The

Netherlands
  Intro & History
 Language
Culture & Society
Presentation Religion and beliefs
Main Points  Social etiquette
 Famous Dutch proverbs

“Voor niets gaap de zon op – The sun

rises for free”

~ Thomas Paine
 About
The Netherlands, a country in northwestern Europe, is
known for a flat landscape of canals, tulip fields,
windmills and cycling routes. Amsterdam, the capital
and with the population in a whole for about
Capital:Amsterdam
17,134,872.
Population :
17,134,872
History
Netherlands, A country located in
northwestern Europe, also known as Holland.
“Netherlands” means low-lying country; the name
Holland (from Houtland, or “Wooded Land”) was
originally given to one of the medieval cores of
what later became the modern state and is still
used for 2 of its 12 provinces (Noord-
Holland and Zuid-Holland). A parliamentary
democracy under a constitutional monarch, the
kingdom includes its former colonies in the Lesser
Antilles: Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, Sint
Eustatius, and Sint Maarten. The capital
is Amsterdam and the seat of government The https://www.pexels.com/@mikebirdy

Hague.
Vincent Van Gogh Eddie Van Halen
Anton Van Leeuwenhoek
Famous Guitarist
Famous painter Of Van Halen band Father of Microbiology

Famous Personalities
Geography

The Netherlands is situated in Northwest

Europe,reclaimed in part from the waters
of the North Sea, The Netherlands is an
artificially created land, half of which lies
at or below sea level. The country
possesses a flat terrain compromising
mostly of coastal lowland, farmland, grassy
dunes, and sandy beaches.
The Dutch Language
Dutch, the official language, is spoken by around 90% of
the population.
Around 350,000 people, or 2.2% of the population, speak
Frisian as their first language, mainly in the northern
province of Friesland, where it is recognised as an official
language.
Turkish and Arabic are also spoken in the Netherlands,
each by over 0.6% of the population.
Dutch is spoken not only in the Netherlands, but it is also
the official language of Flanders, the neighbouring
northern provinces of Belgium.
Worldwide, Dutch is a national language in Suriname
(South America), Aruba and the Dutch Antilles
(Caribbean). In total Dutch has 23 million mother tongue
speakers. On top of that, there are also 4 million people
worldwide who speak Dutch as a second or foreign
language. So not so small after all!
Examples of Dutch
Communication style
Dutch tend to speak in a friendly tone of voice
and often in short sentences. Excessive
politeness is often viewed as distrustful as it
may imply a lack of directness in
communication. Dutch also generally avoid
over-exaggerated and will often tone down
statements and compliments
Verbal Communication
Direct communication: Dutch tend to have direct communication
style, speaking quite frankly in a straightforward manner.

Humour : Dutch humour may also be cheeky or nuanced. Irony and

sarcasm is often not appreciated as many Dutch take what others
say at face value.

Formality : Dutch language, different forms of expression indicate

varying levels of courtesy and formality. The polite form of speech is
to address people in the formal of “you”. The informal address
known as ‘jij’ is becoming the most common usage of ‘you’.
 Non-verbal Communication
Personal space: Dutch value their personal space and do not appreciate it
being invaded by others.
Physical contact: the Dutch are generally less tactile among strangers and
acquaintances. It is common for couples to display affection in public.
Body language: Dutch people rely heavily on words and generally make less use
of body language to emphasize a point in communication.
Eye contact: holding eye contact is valued and shows sincerity.
Gestures : putting your index finger to the temple of your head or forehead is
considered an insult as it indicates that the person you are talking about is crazy.
The Dutch Society
& Culture
The Role of the Family
•The Dutch see the family as the foundation of
the social structure.
•Families tend to be small, often with only one
or two children.
•Relatively few women work outside the house
full-time as compared to many other cultures.
•This allows mothers to be more available to
their children throughout the entire day. https://www.pexels.com/@mikebirdy
 Dutch demeanour
Appearances are important to the Dutch.
They are disciplined, conservative, and pay
attention to the smallest details.
They see themselves as thrifty, hardworking,
practical and well organized.
They place high value on cleanliness and neatness.
At the same time, the Dutch are very private
people.
They do not draw attention to themselves and do
not value the accoutrements of success highly
prized by other western societies.
They dislike displays of wealth, as they run counter
to their egalitarian beliefs.
They do not boast about their accomplishments or
their material possessions.
 Egalitarianism
The Dutch are egalitarian and highly tolerant of
individual differences.
Their children are raised without gender biases.
There is practically no abject poverty in the country
because of the social programs, which, however,
also increase the tax burden on workers.
This egalitarian outlook is carried over into the
workplace.
Even in hierarchical organizations, every person has
a right to their opinion and to have it heard.
The boss may be the final decision maker, but
he/she will typically want input from the workers
and will strive for consensus.
Everyone is valued and shown respect.
Dutch Privacy
The Dutch are reserved and formal when dealing
with outsiders.
They are private people and do not put their
possessions or emotions on display.
Self-control is seen to be a virtue.
The Dutch do not ask personal questions and will
refuse to answer should you be foolish enough to
intrude on their privacy.
Personal life is kept separate from business.
If a friendship develops at work and is carried into
the personal arena, this camaraderie will not be
brought into the office.
Personal matters are not discussed with friends, no
matter how close.
 RELIGION
Religious beliefs: The largest religious congregation in
the Netherlands is Catholic, followed by Reformed
Protestant, Dutch Reformed, And Muslim.

Religious practitioners: Religious practitioners belong

to the major religious in the Netherlands.

Rituals and holy places: The Catholic south of the

Netherlands is rich in annual religious processions, some
of which date back to the middle ages.

Death and the afterlife: Reliefs about death and the

afterlife correspond to the doctrines of the major
religions.
 Customs in the Netherlands
 Using disease as curse words
 Drinking tiny beers
 Stacking multiple children on a bike
 Handing fireworks to children in new years eve
 Giving birth at home
 Putting peanut sauce on fries
 Pointing out that there is a crap on someone’s face
 Congratulating everyone at birthday parties
The Dutch tends to draw a line between personal and professional time.
Etiquette & Manners in the
Netherlands
Meeting & Greeting
The handshake is the common form of
greeting.
It is firm and swift, accompanied by a
smile, and repetition of your name.
Shake hands with everyone individually
including children.
Very close friends may greet each other by
air kissing near the cheek three times,
starting with the left cheek.
Most Dutch only use first names with
family and close friends.
Wait until invited before moving to a first-
name basis.
 Gift giving
If invited to a Dutch home bring a box of good
quality chocolates, a potted plant, a book, or
flowers to the hostess.
Flowers should be given in odd numbers, but not
13, which is unlucky.
Avoid giving white lilies or chrysanthemums, as
these are associated with funerals.
Gifts should be wrapped nicely.
Wine is not a good gift if invited for dinner, as the
host may already have selected the wines for
dinner.
Do not give pointed items such as knives or scissors
as they are considered unlucky.
Gifts are usually opened when received.
Dining etiquette
Dining is fairly formal in the Netherlands.
Table manners are Continental -- the fork is held in the
left hand and the knife in the right while eating.
Remain standing until invited to sit down. You may be
shown to a particular seat.Men generally remain standing
until all the women have taken their seats.
If you have not finished eating, cross your knife and fork
in the middle of the plate with the fork over the knife.
Do not begin eating until the hostess starts.
Most food is eaten with utensils, including sandwiches.
The host gives the first toast. An honoured guest should
return the toast later in the meal.
Salad is not cut; fold the lettuce on your fork.
Always start with small amounts so you may accept
second helpings.
Finish everything on your plate. It is offensive to waste
food in the Netherlands.
 Building Relationship & Communication
They will want to know your academic They do business with maintain the
credentials and the amount of time proper distance, do not demonstrate
your company has been in business. emotion or use exaggerated hand
The important thing is to demonstrate gestures.
how your relationship would be The Dutch are extremely direct in
beneficial for both sides. their communication.
The Dutch are hospitable, yet this is They may sound blunt if you come
often reserved for family and friends. In from a culture where communication
business they tend to be reserved and is more indirect and context driven.
formal. They do not use hyperbole, and
They do not touch one another and likewise they expect to be told yes or
appreciate it when those no in clear words.
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