What are Dutch People Like?

In this video I'm walking the streets of the Netherlands asking Dutch people what personality characteristics are most common among the Dutch. Both positive and negative perspectives are included to give you balanced true to life insights.

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Dutch people's personality traits are often described as having a high degree of directness and bluntness, mostly due to the fact that they have a pragmatic mentality. Common Dutch stereotypes are that they're cheap, good at making cheese and good at making windmills.

When considering the question "what are Dutch people like", tolerant and liberal also comes to mind. Other characteristics are their strong work ethic and their ability to make money. It's ingrained in the Dutch culture that if you work hard, you can make a good life for yourself.

People in the Netherlands often travel by bike, and the country has a strong cycling culture. That's what the Dutch are most known for, and it's what you may see in the news sometimes.

The Netherlands is a popular tourist destination among foreigners, and apart from speaking Dutch, almost all Dutch people are able to communicate in English. So don't be afraid to ask for help. It's not difficult to find someone who can help you out with a short conversation. The Dutch are well-known for their friendliness.

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[Vervelio]

I am a Dutchman myself and I can confirm a large part of what has been said here. The Dutch are quite open and direct about the most intimate subjects, such as finances and relationships, etc. But we are not really hospitable; each visit should preferably be announced in advance. Knowledge of foreign languages is indeed good. The Dutch like to grumble and often don't realize how good they have it in this country. Many Dutch people are not really proud of their country, nor are they really chauvinistic. Our own country will be denounced rather than insulted. We are really only nationalistic when the Dutch national football team wins, or Max Verstappen.

[Eitner]

Do never visit a Dutch family around 18.00. Most of them will have their dinner at that time and you are not invited to join the table like in Spain, Italy or Greece. I lived in Spain mid 60s till 1972. We were always prepared for visitors to join us. Even now, 60 years later, I still cook enough for others to eat. Anyone is welcome.

[beautifulaltogether]

True Story: Some years ago I was talking to an older Dutch man at the busstop. He was very sad because he just came from his sons house. He had brought him an apple pie and thought he would be invited to come in, but his son just thanked him at the door, took the pie and told his father that they were just about to have dinner. He asked me if we were like that in my culture ( Dutch Caribean) and I told him no sir, I could never do that to anyone, let alone to my own father. I feit so sorry for the man.

[Yourhighnessnona]

The Dutch are very emancipated, direct, progressive and open. But they’re also not too inviting and what the half Irish woman said, they’re very individualistic, like most northern Western Europeans.

[EzekielOfFlanders]

To summarise: us dutch people are very welcoming and friendly unless u didn't tell us before hand u were coming. Then we big mad haha

[sks]

I am Indian and find the Dutch very open and welcoming . Every person at least wishes you with a smile and a “ hi” whether they know you or not . I find that refreshing

[Creequ]

Another characteristic is that dutch people complain endlessly about what dutch people are like and the irony is always lost on them.

This comment included, I suppose.

[sensun]

My neighbors invited me for a block bbq and guess what? You had to bring your own food and even your own plates. It was a group of 10 people. I thought I heard it all in the Netherlands until that happened to me and I was born and raised here. If if invite you to a bbq, I’m the one buying and cooking the food and I will have plates and cups. Not to mention not being invited for dinner when they’re eating.

[Waryfuls]

_As someone who has lived there for 15+ years, the bluntness & stubborness is very real._

[kloepiefloepie]

Yeah I agree with most things. I think it's also way harder to get new friends then in other countries because "group of friends" rarely invite new people to join. When you're in a association or community it a bit easier though to meet new people.

[siriusfeline]

Every culture has its plusses and minuses. I moved to Haarlem 6 years ago and have lived in 5 countries in my life. One of the (many) things I love about the Dutch is that their transparency and their consistency makes them extremely trustworthy. Day to day, this is absolute gold.

[pipepires]

I've been living in the Netherlands for a few years, i have some Dutch friends and i speak the language enough to have a conversation in Dutch, the people in general are very friendly everywhere i go, but like that couple said...they have everything but they don't share it, its all about "its mine", me coming from Portugal, its the opposite, we are always happy to share with friends( most of us) we value friendship, and we love having friends over for dinner and overnight. but i guess every culture is different, so, there's no right or wrong.

[JoostEurovisionFans]

In the Middle East, people really invite you to have coffee or tea with the whole family at home. 
That really doesn't happen in the Netherlands. You can even stay overnight, otherwise you will not be hospitable. It is mandatory in their culture. They even argue with each other to take this honor of hosting. You don't really need a hotel or hostel. You can stay for 3 nights. After that, it is the intention that you find your next spot. So if you are passing through or backpacking, you could travel/explore/sleep in Egypt and all those surrounding countries without a problem. Off course, make sure you are staying with a family. That is your safest option. Not a local punk in an alley.

[coffee-in-the-wild]

As a Dutch person, I can say that it really also depends on where you live. I'm always blown away by the directness of people in, for example, Amsterdam. As a person from the east, I'm used to communicating less directly and more politely.

[thistlebites]

Een aantal geïnterviewden geeft aan dat Nederlanders hun bezit voor zich zelf houden, terwijl wij wel graag ontzettend veel belasting betalen voor sociale zekerheid en zorg. Met als gevolg dat ook de armlastigen in de samenleving (in de meeste gevallen) niet in de kou hoeven te zetten. Daarnaast zamelt Nederland vaak recordbedragen in t.b.v. rampen die elders plaatsvinden.

[moon_eye]

en dan eindigen met een praatje over het weer. Nederlandser kun je het niet krijgen xD

[Bloem]

Heb op een internationale school gewerkt. Mij viel op dat de Belgen en mensen uit UK ronduit wat beleefder waren.
Overal zijn natuurlijk uitzonderingen op.

[yasmineabusamra]

After watching that video & reading the comments, I'll stop ranting about my experience with the Dutch. Compared to what I've read, most of the Dutch people I met were very kind to me. Three Dutch friends did invite me to their places although not for dinner & I stayed in the country for only 9 months during the lockdown!! Some people were rude but it's more of an individual trait that you can't generalize to everyone. I've always appreciated their "direct ways" in expressing their feelings & ideas. I think of them more as very honest people & I respect that.

[jaewoolee]

Please make videos more often! This is so interesting!