Shopping in Amsterdam

Amsterdam Shopping

Famous for their business savvy and wily ways with trade, the Dutch are often called frugal. They're sticklers for even-steven (recognize the phrase "going Dutch"?) and are sometimes called, less euphemistically, cheapskates. Now, now…

One common explanation for this is that the nation is always preparing for a flood: waste not, want not—the waters are always nigh. Others will point to Calvinism's purse-nursing influence. Some blame socialism. Whatever postdiluvial mythology you believe, it's true: many Lowlanders monitor their bank accounts with a lip-trembling fervor other societies reserve for prayer. Yet lo and behold, they do spend money. You'll see this most glaringly in Amsterdam's youth culture, not unlike other Western young folk, who zoom around on Vespas, accessorized by Blackberry or Burberry, rushing to drop their government-subsidized allowances at cafés and clubs. On the whole, however, Dutch society shops sensibly and unsnobbishly. Trade consumer reports with locals and you'll find that many conduct thorough prepurchase research, advocate discount-rate abonnements ("subscriptions"), exploit the country's own little eBay known as Marktplaats.nl, and dig anything secondhand, vintage, or antique. Amsterdammers, in particular, love auctions, estate sales, and flea markets (the mother of all occurring on Queen's Day when the city becomes one gigantic sidewalk sale). So, what does all this mean for you? First, there are numerous ways to shop—find a consumption pattern best suited to your personal conspicuity. And second, because Dutch merchants are fair—and empathic—you'll, more often than not, get what you pay for.

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