Ask a Dutchman!

That is incorrect: the government is negotiated between selected parties (usually the largest from the last elections), no members of government are chosen.

Ah, I've added an "by parliament", the point I was trying to make is that our PM is intrinsically connected with his cabinet.
 
As our little brother, and we disagree with his choice of partner. ;)

Meh, our state's only a buffer created by the powers of the nineteenth century anyway. I haven't seen that many Walloons in my life yet, so it's hard to judge them. I do not want the country to split though.
 
Meh, our state's only a buffer created by the powers of the nineteenth century anyway.

:confused: I think you've forgotten about the 1830 revolt that created the state of Belgium. The bufferstate you mention was the Kingdom of the Netherlands of 1815.

Ah, I've added an "by parliament", the point I was trying to make is that our PM is intrinsically connected with his cabinet.

Yes, but the government members aren't elected: who gets a government post is the result of inter-party negotiations.
 
Yes, but the government members aren't elected: who gets a government post is the result of inter-party negotiations.

The cabinet is approved by the Tweede Kamer, without that approval there is no cabinet. This vote by the Tweede Kamer is of course some inter-party compromis, but that doesn't change the fact that technically, the Kamer choses them.
 
As you say, parliament merely approves the result of government negotiations; no 'elections' are involved, however. (Except ofcourse, the elections leading to the new party seat divisions in parliament itself.) Government members don't even have to be members of parliament or be elected at all.
 
Let's elevate this conversation. Do people follow the antics of Joram van der Sloot there? Latest news is that he's fathered a child in Peruvian prison.
 
Yeah, he's in the news every now and then, seldom in a good way.
 
Tell me if you heard this one. Roadsign in the Netherlands: Achtung Panzers! Belgium - Keep Left!
 
I'd have 2 questions:
- Could somebody please translate me something like "Excuse me please. I don't speak Dutch. Do you speak English or German? I'd need your help."
- Do Dutch institutions/companies reimburse expenses for traveling to job interviews (I hope yes), and if so, how much? (I hope it's the same like here...)

Since these are somehow a bit important, I hope that somebody can answer them :please:.
 
Tell me if you heard this one. Roadsign in the Netherlands: Achtung Panzers! Belgium - Keep Left!

WW II jokes have gone out of fashion a while ago, I imagine, so no, never heard of that.
(Any 'funny' person referring to 'stolen bikes' in this connection I'd consider pretty lame...)

I'd have 2 questions:
- Could somebody please translate me something like "Excuse me please. I don't speak Dutch. Do you speak English or German? I'd need your help."
- Do Dutch institutions/companies reimburse expenses for traveling to job interviews (I hope yes), and if so, how much? (I hope it's the same like here...)

Since these are somehow a bit important, I hope that somebody can answer them :please:.

Ofcourse:

- "Sorry, ik spreek geen Nederlands. Spreekt u (informal: Spreek je) Engels of Duits? Kunt u (Kun je) me helpen?" (Although I must say that in most cases you'll find you can speak English; it is obligatory in high school as a second language. German, for some reason, isn't.)

- I can't really answer your second question, as I've no experience with it. I suggest asking the institution/company in question if travel expenses are paid/reimbursed. I imagine they'll be happy to answer you. (And wish you good luck on your interview(s), ofcourse.) ;)
 
I think you've forgotten about the 1830 revolt that created the state of Belgium. The bufferstate you mention was the Kingdom of the Netherlands of 1815.

I know that. There's a reason why some revolts are successful and others not, though.
 
(Although I must say that in most cases you'll find you can speak English; it is obligatory in high school as a second language. German, for some reason, isn't.)

I would have guessed that for English, but you never know. I studied with foreigners, and one told me that e.g. the foreigners office in the city we studied apparently didn't have anyone employed who spoke English. So I'd like to be prepared for such situations.

And I have to say myself: German is not *that* important, so I understand that (still asked because I'll be traveling relatively close to the border)


- I can't really answer your second question, as I've no experience with it. I suggest asking the institution/company in question if travel expenses are paid/reimbursed. I imagine they'll be happy to answer you.

Since I'm still missing money from my last reimbursement (here in Germany, so I know the laws, and the Uni probably knows them too), I'd rather like to get the info from someone, who doesn't have a monetary advantage if he/she gives me a wrong advice.
Just paranoia :).

Ofcourse:
[...]
(And wish you good luck on your interview(s), ofcourse.) ;)

Thanks :hatsoff:.
 
According to Wiki, most employers have to pay you a reimbursement for your travel expenses to an interview, but this is not regulated by law but by agereements between companies (and unions?), and according to Wiki many companies don't really follow these rules. Some more googling learns that the situation is different at every company.

I *think* most large, professional organisations looking for a relatively high position might give a reimbursement, smaller companies probably won't. (Semi)government things are most likely to give it.

Also, if you know your appointment date well in advance (~a month), and plan to travel by train, look at the Deutsche Bahn site to see if they have got any Sparpreise. Tickets from Germany to almost any Dutch train station can be as cheap as €39, if you are lucky.
 
According to Wiki, most employers have to pay you a reimbursement for your travel expenses to an interview, but this is not regulated by law but by agereements between companies (and unions?), and according to Wiki many companies don't really follow these rules. Some more googling learns that the situation is different at every company.

I *think* most large, professional organisations looking for a relatively high position might give a reimbursement, smaller companies probably won't. (Semi)government things are most likely to give it.

Ouch, that doesn't sound too good :/.
Since it's an university, I justt hope that your guess is right :).

And thanks, it's useful to know :).

Also, if you know your appointment date well in advance (~a month), and plan to travel by train, look at the Deutsche Bahn site to see if they have got any Sparpreise. Tickets from Germany to almost any Dutch train station can be as cheap as €39, if you are lucky.

Sadly not that lucky :/. The appointment is already on Monday, and the cheapest ticket was 69€. But since it had 2 pretty tight intermediate stops, I bought one for 99€ on another route (way there, back will be more; damn, does that stuff have to be that expensive :gripe:?; since I'm not really close to the border, I guess most of that is for the national connections), because I really don't want to miss the interview. Guess I can consider it an investment, in case I don't get it back :/.
 
Ouch, that doesn't sound too good :/.
Since it's an university, I justt hope that your guess is right :).

Which university do you have an interview with?
 
My paranoia forbids me to disclose that :D.
But it's probably in the only university city on this damn planet which does not have it's own train station :gripe:.
You raaaang?
 
?
*checksTheIP* that town has sure a train station, hasn't it?


--------------

And to get the connection back, I guess I can ask the first question right now: Do you know any more or less important differences between Germany and the Netherlands? The only thing which my parents remember from holidays 20 years ago is that it seems you don't have any curtains on the windows, but that's probably the least important thing to consider :D.
Edit: Yeah, and pot, but that's common knowledge ^^.
 
Back
Top Bottom