Culture of The Netherlands

Language Skills Before

My beginnings

Language Skills After

My progress

The culture

A progressive and innovative country

  • 1870: death penalty abolition
  • 1917: the right to vote for women
  • Relatively early decriminalization of abortion, prostitution, euthanasia and certain drugs
  • 2001: first in the world to legalize same-sex marriage
  • 2010: one of the most democratic and least corrupt countries in the world
  • One of the most developed countries according to the UN's annual HDI report
  • One of the leaders in child happiness according to UNICEF
  • Among the world leaders in press freedom, according to RSF, and in work-life balance, according to the OECD

Fest days and traditions

Dutch festivities

  • Carnaval in the South of the Netherlands
  • Sinterklaas in november

Feestdagen

  • One of the countries with the fewest public holidays (8 vs. 11 in France)
  • Examples: King's Day, Liberation Day (May 5)
  • Holidays for religious reasons

Geography

Holland vs. Netherlands


  • 1/4 of the country below sea level and 1/5 under water
  • The dutch were able to flood their country during the war to halt the advance of enemy troops
  • 3500 km of dikes
Image 1
Image 2
Image 3
Image 4

Dutch behaviour

  • Direct and open communication
  • Honesty and clarity
  • Calm and disciplined
  • Trust
  • Greedy ?

Geert Hofstede Cultural Dimensions

  • PDI : Power Distance Index
  • IDV : Individualism
  • MAS : Masculinity
  • UAI : Uncertainty Avoidance Index
  • LTO : Long-Term Orientation
  • IVR : Indulgence

Influence on my intercultural skills

Influence of France

  • In the 19th century, Napoleon invaded the Netherlands, which were then part of the First French Empire
  • French became the language of administration
  • This led to changes in the Dutch legal and administrative system
  • Influence of French language : cooking (restaurant, menu, chef ➝ chef-kok), mode (boutique ➝ boetiek, couture, chic)
Parijs