I am Dutch. My wife is a driving instructor. She says that drivers should be taught the Dutch Reach: hold the door with your left hand, unlock and open it with your right hand, look in your mirrors and through the door opening, if it's safe open the door fully and leave the car. Walk toward the back of the car so you are facing the traffic. (When entering the car you go around the front of the car for that same reason.). But it's not true that you fail the exam if you don't follow this procedure.
She also says many instructors do not give a f*ck and skip teaching these procedures.
The Dutch people claiming it's not a thing are either older or had a sloppy driving instructor.
EDIT: in the past people were taught the: "look in the mirror and over your shoulder" method. Many older instructors still teach this.
I've been taught this. Or at least parts of it; I'm not sure about the walking towards the back.
But whatever I was taught, I know very well to always pay attention to the other traffic. I find it bizarre that some people don't as soon as their car stops.
She also says many instructors do not give a f*ck and skip teaching these procedures.
The Dutch people claiming it's not a thing are either older or had a sloppy driving instructor.
EDIT: in the past people were taught the: "look in the mirror and over your shoulder" method. Many older instructors still teach this.