Netherlands Culture and traditions

 

The Dutch Culture:

Cultures of Netherlands: While visiting another country can be compared to entering into a sort of fantasy land, where new and delightful sights, smells, and sounds are blended with a strange and eccentric way of life – one that is quite different from what you’re used to and totally different from the environment where you were before living. It’s one of the most exhilarating experiences ever; however, it can be intimidating to the uninitiated.

The County of Netherlands is no exception to this truth and from the World cultures it has a most beautiful culture. Netherlands is an amazing country in the world with an even more amazing culture. But being a new visitor if you’re not properly prepared for yourself how to deal with the existing people who are already living there, you could possibly find yourself confused and disturbed by some of their common cultural tendencies.

For this purpose, for your kind information I have put together a sort of cultural strategy guide line for your visit to the country of the Netherlands. It should provided you with the major essentials you’ll want to know to be well prepared and to enjoy all that the Dutch culture has to offer. While this may not be an exhaustive but, I’ve made every effort by myself to include what will most likely matter the most. Enjoy dear visitors!

General:

Population: so here we start with the Population of the Netherlands. As of March 9, 2011 the Netherlands has a population of 16,805,037 and as of 2019 has a population of 17.28 million. It is currently ranked as the number 64th most populated country in the world.

Languages: How many languages are spoken in Netherlands? The official language that is spoken in the country of the Netherlands is Dutch, and that is spoken by a vast majority of the country’s population. It closely resembles German and borrows terms from both English and French.  Friesian is the secondary language of the Netherlands, which is spoken by approximately by a half-million people of the Dutch province of the Friesland.

Society: The Dutch society as a whole is very independent and the modern Society. Many believe in equality for all the community, yet there is focus on individuality is more than the community. They are considered a middle class society.

Economy: The Netherlands has an advanced and developed free market economy. The major sectors for employment in the Netherlands are the agriculture,  services industries and trade.

Egalitarian: Via age or association Respect from other Dutch citizens is not garnered, but by the hard work and acquired skills.

Religion:

How many religions are there in Netherlands?

Here are the some basic religions In the Netherlands that’s information I got through research.

Secular: In the Western Europe the Netherlands is one of the most secularized countries. In the Netherlands there are only about 39% of citizen claims to be religious, and of those 39% there are only 6% people that attend church on a regular basis.

Main religions: in the Dutch society there are currently two main religions prominent. Roman Catholic and Protestant. The Roman Catholics make up approximately 25% of the Dutch population, and the Protestants make up approximately 15% of the Dutch population.

Minor Religions: Muslims make up 5% of the population of the Dutch. Buddhists make up 1%, and the Hindus make up 0.9%.

Culinary and Dining Etiquette:

Culinary:

The traditional cuisine of the Dutch is not very diverse. It’s very straightforward and simple. The traditional Dutch cuisine and meal consists of a lot of vegetables with a little meat.

In Netherlands the average Dutch household prepares food from the other cultures as well. The major influences in the Netherlands are Italian, Indonesian, Chinese and Mediterranean. These same influence and the others, can be found among the Netherlands selection of dine out restaurants as well.

Breakfast: In Netherlands the Breakfast typically consists of a slice of bread with various toppings like different cheeses, butter, peanut, treacle, and chocolate spread.

Lunch: While lunch in the Netherlands can include the same foods as breakfast, often times there will be the sandwiches with the different cold cuts and the cheeses – Edam, Gouda, and Leyden.

Dinner: In Netherlands Dinners are typically a two or three-course meal consisting of soup as an appetizer, potatoes with a large portion of the vegetables and a small portion of meat as the main course, and pastries or cookies for dessert. Stamppot (or, stew) is a traditional winter meal and snert (pea soup) is often times the soup of choice for dinner.

Culinary Staples: The Netherlands country is the famous for its cheese, Edam. Gouda, and Leyden are known worldwide, and Alkmaar is a town famous for its cheese market. Salted herring is another staple to the Dutch. Other staples include stroopwafel(caramel waffle cookies), hagelslag (chocolate sprinkles), French fries and mayonnaise, and pffertjes (small, thick pancakes).

Dining Etiquette:

Meal Times: in Netherlands Breakfast is served first thing in the morning between 6 and 8 A.M. Lunch is typically served 12 and 1 P.M. And dinner usually starts around 6 P.M. (early by international standards.)

Tea Time: Tea time in Netherlands is a combination social event and culinary. It typically takes place either between breakfast and lunch (10 to 11 A.M.) or lunch and dinner (4 to 5 P.M.). Tea time involves inviting friends, family and/or neighbors over for a spot of tea or coffee and a single biscuit or cookie with tea and coffee.

Leaving the table: In Netherlands It is considered as rude during the dinner to leave the table for any reason, whether during this time to to take a phone call from others no matter how urgent the call ,  and to use the bathroom, etc.

Smaller portions: In the Netherlands at the start of a meal, to take a smaller portion. You will be asked if you would like a second portion. It is always polite to accept this offer for the second portion.

Hands on the table: most amazing thing that is considered as amazed in the world cultures is that In the Netherlands, it is considered as polite to leave your hands on the table while eating breakfast, Lunch or dinner with your family. However, you still want to make sure you do not rest your elbows on the table but it will be compulsory for you otherwise you will be watched with suspicious eyes by the family.

Social Etiquette:

While Dutch etiquette closely mirrors that of the rest of the Western world, there are certain practices and traits specific to the Dutch citizens. You must Keep in mind that what you’re about to read below in the article may not be practiced in all areas, regions and by all people. Instead, consider it a general guide to showcasing proper etiquette in a majority of situations and circumstances.

Greetings: The Dutch either shake hands upon greeting and departing (somewhat formal), or, if they have a close bond with the person like he/she is very close to their hearts, they kiss the cheek to each other three times, this beautiful act starting with the left cheek. A simple accompanying “hello” will suffice.

Scheduling: Oh…. Amazing, don’t be surprised friends and dear visitors if a dinner with a Dutch friend is scheduled six weeks in advance. The Dutch people live by schedules and they are strict on adhering to them. In Dutch there’s no such thing as stopping by someone’s home. It needs to first be agreed upon by the other party, and then properly placed into the schedule.

Manners: Citizens of Dutch are very straightforward and direct and they talk directly about the actual point. What some people would call rudeness , they call it and use the term for this style “openness.” They tell it like it is – honest and straight to the main point. It’s not meant to be rude, it’s just their particular life style.

Conversation: The Dutch people keep maintaining a very strong eye contact when conversing with others.

They are also very direct in their speeches and they say what they have to say in a straightforward way. Criticism is welcome in the Dutch, and most Dutch are not easily offended they are well mannered people.

Speaking a different language: Don’t be surprised while you are greeting a person in Dutch and in return they respond you in English language. Because the Dutch are very proficient at speaking foreign languages and they can easily pick up on foreign dialects.

Money: While in the Dutch have nothing against becoming wealthy and to get more and more money, but in the Dutch it is typically seen as a negative character trait if you publicly spend large sums of money just for showing off others. You are labeled as a “show off.” Also, never ask someone how much money they make and where do they spend.

Driving: They drive in a very bluntly way, to put it bluntly, the Dutch can be impatient and rude on the roads while driving. Honks, Gestures, and expletives are commonplace in many areas, and swift lane changes are also considered there as a norm. In other words, be safe and be prepared for an adventure if driving through the Netherlands.

Gift giving: it is customary if you’re invited to a Dutch home to bring a gift for the hostess. The most acceptable gifts include flowers (always an odd number, and never thirteen), quality chocolates, a book, or a potted plant. The Dutch typically have a wine already chosen for the meal and for enjoying with friends, so bringing a bottle of the wine as a gift is uncommon.

Sports:

For many Dutch citizens Sports are a very important part of life. There are currently over an estimated 35,000 operational sports clubs in the Netherlands and approximately there are 28% of the population is active members in these clubs for playing different kinds of games. Furthermore, there is still more of the Population who is not the members, yet they are still very active in sports.

Major sports: in order of popularity the major sports of the Netherlands is football, cycling, and speed skating.

Football: Football is considered a way of life more many sports fans in the Netherlands. The most revered football federation in the country is The Royal Dutch Football Association and was one of the founding members of FIFA. Throughout the years, the Dutch have achieved several accolades for football, such as three bronze medals in the Olympics and three FIFA World Cup finals appearances. Johan Crujiff is a very experienced Football player and is the country’s most revered football player.

Cycling: In the late 1890s the Dutch’s cycling boom started and took off in the early 1900s. In 1928, the Royal Dutch Cycling Union was formed and cycling soon became a premier sport in the Netherlands, and has maintained its status ever since. There have been two Dutch Tour Joop Zoetemelk and de France winners in Jan Janssen, and seven have been crowned World Champion. No matter the terrain, off trail, open road, or track, cycling is still very popular.

Speed Skating: While footballs and bicycles take center stage for most of the year, when winter hits, speed skating becomes as the undisputed king of sports in Netherlands. While the Dutch experienced some success in the early 1900s, it wasn’t until the 1960s, when speed skating titles became the norm for Dutch athletes, that the sport took off with the rest of the country. It hasn’t slowed down since. During the winter months it’s normal to overhear conversations about speed skaters, along with seeing fellow citizens strapping on a pair of skates for a race.

Other sports: While football, cycling, and speed skating are the main focus for Dutch’s sports enthusiasts, there are still other sports that remain fairly that people like to play there. Popular and are worth mentioning: basketball, volleyball, baseball, field hockey, cricket, korfball and rugby.

Arts and Leisure:

Art: The Netherlands is world-renowned for its number of art and historical museums that makes the Netherlands more beautiful, along with its impressive collection of fine art. The most prolific period for Dutch art was the Golden Age (17th century), where the Baroque style, inherited from the Italians, became the basis for several Dutch masterpieces. The next resurgence began in the twentieth century with modern art and continues to flourish today. International art festivals occur year-round and draw big crowds from all over the world.

Architecture: Dutch architecture also became prominent during the Golden Age, where Baroque-style buildings were considered the norm. The end of the nineteenth century saw a resurgence of Gothic Revival architecture, and modern architecture found its place, starting in the 20th century. The vast array of buildings offers a magnificent view of varying historical styles that span centuries.

Music: Traditional Dutch music consists of simple melodies and rhymes that focus on central emotional themes like loneliness, happiness, and sadness. Today, popular culture is fixated on Nederpop (pop music), electronic/trance, and Nederhop (Dutch Hip-Hop). Classical and orchestral scores are also very popular, and Jan Sweelinck is still considered the most prolific composer in Dutch’s illustrious musical history. Other popular genres include folk, jazz, and various types of metal.

Cabaret: The Netherlands has its own unique form of cabaret that is aimed more at provoking thought on social and political themes, instead of laughter. Cabaret shows can be found in most cities and even on some television networks.

Events: The Netherlands is a hot bed for annual events in all different kinds of niches and markets, and the locals love to attend. For art there’s the Maastricht Art Show in the first half of March. The Amsterdam Roots Festival in June showcases music from the Netherlands and other parts of the world. For techno lovers, the FFWD Dance Parade is held in August. And Sinterklaas comes in December.

if you want to know more in details Netherlands officla langauge do visit link Nethelands official langauge thanks :)