The Netherlands or Holland...which is it?

We arrive in Amsterdam Central and take our train to a little town (some direction) from downtown. The town of Hilversum was our new home. It was beautiful! Cobblestone streets, amazing bike paths, quaint shops and a really cool little pub called the Carousel. We had just eaten dinner and Dave said want to have a beer somewhere? I gave him a blank expression, which made him laugh. I taught him a travel tip and it was this....walk slowly down the street and listen......for what he asked. I said,"For music and laughter of course." and so began our connection to new friends and culture in the little hamlet of Hilversum. Several things were quite different in Europe then they are at home. Observations: 1. They don't bring you the bill unless you ask for it. That was an interesting waiting game at several restaurants, I would look at the waiter/waitress they would look at me, I would nod and they would nob back, but no bill. We finally figured out that they find it rude to plunk down a bill before it is asked for...wow what a concept. 2. Every beer they serve comes in a glass with that beer's name on it. (That is a lot of different glasses) 3. When they pour Amstel (especially) they take what looks like a paint stick and wipe the head off, lots of beer down the drain. 4. All the bathrooms are small, Dave barely fit in many of them. Big people have extra struggles in Europe. 5. Take cash, many places want your card pinned and chipped. I don't even know what a chipped card is. 6. People don't say 'bless you' to strangers, or at all. 7. People in the Netherlands are a bit stand-off-ish until they feel comfortable and then you are family. Not sure the french open up ever. 8. People in Norway will come up and ask if you need help if you just stand there with a puzzled look on your face. 9. Candles are used a lot! 10. People play with their children, a lot. 11. Biking is a was of life, and it doesn't even have to be a "cool" bike, in fact most are just functional. 12. People will sit outside at a cafe, even if it is cold, in their shorts and dresses. I am tough, but I could not do that. 13. When asking someone if they speak English the most common response is: "Of course"