There's a difference between criticising and aimlessly complaining I believe. The weather is a good example of aimless complainig, not much you can do about it besides trying to take a positive perspective. (little known and mostly denied fact; it only rains 7% of the time in the Netherlands. Unbelievable but true).
@@shoelacedonkey The same with a white christmas. We’ve been complaining there are no more white christmasses. Since they started measuring in, I believe 1900, we only had about 7 or 9 white ones. Have to look up the exact amount, but it’s very low. As if we had a white christmas almost every year in the past. For the first part of your reaction, you are right. It might not be complaining, but it is the ability of walking up to your “boss” to say, wait a minute, I don’t agree, I have another idea, without being reprimanded.
I know enough Dutch that are not that tall at all, even are frustrated about it. I live in Portugal and once a tiny tiny tiney colleague visited the Netherlands and after that she said.. oooh I discovered you are not that tall at all (1m84) but here in Portugal I am a giant :D
@@BenvanBroekhuijsen i'm also 1,84. It's apparently the average for Dutch man. With roughly 1,70 or so for women. But it seems to be right though. Walking around anywhere in the Netherlands, i often notice i'm indeed smack dap in the middle. Some are taller, Some are shorter. But i'm never the tallest or shortest.
As a person who grew up bilingual (dutch/english) in The Netherlands, I believe the problem is two fold, yet compounds. Not only is the culture extremely direct; the dutch LANGUAGE is EXTREMELY to the point as well (not much to grease the wheel, so to say. It stays rather dry. Devoid of niceties that cushion thing). Wich means when the dutch translate it (usually literally) to english it sounds like they are looking for beef! Or at best it sounds passive aggresive. They simply don't NOTICE tone. They think of it in terms of honest/dishonest as opossed to blunt/ tactfully phrased. It's often a 'lost in translation' thing. Thát and the culture that feels that sugarcoating things is a waste of time makes the dutch come across as rather abrasive to many. And then of course to complicate things some of the people you come across may genuinely BE Rude. Lol
If your culture does not distinguish between directness and rudeness, there is a trust issue in the other person's intentions. Holland scores very high in interpersonal trust, and it is this that allows us to be relatively direct without much conflict
There is a big spectrum and understanding of directness I guess. When I came to the Netherlands I was tired of saying: ´´Say it straight!´´. I was thinking: why the Dutch are so indirect and can't say something directly? Then I learned that I know Dutch ppl only from the workplace. To be specific: Ppl were polite to me even if I knew they disliked me and I had to say things like: ´´Why do you act like this? You don´t have to pretend you like me just keep it on the business level.´´. It was also something new for me to call my boss by his first name and I did like it, but whenever he wanted to criticize my work or make me do something he tried to give me an explanation or begin with small talk and that was kind of annoying, I had to say: ´´Get to the point!´´. After a while, however, I learned that this is a business level in the Netherlands, politeness and trying really hard not to make ppl feel bad in the workplace. In Poland, we don´t get offended easily, and it is very normal to show on your face that you dislike something or someone without even saying anything, but I eventually began to like the Dutch way. After a while, I discovered the directness that everyone was saying about, but outside of work: ´´Wat een rare pet heb jij?´´ or ´´Wat kost zo´n ding?´´ or ´´We gaan eten.´´. It´s funny when I think about it. I´ve learned a lot: to be more relaxed at work and to be more direct in my private life when I returned to Poland. Actually, I connected the best of two worlds. Now when I want someone to leave I just say it.
@@elpepe9451 now I also find it strange that I expressed myself so extensively to random comment on random TH-cam video pushed to me by the algorithm. Weird stuff, the Netherlands is weird, but somehow addictive
From $37K to $45K that's the minimum range of profit return I get every week, I thinks it's not a bad one for me now I have enough to pay bills and take care of my family.
I really like the dutch way of living/communicating. I see some people in the comments that say ooh I'm just gonna be rude back. And there lies the problem. Dutch people don't intent to be rude. They are just direct. And other dutch people understand this and don't take it as rude. Foreign people who don't understand it and are like " ooh i'm just gonna be rude back" have very different intentions. Their intent is to be rude.
@@night6724 well that’s more a personality thing than a culture thing. There’s shit people everywhere, but we Dutch generally like it when your upfront with what you think.
A lot of the stereotypes the Dutch have are actually more stereotypes of Amsterdammers in particular. Amsterdammers are considered rude and loud in the rest of the Netherlands too.
I never tell other Dutch people i live in Amsterdam, because you tend to get shit on. So i just mention my birth place. But yeah, for some reason we are consider the arrogant ones
I've travelled to most European countries and beyond. More times than I can remember. Amsterdamers aren't just "considered" rude, they truly are! VERY rude and cold people. Don't know how the Dutch in the rest of the country are but the Amsterdamers are definitely a piece of work!
I have a complete different experience of Amsterdam. I was raised in the Hague, lived in Utrecht during studies, and now live in Amsterdam for work. Amsterdam people are so open minded and nice, I actually had to get used to switching from The Hague’s cut throat attitude. Utrecht was ok, but the The Hague mentality is most aggressive, direct and rude.
@@Psychedelicah I do agree with that. The colleagues from The Hague (not all but in general) I founded the most two faced, rude and complaining a lot. I like Rotterdammers more.
I work for the last 15 years with dutch people and I can confirm that you are rude. But most of you are getting pissed off if I say the same things. Among other nations I work with are Filipino, Croation, Romanians, Indians, Indonesians, Bulgarian...etc.
They are disrespectful and call it "just being honest" 👎 they are so egoistic and conceited they think everyone is waiting to hear their "opinions" all the time. They do not. I'm just being honest.
@@MusicIsLegal Being polite and respectful to people in public isn't "lying". If you have a bad mood, keep it to yourself. You make the atmosphere toxic.
As someone who has family and friends in the Netherlands. They are direct and you know where you stand with most of them. Most tourists don't realise there are other provinces besides Holland.
Well most people from Holland would agree. Theres Holland and then theres the other areas which we refer to as "the provinces" or "foreign territory". If someone from a different part of the country is talking about something or some issue that we dont have here, we just laugh and say they live in another country. For reference, besides north and south holland there are 10 provinces. Groningen is in the north, theres nothing to do there, its just used for mining natural gas. Friesland is where the Frisians live, who are foreigners, theyre not Dutch people, we leave them alone and they leave us alone. Then there is Drenthe which is just a bunch of sheep and approximately 5 people live there. Gelderland has some nice forests but the people there are German and we dont care what goes on there as long as the trains are on schedule. Same for Overijssel. Then Utrecht is a lot like Holland but they are just a bunch of wannabes who cant afford the rent here. Brabant is known for 3 things, carnaval, producing illegal drugs and drinking a lot of beer, but they cant even do that right because the people who drink the most beer per capita live right here in Holland. Then theres Limburg which is basically fake Belgium. They even have hills over there. Weird people. Zeeland is also fake Belgium, its main use is for building dams and annoying the real Belgians who are trying to steal our trade with their ports around Antwerp, to which we control the sea route. And lastly we have Flevoland which was reclaimed from the sea to provide housing for people who cant afford the rent in Amsterdam.
@@TheSuperappelflap and then the Holland provinces are not even Dutch anymore because there are only foreigners, criminality and expats there. And the ones that aren't foreigners are extremely poor Hagenezen, Crooswijk Rotterdammers or cultureless YUPpen.
I think we sound rude because our ways of expressing politeness don't translate easily into English and vice versa. We aren't actually quite as fluent in English as we migh appear. Many Dutch people speaking (their version of) English don't add words like 'please' when they are due, because we don't do that in Dutch. We have different ways of expressing that, like 'Zou je even willen...' But that's hard to translate into English on the spot when you're not that fluent. So the Dutch leave it out all together and sound rude as a result.
I know, but it's hard for the average Dutch person trying to speak English. Also, if a Dutch person starts a sentence with 'Could you' but doesn't add a 'please', it still sounds rude. I think that most people would know if you asked them in a classroom setting where they have time to think. In daily practice it often gets lost in translation though. :D
As someone who has travelled a lot and speaks a little bit of many different languages, I have to say that almost all cultures use a word that means "please" and most cultures think that I've encountered think that not saying please is rude.
Being open-minded is another trait that is often associated with being Dutch (which I can generally confirm as a Dutchman). You can chat about virtually everything, have small talks about the most far-out topics you can imagine. This goes hand in hand with the fact that we often don’t have to deal with underlying social judgments or tension, because people just say what they think, which we all kinda accept. There are, in other words, little taboos.
Most Dutch people are direct but only when asked for their opinion or when it's needed in the situation. People from Amsterdam are a bit much though, they act like it's their whole identity. It's very easy to spot someone from Amsterdam because they will tell you within the first minute of talking to them. You: Hey how are you doing? Them: Hi I'm fine, I'm from Amsterdam so I always say what's on my mind, cool right? You: Okay, have a nice day. Bye!
I suppose honesty is a part of Dutch culture, but if an elderly lady who owns a charming restaurant asks if the food was good, just say it was good. Your Dutch opinion won't make her cook better or change her cooking style. Just giving my two cents.
Absolutely, we are definitely very honest relative to other cultures, but we still make the conscious consideration whether unfiltered honesty is actually appropriate. White lies are often just necessary to avoid negative tension or conflict when there is no net positive to be gained from it down the line, and you don't have to give your opinion when it's not being asked for.
There's a difference in being direct and being just rude. And a lot of (dutch) people don't know the difference. Main difference is if it is about your persona or of the person you're talking to.
One thing that I will never forget with the dutchies: I give a gift to my dutch colleague and he said: *"why did you give it to me? where did you buy this? Do you still have the receipt?"* and I was like: OKAY?!? THAT WAS RUDE!!! But when my birthday came, HE GAVE ME ALMOST THE SAME THING, WITH THE SAME PRICE 😭 But anyway we're dating now
The Dutch are Friendly, Frugal, individualistic, low on politeness, high on life. They talk directly like children do if they're not taught any manners. They live in a remarkable country with an unremarkable landscape. They're super organised and are natural planners. Don't expect a let's go now spontaneous outlook because their agendas don't allow it.
@@Twaloef not everyone of course =) but many. Doesn’t mean they’re being horrible or have any ill will, just that in many areas of daily life, the politeness lacks, where in other cultures like mine, it doesn’t.
Deputy: Interesting and thoughtful observations. I can see how these characteristics have been instrumental in developing a resilient and high achieving culture. That said, I prefer more “fluff”, warmth and some reticence - ie, the English way of doing things. (Not ‘all things’ - they are struggling a good deal these days - but their wit, understated decency and tenacity.)
Wow as an American to see people speak English so well, when it is their second language is just amazing. Their English is so fluid and the comprehension is incredible.
I moved to italy years ago and run an airbnb, my area is quite popular for the dutch and one family explained to me how in schools teachers and students for a set period during the day would only speaking in English. Don't count out the Danes, Swedes, and Norwegians though who also have amazing English comprehension, at least from the ones I've met so far.
@@christianbinamira7879 I love my country but when it comes to education we really do suck. American children should be learning a second language from a young age all the way through high school. It’s an embarrassment compared to other developed nations. Sorry, not sorry. It’s the truth.
Not rude, but VERY direct. I found myself wondering if it was bluntness or sarcastic rejection. They are hard to like but I'm sure they are very loyal and supportive friends.
One of my favourite things to do is when the native Dutch are direct with me, I am mirroring that back to them, being direct as well... Really funny to see their reactions and how they consider me being rude.😀
I found people in the Netherlands very critical of Australia, even though they had never been there. Yet when I dared to say something critical about the Netherlands, their royal family, or their colonial past they did not like it at all.
Americans are generally really friendly and genuinely mean it. We'll treat people like a best friend within minutes of meeting them, which I know can be off putting for other cultures. It is a genuine in most cases though. Even in stores. We make friends in the grocery store line.
I trust you feel it is genuine. That said to me calling someone you just met in the grocery store line a friend would feel weird towards my long time & actual friends. One can be friendly, even Dutch people can be friendly but to get to a certain point of actual friendship will take time, effort and honesty.
@@shoelacedonkeyit's funny how when the dutch go abroad they enjoy the advantages of being treated like a welcome guest but that same courtesy isnt there in the Netherlands.😂 thankfully i only surround myself with people who aren't 'stereotypically' dutch. I'm a bit of an oddball so most dutch people I know are odd like me: Sensitive, non-confrontational, welcoming, generous to a fault....😅
I am Canadian and I would second that. We are genuinely warm, friendly and helpful. It does not mean we are best friends but it’s not hard to be considerate and positive towards others. People who are suspicious of that are cynical and entitled.
@@MonsieurChapeau i feel i might be a canadian in a dutch born body😅 i like my own company. I dont like to form close friendships off the bat. Gimme some space, first. Unless you need my help: that is a given. I won't make a big deal out of it. I don't need a 'thank you' nor, does it obligate you or me to become friends. But if we do become friends; it's the real deal. No fakery! Being rude and calling it direct, is fake to me.
@@GullibleTarget But being nice to people isn't fake! If you are helpful to me, then I of course would say thank you because that is a proper and decent way to behave, and it is proper and decent for you to accept my thanks or say you are welcome. And that is all.
Have a look at Dutch people in the diaspora. After World War 2, they were one on the largest sources of immigrants into Australia, and there was a strong feeling among Australians that they were arrogant. I've known a lot of them, and, sad to say, they genuinely were arrogant.
From the outside in (Dutch who immigrated to the US almost 2 decades ago), I do think that many Dutch are more small-minded than they think themselves, especially the whole 'doe maar normaal' en 'brood voor lunch'... how boring :-) And in defense of the American smiling and doing the little 'how are you' dance... after getting used to it I like the positivity people start with over people being grumpy and moody. And it's nice people try to be customer friendly, why would that be a bad thing? What I miss most about Dutch culture is that people are often genuinely interested in each other. It's easy to meet a Dutch person and end up talking for hours about all kinds of stuff, or start a new job and spending the first day just chit chatting with everyone over coffee. America often feels very impersonal and distant once you have the first brief interaction out of the way. That, and that everything is walkable, especially the old towns and cities.
Where do you live, because most "Dutch" stereotypes are mostly Hollands and Randstad, for a country as small as we are we have a lot of diversity. With the creation of the Netherlands, there was a "Dutch" way to do, speak, write, etc. with the Unification of the Lowlands creating the Netherlands, uniting and splitting to get the Netherlands people "know" and think off/associate when hearing the Netherlands. They don't think of the Benelux area. Also a stereotype doesn't mean all Dutch people do/are the same, not all local cultures and dialects are the same there are similarities etc. Because it is fake, and you force the employee to behave like they are in a play for the profit for the company and their commissions. Like working at Disney. Wearing a mask for profits = the public you. Doe normaal dan doe je gek genoeg. In the US everything is a competition, being the best, American excellence/superiority. Similar to the tip cultures, instead of paying a fair wage. It is all about the profit for the owner classes, and the working classes are the monkeys that have to "dance" for their money. Work multiple jobs and still don't earn a living wage. Go bankrupt with medical bills, etc. Also it is not like we don't have these or similar social dances. "Small talk" Wishing people a good day/morning/afternoon/eventing, etc. If you are in a big city you don't greet people you encounter, if you live more urban or rural it is more likely you will greet a stranger passing by.
I lived all over the place in NL: Delft, Rijswijk, Rotterdam, Lelystad, Zwolle and Deventer. I think the statements you make are pretty un-nuanced (like, do you really think Americans are 'forced' to greet you like that?), and you may have a different take on things if you'd live here for a while. Though I agree that how the medical system works and how the income disparity is so large in the US are pretty terrible things, and in fact are some of the reasons why I'm considering to move back again at some point.
@@EelcoHillenius South Holland, Flevoland, and Overijssel. How where/are your experiences with the nuances in provinces and their local cultures as well as from the individual cities and their local cultures? True, it was un-nuanced, generalizing and stereotyping. If I have to put nuance in, my reactions would be longer still. And it also all depends on the view on 'forced' and what is or isn't that. The point is as made in the video, to us it comes across as fake. A thing you do, but not sincere. Also a different stereotype of Dutch people/tourists: "Kijken, kijken, niet kopen."
@@schiffelers3944 I know, I don't blame you as I myself thought it was fake when I visited/ just moved to the US. But having lived here for almost two decades, between immigrants from all over the world, and being married to a Thai person, I appreciate how cultures have their own particulars, but the end of the day people aren't really that different once you get past these things. As for the differences between parts of the Netherlands, yeah, there certainly are some. Frankly, I felt most at home in Deventer. I love the midsized cities and the 'nuchtere' attitude of the Dutch East :-) On the topic of 'fake', we even have that in NL, where - in my experience - people from outside of Amsterdam sometimes look at the Amsterdam 'joviaal' attitude as fake.
As a Dutch person, I have things I'm proud if about my country, but I HATE the quote "doe maar normaal, dan doe je al gek genoeg" ("Just act normal, that's weird enough already") I just hate it soooo much
@@reinhardtburger7108 Also! English just has more words for it. It can mean both. But when you 'do' (doe) gek, it means weird or unusual, when you 'are' gek it usually means crazy or insane or something like that. When we want to say that someone 'is' weird, we mostly use the word 'raar', which can also be translated to weird. So it would be "Je bent raar." (You are weird)
@Nynaranstrom I was interested to see if it still had the same meaning in Afrikaans as in Dutch. In Afrikaans, "mal" is used a lot more commonly to indicate insanity. But "gek" is normally used more for (happy go lucky) in English.
There is a difference between being direct or being tactless. My mother was the second and I hated it so much. She would actually insult people and act all innocent about it.
@@night6724 because you can be direct and "direct". You can feel it in the tone people will get with you, and if you felt like all of them were narcistic and said things to offend you. Probably your "direct" response was projecting those feelings and people can feel that. I was planty direct with Dutch people, without meaning to "get back at them" or to be mean, and they were fine with it. Or we maybe met different Dutch people I guess.
In America we have to ask how you are and be super friendly if we work at a store, restaurant or customer service. If our bosses don’t think we’re being friendly enough we can get in trouble. So it’s ingrained in us to be that friendly. I’m naturally nice but hate small talk but I’ve had to do it for my job.
In the Netherlands we appreciate as well if the customer service or a waiter is friendly. But being "friendly enough" is a wrong perspective. Be friendly or kind if you really mean it. If you pretend to be friendly, you can recognize this immediately. Maybe it's better to find another job.
It is funny how countries see themselves as opposed to other people. In Australia, we generally see Americans as rude. They are extremely loud and never say please or thank you to staff.
@@rouky123456 Not just as someone that has to work there. It sounds tiring to interact with as well... I'd rather have customer service get to the point instead of asking how I am feeling. 🙃
Thats the dutch way. We say we're honest but really...we are quite two-faced. They will point at someone ordering a bottle of champagne. And the next day, they'll order the same bottle online and drink it at home. That way they don't have to share😂 but they will break out the cheap bottle when you visit. In other cultures it's usually: give your best to your guests. The dutch will gladly take it(saves money😂) but they are more like:' keep your best for yourself and give your guests the bare minimum😂
Oh and as a dutch person of foreign descend: they say they are tolerant but....I much rather be accepted. Eventhough I'm dutch born and bred, according to the law, I am an 'allochtone/allochtoon'.
@@GullibleTarget I don't know that side at all - to me (a Dutchy) it would make much more sense to get the nicer/more expensive things when having guests. Partly perhaps as a way of showing off, but I think it's mostly about respecting your guests and wanting nice things for them. Like, I'd want to treat them, but want to save money when I'm just eating on my own... I'd think it's a waste to spend money there & will just save it for special occasions (like with guests) 😊
...and by the way, rather than saying the opposite of what you think, you can just as well keep silent. As they say in Sicily 'The best word is the one left unsaid'
@@karlos1060 I have seen Dutch people be blunt and abrupt with the other person but taking offense when the other person replied by the same token. Plus we have ALL said something while meaning the opposite at some point in our lives. I intensely dislike it when people use such language as "I hate" "can't stand"...such phrases are telling of a very aggressive, disagreeable and uncivilized attitude
@@LOKI77able I said i can't stand...not hate. I don't mind to be on the other side of the barrel. What i ment with my comment is more like be honest to people. Even if it hurts. I get crazy if someone lies because they don't want to directly say something to you and you find it out later they lied about it. I feel like lying is far worse then beying a bit rude sometimes. That does not mean i try to hurt people by being blunt. If i can i will always try to say it on a non offensive way. But beying honest is very key. If you say something but you mean the opposite then don't say anything at all. Saying i don't know or have an opinnion about it is easy done. Thats why i like it a lot in the Netherlands the way we say. We also have people that are there just to try and hurt someone. I don't like that as well ofc.
I am happy to see I am not typically Dutch. I am 1.55 meters tall. I also don't understand why people should not eat a warm meal twice a day. When I eat something warm for lunch coworkers often say "Oh, now you don't need to cook tonight!" Of course I need to cook tonight! I like my breakfast, lunch and dinner to be warm! (Hagelslag and peanutbutter? Seriously???? 🤮). I am also not punctual. It comes in handy when you meet at a trainstation, but when you can get somewhere on your own it is not that important to be so punctual. "I will come around lunchtime" is enough, does it? I also like to spend my money. It is nice when I get a discount, but I will not wait for it. Gezellig in English is cozy.
I’m half Dutch and half American. I find the Dutch a lot more fake and less blunt. In my own experience living in both countries I think Americans are way more direct and say what’s on their mind. One things that still strikes me when watching Dutch Tv or interviews. People are always fake smiling constantly. Many times people are answering directly laughing or smiling without a joke or reason. The Dutch are definitely a lot more cheap and less giving then Americans. In America people really dislike cheap and stingy people. I’ve heard a lot of Dutch people refer to employees in stores when shopping in the US. Its just costumer services, friendly costumer services. Americans are more customer friendly. I believe most Americans are genuinely interested in how someone is doing and would love to converse. Americans are definitely more social with strangers and enjoy and spontaneous conversation. Dutch are more punctual and definitely plan things more. People have to make a appointment to see their own family members. In the USA people just by randomly for dinner for example.
For me as a Dutch person i think its great to be direct and to know where you stand exactly. I find it actually baffling that people consider that rude, while wearing a mask, using sarcasm and being indirect, psyop like mindgames is not considered rude in other countries?
Many Dutch are inconsiderate of others, self centered, and having double standards. That is why I agree the Dutch are rude. This has nothing to do with explaining where your standing is, aka straightforwardness. The Dutch would make a fantastic business partner, but not a great family/friend.
Lol even when Dutch people are direct, most off the time you never know how and where you stand with them. They can tell you they appreciate you and then still end up gossiping behind your back. The Dutch put on masks too, their honesty isn’t always genuine.
I lived in the UK and found the roundabout way of approaching things diplomatically, a lot better. 😂 then again; I lived in very poor areas where people are very direct but genuinely kind. It would really make my day if I went to the local off-licence for a pack of cigs and the lady goes: 'Hiya! You're alright, love?' And when you accidentally bump into someone it's: 'safe, bruv. No worries'. Gotta love the brits😂 they are very similar to the Dutch, just nicer.
We’re just clever with our words to avoid conflict. We’d probably call someone who is too lively too early in the morning ‘enthusiastic’ when what we really mean is they’re annoying.
I disagree. English is a language of many layers. Most Dutch people are only capable of speaking the top and most superficial layer. Worse, this is generally garnished with a gratuitous bad imitation of a colonial accent. I've only heard two Dutch people who really do speak beautiful English: (1) Frans Timmermans (2) Princess Beatrix.
about punctuality: true. my wife is pedicure. ALL of her clients ring the bell 5-3 minutes before their appointment. no exception. When you will be late, phone 15 minutes before your appointment !
South Africans are perceived the same, we always get told we come across as harsh and blunt. Probably because we all have a bit of Dutch in us too (the Afrikaners). But we just typically say it how it is and get to the point and you more or less know where you stand with us. We aren’t pretentious for the most part.
I think South Africans are cool. I have gotten along with every South African I have ever met. I also met a white guy from Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) when I was in Egypt and he was also cool.
It’s unfortunately not like this there when you living there, I have been 4 years and Dutch people are direct when it’s comfortable, I’m not saying that they are not nice people, but not everything I found here to be meeting reality
I'm Brazilian, I'm direct, honest, sincere, I choose the most beautiful words, born and raised in Rio, now living in a small city where I'm an alien for telling the truth while everyone else talks behind everyone else's back.
It's unfair that criticizing America is viewed differently than criticizing other countries. Insert the guy on video saying how he doesn't like Americans.
Unfair or not, the US is over present in many things all over the world so they're an easy victim for critisism. That said I thought that specific couple came across as ignorant and presumptuous. They werent a good example of a Dutch stereotype imho. Especialy the younger people are much more open minded towards new people from other countries/cultures.
@@shoelacedonkeythat guy is every teacher I've had. Typical middle-upperclass mentality. I wish she'd go to Rotterdam or the Hague and ask people, there. Amsterdam is a tourist trap where only the wealthy can live. Utrecht is a city you move to when you can't afford Amsterdam but still want to be fancy. Lots of students from wealthy backgrounds who have no idea what goes on beyond their own social circle, live there. I must say that most people Marina interviewed are the kind of people I avoid😂 would be nice to have her interview dutch people outside her comfort zone.
I have been to Nederlands several times. I find the Dutch so refreshing! I am not ethnically Dutch yet I find all the point of view they express in their lives, well taken.
The woman saying she cannot recognise Dutch directness since she doens’t feel to be so direct, is suspiciously straight to the point regarding her not being straight to the point.
I feel like the directness really helps a lot. Whenever I ask a friend if I look good, and they say yes, I know I actually look good. I don't have to think "Oh but what if they are just saying that".
I love the dutch people. My first boyfriend was a dutch guy... When I was a child my parents used to have a house there and we went there every holiday. They remind me a lot of americans. Nice to children, friendly and open, love dogs... I am German, lived in the States for 20 years, back in Germany and sometimes I need to go to the netherlands to be around nice people for a change. Germans are very stoic and cold.
I like the Germans, but you need to "reheat" them every time you are talking to them. But they are very helpful and protective (to an annoying degree if you know them probably, but as a stranger, the helpfulness of other strangers is cute.)
I studied French in Aix en Provence, France with students from around the world. The Dutch students were universally disliked for talking loudly and incessantly in class.
3:474:02 Ah, so much for open-mindedness of other cultures. 🤨 For the record, when most Americans are friendly, it's not always "fake." From a cultural perspective, asking someone how their day is going is a means for conversation, for engagement. Culturally, Americans have conversations with strangers - it's just who we are - and I think that comes from a time when pioneers relied on each other, despite being strangers, to build communities. The same applies for immigrants arriving in America during the 18th, 19th, and early 20th centuries - they talked to strangers to find commonality or to build connection. I know this channel is in the spirit of having fun; however, if there's an expectation that Americans need to be more culturally aware, I think this expectation of awareness needs to be considered when perceiving Americans, as well. There are practical reasons for our behavior. It's not about being "fake."
Don't compare Americans to these soul-less people. They lack a sense of human depth, empathy, and the emotional intelligence to bond with humans. I lived in Europe, Sweden and Holland for the most part and the hypocrisy is real. *they love to talk shit behind your back *they criticize everything not European *they think other nations are less than them especially Americans *You're not pretty if you're not white Europe looks shiny, but the inside is rotten.
Are you culturally aware of how many cultures? The whole world needing to speak your language because you guys can't learn anything else besides English isn't enough?
I’m Dutch but born in America my father is very straightforward so I was raised to speak my mind, I never knew why people in America were so uptight and offended by people being straightforward
some dutch stores are expensive but we dutch like to get a discount and thats why many people go through folders to get discounts, our stores are structured to feed our cheapskate mindset
If you don't shout everything and you say it calmly and don't say you love everything and everyone, it should be fine. It helps to mention specific things if you want to give a compliment, instead of "Love it!"
Like the king of the Netherlands said , "If it ain't Dutch, it ain't much.", during his state visit to the US. years ago, with queen Maxima and by the way I am Dutch and I agree with the king..
You have to understand, American staff are overly nice bc they mostly rely on tips to live. That is absolutely fake nice. Americans are actually not polite to staff.
Nice and kind are two very different things. I do agree that smiling at a stranger, as an Australian isn’t weird but to Europeans it is. They say they think you are are not all mentally there if you walk around smiling😂. A smile from a stranger can make someone’s day or a simple hello as you pass. These things are seen as normal here. As a girl I learnt not to smile while in countries like Italy bc all the men think you are interested in them, which I found sad and disturbing at the same time😂. I do have to say though, seeing Americans in Australia, Americans are not polite to staff. It is customary to say hello, how are you to staff then place your order followed by a pls and thank you. Americans just don’t do this. It is seen as very rude not to in Australia.
I suggest the reporter first ask another question: do you take into account other person’s feelings? Will you treat others with respect? I think most of these people will say ‘Sure I do’. And they will be more reserved when the question about being direct is asked. These people are proud to confirm a stereotype that does not hold for many Dutch people.
"Doe maar gewoon, dan doe je al gek genoeg." means "Just be normal, that's crazy enough.". It's a way to tone down irrational excitement, overly dramatic persona's and delusions of grandeur. We don't disapprove of ordering champagne, we have a distaste for the accompanying social hysteria and showing off your wealth in an obnoxious manner.
A good way to compare it for me has always been visiting the cinemas. A dutch cinema will usually be very quiet and respectful of those around you, trying not to make too much noise so we all can take in the movie better. Then you see recording of some other countries cinemas where people lose their absolute shit during a movie: clapping and screaming during it. It's a sign of shared excitement and respect for the movie... Part of the experience for them. This is VERY different culturally.. In a dutch cinema this would be considered rude, annoying and disrespectful.
@@FlorentiusIV absolutely, though it does matter what kind of movie is on display. I remember one edition of the Lowlands Festival in the cinema tent, where it was rowdy, people walking in and out, cheering and clapping for the action scenes in Face/Off. Under the right circumstances we do appreciate it.
As a dutch person I would say: Use the autofocus or use the manual focus right. There is this setting in the camera called: Focus Peaking. You will see a red or blue line around the subject that is in focus.
Don't record on the lowest aperture either. you see this a lot so you can use low ISO but trust me. Newer camera's can handle up to 1600 ISO so you can record with F/11 - F/14 easily so you can keep everything in focus and don't have blurry subjects
The dutch guy at the end said there isn’t really an english translation to the word “genieten”, but it really just means enjoying. I think we just use it in different contexts, not so much about food maybe but more so when we are in a relaxed environment and such. A typical dutch wordt that actually doesn’t have translation tho, is the word “gezellig” which all my foreign collegues joke about since its really hard to put the word into context when you don’t know what it means for the dutch. Edit: shit i paused the video right before the guy explains exactly this💀
that is so interesting. For us in Germany it is complitly different. We are travelling to the netherlands when we need friendly people around. :-) Never heard that there were rude.
I too found the Dutch to be extremely friendly people. My intention is not to best friends with people I meet when I leave my house. Also, being direct is a wonderful skill to learn, it lets you know where you stand without confusion or second guessing. I love Amsterdam!
Happy Friday, Marina 🍷! My parents went to Amsterdam in 2019 on a cruise around Europe for almost a month and they had enjoyed it. As an American born, I like to be punctual when it comes to making plans with friends, girlfriend because I like to value my time to people and I hope in return people value their time to me. I do hope to experience one day to take a trip to the Netherlands and other areas of the world as well. Hope you had an awesome experience over there!
I have to say, I am dutch and I am not as direct as people are saying in this video. You can be subtle about things. I think it also differs from where you are in the Netherlands. I am from the south. Overhere it is not excepted to be to direct. So there is a difference in the Netherlands also.
Some of the things the interviewees say about American communication reminds me what my dad used to tell me growing up in America - to distrust people when they are saying nice things (implying Americans give compliments they don't mean) and to trust the negative things he/other adults say to improve implying people won't say negative things unless they are true. I internalized that and I realized later it was holding me back especially because confidence is currency in the US. He's not Dutch and I'm not saying that this is what the Dutch people mean, it just reminded me of those things.
Yeah over here its the opposite, if someone is being negative and complaining theyre probably just talking or maybe have a bad day, and if someone gives you a compliment they really mean it. Unless theyre trying to get your money, then we will say anything you want to hear.
I was going to bring up Calvinism being born there remembering the Dutch Reformed Church back in the 1940's. Even though I left when I was 8 you have revealed a lot of the issues my friends bring up in the USA
I'm from Amsterdam, and personally I hate (!) the stereotype ''Doe maar gewoon, dan doe je al gek genoeg.'' It literally means in english; ''don't be yourself, blend in with society.'' Sounds awful right?
@@jodidoest2389 No, it means you have to blend in with the rest. I also don’t like that sentence but maybe because I live in Amsterdam too. My family is from Twente (the east) and this sentence could be their motto. I don’t like it, it is not tolerant at all.
That's not a literal translation at all, might wanna look up what that word means. A literal translation would be. Just act normal, that's scrub weird enough.
@@mormacil there is a difference what it literally means and how Dutch use it. It is mostly used by people outside the cities, ‘just don’t do too weird’. It fits some more Calvinistic people and they also say ‘we zijn zo nuchter’ but they are not. Just in their own bubble.
@@Annaseptember1978 That's an entirely different point. What something literally means is a word for word translation. That's what the word literally in English means. As a lifelong Dutch guy I'm well aware of what it means. I was pointing out that rosavisser5764 was completely wrong to use the word "literally" here. I do also disagree with your interpretation of how the saying is used in Dutch culture. It means there's no need to act out. Which is a very Calvenist worldview. It's of course not remotely intolerant. Also being in your own bubble and being nuchter are entirely separate things. Nuchter has a wide variety of meanings and I can't recall a single one that's incompatible with being in a bubble. Assuming you mean something like a social bubble.
The Dutch have been my companion for the last 20 years. They can be arrogant and humble at the same time. I hear about French, Germans and British and I must say I feel quite lucky I ended up living among the Dutch.
@@rainc3318 They are also very good at twisting their negatives as positives. Rudeness is covered as directness, pessimism is covered as practicality, inflexibility is covered as discipline and pre-planning, penny pinching frugality as Nordic minimalism, scapegoating as root cause analysis, shirking personal accountability as collective and democratic decision making, racial discrimination as discretion.
@@val-schaeffer1117 agree, especially on the rudeness, pessimism, inflexibility, and racial discrimination. It was not a massive surprise they got a far-right government, a lot of Dutch are racists. I even heard this ridiculous comment made to an expat: do not connect to my wifi, you will pass your virus. They may be an efficient business partner, but not ideal as friends and lovers.
@@rainc3318 Indeed. They are basically same as Germans. But get lesser criticism because Dutch are apparently jolly and happy, as opposed to serious and militaristic Germans.
@@rainc3318 Since 2018 my wife moved from Brazil to the Netherlands and fortunately she didn't have your experiences on this. She made a big effort on speaking the language well and made a bunch of very good friends, inspit having passed her fifties.
There is a difference between "stingy" which has a very ugly connotation and denotation, and "frugal" which is being responsible and cautious. Perhaps their fiscal conservatism at a personal level is why they are so prosperous.
The Dutch are kind people at their cores, but their emotional expression comes across as very rude. I don't think they intend to offend anyone, it is just their forward-moving nature. They are very busy and efficient people, but simultaneously, they are quite relaxed (which seems like a big paradox). I think a lot of it comes down to the weather, though it is confusing how the Danish can have even worse weather than the Dutch, and have much better emotional expression than they do. The Dutch are very reliable people, though, and at least...they don't promise more than they can deliver. At least they don't say yes, when they actually meant no. And at least they are not in your business like the Germans...the Germans are both in your business, but they are in your business because of their own egos, not because they care. With the Dutch, there is an honest attitude of, "I don't really care, but you can do what you like, and it doesn't bother me." The Germans will report you to the police for hanging your laundry out to dry on Sunday.
The English accent of the Dutch is a copy and paste for many of us South Africans. It's amazing how that linguistic similarity remains so strong after a couple of centuries. I loved this video, thank you!
Interesting insights into Dutch culture! It's fascinating how directness is valued, even if it may seem blunt to others. Embracing authenticity seems to be a key principle. Thanks for sharing! 🇳🇱
I'm Dutch and I can totally agree with the guy in the video saying that things like weed become less appealing when it's legalized. In my surroundings, I know more international people smoking weed than Dutch people. I can also remember having an exchange with other European countries in high school, and all they could think about was to buy weed and they also thought that every average Dutch family has weed at home (which is not the case)
@@The_LivingdudeI am Australian not Dutch but I really don’t understand why you are watching a video about Dutch people, if as you say, you don’t care😂.
So nice one dutch person here said why not save the money for tomorrow?. A friend in Spain said when i wanted to open a lesser good wine later: "oh no we'll open up the great wine now. Don't know what Will happen later. We could be dead! " Really a difference of culture. Spain learned me to live at the moment.
So im dutch, and i live near the southern part of the netherlands. I think that you might find it interesting to do interviews there one day, cause it's culturally quite different, especially the directness thing. I am from the nord and one of my parents is from amsterdam, so i used to be (and parti ally still am) direct, even for dutch standards and I really had to adjust to the way that southerns express themselves and their shocked reactions to my communication style.
I believe directness is different from rudeness. I learned to be direct from working abroad, a former Western boss taught me. I speak my mind especially when I see something wrong.
My problem with Dutch is their work place culture of unnecessary intrigues and gossip! I hated it and that made me an outcast!! Even got fired for it several times!! The language used to fire me was always " You work hard but you don't fit in with the team!!"🤣🤣🤣🤣😂😂 My definition of dutch society is a beautiful and calm lake with a deadly monster waiting at the bottom for any unsuspected, naive swimmer.
"don't fit in with the team" is often used because its a sentence that can mean anything, but avoids legal issues and other negative issues (for the company). Employers use this on Dutch people too, not only to fire them but also as reaction to turn somebody down after a job interview.
I am a Portuguese immigrant in the Netherlands and I have heard that stereotype about Dutch people being rude and I do not agree. If you need help with something you will be helped. But don't be whiny and expect empathy for that or don't expect fake sympathy. If people are being nice they are being nice for real. That's my opinion about the Netherlands people 🇳🇱
I orginally posted this comment on a different reaction video but also wanted to share it here☺: Queen Maxima once said, "The Dutchman does not exist." This really captures how multicultural the Netherlands is. We have a lot of people with different backgrounds living here. Some were born in the Netherlands to at least one parent from abroad, while others moved here from other countries. We have many population groups with people of Moroccan, Turkish, Ghanaian, Surinamese, and Caribbean descent. But even with all this diversity, stereotypes about what it means to be Dutch are often still tied to being white. Many people still think being Dutch means being white. There’s also this unspoken idea that "real" Dutch people are white, which leads to others-who may have been born here-being seen as "not fully" Dutch just because of their background or skin color. So videos about Dutch stereotypes, like 'Dutch hospitality' or directness, they're usually talking about white Dutch people. It’s not really fair to say 'Dutch' as if it includes everyone. It’s kind of like an Asian Indian in the U.S. making generalizations about Americans based only on stereotypes about Asian Indians. Greetings from a Dutch person
6:21 Wow... That attitude towards food is just wild. I'm such a food snub, I handmake my dumplings, mapo tofu, skewers, etc, I love this part about living in the US
The quality of this food is very high. The hagelslag, chocolate sprinklers, for instance are 35-58% chocolate. The cheese is most of the time Gouda, but there are other delicious varieties. The bread is without sugar. The milk most people have with lunch is pasteurized. And lots of people also eat some fruit, which is also of high quality.
Im dutch and idgaf what people say. I mean, we have all these luxury products. Why shouldn't I enjoy them, if I can? And those places where you can get enjoy an expensive food are never empty, so a lot of dutch people do splash out. But when they see others do it: they have to have some opinion on it and share that opinion with you: 'im just being honest'. Bull....😂Mind your business! I will eat my steak while you eat your slice of bread with bland cheese! It's almost as if they don't want you to enjoy life😂 but thats a stereotype ofcourse. People in the southern provinces have a bit more joie de vivre.
0:49 no one is more of a sucker for a bargain(sucker ダメな人、カモ) 0:58 which are so incredibly true that all the Dutch people swear by them(断言する) 4:55 doesn't that hurt 6:54 upon arriving 7:35 stereotype 7:52 weed
In my experience and opservations Canada is very Dutch / french You have good healthcare you eat the pouten thats just alot of cheese and fries You have the weed I think When the people moved from Europe to the new land merica What Americans often forget is were did you came.from.yourself Most of your ancestors came from Europe So prob they just gave alot of people That wanted to start a new love or actually earned it But also the more radical people the treats om society And what sounds better then Land of the freee Marketing If your running a country you probably Better of having them over seas That also can explain Why Americans are such a agressif country Couse it were alot of loonies from Europe 😂😂 But getting back to the point In alot of states in America you can see the Dutch influence Like for example That 70 showww whoooo minesootttaaaaa Is about a bunch of stoners in a basement Minnesota mainly know for productions of cheese Hmmmm Weed and cheese Were did we hear that before 😅
![34. Amsterdam [ noh, champs élysées ]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/RJkegnBT5R8/mqdefault.jpg)
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''I'm like nee''
fucking dying, real dutchie right there.
I was just about to post the exact same thing!
BAHAHAHA jaaaaaaaa klopttt
If you don’t complain, nothing will ever change for the better, except for the weather.
There's a difference between criticising and aimlessly complaining I believe. The weather is a good example of aimless complainig, not much you can do about it besides trying to take a positive perspective. (little known and mostly denied fact; it only rains 7% of the time in the Netherlands. Unbelievable but true).
@@shoelacedonkey The same with a white christmas. We’ve been complaining there are no more white christmasses. Since they started measuring in, I believe 1900, we only had about 7 or 9 white ones. Have to look up the exact amount, but it’s very low. As if we had a white christmas almost every year in the past. For the first part of your reaction, you are right. It might not be complaining, but it is the ability of walking up to your “boss” to say, wait a minute, I don’t agree, I have another idea, without being reprimanded.
Proost
@@deetgeluid u guys r too conservative and fundamentalist....
If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude. Don't complain.
let me be direct: the tallness is not a stereotype but a fact.
Me being 5'3/160 😂
That's because the Dutch live below sea level and constantly have to look over the dyke to see if water is coming in
I know enough Dutch that are not that tall at all, even are frustrated about it. I live in Portugal and once a tiny tiny tiney colleague visited the Netherlands and after that she said.. oooh I discovered you are not that tall at all (1m84) but here in Portugal I am a giant :D
@@BenvanBroekhuijsen i'm also 1,84. It's apparently the average for Dutch man. With roughly 1,70 or so for women.
But it seems to be right though. Walking around anywhere in the Netherlands, i often notice i'm indeed smack dap in the middle.
Some are taller, Some are shorter. But i'm never the tallest or shortest.
@@p.m-audio Not really. Studies show that is has to do more with our general diet than anything dyke related.
(edit was a typo fix)
As a person who grew up bilingual (dutch/english) in The Netherlands, I believe the problem is two fold, yet compounds. Not only is the culture extremely direct; the dutch LANGUAGE is EXTREMELY to the point as well (not much to grease the wheel, so to say. It stays rather dry. Devoid of niceties that cushion thing). Wich means when the dutch translate it (usually literally) to english it sounds like they are looking for beef! Or at best it sounds passive aggresive. They simply don't NOTICE tone. They think of it in terms of honest/dishonest as opossed to blunt/ tactfully phrased. It's often a 'lost in translation' thing.
Thát and the culture that feels that sugarcoating things is a waste of time makes the dutch come across as rather abrasive to many.
And then of course to complicate things some of the people you come across may genuinely BE Rude. Lol
We don’t brag about how expensive stuff we own is. We brag about how much discount we got when we bought it.
The discount thingy sounds like an Asian parent would flex to their friends LMAO
One of mine is when I buy a few things, I keep like one or two and I resel the rest for more than I bought it for. So proud of myself
I think I might be Dutch
This is kind of fake.
@@kaarthuisplus its real?
If your culture does not distinguish between directness and rudeness, there is a trust issue in the other person's intentions. Holland scores very high in interpersonal trust, and it is this that allows us to be relatively direct without much conflict
Yeah but a soon as a foreigner points out any flaw all you hear is: Ga dan terug naar je eigen land.
There is a big spectrum and understanding of directness I guess. When I came to the Netherlands I was tired of saying: ´´Say it straight!´´. I was thinking: why the Dutch are so indirect and can't say something directly? Then I learned that I know Dutch ppl only from the workplace. To be specific: Ppl were polite to me even if I knew they disliked me and I had to say things like: ´´Why do you act like this? You don´t have to pretend you like me just keep it on the business level.´´. It was also something new for me to call my boss by his first name and I did like it, but whenever he wanted to criticize my work or make me do something he tried to give me an explanation or begin with small talk and that was kind of annoying, I had to say: ´´Get to the point!´´. After a while, however, I learned that this is a business level in the Netherlands, politeness and trying really hard not to make ppl feel bad in the workplace. In Poland, we don´t get offended easily, and it is very normal to show on your face that you dislike something or someone without even saying anything, but I eventually began to like the Dutch way. After a while, I discovered the directness that everyone was saying about, but outside of work: ´´Wat een rare pet heb jij?´´ or ´´Wat kost zo´n ding?´´ or ´´We gaan eten.´´. It´s funny when I think about it. I´ve learned a lot: to be more relaxed at work and to be more direct in my private life when I returned to Poland. Actually, I connected the best of two worlds. Now when I want someone to leave I just say it.
@@piecia66 Your speaking a lot of text here, but I still agree
@@elpepe9451 now I also find it strange that I expressed myself so extensively to random comment on random TH-cam video pushed to me by the algorithm. Weird stuff, the Netherlands is weird, but somehow addictive
Wow Interesting Thinking 🤔
From $37K to $45K that's the minimum range of profit return I get every week, I thinks it's not a bad one for me now I have enough to pay bills and take care of my family.
Could you please explain how beginners like me can start making this much
Last week, I tried trading on my own and ended up losing $3K
I have Charlotte Junko Walsh to thank
She is a licensed broker and a FINRA AGENT here in the States.
Sounds familiar, I have heard her names on several occasions.. And both her success stories on wall street journey!
Dutch: We're very open and direct.
American: Hello, how are you?
Dutch: Jesus Christ, the audacity. Scared the shit out of me.
It's not that.
American: Hello, how are you?
Dutch: Ah, actually, didn't sleep so well, headache, and I might be depre..
American: .............
When you ask a Dutch person how are you, expect a real answer. We don't get asking this question out of politeness without expecting a real answer lol
@@sonneh86 Thats true 100% The Americans I've met so far do ask " how are you" but don't expect a reply.
They expect a little dance of "I'm fine/I'm good" to be replied with the same thing lmao@@dancelover020
@@mahadevovnlamerican: same bro same
I really like the dutch way of living/communicating. I see some people in the comments that say ooh I'm just gonna be rude back. And there lies the problem. Dutch people don't intent to be rude. They are just direct. And other dutch people understand this and don't take it as rude. Foreign people who don't understand it and are like " ooh i'm just gonna be rude back" have very different intentions. Their intent is to be rude.
But I do want to point out that some teenage boys are rude and use the "culture" to hide behind. That is not culture, those are just rude.
Yeah, its nice being told something directly.
No Dutch people are just rude. You can be direct without being rude
@@magical5181being honest isn’t the same as being a jackass
@@night6724 well that’s more a personality thing than a culture thing. There’s shit people everywhere, but we Dutch generally like it when your upfront with what you think.
A lot of the stereotypes the Dutch have are actually more stereotypes of Amsterdammers in particular. Amsterdammers are considered rude and loud in the rest of the Netherlands too.
I never tell other Dutch people i live in Amsterdam, because you tend to get shit on. So i just mention my birth place. But yeah, for some reason we are consider the arrogant ones
I've travelled to most European countries and beyond. More times than I can remember. Amsterdamers aren't just "considered" rude, they truly are! VERY rude and cold people. Don't know how the Dutch in the rest of the country are but the Amsterdamers are definitely a piece of work!
Most people who live in cities are the same. You get fed up with being an unpaid tourist guide eventually.
I have a complete different experience of Amsterdam. I was raised in the Hague, lived in Utrecht during studies, and now live in Amsterdam for work. Amsterdam people are so open minded and nice, I actually had to get used to switching from The Hague’s cut throat attitude. Utrecht was ok, but the The Hague mentality is most aggressive, direct and rude.
@@Psychedelicah I do agree with that. The colleagues from The Hague (not all but in general) I founded the most two faced, rude and complaining a lot. I like Rotterdammers more.
I work for the last 15 years with dutch people and I can confirm that you are rude. But most of you are getting pissed off if I say the same things. Among other nations I work with are Filipino, Croation, Romanians, Indians, Indonesians, Bulgarian...etc.
They are disrespectful and call it "just being honest" 👎 they are so egoistic and conceited they think everyone is waiting to hear their "opinions" all the time. They do not. I'm just being honest.
Philipino people are really polite and kind
@@MonsieurChapeau We could also lie to you if you prefer that but thats not in our culture 😂
@@MusicIsLegal Being polite and respectful to people in public isn't "lying". If you have a bad mood, keep it to yourself. You make the atmosphere toxic.
@@MonsieurChapeau Lying is not polite or respectful. Being honest is polite and respectful.
As someone who has family and friends in the Netherlands. They are direct and you know where you stand with most of them. Most tourists don't realise there are other provinces besides Holland.
No one knows Holland is a province. But here's some directnes for the dutch - nobody cares Holland is a province in the Netherlands. :)
Well most people from Holland would agree. Theres Holland and then theres the other areas which we refer to as "the provinces" or "foreign territory". If someone from a different part of the country is talking about something or some issue that we dont have here, we just laugh and say they live in another country.
For reference, besides north and south holland there are 10 provinces. Groningen is in the north, theres nothing to do there, its just used for mining natural gas. Friesland is where the Frisians live, who are foreigners, theyre not Dutch people, we leave them alone and they leave us alone. Then there is Drenthe which is just a bunch of sheep and approximately 5 people live there.
Gelderland has some nice forests but the people there are German and we dont care what goes on there as long as the trains are on schedule. Same for Overijssel.
Then Utrecht is a lot like Holland but they are just a bunch of wannabes who cant afford the rent here.
Brabant is known for 3 things, carnaval, producing illegal drugs and drinking a lot of beer, but they cant even do that right because the people who drink the most beer per capita live right here in Holland.
Then theres Limburg which is basically fake Belgium. They even have hills over there. Weird people. Zeeland is also fake Belgium, its main use is for building dams and annoying the real Belgians who are trying to steal our trade with their ports around Antwerp, to which we control the sea route.
And lastly we have Flevoland which was reclaimed from the sea to provide housing for people who cant afford the rent in Amsterdam.
@@TheSuperappelflap and then the Holland provinces are not even Dutch anymore because there are only foreigners, criminality and expats there. And the ones that aren't foreigners are extremely poor Hagenezen, Crooswijk Rotterdammers or cultureless YUPpen.
@@TheSuperappelflap Hahaha you made my (dutch) weekend :)
The only good thing about Amsterdam is the train to Eindhoven.
3:39 "we like discounts" while there are 3 big "SALE" signs behind them. Spot on 😆
Once you enter the kruitvat your being spammed with : “40% SALE NOW + 1 FREE IF YOU BUY 3”
I just love that so many liked your comment and didn't even realize you mistyped the timestamp. 😁
Llllloooolllll 😂😂😂 I noticed that in the video 📹
Yeah we do like it lol. We always on the hunt for discounts.
Who dosent like discount s.
I think we sound rude because our ways of expressing politeness don't translate easily into English and vice versa. We aren't actually quite as fluent in English as we migh appear.
Many Dutch people speaking (their version of) English don't add words like 'please' when they are due, because we don't do that in Dutch. We have different ways of expressing that, like 'Zou je even willen...' But that's hard to translate into English on the spot when you're not that fluent. So the Dutch leave it out all together and sound rude as a result.
"zou je" is the conditional tense, often used for politeness. In English we would say "could you" or "voudriez vous" in French.
I know, but it's hard for the average Dutch person trying to speak English.
Also, if a Dutch person starts a sentence with 'Could you' but doesn't add a 'please', it still sounds rude.
I think that most people would know if you asked them in a classroom setting where they have time to think. In daily practice it often gets lost in translation though. :D
You are right
I think it depends on the generations as well. My generation and after me are usually good at speaking and understanding English@@anniehope8651
As someone who has travelled a lot and speaks a little bit of many different languages, I have to say that almost all cultures use a word that means "please" and most cultures think that I've encountered think that not saying please is rude.
Being open-minded is another trait that is often associated with being Dutch (which I can generally confirm as a Dutchman). You can chat about virtually everything, have small talks about the most far-out topics you can imagine. This goes hand in hand with the fact that we often don’t have to deal with underlying social judgments or tension, because people just say what they think, which we all kinda accept. There are, in other words, little taboos.
Most Dutch people are direct but only when asked for their opinion or when it's needed in the situation. People from Amsterdam are a bit much though, they act like it's their whole identity. It's very easy to spot someone from Amsterdam because they will tell you within the first minute of talking to them.
You: Hey how are you doing?
Them: Hi I'm fine, I'm from Amsterdam so I always say what's on my mind, cool right?
You: Okay, have a nice day. Bye!
I suppose honesty is a part of Dutch culture, but if an elderly lady who owns a charming restaurant asks if the food was good, just say it was good. Your Dutch opinion won't make her cook better or change her cooking style. Just giving my two cents.
In most cases that is exactly what will happen in the Netherlands.
I mean, as long as it's edible & has a taste to it I'm game!
I'd probably focus on the one thing that *was* decent and not mention the rest. Still honest but decent enough to not offend.
@@patrickreuvekampexactly. The complaints are done later, behind people's backs. 😂
Absolutely, we are definitely very honest relative to other cultures, but we still make the conscious consideration whether unfiltered honesty is actually appropriate. White lies are often just necessary to avoid negative tension or conflict when there is no net positive to be gained from it down the line, and you don't have to give your opinion when it's not being asked for.
There's a difference in being direct and being just rude. And a lot of (dutch) people don't know the difference. Main difference is if it is about your persona or of the person you're talking to.
They know the difference - their bar for being offended is simply a lot higher.
That might be true but I can assure you there are a lot of plain rude people here.@@DeusMerdaeEst(I am Dutch myself) 😆
One thing that I will never forget with the dutchies: I give a gift to my dutch colleague and he said: *"why did you give it to me? where did you buy this? Do you still have the receipt?"* and I was like: OKAY?!? THAT WAS RUDE!!!
But when my birthday came, HE GAVE ME ALMOST THE SAME THING, WITH THE SAME PRICE 😭
But anyway we're dating now
🙂🙃😆🥲🤨😞😠😥
aw thats cute
The Dutch are Friendly, Frugal, individualistic, low on politeness, high on life.
They talk directly like children do if they're not taught any manners. They live in a remarkable country with an unremarkable landscape. They're super organised and are natural planners. Don't expect a let's go now spontaneous outlook because their agendas don't allow it.
low on politeness lol ? not every one in Holland is the same shm
@@Twaloef not everyone of course =) but many. Doesn’t mean they’re being horrible or have any ill will, just that in many areas of daily life, the politeness lacks, where in other cultures like mine, it doesn’t.
@@DeputyChiefWhip yeahh ok fair
Depends on your definition of politeness, what is polite to one culture is rude in another
Deputy: Interesting and thoughtful observations. I can see how these characteristics have been instrumental in developing a resilient and high achieving culture.
That said, I prefer more “fluff”, warmth and some reticence - ie, the English way of doing things.
(Not ‘all things’ - they are struggling a good deal these days - but their wit, understated decency and tenacity.)
Wow as an American to see people speak English so well, when it is their second language is just amazing. Their English is so fluid and the comprehension is incredible.
I moved to italy years ago and run an airbnb, my area is quite popular for the dutch and one family explained to me how in schools teachers and students for a set period during the day would only speaking in English. Don't count out the Danes, Swedes, and Norwegians though who also have amazing English comprehension, at least from the ones I've met so far.
@@christianbinamira7879 I love my country but when it comes to education we really do suck. American children should be learning a second language from a young age all the way through high school. It’s an embarrassment compared to other developed nations. Sorry, not sorry. It’s the truth.
Cause Dutch is super close to English. That’s also why us Scandinavians rank on top every year.
@@MarkyTeriyaki0 I have relatives in Sweden and their English was always very good.
@@MarkyTeriyaki0 although we did have a couple guys from Amsterdam stay with us and asked me why Americans can speak such good English 😂
Not rude, but VERY direct. I found myself wondering if it was bluntness or sarcastic rejection. They are hard to like but I'm sure they are very loyal and supportive friends.
One of my favourite things to do is when the native Dutch are direct with me, I am mirroring that back to them, being direct as well... Really funny to see their reactions and how they consider me being rude.😀
You weren't being rude. You probably just were wrong. Greetings from a Dutchman.
couldn't agree with you more !
that's also I am happy to do while visiting Netherlands.
If they consider you rude, you probably were being rude and you don't really get the difference between Dutch directness and being rude
The Dutch are direct but so am I. It shocks them but things get done quickly 😐
I found people in the Netherlands very critical of Australia, even though they had never been there. Yet when I dared to say something critical about the Netherlands, their royal family, or their colonial past they did not like it at all.
Americans are generally really friendly and genuinely mean it. We'll treat people like a best friend within minutes of meeting them, which I know can be off putting for other cultures. It is a genuine in most cases though. Even in stores. We make friends in the grocery store line.
I trust you feel it is genuine. That said to me calling someone you just met in the grocery store line a friend would feel weird towards my long time & actual friends. One can be friendly, even Dutch people can be friendly but to get to a certain point of actual friendship will take time, effort and honesty.
@@shoelacedonkeyit's funny how when the dutch go abroad they enjoy the advantages of being treated like a welcome guest but that same courtesy isnt there in the Netherlands.😂 thankfully i only surround myself with people who aren't 'stereotypically' dutch. I'm a bit of an oddball so most dutch people I know are odd like me: Sensitive, non-confrontational, welcoming, generous to a fault....😅
I am Canadian and I would second that. We are genuinely warm, friendly and helpful. It does not mean we are best friends but it’s not hard to be considerate and positive towards others. People who are suspicious of that are cynical and entitled.
@@MonsieurChapeau i feel i might be a canadian in a dutch born body😅 i like my own company. I dont like to form close friendships off the bat. Gimme some space, first. Unless you need my help: that is a given. I won't make a big deal out of it. I don't need a 'thank you' nor, does it obligate you or me to become friends. But if we do become friends; it's the real deal. No fakery! Being rude and calling it direct, is fake to me.
@@GullibleTarget But being nice to people isn't fake! If you are helpful to me, then I of course would say thank you because that is a proper and decent way to behave, and it is proper and decent for you to accept my thanks or say you are welcome. And that is all.
Have a look at Dutch people in the diaspora. After World War 2, they were one on the largest sources of immigrants into Australia, and there was a strong feeling among Australians that they were arrogant. I've known a lot of them, and, sad to say, they genuinely were arrogant.
From the outside in (Dutch who immigrated to the US almost 2 decades ago), I do think that many Dutch are more small-minded than they think themselves, especially the whole 'doe maar normaal' en 'brood voor lunch'... how boring :-)
And in defense of the American smiling and doing the little 'how are you' dance... after getting used to it I like the positivity people start with over people being grumpy and moody. And it's nice people try to be customer friendly, why would that be a bad thing?
What I miss most about Dutch culture is that people are often genuinely interested in each other. It's easy to meet a Dutch person and end up talking for hours about all kinds of stuff, or start a new job and spending the first day just chit chatting with everyone over coffee. America often feels very impersonal and distant once you have the first brief interaction out of the way. That, and that everything is walkable, especially the old towns and cities.
Where do you live, because most "Dutch" stereotypes are mostly Hollands and Randstad, for a country as small as we are we have a lot of diversity. With the creation of the Netherlands, there was a "Dutch" way to do, speak, write, etc. with the Unification of the Lowlands creating the Netherlands, uniting and splitting to get the Netherlands people "know" and think off/associate when hearing the Netherlands.
They don't think of the Benelux area.
Also a stereotype doesn't mean all Dutch people do/are the same, not all local cultures and dialects are the same there are similarities etc.
Because it is fake, and you force the employee to behave like they are in a play for the profit for the company and their commissions. Like working at Disney. Wearing a mask for profits = the public you.
Doe normaal dan doe je gek genoeg. In the US everything is a competition, being the best, American excellence/superiority.
Similar to the tip cultures, instead of paying a fair wage.
It is all about the profit for the owner classes, and the working classes are the monkeys that have to "dance" for their money. Work multiple jobs and still don't earn a living wage. Go bankrupt with medical bills, etc.
Also it is not like we don't have these or similar social dances. "Small talk"
Wishing people a good day/morning/afternoon/eventing, etc.
If you are in a big city you don't greet people you encounter, if you live more urban or rural it is more likely you will greet a stranger passing by.
I lived all over the place in NL: Delft, Rijswijk, Rotterdam, Lelystad, Zwolle and Deventer.
I think the statements you make are pretty un-nuanced (like, do you really think Americans are 'forced' to greet you like that?), and you may have a different take on things if you'd live here for a while. Though I agree that how the medical system works and how the income disparity is so large in the US are pretty terrible things, and in fact are some of the reasons why I'm considering to move back again at some point.
@@EelcoHillenius South Holland, Flevoland, and Overijssel. How where/are your experiences with the nuances in provinces and their local cultures as well as from the individual cities and their local cultures?
True, it was un-nuanced, generalizing and stereotyping. If I have to put nuance in, my reactions would be longer still. And it also all depends on the view on 'forced' and what is or isn't that.
The point is as made in the video, to us it comes across as fake. A thing you do, but not sincere.
Also a different stereotype of Dutch people/tourists: "Kijken, kijken, niet kopen."
@@schiffelers3944 I know, I don't blame you as I myself thought it was fake when I visited/ just moved to the US. But having lived here for almost two decades, between immigrants from all over the world, and being married to a Thai person, I appreciate how cultures have their own particulars, but the end of the day people aren't really that different once you get past these things.
As for the differences between parts of the Netherlands, yeah, there certainly are some. Frankly, I felt most at home in Deventer. I love the midsized cities and the 'nuchtere' attitude of the Dutch East :-) On the topic of 'fake', we even have that in NL, where - in my experience - people from outside of Amsterdam sometimes look at the Amsterdam 'joviaal' attitude as fake.
Maar niet in het zuiden Eelco .@@EelcoHillenius
As a Dutch person, I have things I'm proud if about my country, but I HATE the quote "doe maar normaal, dan doe je al gek genoeg" ("Just act normal, that's weird enough already") I just hate it soooo much
Is "gek" not like "mal" or crasy/ insane?
I have a Dutch friend when we talk he iwalys tell me just act normal am shock how
@@reinhardtburger7108 Also! English just has more words for it. It can mean both. But when you 'do' (doe) gek, it means weird or unusual, when you 'are' gek it usually means crazy or insane or something like that. When we want to say that someone 'is' weird, we mostly use the word 'raar', which can also be translated to weird. So it would be "Je bent raar." (You are weird)
When someone 'is' gek, it would be 'Je bent gek.' (You are crazy/insane)
@Nynaranstrom I was interested to see if it still had the same meaning in Afrikaans as in Dutch. In Afrikaans, "mal" is used a lot more commonly to indicate insanity. But "gek" is normally used more for (happy go lucky) in English.
There is a difference between being direct or being tactless. My mother was the second and I hated it so much. She would actually insult people and act all innocent about it.
I moved to Netherlands around 1,5 year ago, and... I love Dutch directness
You make me sick
i lived there and i hated “directness” which was more like narcissism and they always hated when i was “direct” to them
dutch people are just rude and inconsiderate. Living there was the worst years of my life
@@night6724 because you can be direct and "direct". You can feel it in the tone people will get with you, and if you felt like all of them were narcistic and said things to offend you. Probably your "direct" response was projecting those feelings and people can feel that. I was planty direct with Dutch people, without meaning to "get back at them" or to be mean, and they were fine with it.
Or we maybe met different Dutch people I guess.
No mind games 🎯?
Wauw
Naturlich
Yes I gave a present to a Dutch person once and instead of saying thankyou , I was asked was it on special . Came across as rude .
Hahaha, i am randomly appearing on 3:13 speedwalking to the work 😆
And being really Dutch by wearing orange 🍊😂
@@dianacastaneda7928 indeed 😂
Hahaha that’s how I walk to university on mornings when I don’t feel like getting out of bed but I end up late and have to speed walk
😂 that’s very funny
😂😂😂. Did you get there on time
In America we have to ask how you are and be super friendly if we work at a store, restaurant or customer service. If our bosses don’t think we’re being friendly enough we can get in trouble. So it’s ingrained in us to be that friendly. I’m naturally nice but hate small talk but I’ve had to do it for my job.
In the Netherlands we appreciate as well if the customer service or a waiter is friendly. But being "friendly enough" is a wrong perspective. Be friendly or kind if you really mean it. If you pretend to be friendly, you can recognize this immediately. Maybe it's better to find another job.
This just sounds annoying & exhausting to me 😅
It is funny how countries see themselves as opposed to other people. In Australia, we generally see Americans as rude. They are extremely loud and never say please or thank you to staff.
@@MLWJ1993then don't work in customer service 😂 it's the standard in North America to be friendly.
@@rouky123456 Not just as someone that has to work there. It sounds tiring to interact with as well... I'd rather have customer service get to the point instead of asking how I am feeling. 🙃
It sounds contradictory how the dutch are known for be so tolerant with diversity and at the same time being jugful if someone doesn't act "normal" 🤔
Thats the dutch way. We say we're honest but really...we are quite two-faced. They will point at someone ordering a bottle of champagne. And the next day, they'll order the same bottle online and drink it at home. That way they don't have to share😂 but they will break out the cheap bottle when you visit. In other cultures it's usually: give your best to your guests. The dutch will gladly take it(saves money😂) but they are more like:' keep your best for yourself and give your guests the bare minimum😂
Oh and as a dutch person of foreign descend: they say they are tolerant but....I much rather be accepted. Eventhough I'm dutch born and bred, according to the law, I am an 'allochtone/allochtoon'.
Stop whining Roddo.@@GullibleTarget
It's spelled "libtard"
@@GullibleTarget I don't know that side at all - to me (a Dutchy) it would make much more sense to get the nicer/more expensive things when having guests. Partly perhaps as a way of showing off, but I think it's mostly about respecting your guests and wanting nice things for them. Like, I'd want to treat them, but want to save money when I'm just eating on my own... I'd think it's a waste to spend money there & will just save it for special occasions (like with guests) 😊
I just love our being direct. I can't stand people that tell you one thing and mean the opposite! Even if it hurts, be true and we will accept it.
Exactly
We all do one thing and mean the opposite from time to time...I really dislike black and white ways of portraying reality
...and by the way, rather than saying the opposite of what you think, you can just as well keep silent. As they say in Sicily 'The best word is the one left unsaid'
@@karlos1060 I have seen Dutch people be blunt and abrupt with the other person but taking offense when the other person replied by the same token. Plus we have ALL said something while meaning the opposite at some point in our lives. I intensely dislike it when people use such language as "I hate" "can't stand"...such phrases are telling of a very aggressive, disagreeable and uncivilized attitude
@@LOKI77able I said i can't stand...not hate. I don't mind to be on the other side of the barrel.
What i ment with my comment is more like be honest to people. Even if it hurts. I get crazy if someone lies because they don't want to directly say something to you and you find it out later they lied about it.
I feel like lying is far worse then beying a bit rude sometimes.
That does not mean i try to hurt people by being blunt. If i can i will always try to say it on a non offensive way.
But beying honest is very key. If you say something but you mean the opposite then don't say anything at all.
Saying i don't know or have an opinnion about it is easy done.
Thats why i like it a lot in the Netherlands the way we say.
We also have people that are there just to try and hurt someone. I don't like that as well ofc.
I am happy to see I am not typically Dutch. I am 1.55 meters tall. I also don't understand why people should not eat a warm meal twice a day. When I eat something warm for lunch coworkers often say "Oh, now you don't need to cook tonight!" Of course I need to cook tonight! I like my breakfast, lunch and dinner to be warm!
(Hagelslag and peanutbutter? Seriously???? 🤮).
I am also not punctual. It comes in handy when you meet at a trainstation, but when you can get somewhere on your own it is not that important to be so punctual. "I will come around lunchtime" is enough, does it?
I also like to spend my money. It is nice when I get a discount, but I will not wait for it.
Gezellig in English is cozy.
I’m half Dutch and half American. I find the Dutch a lot more fake and less blunt. In my own experience living in both countries I think Americans are way more direct and say what’s on their mind.
One things that still strikes me when watching Dutch Tv or interviews. People are always fake smiling constantly. Many times people are answering directly laughing or smiling without a joke or reason.
The Dutch are definitely a lot more cheap and less giving then Americans. In America people really dislike cheap and stingy people.
I’ve heard a lot of Dutch people refer to employees in stores when shopping in the US. Its just costumer services, friendly costumer services. Americans are more customer friendly.
I believe most Americans are genuinely interested in how someone is doing and would love to converse. Americans are definitely more social with strangers and enjoy and spontaneous conversation.
Dutch are more punctual and definitely plan things more. People have to make a appointment to see their own family members. In the USA people just by randomly for dinner for example.
Oh ur Dutch mom or dad thinks they’re now American by making you a half Dutchie that’s new
What's that then when we were invited by americans to come for dinner and see how disappointed they were when we showed up?
Are you for real?😂
For me as a Dutch person i think its great to be direct and to know where you stand exactly. I find it actually baffling that people consider that rude, while wearing a mask, using sarcasm and being indirect, psyop like mindgames is not considered rude in other countries?
Many Dutch are inconsiderate of others, self centered, and having double standards. That is why I agree the Dutch are rude. This has nothing to do with explaining where your standing is, aka straightforwardness.
The Dutch would make a fantastic business partner, but not a great family/friend.
Lol even when Dutch people are direct, most off the time you never know how and where you stand with them. They can tell you they appreciate you and then still end up gossiping behind your back. The Dutch put on masks too, their honesty isn’t always genuine.
When English people say “it’s interesting”, they mean it’s NOT interesting…..Why, because it is polite to lie ??
They say that the English are too decent to be honest, whilst the Dutch are too honest to be decent.
@@PetraStaal Haha, I will remember that one. Very accurate.
I lived in the UK and found the roundabout way of approaching things diplomatically, a lot better. 😂 then again; I lived in very poor areas where people are very direct but genuinely kind. It would really make my day if I went to the local off-licence for a pack of cigs and the lady goes: 'Hiya! You're alright, love?' And when you accidentally bump into someone it's: 'safe, bruv. No worries'. Gotta love the brits😂 they are very similar to the Dutch, just nicer.
We’re just clever with our words to avoid conflict. We’d probably call someone who is too lively too early in the morning ‘enthusiastic’ when what we really mean is they’re annoying.
Always impressed by how beautifully Dutch people speak English. The same cannot be said for many in my New York neighborhood.
Subtitles! 🎉
I disagree. English is a language of many layers. Most Dutch people are only capable of speaking the top and most superficial layer. Worse, this is generally garnished with a gratuitous bad imitation of a colonial accent. I've only heard two Dutch people who really do speak beautiful English: (1) Frans Timmermans (2) Princess Beatrix.
@@mfjdv2020 Hahaha what a load of BS stupid lefties
What languages do you speak?@mfjdv2020
@@voxx9449 Belgisch denk 🤣🤣🤣
I like how the woman who keeps claiming she is not direct..... is in fact very direct towards the interviewer.
Yes hahaha I noticed that too
Maybe not for us Dutch people ;p
about punctuality: true. my wife is pedicure. ALL of her clients ring the bell 5-3 minutes before their appointment. no exception. When you will be late, phone 15 minutes before your appointment !
If you are 15 minutes before time, you might still think you can be on time, why would you call?
Americans: *Being polite to make people feel comfortable*
Dutch: "Why are you so fake?"
Americans: ...
Since we are not assholes we are assholes. Gotta love their circular logic.
It is an odd assumption to think being considerate is being "fake."
Exactly 😒 We can’t win regardless of what we do.
South Africans are perceived the same, we always get told we come across as harsh and blunt. Probably because we all have a bit of Dutch in us too (the Afrikaners). But we just typically say it how it is and get to the point and you more or less know where you stand with us. We aren’t pretentious for the most part.
I think South Africans are cool. I have gotten along with every South African I have ever met. I also met a white guy from Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) when I was in Egypt and he was also cool.
You stole another's people land
Directness, punctuality, not faking, no spendthrift... I'd prefer that.
It’s unfortunately not like this there when you living there, I have been 4 years and Dutch people are direct when it’s comfortable, I’m not saying that they are not nice people, but not everything I found here to be meeting reality
I'm Brazilian, I'm direct, honest, sincere, I choose the most beautiful words, born and raised in Rio, now living in a small city where I'm an alien for telling the truth while everyone else talks behind everyone else's back.
I'm an American and when I ask how someone is doing, I mean it. My favorite people are the ones who answer honestly, too!
Emotions are for my family and my gang members... rest is definitely business...
@@kalebind1😂
Being Rude and being Honest are mixed often. As a Dutchman I think not being honest is what’s rude.
It's unfair that criticizing America is viewed differently than criticizing other countries. Insert the guy on video saying how he doesn't like Americans.
Unfair or not, the US is over present in many things all over the world so they're an easy victim for critisism. That said I thought that specific couple came across as ignorant and presumptuous. They werent a good example of a Dutch stereotype imho. Especialy the younger people are much more open minded towards new people from other countries/cultures.
That guy is a typical 'grachtengordel' person😂.
@@shoelacedonkeythat guy is every teacher I've had. Typical middle-upperclass mentality. I wish she'd go to Rotterdam or the Hague and ask people, there. Amsterdam is a tourist trap where only the wealthy can live. Utrecht is a city you move to when you can't afford Amsterdam but still want to be fancy. Lots of students from wealthy backgrounds who have no idea what goes on beyond their own social circle, live there. I must say that most people Marina interviewed are the kind of people I avoid😂 would be nice to have her interview dutch people outside her comfort zone.
That guy would be a prick no matter where he was from.
Honestly, lol, those two-the older couple-are simply obnoxious!
I am direct, because I value honesty, an I am honest because I value trust. It's called being honest, not ruse.
"Honest" can be egocentric. Not everyone needs to know one's every opinion on everything.
I have been to Nederlands several times. I find the Dutch so refreshing! I am not ethnically Dutch yet I find all the point of view they express in their lives, well taken.
The woman saying she cannot recognise Dutch directness since she doens’t feel to be so direct, is suspiciously straight to the point regarding her not being straight to the point.
I feel like the directness really helps a lot. Whenever I ask a friend if I look good, and they say yes, I know I actually look good. I don't have to think "Oh but what if they are just saying that".
I believe you can say what you think, but there is a WAY to say it.
You CAN be honesty but still think of other people's feelings.
I love the dutch people.
My first boyfriend was a dutch guy...
When I was a child my parents used to have a house there and we went there every holiday.
They remind me a lot of americans.
Nice to children, friendly and open, love dogs...
I am German, lived in the States for 20 years, back in Germany and sometimes I need to go to the netherlands to be around nice people for a change.
Germans are very stoic and cold.
I like the Germans, but you need to "reheat" them every time you are talking to them. But they are very helpful and protective (to an annoying degree if you know them probably, but as a stranger, the helpfulness of other strangers is cute.)
connecting the dots: direct, pragmatic, stingy, materialistic, not elegant, without a culture in food, but of course! former protestant peasants😂❤
I studied French in Aix en Provence, France with students from around the world. The Dutch students were universally disliked for talking loudly and incessantly in class.
Really? I think French people are one of the most disliked people in the Netherlands.
We know 😂But atleast were enjoying our lifes haha
I know that the Dutch have people like this, this really depends in The Netherlands where they would be from.
We don’t care if we offend people.. if you’re not used to that I get you can be offended. Problem is that mostly we’re right 😀
Everyone dislikes you.
I am 'positive direct'. If I say that I like somebody, I completely mean it. If I dislike people, I just avoid them silently.
3:47 4:02 Ah, so much for open-mindedness of other cultures. 🤨
For the record, when most Americans are friendly, it's not always "fake." From a cultural perspective, asking someone how their day is going is a means for conversation, for engagement.
Culturally, Americans have conversations with strangers - it's just who we are - and I think that comes from a time when pioneers relied on each other, despite being strangers, to build communities. The same applies for immigrants arriving in America during the 18th, 19th, and early 20th centuries - they talked to strangers to find commonality or to build connection.
I know this channel is in the spirit of having fun; however, if there's an expectation that Americans need to be more culturally aware, I think this expectation of awareness needs to be considered when perceiving Americans, as well. There are practical reasons for our behavior. It's not about being "fake."
Don't compare Americans to these soul-less people. They lack a sense of human depth, empathy, and the emotional intelligence to bond with humans. I lived in Europe, Sweden and Holland for the most part and the hypocrisy is real.
*they love to talk shit behind your back
*they criticize everything not European
*they think other nations are less than them especially Americans
*You're not pretty if you're not white
Europe looks shiny, but the inside is rotten.
triggered american spotted
@@perlabianca155 No. It's about noting hypocrisy. Or, as to paraphrase Scandinavians, "I'm just being direct and honest."
@@perlabianca155 nothing's triggering about people who pretend to be happy but in fact 80% of them are depressed.
Are you culturally aware of how many cultures? The whole world needing to speak your language because you guys can't learn anything else besides English isn't enough?
Some of the directness sounds very NY which makes sense as the Dutch were the main colonists to settle in NY. I have Dutch ancestry as do many.
I’m Dutch but born in America my father is very straightforward so I was raised to speak my mind, I never knew why people in America were so uptight and offended by people being straightforward
It's called having social graces.
The Dutch - Being critical isn't necessarily "complaining."
As a Dutchman I can say that the statements in this video are very accurate 😂 and I think Marina is a very good host of the show 😄
Wow good for you if ur a Dutch man seeing you’re comments getting a heart by this TH-camr
some dutch stores are expensive but we dutch like to get a discount and thats why many people go through folders to get discounts, our stores are structured to feed our cheapskate mindset
As an american hoping to move to the netherlands, i hope that my niceness is not seen as fake:(
Just be yourself. That's enough.
No worries, if niceness is a sincere part of your character you'll love the Netherlands. (And we'll love you)
Please continue being you, because we know we are damn nice and the world needs it
If you don't shout everything and you say it calmly and don't say you love everything and everyone, it should be fine. It helps to mention specific things if you want to give a compliment, instead of "Love it!"
Its only seen as fake if its not sincere
Like the king of the Netherlands said , "If it ain't Dutch, it ain't much.", during his state visit to the US. years ago, with queen Maxima and by the way I am Dutch and I agree with the king..
We pay according to what we think it's worth it, tourists are getting taken advantage of and we know it, we're not cheep we're sensible
Quite clearly the rudest people in Europe in my experience - at least as far as customer service is concerned!
You have to understand, American staff are overly nice bc they mostly rely on tips to live. That is absolutely fake nice. Americans are actually not polite to staff.
100 procent
@@sonnysantino7849100% bs
You never been to France? Go there, they will show you what being rude really looks like 😂😂
Yesz closely followed by Nordic people.
As an American who lived in The Netherlands, I love the Dutch and their directness.
Some Americans are friendly and actually mean it. They just want to spread happiness to others by being happy and nice.
Honestly most Americans are like this. Some are fake obviously but the majority actually do care.
Nice and kind are two very different things. I do agree that smiling at a stranger, as an Australian isn’t weird but to Europeans it is. They say they think you are are not all mentally there if you walk around smiling😂. A smile from a stranger can make someone’s day or a simple hello as you pass. These things are seen as normal here. As a girl I learnt not to smile while in countries like Italy bc all the men think you are interested in them, which I found sad and disturbing at the same time😂. I do have to say though, seeing Americans in Australia, Americans are not polite to staff. It is customary to say hello, how are you to staff then place your order followed by a pls and thank you. Americans just don’t do this. It is seen as very rude not to in Australia.
I suggest the reporter first ask another question: do you take into account other person’s feelings? Will you treat others with respect? I think most of these people will say ‘Sure I do’. And they will be more reserved when the question about being direct is asked. These people are proud to confirm a stereotype that does not hold for many Dutch people.
"Doe maar gewoon, dan doe je al gek genoeg." means "Just be normal, that's crazy enough.". It's a way to tone down irrational excitement, overly dramatic persona's and delusions of grandeur. We don't disapprove of ordering champagne, we have a distaste for the accompanying social hysteria and showing off your wealth in an obnoxious manner.
A good way to compare it for me has always been visiting the cinemas.
A dutch cinema will usually be very quiet and respectful of those around you, trying not to make too much noise so we all can take in the movie better.
Then you see recording of some other countries cinemas where people lose their absolute shit during a movie: clapping and screaming during it. It's a sign of shared excitement and respect for the movie... Part of the experience for them.
This is VERY different culturally.. In a dutch cinema this would be considered rude, annoying and disrespectful.
@@FlorentiusIV absolutely, though it does matter what kind of movie is on display. I remember one edition of the Lowlands Festival in the cinema tent, where it was rowdy, people walking in and out, cheering and clapping for the action scenes in Face/Off. Under the right circumstances we do appreciate it.
As a dutch person I would say: Use the autofocus or use the manual focus right. There is this setting in the camera called: Focus Peaking. You will see a red or blue line around the subject that is in focus.
Don't record on the lowest aperture either. you see this a lot so you can use low ISO but trust me. Newer camera's can handle up to 1600 ISO so you can record with F/11 - F/14 easily so you can keep everything in focus and don't have blurry subjects
Finally a good and accurate interview about the Dutch people in the Netherlands. I'm also Dutch and agree what the people say. Well done Marina. 👍🏻
The dutch guy at the end said there isn’t really an english translation to the word “genieten”, but it really just means enjoying. I think we just use it in different contexts, not so much about food maybe but more so when we are in a relaxed environment and such. A typical dutch wordt that actually doesn’t have translation tho, is the word “gezellig” which all my foreign collegues joke about since its really hard to put the word into context when you don’t know what it means for the dutch.
Edit: shit i paused the video right before the guy explains exactly this💀
that is so interesting. For us in Germany it is complitly different. We are travelling to the netherlands when we need friendly people around. :-) Never heard that there were rude.
I too found the Dutch to be extremely friendly people. My intention is not to best friends with people I meet when I leave my house. Also, being direct is a wonderful skill to learn, it lets you know where you stand without confusion or second guessing. I love Amsterdam!
Love this. Myself autistic. We are direct and honest, some take offense.
Happy Friday, Marina 🍷! My parents went to Amsterdam in 2019 on a cruise around Europe for almost a month and they had enjoyed it. As an American born, I like to be punctual when it comes to making plans with friends, girlfriend because I like to value my time to people and I hope in return people value their time to me. I do hope to experience one day to take a trip to the Netherlands and other areas of the world as well. Hope you had an awesome experience over there!
I have to say, I am dutch and I am not as direct as people are saying in this video. You can be subtle about things. I think it also differs from where you are in the Netherlands. I am from the south. Overhere it is not excepted to be to direct. So there is a difference in the Netherlands also.
Absolutely right. You can get the same message across in many different ways.
Some of the things the interviewees say about American communication reminds me what my dad used to tell me growing up in America - to distrust people when they are saying nice things (implying Americans give compliments they don't mean) and to trust the negative things he/other adults say to improve implying people won't say negative things unless they are true. I internalized that and I realized later it was holding me back especially because confidence is currency in the US. He's not Dutch and I'm not saying that this is what the Dutch people mean, it just reminded me of those things.
Yeah over here its the opposite, if someone is being negative and complaining theyre probably just talking or maybe have a bad day, and if someone gives you a compliment they really mean it. Unless theyre trying to get your money, then we will say anything you want to hear.
@TheSuperappelflap In my experience, only sales people that follow the scientology way to do sales.
I was going to bring up Calvinism being born there remembering the Dutch Reformed Church back in the 1940's. Even though I left when I was 8 you have revealed a lot of the issues my friends bring up in the USA
I'm from Amsterdam, and personally I hate (!) the stereotype ''Doe maar gewoon, dan doe je al gek genoeg.'' It literally means in english; ''don't be yourself, blend in with society.'' Sounds awful right?
Doesn't it mean "just being yourself is good enough" ?
@@jodidoest2389 No, it means you have to blend in with the rest. I also don’t like that sentence but maybe because I live in Amsterdam too. My family is from Twente (the east) and this sentence could be their motto. I don’t like it, it is not tolerant at all.
That's not a literal translation at all, might wanna look up what that word means.
A literal translation would be. Just act normal, that's scrub weird enough.
@@mormacil there is a difference what it literally means and how Dutch use it. It is mostly used by people outside the cities, ‘just don’t do too weird’. It fits some more Calvinistic people and they also say ‘we zijn zo nuchter’ but they are not. Just in their own bubble.
@@Annaseptember1978 That's an entirely different point. What something literally means is a word for word translation. That's what the word literally in English means.
As a lifelong Dutch guy I'm well aware of what it means. I was pointing out that rosavisser5764 was completely wrong to use the word "literally" here.
I do also disagree with your interpretation of how the saying is used in Dutch culture. It means there's no need to act out. Which is a very Calvenist worldview. It's of course not remotely intolerant.
Also being in your own bubble and being nuchter are entirely separate things. Nuchter has a wide variety of meanings and I can't recall a single one that's incompatible with being in a bubble. Assuming you mean something like a social bubble.
If you want to be rich, spend like you're poor.
If you want to be poor, spend like you're rich.
Actually, that's not how rich people get rich. Rich people spend a lot of money on investment to get rich. Income can only generate so much wealth.
the rich get their wealth on the backs of the poor
@@lissandrafreljord7913 So, you call that investment? I remember a time it was just called abuse.
The Dutch have been my companion for the last 20 years. They can be arrogant and humble at the same time. I hear about French, Germans and British and I must say I feel quite lucky I ended up living among the Dutch.
Dutch people love being "direct" to others, but not much when it is dished out to them.
Completely agree, essentially they pursue what is convenient for them and greatly lack concerns for others
@@rainc3318 They are also very good at twisting their negatives as positives. Rudeness is covered as directness, pessimism is covered as practicality, inflexibility is covered as discipline and pre-planning, penny pinching frugality as Nordic minimalism, scapegoating as root cause analysis, shirking personal accountability as collective and democratic decision making, racial discrimination as discretion.
@@val-schaeffer1117 agree, especially on the rudeness, pessimism, inflexibility, and racial discrimination. It was not a massive surprise they got a far-right government, a lot of Dutch are racists. I even heard this ridiculous comment made to an expat: do not connect to my wifi, you will pass your virus. They may be an efficient business partner, but not ideal as friends and lovers.
@@rainc3318 Indeed. They are basically same as Germans. But get lesser criticism because Dutch are apparently jolly and happy, as opposed to serious and militaristic Germans.
@@rainc3318 Since 2018 my wife moved from Brazil to the Netherlands and fortunately she didn't have your experiences on this. She made a big effort on speaking the language well and made a bunch of very good friends, inspit having passed her fifties.
There is a difference between "stingy" which has a very ugly connotation and denotation, and "frugal" which is being responsible and cautious. Perhaps their fiscal conservatism at a personal level is why they are so prosperous.
The Dutch are kind people at their cores, but their emotional expression comes across as very rude. I don't think they intend to offend anyone, it is just their forward-moving nature. They are very busy and efficient people, but simultaneously, they are quite relaxed (which seems like a big paradox). I think a lot of it comes down to the weather, though it is confusing how the Danish can have even worse weather than the Dutch, and have much better emotional expression than they do. The Dutch are very reliable people, though, and at least...they don't promise more than they can deliver. At least they don't say yes, when they actually meant no. And at least they are not in your business like the Germans...the Germans are both in your business, but they are in your business because of their own egos, not because they care. With the Dutch, there is an honest attitude of, "I don't really care, but you can do what you like, and it doesn't bother me." The Germans will report you to the police for hanging your laundry out to dry on Sunday.
The English accent of the Dutch is a copy and paste for many of us South Africans. It's amazing how that linguistic similarity remains so strong after a couple of centuries. I loved this video, thank you!
Interesting insights into Dutch culture! It's fascinating how directness is valued, even if it may seem blunt to others. Embracing authenticity seems to be a key principle. Thanks for sharing! 🇳🇱
I think it also has to do with acknowledging the fact that anybody's time is valuable. So don't waste time beating around the bush.
No,no, no. Don't confuse authenticity with directness.
@@jeanjacqueslundi3502 Eggplant Energy - For when you're feeling a little funky and ready to get down! 🍆🎶
@@PoisonelleMisty4311 ?
8:35 with this, it's fine to be late(ish), BUT at least let the other person know
I'm Dutch and I can totally agree with the guy in the video saying that things like weed become less appealing when it's legalized. In my surroundings, I know more international people smoking weed than Dutch people. I can also remember having an exchange with other European countries in high school, and all they could think about was to buy weed and they also thought that every average Dutch family has weed at home (which is not the case)
Interesting your name is sedathefarmer. The thing I always think when I think about the dutch is farmers :)
Congratulations if ur Dutch as if we care about it👏👏
@@The_LivingdudeI am Australian not Dutch but I really don’t understand why you are watching a video about Dutch people, if as you say, you don’t care😂.
@@soullessnight6539This guy has been commenting this all over the comment section lol
Lol
So nice one dutch person here said why not save the money for tomorrow?. A friend in Spain said when i wanted to open a lesser good wine later: "oh no we'll open up the great wine now. Don't know what Will happen later. We could be dead! " Really a difference of culture. Spain learned me to live at the moment.
So im dutch, and i live near the southern part of the netherlands. I think that you might find it interesting to do interviews there one day, cause it's culturally quite different, especially the directness thing. I am from the nord and one of my parents is from amsterdam, so i used to be (and parti
ally still am) direct, even for dutch standards and I really had to adjust to the way that southerns express themselves and their shocked reactions to my communication style.
Congratulations if ur Dutch👏👏👏
BS. You guys always pretend you are more special. Yeah, special needs.
Nah, even Limburgers are more direct compared to Belgians let alone compared to Anglo or Asian cultures.
Limburgs kwartiertje . We can be 15 minuten later .
I believe directness is different from rudeness. I learned to be direct from working abroad, a former Western boss taught me. I speak my mind especially when I see something wrong.
My problem with Dutch is their work place culture of unnecessary intrigues and gossip! I hated it and that made me an outcast!! Even got fired for it several times!! The language used to fire me was always " You work hard but you don't fit in with the team!!"🤣🤣🤣🤣😂😂 My definition of dutch society is a beautiful and calm lake with a deadly monster waiting at the bottom for any unsuspected, naive swimmer.
As an immigrant working here that's quite accurate.
I am an immigrant here. I agree. They want people work very hard for a little money. I do the factory jobs with other foreigners
"don't fit in with the team" is often used because its a sentence that can mean anything, but avoids legal issues and other negative issues (for the company). Employers use this on Dutch people too, not only to fire them but also as reaction to turn somebody down after a job interview.
I am a Portuguese immigrant in the Netherlands and I have heard that stereotype about Dutch people being rude and I do not agree. If you need help with something you will be helped. But don't be whiny and expect empathy for that or don't expect fake sympathy. If people are being nice they are being nice for real. That's my opinion about the Netherlands people 🇳🇱
Is anyone else finding it a critical oversight to claim that a populace can be ‘direct’ in their communication *without* being aggressive ?.
The Dutch are not direct everyone is direct no matter which country. They're just plain boring & rude.
I orginally posted this comment on a different reaction video but also wanted to share it here☺: Queen Maxima once said, "The Dutchman does not exist." This really captures how multicultural the Netherlands is. We have a lot of people with different backgrounds living here. Some were born in the Netherlands to at least one parent from abroad, while others moved here from other countries. We have many population groups with people of Moroccan, Turkish, Ghanaian, Surinamese, and Caribbean descent. But even with all this diversity, stereotypes about what it means to be Dutch are often still tied to being white. Many people still think being Dutch means being white. There’s also this unspoken idea that "real" Dutch people are white, which leads to others-who may have been born here-being seen as "not fully" Dutch just because of their background or skin color. So videos about Dutch stereotypes, like 'Dutch hospitality' or directness, they're usually talking about white Dutch people. It’s not really fair to say 'Dutch' as if it includes everyone. It’s kind of like an Asian Indian in the U.S. making generalizations about Americans based only on stereotypes about Asian Indians. Greetings from a Dutch person
6:21 Wow... That attitude towards food is just wild. I'm such a food snub, I handmake my dumplings, mapo tofu, skewers, etc, I love this part about living in the US
The quality of this food is very high. The hagelslag, chocolate sprinklers, for instance are 35-58% chocolate. The cheese is most of the time Gouda, but there are other delicious varieties. The bread is without sugar. The milk most people have with lunch is pasteurized. And lots of people also eat some fruit, which is also of high quality.
@@jannetteberends8730 I guess I have to go there and try. But I really can't imagine a slice of bread + Cheese being anything above chicken + broccoli
@@yunleung2631not to be a dick but there is a reason for the difference in % of obese people between our country's exactly beacause of this .
Im dutch and idgaf what people say. I mean, we have all these luxury products. Why shouldn't I enjoy them, if I can? And those places where you can get enjoy an expensive food are never empty, so a lot of dutch people do splash out. But when they see others do it: they have to have some opinion on it and share that opinion with you: 'im just being honest'. Bull....😂Mind your business! I will eat my steak while you eat your slice of bread with bland cheese! It's almost as if they don't want you to enjoy life😂 but thats a stereotype ofcourse. People in the southern provinces have a bit more joie de vivre.
@@yunleung2631 Fresh, whole grain bread, butter and really old Dutch cheese... just typing this already makes my mouth water
0:49 no one is more of a sucker for a bargain(sucker ダメな人、カモ) 0:58 which are so incredibly true that all the Dutch people swear by them(断言する) 4:55 doesn't that hurt 6:54 upon arriving 7:35 stereotype 7:52 weed
I'm really a direct person and don t like small talk and I'm canadian😅
In my experience and opservations
Canada is very Dutch / french
You have good healthcare you eat the pouten thats just alot of cheese and fries
You have the weed
I think
When the people moved from
Europe to the new land merica
What
Americans often forget is were did you came.from.yourself
Most of your ancestors came from Europe
So prob they just gave alot of people
That wanted to start a new love or actually earned it
But also the more radical people the treats om society
And what sounds better then
Land of the freee
Marketing
If your running a country you probably
Better of having them over seas
That also can explain
Why Americans are such a agressif country
Couse it were alot of loonies from Europe 😂😂
But getting back to the point
In alot of states in America you can see the Dutch influence
Like for example
That 70 showww whoooo minesootttaaaaa
Is about a bunch of stoners in a basement
Minnesota mainly know for productions of cheese
Hmmmm
Weed and cheese
Were did we hear that before 😅