OT: Is it legal to wear camo in Netherlands ? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: razberik
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2017, 08:13:00 pm
content: I am deeply sorry for hijacking this wonderful forum full of valuable electronic related knowledge, but,There are lot of users from Netherlands and since I am going for trip in Netherlands I have a question:Is it legal to wear a camo jacket ? I recently bought this and it somehow fits in my plans.Any recommendations for countryside trip from Amsterdam ? Hidden gems and places in Amsterdam free of charge ?Thanks//change of question: Can I wear the same jacket used by regular armed forces ?

author: Ampera
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2017, 08:20:57 pm
content: I've never been in the Netherlands, but I wouldn't see why not. Prostitution and weed is legal, so it would be pretty stupid if just wearing camo as a civilian would be illegal. In the United States you can definitely wear camo.

author: Benta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2017, 08:28:04 pm
content: It's only allowed together with wooden clogs. Seek advice from a local on how to pad them with hay for comfort.Though not mandatory, it's advisable to carry half a pound of Gouda in the left side pocket.An official Coffee-Shop ID is desirable, but not 100% necessary.Please post if you have further questions.

author: Vtile
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2017, 08:31:18 pm
content: Quote from: TwoOfFive on September 05, 2017, 08:20:57 pmThe trick is that the Nederlands is not part of the USA.

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 05, 2017, 08:46:43 pm
content: I'm not sure what the general consensus is in other countries, but in Australia, unless you're actually in the army, the only other people who wear cams are... well... strange. It's a bit like security guards who wear full utility belts and kit themselves up to appear more "Police like".Not suggesting this applies to razberik.

author: ivan747
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2017, 09:02:53 pm
content: You would look out of place, in my opinion.There are visits to the channels that you can take. They get you on a boat. Very cool. Not free though.The city is small, you could rent a bike and go around, discovering lots of stuff.Just note that bikes are often stolen there so take that into consideration.Also, be careful crossing the streets. Sidewalks, bike lanes and streets are all on the same level and with the rainy weather there's not a lot of contrast (there is no not Isabel drainage either). I would sometimes wander into a bike lane without me noticing (they aren't as marked as they are in the rear of Europe). Bikes have right of way in bike lanes, you should not walk on them.I guess they have all of this engraved in their brains but in my country, the sidewalk is on a higher level and looks and feels a lot more different. Also, there is virtually no bike traffic.Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

author: hans
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2017, 09:05:12 pm
content: Ever heard of the "simulation" IRL game called airsoft?I think that answers your question. It's very popular in NL. Carrying around airsoft guns that look like real ones will not be that much fun. We're not the US.You never see people wearing camo on streets though, so probably not illegal it will raise suspicion in a shopping mall.

author: b_force
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2017, 09:05:51 pm
content: Quote from: razberik on September 05, 2017, 08:13:00 pmMy tip is not to go to Amsterdam at all!From Amsterdam go to Haarlem and than to the beautiful beach of Zandvoort and have a look at the tulip fields.Or otherwise the other direction to Utrecht, which is really pretty.(prettier than A'Dam IMO)As far as I know it's not illegal to wear a camo jacket, just did a quick search.As long as you don't look like someone from the army (like wearing some kind of official stripes or something)

author: mikeselectricstuff
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2017, 09:09:22 pm
content: Is there anywhere that it is illegal to wear camouflage ?

author: Kjelt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2017, 09:11:19 pm
content: As long as you leave your bulletproof vest and AK47s at home there will be no problem however you might be perceived as "weird" and or "suspicious" by some people including the local authorities.As long as you act normal you're welcome in our country , we have weirder dressed people walking around in that city.

author: TimFox
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2017, 09:17:19 pm
content: Although not illegal: when it became fashionable to wear camo, ignorant parents would buy camo clothing for their infants and take them along to national parks, where they would (as children will) wander away and be hard to find.

author: b_force
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2017, 09:20:05 pm
content: Quote from: TimFox on September 05, 2017, 09:17:19 pmI used to have a full set myself when I was very young.Playing with other kids in the woods

author: Howardlong
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2017, 09:28:55 pm
content: Quote from: mikeselectricstuff on September 05, 2017, 09:09:22 pmThey'd have to spot you first.

author: The Soulman
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2017, 09:29:27 pm
content: People that go fishing alongside the canals often wear camouflage, pretty sure its not illegal.Don't wear polished boots with white shoelaces tho, that could get you in trouble when you end up in the "wrong" neighborhood.Honestly I don't like Amsterdam at all..The people in the north are less stressed and more laid back imho.Groningen is a nice city, Utrecht and Amersfoort also, don't bother going to Volendam, it's a tourist attraction.

author: ez24
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2017, 09:39:38 pm
content: Quote from: Halcyon on September 05, 2017, 08:46:43 pmI knew it (strange). I wear camo everyday including now. It happens that the shorts that I like only come in camo. Bought 10 pairs at Costco. They are cool and lightweight and easy to wash and do not need a belt. I wear them 365 days a year except visits to the doctors.The only downside is that doctors always comment on the scars on my legs from not wearing pants when I work in the garden. A little blood is better than wearing pantsSo if you see someone in So Cal wearing camo shorts and bleeding legs, that is me.

author: The Soulman
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2017, 09:44:01 pm
content: Quote from: razberik on September 05, 2017, 08:13:00 pmEarlier this year I stayed a couple of nights in a small village called Zunderdorp, it is a few km from Amsterdam and has some typical dutch countryside ("polder"), a huge contrast with the city.Tip: use google street view to get an impression.

author: razberik
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2017, 09:53:53 pm
content: Sorry I wasnt exactly explanatory. That jacket is still used by regular armed forces of Netherlands. Some countries regulate wearing pattern used by their military.In Slovakia it was the same, it was not possible to wear slovak pattern years ago. Then they changed it that I can wear it, but I cannot have insignia of armed forces.If I buy surplus equipment, I have to remove signs or logos to wear it public.

author: RGB255_0_0
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2017, 09:55:32 pm
content: Nothing strange about camo.

author: nctnico
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2017, 10:02:45 pm
content: It is not illegal to wear camo but you will look odd.Appearantly the Teylers Museum in Haarlem has a nice science department (never been there though). If the wheather is nice then the beach is a good suggestion as well. September may bring some surprise summer days so you could go for a swim in the sea.

author: Vtile
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2017, 10:05:21 pm
content: Quote from: mikeselectricstuff on September 05, 2017, 09:09:22 pmGood question, I doubt that there would be any EU state where it would be illegal today. I could guess that certain countries / persons wouldn't like if you walk in the streets with full wehrmacht camo uniform though.I faintly remember something along the line of that current (back then) FDF camo uniform were prohibited to use by civilians in streets (in Finland) as it would be judged as you are "pretending to be" state / military officer. Something similar might be still applicable in some countries?

author: PA4TIM
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 05, 2017, 11:22:41 pm
content: No problem. I had a camo jacket I used to wear a lot for a few years. And I drove an ex-army LandRover FC101Amsterdam ? no thanks. (but I do not like big cities in general)

author: jh15
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2017, 06:16:17 am
content: Why camo your charms? never mind..You'd never get gardening done.

author: iampoor
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2017, 06:19:08 am
content: Quote from: TwoOfFive on September 05, 2017, 08:20:57 pmEnough said.

author: tpowell1830
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2017, 06:29:07 am
content: Quote from: ez24 on September 05, 2017, 09:39:38 pmSooooo, if we drove by your house one day, we would see a bodyless pair of bleeding legs walking around in your yard? Sounds like a great horror movie.. just sayin'.

author: dexters_lab
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 06, 2017, 08:15:05 am
content: Worth a short train to Teylers Museum in Haarlem (to the west of Amsterdam), it's full of old electrical & science stuff and radioactive rockshttps://www.teylersmuseum.nlGiethoorn is beautiful, quiet and traditional, no streets... just canals (google image search the name to get the idea). It's about 115km from Amsterdam though and don't go if it's raining!!

author: razberik
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2017, 08:19:08 am
content: Great tips ! Thanks.More can be written, if anybody else is going to NL or if I go once again in future.In fact, my first stop is Philips-FEI-Thermofischer in Eindhoven since it is 1km from airport. (The reason is that I work for a competitor of FEI)

author: Electro Detective
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2017, 08:21:16 am
content: Camo shorts and bleeding legs ?! Pray there's no zombie bounty hunters in the area, in need of easy cashA tourist wearing Camo in a foreign land is just asking for it, don't do it,low profile is best, dress and act like the locals, less attention = less drama

author: woody
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2017, 08:54:22 am
content: You're allowed to wear camo in our country. AFAIK you are allowed to wear anything over here as long as we can see your face in public transport, government buildings, schools and the like.There is one thing though. A couple of years ago our MinDef decided that military personnel should not wear fatigues while traveling between home and their bases. Something to do with making them a target for (terrorist) attacks. So you'll stand out in the crowd.Camo in Amsterdam means: grow a beard, sport a tiny ponytail, get some thick-rimmed glasses and readhttp://www.wikihow.com/Be-a-Hipster.You'll be absolutely transparent.Paul

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: September 06, 2017, 09:22:59 am
content: Quote from: woody on September 06, 2017, 08:54:22 amOh well, at least you guys are one step ahead of Australia.Kind of a hot topic at the moment, actually has been for years but our Government moves very slowly.

author: Assafl
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2017, 09:48:03 am
content: Quote from: b_force on September 05, 2017, 09:05:51 pmI thought Tulips were April-May.Albeit nowadays you could probably get as good an experience sitting in a barren tulip field with an Ipad watching tulip topping videos on Youtube....

author: Electro Detective
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2017, 10:27:13 am
content: Quote from: Halcyon on September 06, 2017, 09:22:59 amThe gov lets them in and gives them an easy ride, a much better deal than the previous hard working europeans/brits/asians got etcThe banks need to push harder on the important 'show your face' issueTwo can play that game too, including r0bbersof any persuasion... what's a scarf worth at the $2 shops ?

author: Retep
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2017, 05:17:01 pm
content: Quote from: razberik on September 06, 2017, 08:19:08 amI'll inform security to be on the lookout for a guy in a camo outfit (which would make you stand out considering where they are located)Anyway I hope you enjoy your trip!BTW: You don't have to come all the way from the Czech Republic to visit FEI/Thermo Fisher; they got an office in Brno too ;-)

author: razberik
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: September 06, 2017, 07:39:22 pm
content: My spying in Brno facility is already done. Now it is time to expand.