What are the customs of the Dutch?

Dress and Etiquette

Most Dutch people dress much the same as other countries on the European continent. In formal social occasions, such as attending gatherings and banquets, men dress more solemnly. Women's clothing is elegant and beautiful. The most distinctive ones are the costumes of the residents of the Dutch island of Magen. The girls' shirts on this island all have red and green stripes.

Deportment and Etiquette

The Dutch do not like cross-talk when talking. Women should keep their legs together when sitting; men should not shake their legs when sitting. They don't pick their teeth with toothpicks in front of everyone.

Meeting Etiquette

On official occasions, the Dutch usually shake hands when meeting guests. In daily life, when friends meet, they usually give hugs. When meeting close friends, some people also give kisses. They don't like to cross the handshake and think it is an unlucky behavior.

Dining etiquette

The Dutch eat more cold meals at brunch. For breakfast, just eat bread with butter or cheese and drink some milk or coffee. The Dutch don't like drinking tea very much and usually drink milk to quench their thirst. The main meal for the Dutch is dinner. It is customary to have some drinks before dinner, and then lay the tablecloth on the dining table in a formal manner. Usually two courses and one soup. The first course is soup, which is often made from corn flour and is delicious. The Dutch are accustomed to eating Western food, but they are also very interested in Chinese food. The number of local Chinese restaurants ranks among the top in Europe.

Business Etiquette

When engaging in business activities in the Netherlands, you should wear conservative suits. All public and private units must make a contract before visiting. Dutch businessmen especially love to travel, so be sure to make an appointment before going to the Netherlands. Although they are not as fond of shaking hands as French and German businessmen, the Dutch are also more formal and conservative. So remember to come up with your best negotiating terms directly to avoid losing business. Dutch businessmen like to entertain each other and have banquets. They often have a rich breakfast, take a break for tea at 10 am, a big meal at noon, another break for tea at 4 pm, a formal dinner at 7 pm, and a midnight snack before going to bed. So, remember to take your gastrointestinal medicine with you. If a Dutchman invites you to his home, most of them will only invite you to drink a few glasses of wine, and then go out to a restaurant for dinner. Remember to bring flowers for his wife - they must be an odd number, 5 or 7 is best, don't do it to others. The wife is too much.

Many Dutch intellectuals know a lot about traditional Chinese culture (Sinology), so we might as well talk about Chinese Yemeng philosophy. The Dutch are used to eating Western food, but they are also quite interested in Chinese food. The Dutch are very particular about pouring coffee, and they can only pour it into two-thirds of the cup. It is a completely disrespectful behavior and is regarded as lacking in education. The best way to get along is to not mention the Nazis. When going up the stairs, men go first. Generally speaking, when men and women climb stairs, women go in front and men go behind. However, in the Netherlands, this is the opposite. March-May and September-November are the most suitable times to visit. In June, July and August, most Dutch people go on vacation.

Dutch taxi drivers do not receive tips. The Dutch are famous for their furniture and interior decoration, so the Dutch like others to compliment them on their furniture, artwork, carpets and home furnishings. Avoid talking about American politics, money, and prices. Popular topics of conversation include politics, travel, and sports. The Dutch have a strong sense of time and pay attention to punctuality.

Travel Etiquette

When traveling in the Netherlands, it is best to learn some daily conversations in Dutch, which will be of great help when traveling and riding in the car; if you are proficient in English, you can also use it , because most Dutch people know some English. It is a popular etiquette in the Netherlands to give priority to women, so no matter what the occasion, men must provide convenience for women at all times.

Main taboos

The Dutch taboo on 13th and Friday. In mutual interactions, they are unwilling to talk about American politics, economy, prices and other issues. They are also particularly taboo about others taking photos of them.

Marriage and Love Customs

More than 90% of the residents of the Kingdom of the Netherlands are Dutch, and they have maintained many traditional and unique customs in their marriage and love life. Roses indicate marriage. Proposal is a very romantic thing. The Dutch are very poetic in this regard. When their daughter reaches the age of marriage, parents will place a pot of brightly colored roses on the window sill of their daughter's bedroom to signal that young men can come and propose. .

Token of love - wooden shoes: According to Dutch tradition, when young men and women get engaged, the groom will give the bride a pair of wooden shoes. This tradition has been popular for hundreds of years. The wooden shoes are carved from a whole piece of wood, with thick soles and hard edges, sharpened heads, and painted with bright colors. They are simple, cute and moisture-proof. The marriage bed passed down from generation to generation. Every household on Magen Island has a small bed built into the wall. The small bed is surrounded by exquisite carvings and mosquito nets are hung on it. This small bed is the marriage bed passed down from generation to generation. The wedding bed can only be used by the groom on the wedding night. From the second night on, the bride and groom must move to ordinary beds to sleep. Open the window to love the man on Friday. The village of Stattest in the Dutch Slough area is known as the "mysterious woman's village". Because the women in the village are strong but shy, they have their own unique way of choosing a mate: every Friday night, girls of marriageable age open their back windows to attract young men for a tryst. When a girl sees the young man she likes, she lets him climb in through the back window and make love.

Cigar marriage exploration: When a young man in the Netherlands intends to woo a girl, he always knocks on the girl’s door first, and when the girl’s parents come out, he asks the girl’s parents to light a cigarette for him. After lighting a cigar, the girl's parents asked the young man various questions to examine his character and ability. When he asked to light the cigar again, they could give him a very clear answer.