– People here like sweet treats and lots of dairy products.
– Can you buy apple pie anywhere?
– Roads are often made of brick pavers, rather than asphalt.
– The footpath is often the same level as the road or cycle path so that they blend into the same surface
– Stairs in public and private spaces are incredibly steep.
– Toilets are designed so that one can study ones bodily functions in detail (if desired).
– It’s possible to see into peoples living area’s and even bedrooms – and people award the attention of passers-by with elaborate displays of ornaments and knick knacks.
– People in Holland have a shared understanding of the relationship between their culture and lifestyle – and the land and water. Australians don’t yet know how these relationships should operate.
– Here the landscape is new and man made – and feels like it is completely ‘tamed’ by humans. In Australia the landscape is ancient and it can never be fully controlled.
– Most people here speak at least two languages. In Australia speaking a second language fluently is only common among first generation immigrants.
– In Melbourne most people who ride their bikes on a daily basis care about the make and quality of their bike – and are willing to spend $ 2.000,– or more for a good bike. In Amsterdam nobody seems to care what theirs looks like.
– Trams go much faster and turn corners violently – in Melbourne the trams are much more sedate.
– There is a special spot market on the pavement which is where you should put your rubbish. In Melbourne anywhere along the kerb is pretty much ok.
– The flavour of the coffee is not as strong – but the flavour of the cheese is much stronger.
– Very few Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese, Japanese, Indian, Greek, Lebanese or Malaysian restaurants – which are all common in Australia.
– Also not so many juice bars.
– Ambulances sound like ice-cream vans.
– The Dutch landscape can often be imagined in plan – as a pattern of flat graphic – I can’t think of any Australian landscape which I can imagine in plan, or as any single self contained mental image.
– Childrens playgrounds are integrated into the streetscape – literally place on the footpath. In Australia playgrounds are always fenced off and usually away from the ‘life’ of the street.
– There is a single design for a bollard which is used throughout the city.
– Masonry – all kinds of brick work is incredibly detailed and beautiful.