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WHAT ARE TYPICAL DUTCH THINGS TO DO?

Moving to the Netherlands can be a bit of a culture shock. The Dutch are very particular in what they like and don't like, how they communicate, in what they eat and how they celebrate festivities. We have made a list (with a hint of humour) of a few things you should know about the Dutch so you are not to be at loss of words when you encounter them


1. Congratulating not only the person whose birthday it actually is, but also their family and friends

In the Netherlands, it is customary for Dutch people to congratulate not only the person whose birthday it is but also all the other guests present at the birthday party. This tradition, known as the "felicitatieskring" or "congratulations circle," typically takes place after the birthday person has been individually congratulated. They form a circle or gather in a group, and each person takes a turn to offer their congratulations to everyone in the circle. It can be done by saying "Gefeliciteerd" (Congratulations) or using other well-wishes such as "Gefeliciteerd met de jarige"(Congratulations with the birthday person).

While this tradition is not strictly followed at every Dutch birthday party, it is a common practice among Dutch people in many social gatherings. So if you are at a Dutch birthday party and someone congratulates you whilst it is not your birthday, don't be surprised: they know it isn't your birthday, they are congratulating you with the birthday of your friend.


2. Never turning down something that is for free

This one is a bit of a generalisation, but definitely worth including in this list. 

The idea is that Dutch people really love free stuff. They have a reputation for not wanting to pass up anything that's given away for free. It's sometimes even considered as a national trait!

Part of it is because Dutch folks are known for being thrifty and careful with their money. They like to make the most of what they have and avoid unnecessary expenses. So, when something is up to take without costing a dime, they are, allegedly, all over it. It's a way to get something valuable without spending a cent.

Another reason is that the Dutch value fairness and equality. If something is free, they think everyone should have an equal chance to enjoy it. They don't want anyone to miss out, so they'll gladly take it and make sure it's shared among everyone.

Of course, not every single Dutch person fits this description perfectly. It's just a general observation and stereotype. But you'll definitely find a lot of Dutch folks who won't turn down something that's free. They see it as a great opportunity and a way to get a little extra without breaking the bank.


3. They eat very strange things, at strange hours
Not everyone is a fan of the Dutch cuisine, and understandably so. The original Dutch dinner usually consists of potatoes, some meat and vegatables, also referred to as "AVG" which stands for "aardappelen, vlees en groenten." It's usually eaten quite early on in the evening: Dutch people are known to eat their dinner between 5 and 6 o'clock in the afternoon.

The Dutch are also slightly peculiar about their snacks: they love liquorice, raw herring with onions and frikandellen. Also, they eat chocolate sprinkles for breakfast on bread and pancakes in the evening as dinner. However, there is one snack that absolutely everyone around the world loves: stroopwafels! 


4. Complaining about the weather: whether it is too cold, too hot, too wet or too dry

Dutch people have a reputation for complaining about the weather, no matter if it's too cold, too hot, too wet, or too dry. The weather in the Netherlands can be quite unpredictable and changeable, which might contribute to this behavior.

Talking about the weather is a popular way for Dutch folks to start a conversation or engage in small talk. Complaining about the weather is almost like a national pastime. It's a shared experience that everyone can relate to, and it helps people connect.

Dutch people are known for being direct and honest in their communication style. When it comes to the weather, they won't hold back their opinions. They might express their frustration or make funny comments, often poking fun at themselves.



5. Their national obsession for bikes
In the Netherlands, bikes rule the roads. With a well-developed infrastructure and a cycling-friendly culture, bikes are the preferred mode of transport for many. From practical city bikes to sleek racing models, the Dutch take pride in their bicycles. There are actually more bikes than people in the Netherlands! According to the latest statistics, there are around 23 million bikes in the Netherlands. This means that every person owns 1,3 bikes on average!

The most noticable thing about Dutch and their bicycles might not even be how frequently they use them, or how many they own, but how they use them to transport things. Nothing is too crazy to transport on a bike for a Dutchie: one child? No poblem! Two? Piece of cake. Five? No worries, they will either use a cargo bike or buy one of those little tents on wheels to hang behind their bike. We've even seen people transport multiple bags filled with groceries, large houseplants and prepackaged IKEA closests - all on their bike!

And, just to speak in defense of the Dutch, they do complain about the weather a lot, but they will cycle through any storm life throws at them.




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