I am very interested in the European Culture; especially the Dutch. Can you help me learn more?

Question

I am from North America, but I am very intrigued by the Dutch culture and traditions. Can anybody please explain to me how the Dutch differ from the Americans in any aspect that comes to mind? Eating, cooking, fashion, driving, living, family, holidays, religion, daily routine, responsiblities, etc. Please nothing rude like Americans are just plain old fat and sloopy, I've seen plenty that say that. I am trying an experiment for a month and would like as much information as possible.
Also I am learning the Dutch language so that if I do ever get to the Netherlands I won't be entirely dependent on the english language.
If you have any information please let me know. Thank you so much.

Morris: I know about Holland, MI tulip festival I live less than 30minutes away from there.

bedank u aschwin. Yes the area I am most interested in learning more about is Limburg. To be more specific Sittard and/or Maastricht.

If you see really good answers already please dont be afraid to post an answer to the question. I would love to hear from all.

Answer 1

In reaction to an earlier poster, I *don't* recommend the book "The Undutchables". I found it incredibly insulting to the Dutch, and not at all a reflection of any Dutch people I know (I'm Australian and live in the Netherlands). A much better book IMO is "The Dutch, I presume?" by Martijn de Rooi with photographs by Jurjen Drenth. It's a lighthearted introduction to Dutch culture, covering all the wellknown things (windmills, cheese, tulips, etc) and some lesser-known aspects too. It's not terribly deep or anything, but it's a nice read.

Good luck with learning Dutch! It's a wonderful language.

Answer 2

WOW... forget all about windmills flowers and wooden shoes! I never wear wooden shoes (hardly anyone does) and the windmills and flowers are not in the numbers you would suspect.

1) eating:
a lot of our foods are just like in the USA i think the biggest difference is the lunch, in the Netherlands most people eat a whole wheat sandwich with cheese (DUTCH cheese)

2) fashion:
Watch MTV and you know what to wear in the Netherlands

3)driving:
we don't use mph but kmph other then that hardly any differences, only the max speed is a bit higher here.

4)Living:
Again.. simulair to the USA only the differences between rich and poor are smaller

5)family:
.... don think its any difference at all to the families in the USA.

6)holidays:
the young children have holidays 5 times a year, in the summer about 6 weeks, then most people with small children go camping (in France, Belgium or Germany)

7) religion:
some people are religious other are not, mostly those people live next to each other without any problems, recently there are some tensions with the Muslims (i think same as in USA or other countries)

8)daily routine:
most people work 8 hours a day

9)responsibilities:
i don't know...

Most dutch people speak English, so learning dutch is not really necessary, but always good for a laugh! (the dutch language has some weird sounding words, don't worry to much about that, just try to talk to people in dutch, most will be friendly and help you speak dutch correctly)

if you have any other questions just contact me, ill try to answer them.

Answer 3

Generally: most Dutch are open-minded people, who will speak some English too (LOL) There are many differences between the Dutch and the Americans, but the best way to explore it: be with the Dutch sometimes.

One large advantage is, that like the Dutch language (Nederlands) it is a straight forward so direct language contrary to that "strange" English spoken by visitors from the UK.

Note that The Netherlands is more than Amsterdam only. If you will really meet the Dutch, go to The Hague, Rotterdam, Groningen, Maasstricht, Apeldoorn too. Different places to say North, West, East, and South of this country.

Something special appeared to be, that a lot of Dutchmen will not close their curtains during the evening/night. So feel yourself free to look inside!

What else more? Raise questions and don't fear to speak to a Dutchmen. Finally there is an excellent network of public transport and within the corner Amsterdam-Haarlem-Leiden-The Hague-Rotterdam-Utrecht even 24 hours a day!

Feel also free to raise more detailed questions with me.

Succes met het leren van Nederlands. Weest welkom.

Met vriendelijke groeten/With kind regards,


Jim KLOOS.

Answer 4

My 4 grand parents were all Dutch and spoke dutch between themselves. They came and lived in Holland, Mi. Their generation was very traditional. Things you may have heard about the dutch was true with them. They were stubborn, very frugal, strongly christian protestant. Yet they were very caring and generous to good causes. They were so hardworking compared to many people today. Holland , Mi. was founded by dutch and has a tulip festival every may. It is a reflection of the flower buisness in Netherlands. They grow tulips and all types of bulb flowers there. It is one of the biggest industries in the Netherlands. They ship these flowers worldwide. The Netherlands today is much different than my grandparents time. It is now the most liberal country in Europe. Gays, prostitution, even pot cafes are legal.

Answer 5

I tell you about one aspect, the food.
We have junk food too. In the so called snack bars you can buy stuff you don't see in the States; kroket, frikandel, bereklauw, broodje stoofvlees. I don't call that culture but it is unique.
If you eat in a restaurant the waiters don't take your plate away as soon as you are done and you don't have to go for other customers. Eating is more of a social thing here. The food it self is like French food but with more veggies and less fish. Eating in a restaurant is expensive (especially the drinks). You don't have to tip though, it is in the price.
As for traditional cuisine:
snert / erwtensoep
boerenkool met rookworst
hutspot met klapstuk
Zuurkool met kaantjes
tuinbonen met spekjes
bloemkool met een papje
Haring op roggebrood
poffertjes
Spruitjes (original from Belgium: Brussels Sprouts)
Rode kool met hashee/stoofvlees

2nd aspect, politics.
Left and right are obsolete terms to describe Dutch politics. We have quite a few parties that form a coalition and a opposition. It is democratic.....but different.

3rd aspect, religion
Most people don't go to church but a small group is still very religious. In general in the south that group is Catholic. In the center and north that group is protestant. There is a bible belt in the center of Holland.

Answer 6

I am an American living in Holland with my Dutch boyfriend. I recommend reading the book The Undutchables. It's is very funny and all true...fastest overall intro to Dutch culture. Be warned, the Dutch are very friendly, but they are difficult to infiltrate. It is a very casual, practical culture...which leads to the tolerant laws. But, immigration is a big issue; an important part of learning about Dutch culture is understanding the word "allochtoon." I also recommend checking out dutchgrammar.com -- comprehensive explanation of the grammar, and the forums would be a very useful place to get more answers to your question. Also, check out Expatica.com for even more forums as well as Dutch news in English and stories from the perspective of expatriates.

Answer 7

I'm Dutch and I spoke last week with a Dutch women who is living in New York. She told me that one of the biggest difference between Dutch women and American Women is that American women are always wearing Make up. That in America it's easy to loose your job, in the Netherlands you are more protected by law wen you have a job. Also if you rent a place you are in the Netherlands more protected by law.

Answer 8

the space here would not be enough. when i moved here, i started reading "the dutch, i presume?" which also tries to dispel any wrong notion about the country. for a lighthearted read, nothing beats "the undutchables".

you can also try this: http://www.zompist.com/dutchcult.html

but then again, nothing beats being here to see for yourself.

the boy who saved the town by sticking his finger in a hole in dike/dam did not exist. if you see those dams/dikes, no way a kid's thumb can stop any leak from those things. and besides, the dutch are smarter than that.

Answer 9

Actually it really depends on where you are in The Netherlands. Live in Amsterdam is completely different from live in the countryside.

Veel success met het studeren van onze taal.

Answer 10

I am Dutch, currently living in Limburg. I realise this site isn't the proper place to chat, but I'd be glad to help you in any way I can. Ask away! Please don't hesitate to send me an e-mail!