Dutch man and woman consider each other as equals This means equal in all parts of life – girls don't expect your dates to pay for you. This is called 'going Dutch'. It's not meant to be rude; it just means that your date sees you on his level (or they are cheap, who knows). It is advisable to get used to this.
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 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.
He opens doors for me (I don't mind opening my own, but it's an interesting change in behavior). He pays me sincere compliments on my work. He often behaves as if he does not want conversations to end, casting around for small reasons to continue. We converse about work but also about life.
The Dutch appreciate deeper, purposeful conversations far more than small talk. Because of their honest approach to dating, they may ask you personal questions or seek your opinion. Your Dutch date is curious in your thoughts on these topics in order to see if you are compatible.
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 are generally less tactile among strangers and acquaintances. It is common for couples to display affection in public. Body Language: Dutch people rely heavily on words and generally make less use of body language to emphasise a point in communication.
Basic Etiquette
It is considered rude to keep people waiting. It is polite to cover your mouth when yawning. It is rude to speak whilst chewing gum. Knock before entering a room if the door is shut.
Some examples of how people greet each other in the Netherlands: One kiss on the cheek. One kiss on the mouth (Yes, i've seen some people doing this) A hug.
Dutch culture values industriousness, social responsibility, democratic principles, education, and tolerance. They believe everyone has a voice—and they will share their opinion. (They will expect you to do the same.) The Dutch have a universally powerful sense of community and the environment.
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. The level of flirtyness depends on the intensity of the compliment, and the setting.
The common greeting in the Netherlands is a handshake along with a nod of the head. This form of address is usually short. Among friends and family, it is common to greet one another by kissing on alternating cheeks three times.
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.
In the Netherlands and Belgium, cheek kissing is a common greeting between relatives and friends (in the Netherlands slightly more so in the south). Generally speaking, women will kiss both women and men, while men will kiss women but refrain from kissing other men, instead preferring to shake hands with strangers.
Refusing a handshake is considered as very poor manners. If you have a good reason (religious or medical, for instance) not to, you should be careful to explain, so that it doesn't seem like you are just snubbing people.
Eikel, lul, klootzak, muts, doos, kuttekop, kutwijf
Kankerlijer (sufferer of cancer) is also popular and comes from the popular use in Dutch of diseases in swear words.
In the Netherlands it is considered quite normal for Dutch people to greet each other with three kisses on the cheek. It is also custom to do the same again when saying good bye. It's just a friendly way of saying hello and farewell. It's not limited to the Dutch either.
With “mijn” it's your girlfriend. Breaking up might be a part of your Dutch relationship.
Our country is ranked fifth in the World Happiness Report 2023. In the newspaper AD, happiness researcher Ruut Veenhoven says we are so happy because we can make choices. "There is a sense of choice. You have to be able to choose to know who you are.
Here someone says that if you want to make a Dutch man happy, everything has to be in order. The Dutch like everything to be planned and to live by their agenda (diary). “Even things like buying food. It never feels like a last-minute decision”.
At just over 6 feet for men and about 5-foot-6 for women, the Dutch are still the world's tallest population. But the growth that has seen the country to the top of global height charts for decades appears to have ground to a halt.
Dutch people are known for their spirit of commerce, open-mindedness towards people from different countries, international ambitions and innovative ways of thinking. The ideal place for an international education.