wish to have dinner and get to know any particular someone you may have happened upon with another glass or two... We will arrange a table at a nearby restaurant just in case.

Expatica will connect all guests via a private Facebook group after the event ... and you can take it from there!

We can only invite 25 men and 25 women to this event. So RSVP quickly!

Date & Time: Sunday, 28 March, 16h00 to 18h30Location: Bubbles & Wines. Nes 37, Amsterdam Tickets: Tickets are EUR 40, which includes a welcome drink, four glasses of wine with appetizers, and a glass of dessert wine with a chocolate bonbon, and can only be ordered online.

Dating Events 2010

20 March Gay Speed Date - Amsterdam27 March Speed Date - The Hague28 March Wine Mixer - Amsterdam17 April Dinner Mixer - Amsterdam

18 April Wine Mixer - Almere24 Speed Date - Utrecht

February 2010 www.cosmo-polite.com page 18

Dutch Hospitality

Dutch hospitality is not associated with food. Dinners are pri-vate family time, so also donʼt call Dutch people around dinner time (17h30-19h). When being invited over to someoneʼs home, youʼll be served coffee (or tea) with biscuits. It is custom to take one biscuit; only when the host offers you more biscuits, you may take another on. In other words, always wait to be served and donʼt help yourself.When youʼre the host, do offer your guests a second round of coffee as they wonʼt ask for a refill themselves.

- source: Holland Handbook, 2008.

Dutch SOCIAL Culture

The Dutch are generally friendly people. If you ask a stranger for directions heʼll be happy to help you. However, the direct way of communicating can border to rudeness in foreignersʼ eyes. Putting matters in an elegant way interferes with the Dutch values clarity and structure; surprises are not appreci-ated, rules are made in great detail and clear boundaries give great comfort to the Dutch.

The Dutchʼ social life also has clear boundaries. For starters, work and home are kept separate. Some Dutch youʼll meet are happy to teach you things about The Netherlands and have a drink with you. Still, personal space and time are well protected.

Social boundaries are not limited to foreigners and locals. The Dutch social life is circular; people keep their different groups of friends (e.g. the old high school friends and the friends from their sportsʼ club) separately. Only on birthdays may the mem-bers of the different groups of friends meet one another. The agenda helps the Dutch keeping their lives organized and well-planned. Even for a coffee meet up do the Dutch take out their agenda to make the appointment.

To get into a Dutch social circle of friends, requires an active attitude and patience. Going to a bar wonʼt help you to get in first contact with the Dutch; joining some kind of club will be a more fruitful effort to get connected. The Dutch enjoy sports, so joining a team sport might be a great way of meeting people. Friendships grow more slowly than elsewhere, yet Dutch friend-ships do characterize themselves with great loyalty and equal-ity.

February 2010 www.cosmo-polite.com page 19

Greeting ritual for good friends & family

Good female friends greet each other and men with three 3 air-kisses on the cheeks. Men greet other men with a handshake.

The order: right cheek- left cheek - right cheek.

Ladies initiate the ritual by placing their right cheek against the right cheek of the other person.

An ʻair kissʼ is made; meaning, only the sound of a kiss is made. No lips actually touch the cheek of the other person!

Ladies kiss both the gentlemen and women.

Men shake hands with men.

DO give three kisses or a hand

friendly ambiance

chatty ● comforting ● relaxing

jolly ● vivacious ● general togetherness

cheerful ● gemütlich ● chatty ● animated

cozy ● GEZELLIG ● nice

warm setting ● relaxing ● cozy atmosphere

charming setting ● pleasant ambiance

having a good time together ● airy

kind ● sociable ● genialwarm hearted

Whatʼs Gezellig?- nice friends- spending time with nice friends- a cozy bar, especially when youʼre meeting your nice friends

- Amsterdam

Whatʼs ongezellig?- the situation when your friend needs to work and cannot meet you.

- the friend that needs to work and cannot meet you.

- a modern bar, especially when youʼre sitting there by yourself.- Rotterdam

DO be gezellig*[gurgle sound]-uh-SELL-lih-[gurgle sound]

Gezellig is an untranslated Dutch adjective that is frequently used, even amongst the ex-pats. Whatever is ʻgezelligʼ is what we like.

February 2010 www.cosmo-polite.com page 20

✓ DO be on time when meeting your friend. It is a sign of respect to your friend, his agenda and your friendship in general.

✦ DONʼT show up unexpectedly on your friendʼs doorstep. Visits are to be announced, preferably a day in advance.

✦ DONʼT discuss personal matters as political views, salaries and religion.

✦ DONʼT take offense in the Dutchʼ humor, which often is sarcastic and or based on ʻSchadenfreudeʼ. Also, Dutch intonation and great, yet not perfect English language skills can easily make a joke more insulting than intended.

Do’s & Don’ts

✓ DO go Dutch. The Dutch really do; everyone pays their share of the bill. It may happen that the bill is completely analysed to calculate everyoneʼs per-sonal consumption.

✓ DO bring pastries or a birthday cake for colleagues to your work if itʼs your birthday.

✦ DONʼT forget to congratulate all relatives of the birthday boy/girl; say, for example ʻcongratulations with your brother/cousin/mother/etc etcʼ.

✓ DO stand when someone is being introduced to you. Give a firm hand-shake and say your first and last name.

✦ DONʼT approach someone with your question. Rather, start of with 'Excuse me, may I ask you some-thing?'

February 2010 www.cosmo-polite.com page 21

Expats in AmsterdamThe expatriates in Amsterdam are more easy to befriend. For starters, they all find themselves in a foreign town without family and friends ʻfrom back homeʼ. Secondly, the international ways of socializing allows it to meet and befriend people more easily and quickly. Yet again: you do need to get out there and put yourself in situations where you can meet people.

There are numerous of expat groups in Amsterdam; e.g. the British society, International Womenʼs Club, Hash (running) club, etc. Google online expatriate groups and also on Face-book you can find groups of expatriates that are happy to have you amongst them.

Cosmo Polite Cosmo Polite is the only professionally run social club for inter-nationally oriented men and women in Amsterdam. Most of us are in their 30s and enjoy socializing over a glass of wine. On this page youʼll find when and where weʼre meeting up and you are welcome to join us for a drink.

Cosmo Polite HomePage

February 2010 www.cosmo-polite.com page 22

Expat VOICES

Name: Anthony Hodge (US)City of residence: AmsterdamOccupation: Marketing & Communications ExecutiveReason for moving to the Netherlands: Followed parents here and came to studyLived in the Netherlands for: 6 ½ years

How does the quality of life in the Netherlands compare to the quality of life in

other countries that youʼve lived in?

I think the Dutch have one of the highest levels of quality of

life, because there is balance of people versus the land and en-vironment. Sure, this takes a lot more government involvement

and legislation and rules, but it works!

EXPATICA

I think the Netherlands has the best qual-ity of life of the countries I have lived in. There is a

happy feeling around the country. Biking keeps you in shape and is very ecological. I moved from Toronto, so I changed the winter jacket for an umbrella.

Name: Jorge Aristizabal (Colombian/Canadian)City of residence: AmsterdamOccupation: HousemanReason for moving to the Netherlands: Partnerʼs careerLived in the Netherlands for: since October 2008

Expat Voices are online interviews published on Expatica.comRead the latest Expat Voice interview online.

If you have a question for other expatriates or would like to discuss your expat experiences, join the Expatica community for free.

© Expatica.com

February 2010 www.cosmo-polite.com page 23

After working and spending two years in London, I would say life is quite comfortable here. Things are sys-tematic and people follow the rules and law which is ap-

preciated.

Name: Irena Ajdinovic (Serbian)City of residence: Amsterdam

Occupation: PhD researcherReason for moving to the Netherlands:

PhD and relationshipLived in the Netherlands for: since September 2008

If the quality of life pertains only to material security, the contrast between Belgrade and Amsterdam is becoming less and

less prominent over the last couple of years. Otherwise, you have the same chance to enjoy your life in the Balkans or the Netherlands,

depending on where your priorities lie.

In South Africa I had a bigger house, bigger garden, more space and of course all my friends and family around me. I also had

awesome weather and sunshine most of the year. But I was always con-cerned for my safety. Over here, space is limited but cleverly utilised. I do

not worry about safety anymore, but I am lonelier than ever before.

Name: Lizelle Smit (South African)City of residence: WageningenOccupation: CopywriterReason for moving to the Netherlands: My partner was transferred.Lived in the Netherlands for: since January ʻ09

Find information about lifestyle, expat voices and blogs & photos on Expaticaʼs

Life in the Netherlands

© Expatica.com

Name: Sanjay Chandak (Indian)City of residence: AmsterdamOccupation: Software engineer at INGReason for moving to the Netherlands: WorkLived in the Netherlands for: since 2007

February 2010 www.cosmo-polite.com page 24

Baby goods Hema, V&D, Prénatal

Books English Bookshop, ABC, Selexyz DIY Gamma, Formido, Praxis

Electronics Mediamarkt, RAF

Fresh foods A.Cuypmarket (Mon-Sat), Farmerʼs markt

Garden& Terrace ʻtuincentrumʼ Intratuin

Department stores ʻwarenhuisʼ Bijenkorf, V&D

Household goods Blokker, Hema, V&D, Bijenkorf

Knickkacks Blokker, Xenos

Organic foods Marqt, Farmerʼs markt (Noordermarkt, Saturdays)

Sports Perry Sport, Bever Outdoor Zwerfsport

Stamps AH, Bruna

Stationery Gebr. Winter, Hema, V&D

7/7 SupermarketAH on Dam and Museumplein, daily from 8am-10pm.

Tickets Amsterdam Uitburo, Lastminute ticketshop

Toy Shops Bart Smit, Intertoys

Shop

s FO

R E

very

day

February 2010 www.cosmo-polite.com page 25

Great DUTCH

Products

HagelslagChocolate sprinkles

put on buttered bread.

KaasschaafA perfect device to cut thin slices of cheese, which is put on a slice of bread at breakfast and at lunch.

BitterballenDonʼt ask what they are, whatʼs in-side, just eat it! One of the best are from Van Dob-ben, Korte Reguli-ersdwarsstraat 5

Uber-UmbrellaIn a bike-loving and rainy country having an umbrella that doesnʼt invert can be quite a necessity. The SENZ umbrella ef-fortlessly slices through the wind, from a

summer breeze to a heavy storm. Due to its smart design, the SENZ Original umbrella will not invert, and is

windproof up to wind force 10! Available at: De Bijenkorf, Dam 1, Bever Zwerfport, Stadhouderskade 4.

Dutch Inventions

1. MICROSCOPE

2. TELESCOPE

3. PENDULUM CLOCK

4. ELECTROCARDIOGRAPH (ECG)

5. CD

6. SAWMILL

7. ROAD RULE ENFORCEMENT CAMERA

8. SUBMARINE

9. ARTIFICIAL KIDNEY

10. SENSEO, 1-cup at the time coffee machine

BugabooBugaboo, headquar-tered in Amsterdam, are those trendy strollers that you see around the city streets, in the coun-try side and even on the beach.

Bike LightsThey might not be Dutch inventions, but do get them! It is compulsory to have bike lights on when biking in the dark. Make sure youʼll always have them with you by putting them on your key chain. Then they can also function as key hole finder and mini-torch. Hema, 2 for E5.50

February 2010 www.cosmo-polite.com page 26

Fire Service 020.555 66 66Local Police 020.559 91 11

Medical Service 088.003 06 00Emergency road ass. 0800.08

88

ServicesAccess Expat Helpline (10h-16h,

free) 020.423 32 17

Telephone Directory 1888Taxi 020.777 77 77

Lost or Stolen CardsAmerican Express 020.504 86

66Diners Club 020.654 55 11

Eurocard/Mastercard 030.283 55 55

Visa Card 0800.022 31 10

Gas, water, electricity Essent 088.851 10 00

NUON 0900.08 08 (press 1, then 3)

InternetUPC 1580

EMERGENCY NO.

112

Cosmo Polite PHONE BOOK

✂

February 2010 www.cosmo-polite.com page 27

Cosmo Polite SHOPPING LIST❒ bread - brood❒ cereals - cornflakes❒ rusk - beschuit❒ pasta - pasta❒ rice - rijst❒ flour - bloem

❒ butter - boter❒ cheese - kaas ❒ yoghurt - yoghurt❒ jam - jam❒ choc. sprinkles - hagelslag

❒ salt - zout❒ pepper - peper❒ spices - kruiden❒ sugar - suiker❒ sweetener - zoetjes❒ honey - honing ❒ oil - olie❒ vinegar - azijn❒ mustard - mosterd❒ eggs - eieren❒ cream - room / creme fraiche

meat & fish - vlees & vis❒ beef - rundvlees❒ pork - varkensvlees❒ veal - kalfsvlees❒ chicken - kip(penvlees)❒ salmon - zalm❒ cod - kabeljauw❒ tuna - tonijn❒ trout - forel❒ shrimps -garnalen

vegetables - groenten❒ lettuce - sla❒ cucumber - komkommer❒ tomato - tomaat❒ onion - ui❒ garlic - knoflook❒ beans - bonen❒ potatoes - aardappelen❒ leek - prei❒ cauliflower - bloemkool❒ carrot -wortel❒ spinach - spinazie

fruit - fruit❒ apple - appel❒ pear - pear❒ orange - sinaasappel❒ banana - banaan❒ grapes - druiven❒ lemon - citroen

drinks - dranken❒ coffee - koffie❒ tea - thee❒ milk - melk❒ softdrinks - frisdranken*❒ beer - bier* ❒ wine - wijn

❒ biscuits - koekjes❒ cake - taart❒ chocolate - chocolade❒ candy - snoep❒ nuts - noten / borrelnootjes

❒ cleaning products - schoonmaak artikelen❒ dishwashing detergent - afwas-middel / vaatwas blokjes (tablets)❒ washing powder - wasmiddel❒ plastic wrap - plastic folie❒ alum. foil - alum. folie❒ soap - zeep❒ toothpaste - tandpasta❒ shampoo - shampoo❒ toilet paper - wc papier

❒ flowers - bloemen❒ candles - kaarsen

❒______________________________❒______________________________❒______________________________❒______________________________❒______________________________

*don’t forget to return the bottles to re-ceive your bottle deposit back (‘statiegeld’)

✂

February 2010 www.cosmo-polite.com page 28

Here's Holland by Sheila Gazaleh-Weevers, Shirley Agudo and Connie Moser

provides expats and visitors of all ages and interests with a unique insight into Holland's treasures and pleasures, it's culture and cus-toms. Families and international business people transferring to, or already living in Holland, will also find invaluable tips and advice re-garding life in this tiny but fascinating country.

A Dictionary of Dutchness by DutchNews.nl

Based on the popular column on the DutchNews.nl website and newspaper, A Dictionary of Dutchness is a handy-sized paperback with over 400 short and snappy entries which unravel the acronyms, abbrevia-tions and jargon of everyday life in the Netherlands.

The Undutchables by Colin White and Laurie Boucke

A very revealing treatise about the Dutch that has been self-categorized by the publisher as "non-fiction/humour". The authors have looked much farther than wooden shoes and tulips. Even the way they stir sugar in their coffee has not escaped their notice. Every-thing in it is true, and only the humor with which it is written makes it at all palatable for the Dutch themselves.

BOOKS &THE CITY

Holland Handbook by Xpat.nl

This handbook offers 256 full-color pages of essential information for the expatriate on all aspects of living and working in the Netherlands such as career, fiscal issues, health care, housing, insurance, inter-national education, registration and telecommunications.

February 2010 www.cosmo-polite.com page 29

Excerpt from BlogCOSMO-POLITE.COM/BLOG/BOOKS

Brownies and Tea at The English Book shop. The English Bookshop is my favourite book shop in Amsterdam; it is friendly, personal and there is a bell hanging above the door, ringing happily when you step into the store. The cozy basement boasts checkered English sofaʼs, which are perfect for enjoying the chocolate brownies, freshly ground coffee or Rooibos Tea. The only thing I am missing is a fireplace and a sleeping Labrador at my feet! The Southafrican owner Liesl can or-der any book you wish, yet I am always amazed how many books she has managed to store in her picturesque shop. The English Bookshop, Laurier-gracht 71 (Jordaan). Opening hours: Tue-Sat 11am-6pm.

ABC and itʼs Treehouse.The largest ʻEnglishʼ literary institution in Amsterdam is the American Book Cen-

tre. Besides a wide range of books, they host numerous self-development activi-ties ranging from writing clinics and yoga classes to Hello Kitty book signing and

open mike nights. American Book Centre, Spui 12. Opening hours: Mon 11am-7pm, Tue-Sat 10am-8pm, Thu till 9pm, Sun 11am-6.30pm.

WaterstoneʼsIf the American style is not your cup of tea, try Waterstoneʼs, a four story bookshop with a welcoming, traditional ambiance. Waterstoneʼs, Kalverstraat 152. Mon 10am- 6pm, Tue-Fri 9.30am–6pm, Thu till 9pm, Sat 10am-6.30pm, Sun 11am-6pm.

The Book Exchange is specialized in used English books and has acquired quite a stock (80.000 titles) over the past 30 years. The Book Exchange, Kloveniersburgwal 58, Opening hours: Mon-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun: 11.30am-16.00pm

Read about book markets on www.cosmo-polite.com/blog/books

Happy reading!Kira

Amsterdam: The Brief Life of a City

by Geert Mak

A great book about the city's soul, part history, part travel guide. This story-telling book was a huge hit among the Dutch. Based on the popular column on the DutchNews.nl website and newspaper, A Dic-tionary of Dutchness is a handy-sized paperback with over 200 short and snappy entries which unravel the acronyms, abbreviations and jargon of everyday life in the Netherlands.

February 2010 www.cosmo-polite.com page 30

Great AMSTERDAM Services

Rental Housing

There are many hous-ing agencies on the

market. Find below three agencies who are reli-able and provide excel-

lent service. Min. rent E1200 pm.

Intermediairies CapitalLocations.comGrandRelocation.nl

Portal for (service) apartments

Apartments-for-Rent.com

(semi) Private Language Tutors

Talencoachwww.talencoach.nl

Zoos Onderwijswww.zoosonderwijs.nl

Expat Informationwww.expatica.com

Expatica provides daily news, features and essential information to help internationals settle into their new country of residence: how to find a job or housing, in-formation on the local health and education systems, how to start a business or deal with pension plans in your adopted country.

Annually, Expatica produces a Survival Guide for spe-cific countries to give internationals on the ground the best of the site in a comprehensive and easy-to-use format.

Great AMSTERDAM Services

Dutch health care

General health care is high but non-interventionist in nature. Two health care providers that are highly popular amongst Am-sterdam expats are Dentist Practice Dennis van der Hoevewww.dennisverhoevetandarts.nl

Expat DoctorBloemgracht guy

Emergency Number 112

February 2010 www.cosmo-polite.com page 31

Beauty & Relaxation

Hairfashion by LeoBest hairdresser in town

Rokin 105 T. 4232002

CybersalonHair- & Beauty salon

Gravenstraat 22,T.3300662

Spa ZuiverSpa, Saunas & Massage

Koenenkade 8T. 301 07 10

Koan FloatFloating & Massage

Herengracht 321 T. 5550333

Corpus RubMassage

Van Breestraat 72hsT. 4165055

Expat Services

Lifestyle ManagementTime of your Life

www.timeofyourlife.nl

Expat Tax Advisor

OnestopTax Patwww.onestoptaxprep.nl

Cosmo Polite Members help other Members.

Amongst our members we count a

- Guy with a sloep (Aʼdam boat)-Lady who enjoys babysitting pets during

your absence- Lady who organizing bachelorette (and other)

parties.

We also share recommendations for cleaners and handymen, etc.

Your Company in the Cosmo Polite City Guide?

Cosmo Polite is an independent company that con-tinuously looks for other service-providing quality companies. If you think your company deserves a mentioning on this page, please contact Kira at kira@cosmo-polite.com.

Pet Sittingdogs / cats / bunnies / birds / reptiles

• Doggie day care centre• Daily dog walks• Behavioral correction• Pet feeding and waste disposal

Basket & Bones, Leidseplein, T. 06.292 29 00

February 2010 www.cosmo-polite.com page 32

Amsterdam winter Snapshotsby Mehul Derodra

Event AGENDA

Thursday 4 February Disco Bowling >>Sunday 7 February Go-Karting >>

Saturday 13 February Valentineʼs Speed Date >>Sunday 14 February Senior Speed Date invitation >

Thursday 18 February February Expat Drinks >>Friday 19 February Tuscany Wine Tasting Dinner >>

Thursday 25 February Tapas Dinner >>

Thursday 11 March Expat Drinks >>Sunday 14 March Cheese & Wine Tasting >>

Thursday 18 March Southafrican Dinner >>

Sunday 28 March Spring Wine Mixer >>