Tue, 29 May 2012
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A workshop helping you get to grips with the Dutch.Being new to the Netherlands like any country comes with its standard obstacles and difficulties. Arriving in a new country often brings with it challenges which can leave you pondering many things you had previously taken for granted. "Am I really as outgoing as I thought?" as you stand quietly in the corner of the local bar. "Where can I go to post this letter?" upon realising that not every country has post offices on each corner. The Netherlands is no different in this regard, with many people arriving and initially feeling quite lost. This article looks to give you a quick insight to the Dutch and their culture!
To start with, the Dutch people are often very direct. This is something they see as gewoon normaal (simply normal), but many foreigners can interpret this as being quite rude. For example, an international interrupting the daily routine of a Dutch person may witness a sharp tongue rather than gentle guidance! But don't be put off; once you get used to the way of life in the Netherlands, it can become a very pleasant culture to be a part of.
The Dutch pride themselves in their tolerance and flexibility, and indeed they are open to certain things which other countries forbid (think soft drugs, euthanasia); to many this is a refreshing point of view. What's more, Dutch people tend to try to do what suits them best, rather than simply pleasing others. This may be shocking to many people from more indirect or collectivist cultures, but works surprisingly well in the Netherlands. People in Holland are generally self reliant and happy, and this is seen more clearly in none other than Dutch women, with their sense of liberalism and independence which is arguably unrivalled across the world.
After living in Holland for a while, you may come across the relative lack of hierarchy in Dutch businesses; your co-workers may often ignore authority, and senior execs try to avoid displaying their power, opting instead to accentuate their role as part of the group. Whilst this may lead you to think you can relax in their presence, don't be mistaken, this doesn't mean that they won't use their authority when they have to!
So there are two approaches you can take as an expat or visitor: You could say, "I'll just have to bear with it and hope I get used to it..." or alternatively you might ask, "Why are the Dutch so Dutch and what can I do to understand them a little better?" For the latter, we're not talking about a magic potion or mathematical solution, but rather some clues and helpful information that will help you understand the Dutch people and how their society works.
Workshops to discover Dutch culture
Expertise in Labour Mobility runs this workshop approximately six times per year; the next opportunities to participate are 10 May, 5 September and 6 November. The workshops are given in Rotterdam and last one full working day; costs are €185 per person, including lunch, drinks as well as a take-home information package. For more information, visit www.labourmobility.com send an e-mail to l.edelkoort@labourmobility.com. Check us out on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter!
Archie Pollock, Expertise in Labour Mobility
Total non-sense. Please tell something which interesting and useful other than cliche : dutch is direct, dutch is tolerant and dutch has no hierarchy at workplace...
Hi Marsık,
Thanks for your feedback. These are my genuine experiences of living in the Netherlands. Perhaps they could be deemed stereotypical, but sometimes stereotypes are there for a reason...
Have you experienced life here to be very different from what I have written? I would love it if you would share your experiences with us. I can assure you that our workshop goes into depth in many other subjects.
Best,
Archie Pollock
Makes total sense to me and the characteristics mentioned here are the reason I love living in this country.
Please add how they never smile at strangers in a gawking way, they always argue and complain because they always have to have their own way and that's what they teach their kids (and many of them) also. Other than the big cities the whole country is full of small villagers who won't and can't speak English which questions their tolerance part. Unless you come here with a 6 year degree and 3 languages don't expect a job, not even a job picking mushrooms in the maneuver. There's nothing interesting going on here, you have to drive to Belgium to find interesting exhibits, I paid 14 euros for the Rijks museuem to look at the nightwatchman and a few other exhibits within 1 hours time, where the week before I was at the Louve in Paris and paid 10 euros for a whole day. So they over charge on museums. The Restaurants are way over priced and have zero standards.
I've seen this info recycled since the early 80s. Can't you change a few words around at least? Times have definitely changed here in Holland and I feel this country has not evolved at all.
Totally agree with above comments
small villages are small villages everywhere...I don't think what Gina mentions is exclusive of the Dutch small villages. It even happens in small villages of my own country...I am raising a daughter here and never had any problems about their way or my way, I have found support and great professionals and my stand was always respected. I do not live in Amsterdam nor any of the major cities...if people are so unhappy about this country they are always free to move somewhere else. Or maybe there are good things and they only focus on what they don't like? I have learned the language, that helps a lot on the way others perceive you and it happens everywhere, not only in NL. I don't have a 6 years degree still I came here with a job...and it was not 20 years ago...or was I just lucky? I don't think so...
Your efforts on this topic are really cool. You are working really something great to promote information regarding this topic.
I have to agree with some of the other commenters about your article sounding a bit like an old cliche - something I can read in any simple brochure.
I've been here now for almost 10 years and, unless you've been living under a rock, you cannot deny that the society and people attitudes have changed. Gone are the days where NL was a beakon of tolerance and acceptance. Its been testing times in Holland for the last 5-10 years...
Don't get me wrong, I'm still happy being here but once you get to know the Dutch better, you notice that they are more indifferent than tolerance.
Totally agree with Gina posted: 2012-04-16 11:16:50
I wake up every morning trying to stay completely positive and somewhere during every day someone pushes you over the edge again with their unique behavior, I am a tolerant person but many times it is going way too far. Either you are made for NL or not.
Total non-sense. Please tell something which interesting and useful other than cliche : dutch is direct, dutch is tolerant and dutch has no hierarchy at workplace...
Hi Marsık,
Thanks for your feedback. These are my genuine experiences of living in the Netherlands. Perhaps they could be deemed stereotypical, but sometimes stereotypes are there for a reason...
Have you experienced life here to be very different from what I have written? I would love it if you would share your experiences with us. I can assure you that our workshop goes into depth in many other subjects.
Best,
Archie Pollock
Makes total sense to me and the characteristics mentioned here are the reason I love living in this country.
Please add how they never smile at strangers in a gawking way, they always argue and complain because they always have to have their own way and that's what they teach their kids (and many of them) also. Other than the big cities the whole country is full of small villagers who won't and can't speak English which questions their tolerance part. Unless you come here with a 6 year degree and 3 languages don't expect a job, not even a job picking mushrooms in the maneuver. There's nothing interesting going on here, you have to drive to Belgium to find interesting exhibits, I paid 14 euros for the Rijks museuem to look at the nightwatchman and a few other exhibits within 1 hours time, where the week before I was at the Louve in Paris and paid 10 euros for a whole day. So they over charge on museums. The Restaurants are way over priced and have zero standards.
I've seen this info recycled since the early 80s. Can't you change a few words around at least? Times have definitely changed here in Holland and I feel this country has not evolved at all.
Totally agree with above comments
small villages are small villages everywhere...I don't think what Gina mentions is exclusive of the Dutch small villages. It even happens in small villages of my own country...I am raising a daughter here and never had any problems about their way or my way, I have found support and great professionals and my stand was always respected. I do not live in Amsterdam nor any of the major cities...if people are so unhappy about this country they are always free to move somewhere else. Or maybe there are good things and they only focus on what they don't like? I have learned the language, that helps a lot on the way others perceive you and it happens everywhere, not only in NL. I don't have a 6 years degree still I came here with a job...and it was not 20 years ago...or was I just lucky? I don't think so...
Your efforts on this topic are really cool. You are working really something great to promote information regarding this topic.
I have to agree with some of the other commenters about your article sounding a bit like an old cliche - something I can read in any simple brochure.
I've been here now for almost 10 years and, unless you've been living under a rock, you cannot deny that the society and people attitudes have changed. Gone are the days where NL was a beakon of tolerance and acceptance. Its been testing times in Holland for the last 5-10 years...
Don't get me wrong, I'm still happy being here but once you get to know the Dutch better, you notice that they are more indifferent than tolerance.
Totally agree with Gina posted: 2012-04-16 11:16:50
I wake up every morning trying to stay completely positive and somewhere during every day someone pushes you over the edge again with their unique behavior, I am a tolerant person but many times it is going way too far. Either you are made for NL or not.
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