And Dutch people pride themselves on being brutally honest – sometimes at the expense of politeness, or tact, or respect for human dignity.
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.
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.
While there may at times be some amount of antipathy towards outsiders, most Dutch people are actually extremely humble, welcoming, and friendly towards outsiders.
But in the Netherlands, there is “the sense that people have the right to say whatever they want and be as direct as they want. And if other people don't like that, it's their fault for getting offended.” To many foreigners, this give-it-to you-straight mentality can come across as inconsiderate, perhaps even arrogant.
It is rude to speak whilst chewing gum. Knock before entering a room if the door is shut. Standing with your hands in your pockets can be considered impolite. Compliments are usually given in private directly to the person that deserves them.
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.
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.
And Dutch people pride themselves on being brutally honest – sometimes at the expense of politeness, or tact, or respect for human dignity.
Dutch people are usually very open, friendly and welcoming. In the Netherlands, only parents and children live together. In general, they do not live with grandparents, aunts, and uncles. During meals, Dutch families usually share their adventures of the day.
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.
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.
Very Down to Earth. The Dutch are very practical people with a down to earth approach to life. They are realistic and level-headed and comfortable in their own skin. Chances are he will like and appreciate you for who you are and want for you to be as genuine as possible.
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.
Dutch women have significantly longer and broader faces compared with UK women; their palpebral fissure and nasal widths are significantly greater, their nasal ridge length and upper face proportion are significantly reduced; and their nares are significantly more anteverted.
The Dutch see the family as the foundation of the social structure. Families tend to be small, often with only one or two children. The Dutch are disciplined, con- servative, and private. They do not draw attention to themselves and do not val- ue the accoutrements of success highly prized by other western societies.
The Netherlands may be a small country, but for the Dutch, that doesn't make it insignificant. Belittling their country—by not recognizing its value or by being ignorant about its history or culture—may annoy them. And if you really want to get on their nerves, confuse the Netherlands with Germany.
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.
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.
Using your hands and fingers to eat rice, vegetables, potatoes or meat without bones isn't on! The Dutch use forks, knives and spoons. If you are not sure about what utensil to use, just ask people and they will be happy to explain. If you are not managing well, just ask politely if you can do it your way.
The Dutch people like to give and receive compliments on looks. This can be done in a more flirty setting, but it's also very common between colleagues, friends, and family members.
High quality of life and happiness according to the Dutch
The report highlights the Netherlands' access to quality healthcare, education, and housing, as well as a good quality of life and inclusiveness. The Dutch have a strong cultural emphasis on work-life balance.
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.
The People
The Dutch society is egalitarian and modern. The people are modest, tolerant, independent, self-reliant, and entrepreneurial. They value education, hard work, ambition and ability. The Dutch have an aversion to the nonessential.
dutch is the third most widely-spoken germanic language, after english and german. In terms of grammar and pronunciation, Dutch is sometimes said to be between English and German. Since Dutch is in the same family as English, it's an easy language to learn.