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Korean Job Discussion Forums
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eamo
Joined: 08 Mar 2003
Location: Shepherd's Bush, 1964.
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 Posted: Tue May 16, 2006 5:47 pm Post subject: |
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| I guess quality of life is all in the eye of the beholder, but I dont think most Dutch people see their own country as such a great place to live. |
Of course we don't know for sure, but I suspect you're completely wrong there. |
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hermes.trismegistus
Joined: 08 Sep 2005
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| Posted: Tue May 16, 2006 7:02 pm Post subject: |
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| Endesu wrote: |
| I think its a decent city, but nothing compared to the "nicer" cities in Europe like Vienna, Zurich etc. |
Each has a certain appeal that others lack. Vienna has its good points. Zurich certainly has plenty of flavor. I was in Basel for Hoffman's 100th birthday symposium and found the city enchanting.
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| Its rather dirty and filthy, and not very well maintained. |
If you found A'dam "dirty/filthy", you must think Korea a stinking cesspool. Not that I'd disagree or anything...
Namaste. |
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Satori
Joined: 09 Dec 2005
Location: Above it all
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| Posted: Tue May 16, 2006 10:03 pm Post subject: |
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| flakfizer wrote: |
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| This really would make a lot of conservative americans choke, because all the bad things that they say would happen if laws in the states were liberalised simply dont happen, according to studies in the Netherlands. |
Let's pray the US has the wisdom to base its laws and policies on documentaries. |
Don't confuse the documentary with the stats mentioned in the documentary. Of course, a doco is just a doco, but the stats come from legit surveys. The evidence suggests very strongly that the liberal model is extremely beneficial for society. |
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Endesu
Joined: 24 Apr 2006
Location: Bucheon
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| Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 3:27 am Post subject: |
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Yes, I do find Korea quite filthy as well, and its the same here in the UK. But Amsterdam is filthy in a different, vulgar, in-your-face way. And yes, I guess walking through the Red Light District might have something to do with my oppinion. Im not opposed to WHAT they do there, just the way the present it. Its just so tacky and vulgar. 50 year old, fat Bulgarian and Caribbian women pushing their t*ts up against the window is not my idea of hot....
But I must admit I had alot of fun in Holland, and I love the mentality of the people there.
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rapier
Joined: 16 Feb 2003
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| Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 4:14 am Post subject: |
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| Endesu wrote: |
| Amsterdam is filthy in a different, vulgar, in-your-face way. And yes, I guess walking through the Red Light District might have something to do with my oppinion. Im not opposed to WHAT they do there, just the way the present it. Its just so tacky and vulgar. |
I never got that tackiness from Dutch people, although there were some of other nationalities there who were creepy and vulgar. Without being racist..plenty of aggressive N.Africans prowling the streets there who are the kingpins of the vice trade.
Generally the Dutch do everything with a certain style and sophistication. They have an open straightforward charm which is nice. The city may not be as picturesque as Prague or Vienna..but its a happening place with an awesome atmosphere. If its culture you want you can simply avoid the red light area and head for other parts of the city. Go round the museums for example.
I love the way you can enjoy a little smoke, chill out and meet all kinds of people from all over the world, everyone in a good mood. And just lose track of time completely.. |
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kermo
Joined: 01 Sep 2004
Location: Eating eggs, with a comb, out of a shoe.
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| Posted: Wed May 17, 2006 4:28 am Post subject: |
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Those of you who mentioned the cultural conflict with its Muslim population might be interested in the test which has been proposed for would-be immigrants, which basically mandates tolerance for liberal values:
Dutch government unveils new integration exam
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4 February 2005
AMSTERDAM � Does a car have two or four wheels? Is it OK to sunbathe topless on the North Sea beaches along the Dutch coast?
These are just two of the questions would-be immigrants may be asked as part of the new inburgeringsexamen, or integration exam, included in draft legislation that was unveiled by Immigration and Integration Minister Rita Verdonk on Thursday.
The exam is intended for immigrants, who will have to take it in their home country prior to coming to the Netherlands, to test their ability to speak Dutch and to gauge their understanding of Dutch culture.
A video accompanies the exam material to give candidates insight into life in the Netherlands. It includes images of women sunbathing topless on the beach and of gay marriage � two examples of accepted behaviour in the Netherlands.
The draft legislation provides for exemptions for certain groups of newcomers. These include citizens from other EU countries; the European Economic Area (EU states and Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein) and Switzerland, the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Japan.
These groups of newcomers are not required to sit the integration exam in their land of origin, according to the draft legislation. However, some may be required to undertake an integration course and exam when in the Netherlands.
The draft legislation has to be approved by parliament before it is introduced.
The integration pack � exam material and video � will cost EUR 45 and students will need 250 to 350 hours preparation before sitting the exam, Verdonk said.
People sitting the exam will communicate with the examiner in the Netherlands by phone. The immigrant will have to pay for the price of the phone call.
Verdonk says the exam will ensure that people who choose to settle in the Netherlands for an extended period of time will have prepared for life here before arrival.
"As integration into Dutch society is a longterm process it is important that newcomers before arrival to the Netherlands have a command of the Dutch language at a basic level and developed an understanding of the society into which they are coming," Verdonk says.
The obligation to undertake an integration course will mainly apply, Verdonk says, to people who come here to form a family by marrying a Dutch person, for example, or who want to be re-united with family members already in the Netherlands.
The ministry estimates 14,000 people a year will apply to take the exam. And given that most family-reunification migrants come from Turkey, Morocco and Suriname, Verdonk says, the majority of applications will be dealt with in the capital cities Ankara, Rabat and Paramaribo. |
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