Columnist Sylvia Witteman recounts an encounter in Amsterdam where she recommended a meat croquette to Leonie, a 20-year-old tourist from Berlin. Witteman reflects on cultural misunderstandings regarding Dutch gestures and food, noting that while Leonie enjoyed the croquette, explaining traditional snacks like 'patatje oorlog' or 'bamiblok' to foreigners remains challenging due to their unique cultural context.
Parool reader Maria Montijn writes in a letter to the editor that while people often turn to their phones while waiting, this habit has significant downsides. She suggests that instead of avoiding the awkwardness of social interaction, individuals should embrace the discomfort of being present without digital distractions.
The daily horoscope for September 24 advises Geminions not to be sad if a house sale or purchase falls through. Readers are invited to check their daily astrological predictions for their zodiac sign.
Columnist Sebastien Valkenberg argues that nostalgia offers a photoshopped version of the past, where freedom once appeared as wild anarchy characterized by boarded-up windows and feces on the sidewalk.
Actor Taylor Lautner has become a father for the first time after his wife, who also shares the surname Taylor Lautner following their marriage, gave birth to a daughter last week. The couple named their newborn Lennon Taylor on Instagram, joking about the shared family name when announcing the pregnancy in March.
Pauline Wingelaar attended the funeral of her friend Bartina Koeman in Laren on Wednesday, September 15, following Koeman's death from cancer. Wingelaar posted a tribute on Instagram describing Koeman as stylish, brave, and caring, expressing that she said goodbye too soon. She recalled Koeman's strength during her illness and noted that Koeman leaves behind a significant void and cherished memories.
Cherry-Ann Person spent approximately €5,000 on a transparent crib inspired by Khloé Kardashian for her three-year-old daughter, Jayla. Despite overcoming delivery issues and initial breakage, Jayla finds the bed frightening and refuses to sleep in it. Consequently, the expensive crib has been repurposed as a plush toy bench, while Person’s husband Roland Kahn remains unconcerned about the expense.
In episode eight of 'Race Across the World,' Vince (19) and his mother Irene van der Laar (57) struggle to reach the checkpoint in Tbilisi, Georgia, after learning that other Dutch teams have passed through. Vince suffers from severe nausea during a hurried taxi ride but manages to arrive just in time for the last spot, leading to an emotional release upon their arrival.
Susan Neiman’s essay in The New York Review of Books, published on September 24, explores the conflict between anthropologists and philosophers regarding universal ethics. While some view morality as local custom, others argue for underlying principles. The text notes that neither religious authorities nor biological instincts provide a definitive answer to which moral code is correct, highlighting the gap between factual practices and ethical ideals as described by David Hume and Nietzsche.
Seoul has revamped its popular 'Seoul-ting' matchmaking program, allowing singles to speed date on boats along the Han River. The municipality offers couples who wish to marry a chance at a free wedding funded by the city.
After a Thamnophis (garter snake) was found in Honselersdijk, Walter Getreuer of ReptielenZoo Serpo advised residents on proper handling. He identified the non-native, non-venomous species as likely escaped from captivity. Getreuer recommends maintaining distance, taking photos, and contacting a rescue center rather than disturbing or killing the animal, noting that most bites occur during attempted capture. While harmless to humans, any unknown snake should be treated with caution as potentially venomous until identified.
Television personality Bobbi Eden credits the social network Hyves with introducing her to her husband, Mark Laurenz, in December 2008. After exchanging messages and meeting via webcam, they went on their first date in April 2009, eventually marrying and having a son named Brandon, whom Eden calls a 'Hyves baby.' Now that the platform is returning, Eden is organizing the Kamasutra Fair in Utrecht and has created new accounts with her husband. She reflects on her early career as an erotic model and her active presence on the now-iconic Dutch social network, noting how the digital connection led to a lasting personal relationship spanning more than seventeen years.
PostNL announced on Wednesday that residents of the Magnoliaerf street in Tilburg accept packages for their neighbors more frequently than anywhere else in the province, ranking them as the friendliest street in Brabant. While some residents attribute this to strong community contact and joke about increased property values, others criticize the ranking, suggesting it reflects a lazy delivery driver who drops off parcels at the first open door rather than searching for the correct address. The street's layout, consisting of three dead-end alleys inaccessible to vehicles, requires postal workers to walk up to 100 meters from the main road, potentially influencing the statistics. PostNL also named the Blauwe Tramstraat in Leiden as the friendliest street in the Netherlands, followed by the Zwartbontstraat in Utrecht.
The Efteling theme park has added December 31 to its list of blocked days for Plus subscription holders, preventing daytime entry on New Year's Eve. This decision aligns with standard terms allowing up to 25 annual exclusions, announced at least one month in advance. A spokesperson explained that evening events already have separate ticketing with discounts for subscribers, necessitating crowd control due to high visitor numbers. Plus subscribers may visit at least 340 days per year, while Classic holders have a minimum of 290 days, and Premium subscribers enjoy unrestricted access throughout the entire year.
Speed skater Joy Beune required time away from the sport to process her disappointing Olympic winter in Milan, where she won only silver in the team pursuit. The 27-year-old felt unmotivated initially but regained her drive by setting new goals in running and HYROX. Unlike teammate Jutta Leerdam, Beune did not take a sabbatical, choosing instead to continue training while allowing herself space to recover mentally before the next four-year cycle.
Experts explain that meditation is a proven health tool for training the mind to observe thoughts and feelings without judgment. Anne Speckens, professor of psychiatry at RadboudUMC, defines mindfulness as developing metacognition to manage automatic reactions and reduce stress. While rooted in ancient traditions like Hinduism and Buddhism, Jon Kabat-Zinn secularized the practice in 1979 with Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction. Research supports its positive effects on stress, anxiety, and depression, offering lasting benefits when integrated into daily life.
78-year-old Rinus Jenzon from The Hague feels isolated following the death of his older sister Lenie and the recent termination of his volunteer work at SVV Scheveningen football club. Jenzon, who served the club for 60 years, stated he was sidelined via a letter despite being named Volunteer of the Year. The club secretary cited a lack of budget for his role but confirmed Jenzon remains welcome as a visitor. His situation coincides with the Week Against Loneliness, highlighting his struggle to cope with these dual losses.
Award-winning author Sjoerd Kuyper, known for Het zakmes, has died at age 74. He began writing children's books only after his own son and daughter were born and stated he would never stop writing them.
The Festival Voor de Vloed in Dordrecht features a 'silent emergency disco' where participants use headphones to navigate simulated disaster scenarios, combining education with entertainment. Organizer Wouter Sieuwerts aims to raise awareness about flood risks in this island city, which has historically faced severe water threats like the 1953 Watersnoodramp. The event highlights local preparedness measures, such as flood barriers installed along the Voorstraat, and encourages community bonding. By making the history of water management visible, the festival seeks to remind residents that much of the area lies below sea level and requires ongoing vigilance against potential high-water events.
Vlogger Gio Latooy and his partner Lynn Hermanussen have announced that they are expecting their second child. The couple is scheduled to become parents again in early next year.
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