Country Information: Netherlands
●The Dutch Mindt
●Characteristics of Society
●Lifestyle & Aspirations
●The Esntials (10 Key Tips)
●Working with the Dutchs
●Making a Good Impression
●Business Etiquette
●Business Meeting Culture
●Motivating Others
●Effective Prentations
●Managing Relationships
The Dutch Mindt资教生
The Dutch are pragmatic, direct and famously open-minded. They enjoy a high quality of life, a generous welfare system and a high standard of education. Qualities attributable to many Dutch people include independence, lf reliance, efficiency and thriftiness. There is a strong work ethic and a profit-orientated mentality.
Anyone living in the Netherlands is ud to life in a diver, multiracial society, although the many dif
ferent ethnic groups tend to co-exist, rather than integrate fully.
Recently, there has been an increa in tension in The Netherlands, suggesting to many that multi-culturalism has gone too far. Gay anti-immigration campaigner Pim Fortuyn, who emerged as a dominant force in Dutch politics early in the 21st century, was assassinated in 2002 by an animal rights extremist. Two years later, outspoken filmmaker Theo van Gogh was shot and stabbed to death, with extreme Islamic quotations left pinned to his body. Anti-Islamic feeling is riding high, further stirred by the ongoing debate in the Dutch parliament about a propod nationwide ban of the burqa, the traditional Islamic women's dress.
to top Characteristics of Society
The Dutch stem from a nation of afarers and still today are widely travelled, multi-lingual, open-minded and tolerant. Nowadays, though, they are mainly city-dwellers. Over 40% of the population resides in the western provinces of North (Noord) Holland and South (Zuid) Holland and overall 89% of the population live in urban areas.
The people of the Netherlands commonly referred
to as the Dutch, are descended from Germanic
stock with some mixing form Gallo-Celtic stock. Of
the 16 million plus population, 95% are ethnic
Dutch with the remainder compod of
Indonesians, (around 50,000), Suriname (around
210,000) and approximately a quarter of a million
'guest workers', their families and descendants
from Turkey and Morocco. Some 6% of the
population are Muslims.
The Netherlands has a very generous welfare system and a high standard of education. More than 20% of people have been to university. Despite the density of the population (the highest in Europe), the country is frequently voted in the top ten of desirable places to live in quality of life surveys.
The Netherlands is well-known for its willingness to experiment and has an open-minded policy towards both soft drugs and prostitution, a fact which has brought the country perhaps more attention than it wants.
to top Lifestyle & Aspirations
The Dutch are not dissimilar to the British in many of their lifestyle habits. Both have a strong monarchy and a basic conrvatism, as well as a love of debate. The two nations also share a love of gardening and flowers. Both also have a afaring background, and a passion for the outdoors and the game of football.
Dutch people spend much of their leisure time participating in
games and sport, including football, cycling, swimming, golf
and tennis. Sport is subsidid by the government and there
are over 35,000 sports clubs. Special needs groups have their
own sports clubs, too, such as the elderly or disabled, or long-
term in capacitated. Football and ice skating are the two most珍妮姑娘
popular sports, with hundreds of ice rinks, indoor and outdoor,
for figure and speed skating, and hockey. In winter, it is
possible to skate on the canals and lakes.
There is a strong restaurant and café culture, with the variety
of restaurants reflecting the diver ethnic mix of the
population.
In the cities, there is a thriving cultural scene of opera, 1,200
muums, art galleries, theatres and concerts.
Life in summer revolves around the outdoors, with picnics, cycle rides, walks, hor riding and street festivals taking place.
Volunteer work is popular, especially among women.
to top The Esntials (10 Key Tips)
1. The Dutch do not openly display personal
achievements and respond well to people
轻断食食谱who take a professional but lf-effacing
approach.
2. The Dutch tend to get right down to
business, with little small talk. Business
negotiations proceed at a rapid pace,
although paradoxically, in many companies,
the decision-making process is slow,
involving wide consultation.
3. Like the Germans, the Dutch are extremely
punctual and make great u of their
diaries. Even social occasions are planned a long time in advance, with a meeting
time agreed.
4. The Dutch can be direct in their communication style. Do not take this explicit
approach as a 'shock-tactic' - the Dutch simply value candour and frankness.
5. Companies are frugal and careful with money. Business is profit-orientated with the
bottom line being very important.
6. Taking a pragmatic approach, the Dutch are suspicious of lofty, exaggerated plans for
the future.
7. In the Netherlands, commitments are taken riously and are honoured. Do not
promi anything or make an offer you are not planning to deliver on.
8. The Dutch make a clear distinction between their personal and business lives. Think
carefully before asking your Dutch colleague to stay late or work over the weekend.
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9. Managerial qualities that are highly respected include firm leadership, open, honest
communcation style and a willingness to listen to new ideas.
10. Do not call The Netherlands 'Holland' - Holland is a region of The Netherlands, not a
country.
to top Working with the Dutchs
The Netherlands is a tiny country with a powerful economy and a strong export trade, so a global outlook is esntial. The Dutch are among the keenest members of the EU (despite having said no to its constitution in a recent referendum) and are genuinely international - well travelled, highly educated, multilingual.
Honesty and openness are important qualities required to get along with the Dutch. They are partial to a good debate and will be direct to the point of bluntness.
They are obsd with timekeeping and hate to waste time, so lateness is not well regarded regarded. Appointments must be made in advance, even something as simple as meeting for a drink after work.蓝莓慕斯
Modesty is important at all times and ostentatious dress, speech and mannerisms will be met with suspicion. This is an egalitarian society where the boss is on the same social footing as his or her employees. Structures within companies are flat and transparency is important.
The Dutch are fairly risk-aver but are nonetheless entrepreneurial. They embrace new ideas, although expect them to be backed up with fact, and will always appear suspicious of change in the first instance.
to top Making a Good Impression
The Dutch are pragmatic, open-minded, tolerant but (in the eyes of a visitor) outspoken, egalitarian, organid, efficient and practical. Loyalty is highly valued. If you can exhibit the qualities, you will make a connection with your Dutch counterparts. You should also be prepared to engage in long debates and back up everything you say.
The Dutch are, despite their outspokenness, fairly shy and
rerved and do not appreciate loud behaviour, clo physical
contact, constant touching during a conversation or
exaggeration. Hard facts and a solid background will impress
more than grandio claims and plans. The same goes with
your general demeanour. The Dutch can identify with frugality
and are uncomfortable with lavish spending and ostentatious
displays of wealth.
Once you have reached agreement on a point, it is esntial to
keep your word and stick to the agreed deadline.
Dutch people have a great respect for privacy. If you are new
in The Netherlands, it's up to you to introduce yourlf to
people, and they will in turn introduce you to others. But you
should t the social agenda, as the newcomer, or you will be left alone.
Finally, never waste a Dutch person's time. Punctuality is esntial at all times.
to top Business Etiquette
Business cards
It's unnecessary to have your business card
translated, since most Dutch businesspeople are
fluent in English. Promotional materials and
instruction manuals, however, should be translated
into Dutch, especially when dealing with
complicated terminology.
There is a strong respect for higher education in
电生磁原理this country; so be sure to include any university
degree above a B.A. on your business card. Do not
confu 'Drs.', which means a university graduate
in the Netherlands, with 'Dr.', which signifies a Ph. D.
There is no strict protocol regarding the exchange of business cards and they may not be exchanged until the end of a meeting. It is, however, OK to offer your card early on, particularly if you need to e your counterpart's card to remember their name, or figure out
我还想着你the Dutch pronunciation. Business cards are a uful way of ensuring that you are addressing your counterparts by their correct title. As a rule, do not u first names unless invited to do so.
Gift giving
Large, lavish gifts may be construed as a bribe and any ostentatious display is, in any ca, frowned upon by the thrifty Dutch. It is acceptable to turn up with a small gift, though - something tasteful, branded, or a quality item bearing you company's logo.
If you are invited to dinner at a Dutch person's home, take a bouquet of flowers or a box of Belgian chocolates. It's acceptable to bring wine but this may not be opened on this occasion.
Birthdays are a big event in the Netherlands. If it is your birthday, you are expected to bring cakes to the office to share with your colleagues.
Communication style
Communication in the Netherlands is direct, to the point and open. This means that people can sometimes become frustrated when dealing with others who communication style is very circular.
The Dutch avoid superlatives. Compliments are offered sparingly, and to say that something is 'not bad' is to prai it. A person who never offers criticism is en as either being simple-minded or failing to tell the truth. A foreigner need not worry too much about saying something that will hurt feelings. The Dutch will argue, but ldom take offence.
The Dutch speak directly, often in short, to the point ntences, and u a lot of eye contact. To an outsider, they may appear abrupt but it is not intended to be personal.
Body language
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Body language is subdued and excessive physical contact is frowned upon. Dutch people may appear quite shy and rerved until you get to know them. Their humour is subtle rather than slapstick.
Don't u wild gestures while talking or prenting, as it will distract your audience. Keep a good distance from the person you are speaking to and don't touch them unnecessarily, as it will make them uncomfortable. Avoid back slapping and big embraces. Eye contact is, however, important.
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