Column by By Perro de Jong. An interesting experiment at Cornell University, about a decade ago: you give someone a Barry Manilow T-shirt, send him into a room full of students...a breed not exactly known for its warm love of Barry Manilow. And guess what? The number of students who actually notice the T-shirt turns out to be not even half of what the embarrassed wearer believes. read more

Italian expat Michele Carloni speaks out about what Italians abroad are currently discussing; the limited freedom of speech of the Italian Press in contrast with the possibilities of free speech on the internet. read more

Our blogger Michael Dawkes is so sick of having his bike stolen he's now considering relocating to Spain, with a hard-working partner. read more

Michael Dawkes expresses his concern with regards to "rules, enforced regulations and disputes concerning rubbish collection via 'digitalised' wheelie bins, which crop up regularly, both here and in the UK." read more

Research shows that sustained happiness results from a high perceived level of stability and democracy. Micheala Smith looks further at the issue, with focus on expats' happiness in Holland. read more

Rather than follow up with the second part of her blog topic on Dutch culture, Micheala Smith finds that the sheer volume of social and political developments in the Netherlands over the past month fire her pen. read more

Where to buy the best Dutch ice-cream in the Netherlands according to Expatica readers. Your suggestions are welcome, so keep them coming in. Plus, best ice-cream in the Netherlands award 2008 goes to an ice-cream parlour in Rijsbergen. read more

Your tips for living in the Netherlands. Send us more! read more

Who would have expected that the strategically located Netherlands, praised for its great infrastructure and holding the title of the logistics gateway to Europe, is 10 years behind in road construction? Blogger Dutched Pinay goes on to elaborate. read more

Blogger Dutched Pinay on the trials and tribulations of learning Dutch. You thought you'd heard them all eh! read more

American expat James Ashburn experiences 'Koninginnedag' in Amsterdam. read more

Heather Tucker keeps out of the Dutch capital on Queen's Day, but finds Rotterdam more rowdy than rustig. However, the chance of obtaining a free Marktplaats bag gives her some focus. read more

Crossroads' editor, Sueli Brodin, on Maastricht's metamorphosis. read more

When I told my husband that I wanted to write down my thoughts about the Dutch word 'mee', he looked baffled. “What is there to write about?” he said. Sueli Brodin finds plenty to write about this little word which she rates as one of the most important words in the Dutch language. After reading this you'll likely agree with her. read more

Insatiable foodie Paola Duque-Westbeek braves the unseasonable weather to hunt out more goodies through the streets of Amsterdam. She shows us where to buy garlic oil, Moutarde violette de Brive, Jamon Serrano, Chorizo, Puy lentils, Pan Gallego and bonbons and throws in her recipe for Noordermarkt Clafoutis for good measure. read more

Paola Duque-Westbeek takes us out for an afternoon of gourmet shopping in Amsterdam, from the Noordermarkt to Amsterdam's ‘culinary avenue’. read more

Before any troops are committed to dangerous fighting areas, Dutch polititians should make sure that the costs, both in terms of danger and finance, are shared out equally between the allies, says former MP Lousewies van der Laan. read more

Rita Verdonk has just launched a new political movement: 'Trots op Nederland' (Proud of the Netherlands ), and the Dutch are currently debating whether she is a passing fad or a political force to be reckoned with. Former MP Lousewies van der Laan gives us the picture. read more