the dutch Lifestyle
family, dating & marriageIn the Netherlands, the immediate family remains incredibly close for their entire life. Sometimes differences may be made between family by blood and family by marriage. Nonetheless, the Dutch hold their family very near and dear to their heart. Despite the closeness to family, contrary to many other close-knit family cultures, they usually don't continue to live together after they are officially an adult at the age of 18. Similar to the U.S., many 18 year old people move out to go to school and have their own life. However, this is changing; as prices of living on their own and tuition continue to rise the future may require more people to stay at home until they are married and starting their own family. Also similar to the U.S., acceptance of unique family structures is becoming more and more normal. This includes, but is not limited to, same sex couples and non-traditional gender role couples. It is still typical for men to be the leader of the house but it is becoming more normal for women to also work even if it is only part-time. Regardless, family remains at the center of their concerns with more couples moving towards part-time working to allow more time for family.
The Dutch may meet their future spouse through dating practices quite similar to the U.S. often meeting during school or in after-school activities. There are however a few key unique characteristics of dating in the Netherlands. The Dutch tend to be more casual in their dating, meaning there are less guidelines to dating and less "rights" and "wrongs". In both romantic and friendly communication the Dutch are extremely direct. Therefore, small talk and flirting is usually bypassed in the dating process. Instead, they usually explicitly state their desires and hopes for what to get out of the relationship. This can pave a very smooth path to eventual marriage, or not. Many may choose not to officially get married but just continue to live together as they normally do for years before even considering marriage. Those that do choose to marry often have a religious ceremony of sorts. LGBTQ+ individuals share the same desires and rights as everyone else in the Netherlands. |
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Recreation, the arts & holidaysWith such a diverse environment, it is no wonder that the Dutch have a variety of sports and recreation activities they grow up enjoying. Despite having kilometers and kilometers of seaside to enjoy, the Dutch also enjoy spending leisure time at the many lakes in the country. Growing up in the ocean or by the lake may lead to a lot of swimming which then makes it no surprise that the Dutch have won multiple Olympic medals in swimming. Another sport Dutch Olympic athletes have made their mark in is cycling. As you may already know, bicycling is a huge part of Dutch culture. While it is used for recreation, it is also used for commuting and sport. They also have a passion for the sport Americans call soccer but to the Dutch is football. Go to a local bar or restaurant on a game day and find no shortage of Ajax of Amsterdam or Dutch National Team fans. It's no secret that Dutch artists such as Van Gogh and Rembrandt made a huge mark on the greatest art of all time. They both paved the way for artists of their kind. But there is so much more to Dutch art than paintings. The National Ballet and the Netherlands Dance Theater are both excellent, world-renowned dance companies. However, the Dutch film industry is quite small; but it still produces an international film festival. The Dutch celebrate a lot of the same holidays that those in the United States do: New Years, Christmas, and Easter. Easter has the traditional chocolate bunnies, egg hunts and an accompanying church service. However, Christmas in the Netherlands is typically done without gift giving. New Years involves the common fireworks and parties with friends and family but they often enjoy a sweet dumpling called "oliebollen" during their New Years celebration. But one completely different holiday that the Dutch celebrate on April 27th (as long as that date doesn't fall on a Sunday) is King's Day. Everyone wears the country's color orange and enjoys each others company in the streets. There is often a "feast" associated with it and various street markets. Another feast holiday in the Netherlands is Sinterklaas celebrated on December 5th. As you can see in the picture to the left, Sinterklaas looks like what the U.S. would call Santa Clause. Sinterklaas, unlike Christmas in the Netherlands, does involve gift giving, often in the form of personalized and uniquely wrapped gifts. It is especially celebrated among families with young children. |
customs & traditionsNaturally, like most other countries in the world, the Dutch culture has a lot of connections to food. Raw herring is eaten by lifting up the tail and taking a bite upwards (pictured to the right). Another famous Dutch food, and my personal favorite is a stroopwafel. It is two thin waffle layers stuck together with delicious caramel. Stroopwafels are available at all super markets and even at street vendors. Another food street vendors serve is the Dutch equivalent to french fries: "patat", "frites", "friet", or "vlaamse frieten". They are served in a paper cone and can have a variety of toppings such as mayonnaise, ketchup or a traditional "pataje oorlog" with mayonnaise, peanut sauce and chopped onions. Arguably, the food with the largest connection to Dutch culture is cheese. Since 800 B.C. the Dutch have been making some of the best cheese in the world. The most popular Dutch cheeses being Gouda and Edam. Cheese isn't reserved for a certain meal and is eaten at breakfast, lunch and/or dinner. Aside from food related traditions and the aforementioned holiday traditions, the Dutch also have "carnaval". In February parades with floats, music and food swarm the streets before Catholic Lent begins.
Just like other countries, the Netherlands has unique customs that differ them from their European neighbors. As we already know, the Dutch place a huge emphasis on bicycling. They seem to bike everywhere and do it gracefully-navigating through the countryside and city alike. They also place a huge emphasis on taking time for themselves and for their family. Which relates to the mental health days they often take when it all gets to be too much. Another custom of the Netherlands is that a lot of stores close on Sundays or, at least, have later opening times. Allowing time for rest and recuperation for almost everyone in the Netherlands. Despite the Dutch having one of the highest standards of living in the world, they don't spend as much money as other leading countries. The Dutch value being frugal and budget everything in their life to help them live comfortably. Finally, the Dutch may greet or say goodbye, to friends, using a customary three kisses unlike other cultures' traditional two kisses. |
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Family, Dating & Marriage
Pier. (n.d.). Dutch Culture - Family. Retrieved from https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/dutch-culture/dutch-culture-family
10 tips for dating Dutch women and Dutch men. (2017, April 24). Retrieved from https://www.expatica.com/nl/living/love/10-tips-for-dating-dutch-women-and-dutch-men-101955/
Recreation, the arts and holidays
Rowen, H. H., & Meijer, H. (2020, February 28). Cultural life. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/place/Netherlands/Cultural-life#ref35890
Dutch Culture: festivities, traditions, holidays - Enschede Innovates! (n.d.). Retrieved from https://cityofenschede.com/aboutenschede/living/dutch-culture/festivities-traditions-public-holidays/
Customs and Traditions
www.AmsterdamTouristInfo. (n.d.). Dutch Food - 15 Delicious & Famous Dishes in Amsterdam. Retrieved from https://www.amsterdamtourist.info/eating-drinking/famous-dutch-food/
A taste of Dutch Culture and Tradition. (2019, January 17). Retrieved from https://www.globalizationpartners.com/2014/12/03/a-taste-of-dutch-culture-and-tradition/
Acosta, R. M. (2014, August 20). What Dutch Customs Might Seem Strange for Americans. Retrieved from https://www.findingdutchland.com/dutch-customs-habits-strange-for-americans/
Cover image source: https://www.holland.com/global/tourism/information/general/all-about-the-netherlands.htm
Pier. (n.d.). Dutch Culture - Family. Retrieved from https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/dutch-culture/dutch-culture-family
10 tips for dating Dutch women and Dutch men. (2017, April 24). Retrieved from https://www.expatica.com/nl/living/love/10-tips-for-dating-dutch-women-and-dutch-men-101955/
Recreation, the arts and holidays
Rowen, H. H., & Meijer, H. (2020, February 28). Cultural life. Retrieved from https://www.britannica.com/place/Netherlands/Cultural-life#ref35890
Dutch Culture: festivities, traditions, holidays - Enschede Innovates! (n.d.). Retrieved from https://cityofenschede.com/aboutenschede/living/dutch-culture/festivities-traditions-public-holidays/
Customs and Traditions
www.AmsterdamTouristInfo. (n.d.). Dutch Food - 15 Delicious & Famous Dishes in Amsterdam. Retrieved from https://www.amsterdamtourist.info/eating-drinking/famous-dutch-food/
A taste of Dutch Culture and Tradition. (2019, January 17). Retrieved from https://www.globalizationpartners.com/2014/12/03/a-taste-of-dutch-culture-and-tradition/
Acosta, R. M. (2014, August 20). What Dutch Customs Might Seem Strange for Americans. Retrieved from https://www.findingdutchland.com/dutch-customs-habits-strange-for-americans/
Cover image source: https://www.holland.com/global/tourism/information/general/all-about-the-netherlands.htm