And Dutch people pride themselves on being brutally honest – sometimes at the expense of politeness, or tact, or respect for human dignity.
They are disciplined, conservative, and pay attention to the smallest details. They see themselves as thrifty, hardworking, practical and well organized. They place high value on cleanliness and neatness. At the same time, the Dutch are very private people.
The Dutch prefer to be honest and direct, which avoids any question or confusion about their response or how they feel about something. They appreciate and understand this way of thinking rather than emphasizing politeness and pleasantries.
Direct Communication: Dutch tend to have a direct communication style, speaking quite frankly in a straightforward manner. At times, this may be misunderstood as rude, especially if one is not used to forthrightness.
Dutch people do not like to make detailed agreements or long-term plans. They prefer to simply start working together and let things develop. This requires much closer coordination and the willingness to adjust course if necessary.
Dutch people are quite direct in their contact with others and use ample eye contact. In fact, they are direct to the point of seeming rude or unsociable, although it is rarely intended that way. The Dutch are okay with verbal conflict and they don't fear that confrontation may damage a relationship.
Do not ask a Dutch person how much they earn. Try not to make pretentious or boastful comments that give the impression that you see yourself as superior to others. Your Dutch counterpart is unlikely to appreciate this.
While there may at times be some amount of antipathy towards outsiders, most Dutch people are actually extremely humble, welcoming, and friendly towards outsiders.
First be open, accept that this is the way Dutch people are. It's important to communicate. If you feel that the directness is something you have to get used to, ask questions. Don't be afraid, because in general the Dutch are open to talk about the differences between cultures.
The Dutch people are extremely accommodating, straightforward and honest. This directness can easily come into play when working on a project or asking for an opinion or for advice. A Dutch person will not hesitate to give you a truthful answer, even if it's something that you might have the inclination to sugar-coat.
The Dutch tend to be patriotic and proud of their country. Many will happily talk of the Netherlands, whether it be on a global scale about the country's strong tradition of involvement in international affairs, or on a local scale through regional cuisine.
In the Netherlands, freedom, equality and solidarity play a central role. The values result in rights which you may claim. These values can only be maintained if everyone actively contributes to society. Participation is extremely important in the Netherlands.
Dutch directness
Our communication style is often seen as very direct. Honesty is highly valued in the Netherlands. When you ask a Dutch person for their opinion, often you get a frank answer which might not always be the politest in your eyes.
When it comes to building relationships, the Dutch like to take things slow and move with caution. As a result, it might take several weeks or months of dating before two people officially call themselves a couple. And once they do develop a serious relationship, marriage isn't necessarily on the cards.
The Dutch: Interesting facts & figures
Statistically, Dutch are among the tallest people in Europe. Eye contact and criticism are to be expected when chatting with a Dutch. The Netherlands has the highest number of part-time workers in the EU (four out of 10 employees). One out of three Dutch belongs to a sports club.
Inclusive and welcoming culture
In general, the Dutch are welcoming to foreigners and make an effort to engage newcomers into the community. They are known for their egalitarianism and are a fairly liberal society. Expats moving to the Netherlands will have plenty of opportunity to meet people in the Netherlands.
Hating pomp and flattery, the Dutch like to add "-je" to their words and make them sound smaller, cuter, more intimate and gezellig. - a rhetorical question such as lekker weertje?, lekker zonnetje?, leuk terrasje?
The Dutch choose their partners out of love; arranged marriages are not a cultural custom and are somewhat disapproved of. Engagement and wedding practices vary throughout the country. Usually, the marriage ceremony entails a civil registration. Depending on the couple's preferences, there may be a religious ceremony.
Dutch men are not considered the most attractive in the world. A survey among holidaymakers showed you'd be more likely to meet good-looking men in Italy. The Italians were especially popular among British, Spanish, and Portuguese women. Dutch men are most popular among people from Norway.
The Dutch are hardy with a history of hardiness and this breeds self confidence into them at an early age. From the outside looking in, foreigners might think this is arrogance. It really isn't. It's confidence and that is closer to fearlessness than it is to arrogance.
Scientists attribute this to a diet that is rich in milk and meat. The Dutch have grown so quickly in a short period of time that most of the growth is attributed to their changing environment. They are one of the world's largest producers and consumers of cheese and milk.
It takes time
And it can, especially when it comes to making friends with the Dutch. They usually take a little bit of time to warm up and a few successful meet-ups before they begin to consider you as a friend but one of the best things about the Dutch is their loyalty.
Quotes. Nigel Powers : There are only two things I can't stand in this world: People who are intolerant of other people's cultures, and the Dutch.