Understanding coffee-adjacent vernacular and local practices for accessing public facilities can make the transition to living and traveling in the Benelux a little bit easier. (SOMATUSCANI (Adobe Stock))
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Understanding coffee-adjacent vernacular and local practices for accessing public facilities can make the transition to living and traveling in the Benelux a little bit easier.
If, like me, you’re a “coffee first, questions later” kind of person, you’ll want to be aware that finding a cup of Joe isn’t as easy as a quick search for “coffeeshops” in Google Maps.
In the Netherlands, a coffeeshop is an establishment that primarily sells cannabis. Technically, coffeeshops are committing a criminal offense by selling cannabis. The Dutch Prosecution Service chooses not to prosecute them, however, under a policy of toleration for those that follow safety rules. So, while you may find coffee in a coffeeshop, you may also find yourself somewhere you didn’t expect.
So, where can you find the java? Search, instead, for koffie. The Dutch (and Flemish) have a coffee-drinking culture that prioritizes taking time to connect with others and oneself, so very few coffee establishments are quick or offer takeaway. Did you know that the average Dutch person drinks 2.5 to 4 cups per day?
Here’s a quick guide to keeping all these coffee sources straight:
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Here’s a quick guide to keeping all these coffee sources straight. (Mandy Mills and Stripes Staff)
A smart parent once said, “never pass up a free toilet” and in Benelux, I would scratch “free” from that advice. Being prepared is particularly important as the fine for wildplassen (public urination) in the Netherlands is €170. In Belgium, municipal areas set their own hefty fines. For example, the City of Brussels recently increased its fine to €400, despite being home to the world’s most famous statue of a pint-sized pee-er, Manneken Pis.
Shopping centers, movie theaters and larger transport stations may charge a small fee, usually €0.50 to €1.00, payable by coin or via contactless methods. You may find that grocery stores and small train stations don’t have toilets at all. Restaurants and cafes generally accommodate non-customers who politely ask for permission. Restrooms often are located on a separate floor, so you may need to ask for directions.
Be prepared to pay to use the toilets in the Beneux region. (PixelBiss (Adobe Stock))
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Museums are a good bet for clean and convenient restrooms, so stop in before or after visiting. Other potential places to find free toilets (of varying quality) include car parks, libraries, public buildings and swimming pools.
Here are a couple of on-the-go tools for those who forgot to go before they left:
Available in English, this app allows you to find a rate toilets near you. It’s primarily for the Netherlands, but has expanded into a few Belgian cities.
A map with the locations of more than 450,000 public toilets all over the world.
Shopping: Local stores close much earlier than in the States, and the ability to shop on Sundays varies by city.
Recycling refund: Many bottles and cans have statiegeld (NL), consigne (BE), or Pfand (DE) meaning that they can be returned for money.
Grocery bagging: Cashiers scan items very quickly and you’re expected to bag them just as fast. One strategy is to place groceries back your cart after scanning, then bag them out of the way or at your car after you’ve paid.
Sightseeing: Museums and smaller attractions take Mondays and Tuesdays off. If you’re looking to maximize a long weekend, take Thursday and Friday off instead.
Red-Light Districts: Prostitution, particularly the window cabin kind, is legal, regulated and relatively common in Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany. It is strictly forbidden to take photos of the workers, and this is heavily enforced.
