Sun, 22 November 2009
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Some facts and figures about living and working in the Netherlands.How we look upon and judge the lifestyle and workplace of other cultures depends on how we view the world from our own cultural background.
The Netherlands is a small country with a limited internal market, consequently the Dutch look across their borders for markets. They started out as worldwide maritime traders in the 16th century and today they are still significant players in the global economy.
"The Netherlands" means "Low Lands"; a large part of the country is situated below sea level. The Netherlands is often referred to as Holland, but Holland is actually only the northwestern part of the country.
Society
With its 16 million inhabitants 16,645,313 (July 2008 est.), the Netherlands is the fourth most densely populated country in the world. Every-day life is structured down to the smallest detail. Private life and work are carefully planned and nothing is left to the unexpected. Ad hoc changes are not appreciated.
The Netherlands is a democracy with a tolerant, open society. Although 70 percent of the Dutch do not attend church anymore, Calvinism still strongly influences their values and beliefs. This Protestant Christian religion, introduced in the 16th century, dictates individual responsibility for moral salvage from the sinful world through introspection, total honesty, soberness, rejection of pleasure and the enjoyment of wealth.
Therefore, extremes are absent in society: political extremes, extreme emotions, extreme richness or extravagant lifestyles. Some money may be spent for pleasure, but frequent vacations abroad, comfortable houses and safe cars are preferred above luxury items.
The Dutch are mistakenly called stingy. But in reality they simply hate to waste everything from food to money. Maybe it is this virtue that made this small country an economic world power.
Egalitarian society
The Netherlands has an egalitarian society. Status and respect are obtained through study and work and not through family ties or old age. Every person is equal and should be treated accordingly, which may be difficult for foreigners to understand.
I really do not recognize the dutch culture in this article at all. Basically, the article displays the dutch as being impolite, rude, inflexible and not very friendly. Though some of those descriptions might fit, most of them do not. This article gives the dutch culture less credit than it should.
Martijn, that is precisely the thing about culture. Can I assume that you are Dutch? By your name? A fish cannot tell that it is living in water; such is the nature of culture. So of course you will not agree with most of this article.
Note that the author of the article is also Dutch, Expatica updated the CIA factbook facts.
Of course such culture articles about whatever culture must generalise, and there are always individuals who will differ widely from the above description.
But there will be a general truth in there.
Admittedly, the community of Global Nomads is expanding and many Dutch individuals belong to this group and certainly should be described as 'international'.
I agree with Sacha response to martijn's comment. As outsiders living here, in particular of different complexion, one can't hardly argue that one is not felt welcomed here. The article certainly tries to sugar coat many things...I suppose if I Dutchperson were to go to any country they would feel welcomed, and when they are back here they are still felt welcomed...they never truly are treated as an outsider is treated here...
J'existe, quand la mort disparaît.....
Les premières
lueurs du matin
me donnent
un sourire désolé,
l'eau des couleurs
et une blanche
émotion où la
neige me rappelle:
j'existe, quand
la mort disparaît.....
Francesco Sinibaldi
I visited Holland last March and had a wonderful time. Everyong treated nicely and I had no problems. The Dutch are people like people all over the world. If you're nice to them they will be nice to you.
Yes, they were nice because you are a tourist and then you go back home.
for a short period (i.e. if you're a tourist) you won't really notice it. but if you live here for a longer time, then things start to get complicated and difficult.
As an expat adult here i find it difficult to make new friends here with the dutch. Tried so many forums because face-to-face communication is impossible for me. Didn't work either.
for a short period (i.e. if you're a tourist) you won't really notice it. but if you live here for a longer time, then things start to get complicated and difficult.
As an expat adult here i find it difficult to make new friends here with the dutch. Tried so many forums because face-to-face communication is impossible for me. Didn't work either.
As a dutchman myself, I think the article is a pretty good reflection of the country i was born in, live in, and love.
Dutch are still people with different educational level and exposure, so i can understand several elements discussed in the article; Nevertheless, One thing that really disappointed me is the discussion about the client .. the author sugarcoated the terribly bad customer service in the country by implying the right to disagree and critisize.. however, that is not the case.. customer service agents have the right to disagree or critisize only after being willing to help the customer.. this intention is widely unavailable and simply a lot of agents don't care because they know how safe are their jobs and how protected they are by the country's work law ..that is something that even the majority of the dutch i met admit and it is a shame that the author is trying to hide it.
Definitely agree with the part about wanting time off! Social life is very important here.
Mandy Taylor - GlobalDutchStore.com
Here’s a current guide to health insurance, doctors, dentists and pharmacies.
Lost in the Dutch immigration system? Look no further than this guide compiled for our Survival Guide 2009.
Some basic facts and figures about living and working in the Netherlands.
The challenges and benefits of the maternity system in the Netherlands and how it differs to other countries.
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