Dutch etiquette
September 15, 2006Interesting, Wikipedia has an article on Dutch etiquette and proper manners.
A very interesting read, as it was obviously written by an outsider. For the most part, the author is right. However, one thing is kind of odd:
If one does get invited for dinner then please note that the men are expected to wait until all women are seated before they themselves sit down.
This is weird, I never knew this. I’m not sure if this is part of the higher etiquette; in any case, I have never seen it before. It might also be that what the author is referring to is the fact that when on a dinner with a lady, the man is supposed to seat the lady first before he himself sits down.
For the rest, the article is pretty much dead-on. A must-read if you plan to go to The Netherlands. The last paragraph felt almost personal:
In the Netherlands, commitments are taken seriously and are honoured. Do not promise anything or make an offer you are not planning to deliver on. When making a verbal agreement with someone and others are present it has about the same worth as a signed contract (even from a legal viewpoint), so avoid making loose promises at all costs.
So true, so true.
World, Social Life | 
>However, one thing is kind of odd:
You should learn these things Thom! What if the Queen invites you for dinner? At least twice?
Comment by Eugenia — September 15, 2006 @ 6:33 pm
There’s a book called The Undutchables that’s hilarious and full of things that we Dutch people usually don’t realize are weird for non-Dutch people. Gave a copy of it to my (non-Dutch) gf years ago, introduce her to our ways so to say :) She still pokes fun at Dutch people to her friends, hehehe…
Comment by Edwin — September 15, 2006 @ 9:20 pm
“Do not discuss expensive items you have purchased recently (or anything similar), as the Dutch will most likely interpret this as boasting about it.”
I got a computer out of the alley. Does that count ?
Comment by mikesum32 — September 17, 2006 @ 5:12 am