Are Dutch people most selfish people in the world?

Question

I lived in Romania, Germany and France and have met people from all over the globe, but Dutch people are just not my cup of tea; I especially refer to the south of Holland - Limburg area where I met the most rude people in my life: impollite, arrogant and incredibly selfish! I understand one shouldn't categorize but I seriously do see a huge difference in the way people treat eachother just over the border in germany or Belgium.

Answer 1

I doubt it.

Answer 2

Well.. I have been living the Netherlands for the last 7 years and I must say that I feel the same way about Dutch people. It is kind of weird, because they do indeed give a lot to charities however they are the most self-centered people I evet met. I lived in the U.K., Belgium, Poland before and never had experienced anything like that. By selfish, we expets, do not mean, you being stingy (although some people really are) I am more talking about emotional selfishness.
Simple example: you have appointment with Dutch person. Do not take it for granted! Even if it was arranged weeks before they might just change their mind half an hour before, inform about it by sms and wish you to have wonderful weekend or day. I think they do not even realise that this is NOT ok to do, Other example, your Dutch boyfriend, might plan vacation to lets say Japan, you have no many. In any other country, boyfriend would say something like: ok, lets save together and go next year, not in NL! Here he will go alone and leave you behind. And that is ok in Dutch culture!
Anyway, I have a lot of Dutch friends, however the last couple of years, I realsied that I was less and less interested in making appointments with most of them. I started looking for expats to build friendships and I am happy that I have done that because I experience much less dissappoinment than before.
There is a way, to have Dutch friends in Holland and it is treat them not as friends but as people to spend time with when there is nothing else to do and do not expect anything what you would expect from real friendships. That way, you will not be dissappointed and might even have some nice fun time when living in the Netherlands.

Answer 3

I just think you where at the wrong place at the wrong time. Were you vacationing, or have you lived in Limburg? Being Dutch myself I wouldn't say we're selfish - but we are self-centered. Dutch Southerners and especially Limburgers are known to be the wildest party people in the Netherlands! Just visit the area during the Carnival festival.

Answer 4

Oh! How rude! My Grandfather all tho from Belgium was of Dutch decent! Grandma was of French decent and from Belgium as well. And even tho you didn't include the French I know that if they were both still alive they would take offense at your remark.They were proud to be Americans!But they hated it when people would categorize others. No racial or ethnic slurs were allowed in our house.No calling people Wap, dago Polack or that awful N. word. We grew up in a small mining town that had 32 different nationalities. We had our own little melting pot and learned to respect one another differences.So I know that I speak for them in telling you to please don't judge all by the actions of a few. Why did you post this in the Religion & Spirituallity site?

Answer 5

well im dutch and i can tell you that we're not rude. (just the odd one like in any other nation..) maybe you can consider there were language problems, the way we translate from our language. most dutchies speak english, but another thing is get what you mean to say, across to the other person, the right way.
one thing: we do like to say what we think; i admid. but i think thats usually a good thing. you know.. instead of keeping things inside.
also we are 2nd in the world with donations to charities, not so selfish..

Answer 6

I currently live in Maastricht, Limburg and I feel the exact same way.

Answer 7

I have one Dutch friend who is very nice, a great father of two boys, very liked in a working environment and has many good friends. : )

Answer 8

I have only met a few dutchmen and all have been very nice people. You get rude where ever you go.

Answer 9

Some dutch people has the ghost of the ex killer Heatler in there mind thinking to there race superiority .

Answer 10

i have never traveled anywhere near there only been to hawaii,canada, and mexico. what do the dutch people do that is so rude of them? i'm just curious?

Answer 11

I think that the doors said it best.

People are strange when you're a stranger
Faces look ugly when you're alone
Women seem wicked when you're unwanted
Streets are uneven when you're down

When you're strange
Faces come out of the rain
When you're strange
No one remembers your name
When you're strange
When you're strange
When you're strange

People are strange when you're a stranger
Faces look ugly when you're alone
Women seem wicked when you're unwanted
Streets are uneven when you're down

When you're strange
Faces come out of the rain
When you're strange
No one remembers your name
When you're strange
When you're strange
When you're strange

When you're strange
Faces come out of the rain
When you're strange
No one remembers your name
When you're strange
When you're strange
When you're strange

Love and blessings Don