When moving to the Netherlands, there’s a bunch of things you should most definitely do — like eat a stroopwafel, see a windmill, or ride a bike. However, there are also quite a few things on the “no way” list.
The good thing is that the Dutch are quite direct, which makes it easy to know when you’ve misstepped — no need to think of ulterior motives or extrapolate detailed scenarios in your head. If they say it, they mean it, and if they mean it, they say it. 😉
But there are certain things which tick these tall people off and should be avoided at all costs…unless you want a piece of Dutch boosheid (anger).
1. Forget flaunting (forever)
The Dutch are simple and modest people. Exorbitant displays of anything from wealth and status to business and education are frowned upon.
This links to their emphasis on conformity rather than standing out (and slightly explains why most houses look the same).
Don’t get me wrong, they are happy that you accomplished whatever you did or made loads of money, but they just don’t understand the need to brag about it. ‘Work hard but stay humble’ seems to be the Dutch mantra.
READ MORE | Calvinism in the Netherlands: why are the Dutch so Calvinist in nature?
2. Do not confuse the Dutch with the Danes (or the Germans)
The Dutch and Germans (Deutsche) are confused with each other a lot. What is not so popular (but happens fairly often nonetheless) is the mix-up between Dutch and Danes.
READ MORE | Dutch quirk #61: Joke openly about Germans
The Dutch come from the Kingdom of the Netherlands and speak a language called Dutch. The Danes come from the Kingdom of Denmark and speak a language called Danish.
On some levels, the confusion is understandable. After all, both the Dutch and the Danes come from tiny countries with tall, blonde people and long seafaring histories.
Dutch are known for their windmills and Danes for their wind turbines. Both countries are also known for their love of cycling, eating potato-based dishes, and cheering for their monarchs on TV.
However, this does not give you a reason to muddle up nationalities — especially if you want to be friends with the Dutch.
3. You are not special (no matter what your mom says)
Don’t expect any superior treatment just because of who you are. The Netherlands is an egalitarian society where respect and status are earned and not demanded.
Every person is equal and should be treated accordingly. Ultimately, they don’t care if you are the Prime Minister of X; if you’re a jerk, then you’ll be treated like one. 🤷♂️
The reverse is also true. If you’re a good person, they’ll surely let you know!
4. Thou shall not steal bikes (…amen)
Everyone knows the Dutch and their love for cycling. Every love story has a villain, and so does this one — bike thieves.
This bitter truth has its roots in the final stages of WWII when the Germans stole Dutch bikes.
It was the end of the war, and Germans were retreating at full speed, using everything to get out of the Netherlands. They took the motorised vehicles first — trucks, cars, motorcycles, and tractors.
When there were no more, they stole every bicycle in the Netherlands and rode them back to Germany. The Dutch haven’t forgotten.
Whenever Dutch football teams play German teams, Dutch fans mock Germans with big-bold signs that say ‘Bring Back Our Bikes’. So, unless you want to be cursed 75 years on, you probably don’t want to steal a bike. (Also, it’s illegal.)
5. Sidewalks are for walking, and bike lanes are for bikes
Sounds simple enough, right? But it’s not. These red coloured lanes are red for a reason, to separate them from the grey lanes (aka roads) and the brown/green lanes (aka pavements).
READ MORE | 7 things that will get you fined while cycling in the Netherlands
It seems that this distinction is not too apparent to internationals. More often than not, someone unknowingly wanders into the bicycle lane and is met with an irritated Dutch cyclist (we’re guilty as well).
Don’t expect the cyclist to move; remember you’re in their way, not the other way around.
Trust me, you don’t want to be caught in such a situation, especially if you care about your safety (some of the cyclists go extremely fast).
6. Avoid discussions on Zwarte Piet (unless you want a long and emotional debate)
Traditionally, every year on the evening of December 5, Sinterklaas and his helper Zwarte Piet (Black Piet) visit Dutch children’s homes to bring them presents.
To celebrate this festival, hundreds of adults and children impersonate Zwarte Piet by blackening their faces, putting on black curly wigs, painting large red lips, and finishing up with large golden earrings.
Een amdere cultuur leren kennen, alleen Zwarte Piet moet weg. Een schande voor de Nederlandse cultuur. https://t.co/xErOIaoEuQ
— BackupMyHerb #nooitmeerVVD (@BackupHerb) April 3, 2023
Translation: Getting to know a different culture, only Zwarte Piet has to go. A disgrace to Dutch culture.
Some sections of Dutch society believe this to be highly racist, given the country’s colonial past, while others consider it a harmless but important tradition.
READ MORE | Zwarte Piet: the full guide to the Netherlands’ most controversial tradition
In some Dutch cities, the blackface element of Sint and Piet has been banned, and Facebook has moved to ban images of blackface recently as well.
This is a complex and emotionally charged debate that should definitely be discussed — but if you’re short on time, we’d steer clear.
7. Don’t mess with their agendas
Agenda starts with an ‘a’ for a reason. Being the organised bunch that they are, the Dutch have ‘appointments’ for everything, ranging from office meetings to movie nights with friends.
READ MORE | The Dutch agenda: plans to take over the world
Highly efficient Dutchies strictly and religiously stick to their agendas. They are synced and cross-referenced between partners and families so that every person is aware of others’ schedules.
My mom taught me that being late is stealing other's people time.
— Troy Sega (@TroySega) February 4, 2023
The most disrespectful thing you can do to somebody.
At least communicate in advance that you'll be late and apologize.
Might be my Dutch punctuality speaking here.
I once made the mistake of asking a colleague if he wanted to go for drinks. The error wasn’t in the invite, it was in the suddenness of the request. He agreed to let me know once a slot opened up in his calendar. I’m still waiting…
8. Expect antibiotics when you’re sick
Headache? Sleepless nights? Broken limb? Don’t expect anything more than a few paracetamol from your local huisarts.
The Dutch have an infamous reluctance to prescribing antibiotics, out of reasonable fears about mass resistance.
So, don’t head to your local doctor with hopes for a week-long course of the pills. You won’t have much luck!
Whenever a conversation about “essential items for moving to the Netherlands” comes up, you might hear antibiotics mentioned on the list. But avoid this too (it’s illegal).
9. Never arrive unannounced (no surprises)
Spontaneity and the Dutch don’t go hand-in-hand. They plan days, weeks, or even months ahead. Accordingly, there is little space for impulsiveness.
Want to go meet your Dutch friend? Make sure to give a heads-up by calling and asking if you can visit (thereby giving the other person the chance to politely inform you that it will not be convenient).
Oh, and if you do show up unannounced, don’t be surprised when they kick you out before dinner.
Dutchies will always count on you to make an appointment, no matter how insignificant or small the visit is. Their idea of a nice surprise is one that doesn’t hinder their daily, weekly, or monthly agendas.
10. Don’t be late (time, tide and a Dutchie wait for none)
If there is one thing that annoys the Dutch, it’s waiting. This is intricately linked to their efficiency (did we mention they love an agenda?); the fact that they treat their schedules as holy naturally implies that they value time highly.
If you’ve agreed to a meeting or gathering at 9:00 AM, then that means 9:00 AM. Nothing more, nothing less (although, if you’re early, you get brownie points).
READ MORE | The Dutch and time: how the Dutch language shows they are planning maniacs
You’re going to be late? Best to let them know. Don’t be too surprised if you get some stern words about your tardiness (Dutch directness, remember?).
Punctuality is not something you strive for; it’s a way of life.
11. Using rain as an excuse? Think again
Rain, rain, go away… except it won’t. With an average precipitation rate of 100 minutes per day, the Netherlands can be a pretty wet country to live in.
The Dutch agree. Ever feel left out? Start a conversation about the weather, and in no time, you’ll be surrounded by Dutchies!
READ MORE | Dutch Quirk #117: Constantly check Buienradar
However, this also means you can’t use rain as an excuse or deterrent for anything. Have an appointment with a Dutchie, and it’s pouring cats and dogs? Sorry, the weather doesn’t count.
My Dutch colleagues once asked me to come out for a walk with them. “It’s raining”, I pointed out. I was awarded a genuinely innocent and puzzled, “So what?”
There you have it! While you’re in the Netherlands, it’s best to think twice before doing these 11 things unless you’re ready for some good ol’ Dutch beef. 😤
Do you know any other “dont’s” in the Netherlands? Tell us in the comments below!
Gossip while OK in a Dutch home amongst themselves and tittle tattle is not liked.
Hello,
I am living in de Netherlands for 2 years now and I don’t agree with you.
Dutch people are sneaky as heel and of they can use you to their advantage, they wil do so!
They are totally not organised and when ik comes to handeling business matters (burocracy) they are terrible.
In Some placet there are no sidewalks só people must walk where the bicycles ride.
They love money en always ask something in return for a favor (if they kan help you for money, they wil certainly do it)
I have no idea where you live or who you socialize with but your comment is full of sh… and i would leave back to your own country as soon as possible if this is how you feel about us, although as Siebe is wondering below i wonder where that’s from.
Btw the writer was talking about organised agenda’s and in my view he/she is pretty accurate.
I do agree with you about bureaucracy and a lot of Companies not being organised very well.
But your money comment and the comment about being sneaky is just rude, a lie and really insulting. It’s expats like you that makes us hate expats and wondering what the h… they are doing here. Go back to your wonderland.
Yep, that is the dutch person that I know from the Rotterdam area. They will use you to their advantage. They are just people like everyone else on the planet. No one special. 🙁
No…no…no….I desagree on that, I lved in NL for many years and after living in Colombia, Ecuador, Spain, short time in Germany and 5 years in the USA, I can tell…they are the most particular people on the planet earth…..when I say particular…I mean PARTICULAR!
Amen! 100% agree (living here for 5 years and that’s mostly what I encountered, although there are always wonderful exceptions).
Ja ga maar terug.
You’re so right, Joana. Have been living here for 3 years and I can tell the same! Actually, that’s the main reason we are leaving this country.
Moreover, they love to say they are direct, but when you do so (like you did here expressing your opinion about them) most Dutch people simply can’t handle it. It is very easy to be “direct” if it works one side only.
That’s true unfortunately. I’ve known a lot of Dutch people and they are nice but they only have time for you when they want something (I lived here a lot longer than you so have more experience in this). An English friend of mine didn’t have a good word to say about Dutchies, he lived in Rotterdam, but since he retired and moved to a village his attitude has changed. Maybe it’s a big city thing, I don’t know.
Friendly people are treated with respect!
Never ask about the baby’s name before the baby is born! Dutch people keep this as a secret even from their own family. Some will just laugh at your face, while many often feel offended by simply asking if they have chosen a name, let alone asking the name itself. No Dutch person has ever been able to explain me where this strange anti-social tradition comes from…
Soooo……. Joana where do you hail from ?
my pet peeve it is called holland or nederland what in the hell is the netherlands
Netherlands is what Americans call it
Holland is not the correct name for the country.. the Netherlands is Nederland in English..
It is called the Netherlands, I always correct people that say Holland, that is a province. When you live or grow up there it is never called Holland, it was more for marketing.
I totally disagree with #7, we always went anywhere without appointment, you could show up at anybody doorstep.
And the football chant? You don’t hup the Netherlands do you, Hup Holland, toch? Why is that?
Holland is the name for just the two provinces of Noord-Holland and Zuid-Holland together. Nederland, Nederland or les Pays Bas is the correct name.
I didn’t know about the #2, and couldn’t agree more with the other items. You explained to me how I see Dutch people wording it in a way I could not. Btw, I love those things about them (although I don’t love when they get angry because I misused the cycle path) and living in Netherlands has been like living a dream for me.
Thank you for your wonderful comments! 🙂
Can’t agree more.
I know right! 🙂
Hahahahaaa I just sent an email to a company inquiring about a job, and I wrote it as an American writes it (I’m American). A Dutchie friend of mine read a copy of it after I sent it, and he laughed his ass off! So of course I asked why and he answered with….#1. So lesson learned, and at least the person receiving the email rejected me politely. For those curious, in America when job hunting, the cover letter (letter of interest) writing, and resume (CV) making, we feel that if we don’t speak up for ourselves and our talents and accomplishments, no one will! So we brag though we truthfully brag about our skills. Woe and sadness to he or she who tells lies on his or her cover letter or CV. Doing so can get you sacked, arrested, or at the very least, you’ll lose face.
*arrested if you lie about something really serious such as saying you’re a Medical Doctor and you aren’t, you’ve falsified documents to make it appear you have a license to treat people with health problems and give them medicine, is BIG TIME illegal. Thus you’ll be arrested of course!
Well to be honest, it can become quite confusing if the company you work for has an American and a Dutch office. The Dutch are expected to be humble and team players. Meanwhile the Americans may boast about their accomplishments (we understand that this is their culture and we take it with a grain of salt). But I noticed that they often give them more weight, especially as soon as they move on, sometimes also taking credit for other peoples accomplishments. I recently noticed that one of my ex team mates, a rather sloppy guy from Boston that took a lot of short cuts and that I coached in a lot of matters a few years ago, spoke of managing his Dutch colleagues in his linkedin profile and of leading a project that was mine, taking credit for the 100 k extra retention revenue I brought in… It was rather the other way around and I was of course not amused.
This is a fantastic article. Kudos to the author.
I can personally relate to many of the things written here from when I visited Netherlands. I do vividly remember being told not to walk in the bike lanes if I didn’t enjoy being cursed at. 😂
Brings back such good memories from my trip. Highly recommend everyone traveling or moving to Netherlands to read this 💯
Nice article!
You are not special (no, it doesn’t matter if your mom told you so)
No. Wrong. The Dutch are pretty horrible about how much they think they are special and will complain about it more than they complain about the winter.
Most entitled people on earth who think that they are all kings and queens. I guess it is an Amsterdam real estate type of thing, shitty hair, red jeans, suit jacket and no tie and thinking that they own the universe?
15 years and I loath to go back when I have to see my non-Dutch friends. Also seriously, people learn how to cook properly, you have the most expensive and terrible restaurants in Europe.
I have a few friends who are Dutch from different parts of NL. They seem to be typical crazy or normal as anyone else in the world or usa. The problem is the language barrier and understanding the meaning of words. Many times I have to write, “lost in translation” and then laugh. And they or I try another explanation which usually does the trick. People are people all over the world. 🙂
My first visit to NL, I rudely showed up unannounced at relatives doors. They were polite enough but often did not invite me in. With my American ways, I simply didn’t know better. My few words of Dutch made calling ahead impossible anyway. These were Cousins, Aunts, Uncles, etc., I didn’t know existed before arriving in NL. While they knew who my parents were, they didn’t know I existed before I showed up on their doorstep. Not knowing a soul, a total stranger speaking little Dutch, perhaps there was no good way to present myself. Had I known better, I would have tried hard to be more polite. I’m sure they blamed my lack of manners on being a typical American. Considering my lack of decorum, I was treated kindly and some relatives demonstrated outstanding hospitality becoming the extended family I lacked in the USA.
One of the things I admire about my Dutch relatives and friends is how they drop in unannounced all the time. When I asked one aunt when we could arrange a visit, she jokingly rolled her eyes and exclaimed, “Americans! You stop by whenever you have time. If I am home, we will have coffee. If not, you’ll come back another time.” Friends and relatives stop by our little summer caravan at random and I love it.
Dont forget the three greeting kisses. They are always happy to see each other even if you bring a goodfriend they dont personally know. Everybody gets three kisses on the cheeks. Left, right, left….
I have married into a Dutch family and your posts always resonate with me (and my kids). I would add to this topic that being wasteful is a definite no-no! Especially if it is food… My very devout mother-in-law would consider it sinful to be wasteful! My husband’s parents both lived through the war, and they would often remind their grandchildren of how blessed they were to have the food on the table.
About number 5, I just want to point out that in many places, where there is no side walk, but there is a bike lane, you can walk there, no bike will hit you or look angry or be mean…(well, at least in the two provinces where I lived, Brabant and Utrecht) and this is allowed by law. But generally inside a city centre, yeah, don’t walk on a bike lane, that is not a smart idea.
I feel like this article needs to specify that it is about white dutch people…and I wish there was a little more outright condemnation for literal black face.
Seems like a very superficial article. Dutch can be as materialistic as the rest of the world. They may not be ostentatious but that does not mean they are humble. I’ve dealt with apparently rich Dutch clients regularly and there is no ‘equality’. And the public transport in NL may be organised but many work atmospheres are quite disorganised. And none of my Dutch friends seem to
mind if I don’t know the finer differences between European countries, so at least in that regard they are quite humble. I am saying this with regards to the point about confusing them with Danes.
I thought Dutch people where pretty much like people from the UK there are obvious cultural differences but all in all the same
5. Alas, pedestrians walking on a cycle lane is not the problem. Cyclists riding their bikes on the sidewalk IS a major problem. And cyclists riding right through a crosswalk. I see it every day. Sadly anarchy rules. It’s a free-for-all and nobody cares about the other. Standard me-first libertarian jungle living.
I’ve found that Dutch people are friendly but keep you at a distance. Everything revolves around the family. I know quite a few who have no friends outside of their families. What annoys me, in my experience, is that they take it for granted that you think like they do, they like to tell you have to live your life even where theirs is a mess. They think things like the SInt, happens in every country and I’ve lost count of the times I’ve been asked ‘What are you doing for the Sint? Um nothing! At the beginning of football competitions, eg World Cup they act as if they’ve already won! Most of my friends are from France, England, Cameroon, Hungary, Ireland. Birthday parties are the worst here. Sitting in a circle being offered coffee and cake is not a celebration. I refuse any invites these days.
I am of Dutch heritage but born in Australia. I have lived in Australia and America. I have traveled extensively and what I have found is – people are pretty much the same the world over. All the negative comments (Dutch people will use you, they are stingy, etc) is true for some Dutch people. It’s also true for some Australians and some Americans. I don’t think it is true or helpful to generalise about 17 million people.
I am a bit partial on pt9 , the outlook meetings don’t usually run on time.
I am a Southeasterner from Limburg in the Netherlands, and I can tell you that it is more nuanced. Several centuries ago, the Netherlands was a few provinces smaller and consisted of regions around North and South Holland; that is where the cradle of the term ‘Holland’ lies. The mentality of this old Holland differs from the (north-)eastern and southern provinces that were added later. Limburg (centuries oriented towards Germany, Belgium, Spain, and France) only became a province in 1887, unwanted, as a gift to King Willem after losing Belgium.
So, the mentality described in the article, attributed to ‘the Dutch,’ is known to a citizen here as that of the people of the Randstad (old Holland). Business-minded, straightforward, frank, not discriminatory, and multicultural. Limburgers, and to a lesser extent, the people of North Brabant, are less direct, more nuanced, have a southern Burgundian culture, and are more social. It may sound appealing, but in Limburg, there is a strong attachment to ‘own territory,’ and tolerance towards immigration can be considered quite low.
The entire eastern flank of the Netherlands up to the north (Friesland, Groningen, and Drenthe) is again distinctly Dutch, differing from the west and south. The Dutch prefer to see the Friesen as more stubborn but very sincere people.
Culturally, the Netherlands is a patchwork. The north is predominantly Reformed, the south is Catholic. Limburg is also Celtic, while the rest is Germanic. The north had Scandinavian primal religions resembling those of the Normans. Westerners are more cosmopolitan than the rest. In my humble opinion, ‘the Dutch’ are new. Long enough, though, to feel like ‘a Dutch person.’ However, culturally, our roots still make a significant difference among us.
= or the Netherlands
Well, not a bad list afterall. I have to say I agree with Bob, cycling on the sidewalk is very much a thing at least here in Amsterdam. I am big walker and every single time I step out it is not me wandering on bike lanes but cyclist riding over me on the pedestrian part of the road or on designated pedestrian crossings:) and many of them are Dutch, not necessarily clueless foreigners. But even some of my Dutch friends told me they very much dislike the agressive cycling culture here in Amsterdam. It is like hunger games 😀
Also, the sidewalks are many times so narrow that you just cannot fit on them if you are not walking alone, and people simply don’t step aside to let you pass, but you are kind of forced to step down to the car/bike lane to not get swiped away. I think this is the assertive attitude here:)