In addition, three-quarters of those surveyed keep an eye on things, whether asked or unasked, when neighbors are on vacation. People over fifty are more likely to watch their absent neighbors' homes than younger Dutch people. Eighty percent of those over 50 say they pay extra attention when neighbors are away. By comparison, among Dutch people under fifty, that figure is sixty percent. "The Dutch are naturally involved in their immediate surroundings. A little social monitoring can provide a pleasant sense of security, as long as it doesn't turn into nosiness or meddling," explains Margreth van Kuijl, people manager at Beep for Help.

Neighborly help remains popular

When it comes to practical help, the Dutch are also willing to step up for one another. 58 percent of those surveyed sometimes help with chores like watering plants, caring for pets, or putting out the trash. Conversely, nearly half of all Dutch people have actively asked neighbors for help during a vacation themselves. "Especially during vacation periods, we see how important an involved neighborhood can be. A small request for help or a watchful eye can take away a lot of worries. That mutual trust not only makes vacations more relaxing, but also strengthens social cohesion in the neighborhood," says Van Kuijl.

Craziest requests

Trust in the neighborhood does have its limits. A full third of those surveyed would not dare to give their neighbors their house key. A large portion of respondents prefer to keep care tasks within their own circle during a vacation: 53 percent prefer to ask family for help with chores when they go away. When asked about the strangest request they ever received from a neighbor, some striking answers emerged. These included removing a wasp nest, a ride to Schiphol, removing a spider, and even borrowing money.