Going to Holland, we remember about tulips, windmills and legalized marijuana, but almost always forget about the Dutch themselves. "Who are they, and how to behave in their society?" "- that's the question.
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Conversational Ethics
The unique property of the Dutch nation - its representatives can speak practically in any language of the world without a note of accent. Most Dutch people living in cities know English well. However, you should not flatter yourself: in everyday life, the Dutch are not so generous with advice; they just do not like to climb into someone else's life. Obsessive behavior and too many questions in the Netherlands are considered bad form.
Especially, do not talk with a Dutchman about the topic of who earns how much. Discussion of well-being (or vice versa, poverty) of a neighbor or business partner is highly discouraged: the Dutchman will close and will no longer have any business with you.
Still the Dutch really appreciate punctuality. If you are late for a meeting with a Dutchman, be sure to call and warn the waiting person (for reasons of delay, you should not complain - this is your own business).
About love of neighbor
The Dutch have a high degree of tolerance to other cultures. Whom you just will not meet on the streets of the Dutch capital ... And besides they always remain polite and, for example, at the entrance the train car greets everyone present. Always have a smiling smile on hand so that you are not considered rude in Holland.
Tolerance manifests itself in another: in caring for all Dutch citizens. So, for people in wheelchairs everywhere there are congresses and wide doors. The Dutch are tolerated even to wild rabbits, who jump on Dutch lawns and gnaw electric cables. Or to seagulls and other birds that nest nests right in boats. All this is out of love for nature. It is even forbidden to cut the dogs tails, and the streets are washed with shampoo. Perhaps, thanks to this careful attitude to nature, the Dutch can afford to drink tap water and walk around the apartment in street shoes.
Freedom of manners
Perhaps, also because of the love of nature in Dutch families, it is customary to take birth at home, and if a woman wants to give birth in a hospital - this is regarded as something out of the ordinary. For us, this may sound wild, but Dutch medicine has always been distinguished by its original approach. So, allowing the use (by no means storage or sale!) Of light drugs, the Dutch significantly reduced the number of drug addicts in the country.
The same with prostitution, legalized in 2000: everything is clearly controlled by the framework of the law. Night butterflies from the red light district pass obligatory medical examinations, and also, they have their own trade union and, like all conscious Dutch citizens, they pay taxes. Labor day / night in the red light district is also normalized and lasts 8 hours.
This logic at first shocking, but then strikes with its simplicity. Indeed, why not allow gay marriage or lesbian clubs? Then on the streets of the city there will be less protest marches, and everyone will know their place. Why not allow passers-by to use the toilet in any Dutch cafe? Moreover, public toilets and urinals are a rarity in the streets of the city.
In general, the society in the Netherlands is arranged quite logically, and in a couple of days after the arrival you will get used to the local order.
Nadezhda Kantour