The Dutch, lovely people. I am one of them after all. We live with around 17 million people in our small country in Northern Europe and it's all good. Although the Netherlands may be a small country, we have an extremely colorful culture. I'm about to show you some things that are typical for the inhabitants of our beautiful country.
If you've ever been to the Netherlands you may recognize some of these topics. If you have no clue what I'm talking about, just enjoy and learn something new, I'm sure some might want to make you visit!
1. Poffertjes-
A typical Dutch delicacy you must taste! They're like really small pancakes, but better. You eat them with powdered sugar and butter most of the time. Some prefer lemon or whipped cream. Do as you like!
2. Cycling-
We are a nation of cyclers. We use our bikes for everything and many of us have multiple bikes per person. Don't go around riding a bike in the Netherlands if you are not a pro, you will probably not survive that.
3. Kingsday (+ wearing orange)-
Every year we celebrate the birthday of our King with grand festivities. On days like this, orange is our national color. The same goes for when the national soccer team plays or any other nationwide event.
4. Queen Maxima-
This is our queen. Enough said?
The Dutch highly appreciate punctuality. Do not come late to appointments, formal or informal. It will not be appreciated.
6. Top 2000-
Every year between Christmas and New Year's Eve half of the Dutch population listens to the 'Top 2000.' A list of musical numbers, which the audience voted for, that is played on Radio 2. The top 3 usually contains: ''Bohemian Rhapsody' by Queen, ''Hotel California'' by Eagles & ''Stairway To Heaven'' by Led Zeppelin.
7. Stroopwafels-
Another Dutch delicacy! Waffles with syrup in between. They are honestly heaven on earth, especially fresh from the baker on the market.
8. Dutch birthdays-
This is what a common Dutch birthday party (with family) looks like. Sitting in a circle and eating cake. The Dutch also congratulate the birthday boy or girl, instead of wishing them happy birthday. Not only does the birthday child gets congratulated, but everyone in the circle has to be greeted and congratulated. It's pretty tiring sometimes.
9. Not so discrete-
The Dutch will tell you when something doesn't sit right with them. They will tell you when your hair looks wrong or if there is something between your teeth. They will say it quite bluntly and they will not apologize for it. Take it as it is, say it as it is. No way around it.
10. Greeting with 3 kisses-
The Dutch greet each other with three kisses if they like you. It could also be just a handshake or a hug, sometimes it's just a look. Commonly it's three kisses, though. It's difficult to pin down.
11. Sinterklaas-
In the Netherlands we don't have Santa Clause on December 25th, we have Sinterklaas on December 5th. And this time you're the weird ones, 'cause dear old Sinterklaas is the original this time. Every year he comes on his 'pakjesboot' with all his 'zwarte pieten' and brings the children presents and 'pepernoten.'
12. 'Beschuit met muisjes'-
When a child is born the Dutch celebrate with 'beschuit met muisjes'. Pink for a girl, blue for a boy. (I really don't like the 'muisjes' tho, because they're made of anise and that's just really gross to me).
13. Chocolate for breakfast-
Many of us eat chocolate sprinkles on our bread every morning. It's just common breakfast material. Here you have a whole aisle with different brands and different kinds of chocolate, all for your bread (yes, in the morning). It's delicious.
14. Swearing with diseases-
Less positive but it really is a thing in the Netherlands. The most commonly used diseases used during swearing are: Typhoid (typhus), Cholera (klere), Tuberculosis (teringlijer) and, the most popular one according to research, Cancer (kanker). Yes, I'm sorry. 'Kut' (word for vagina) is also a really popular swear word. God isn't safe either (Jezus Christus, Godverdomme).
15. Febo-
Yes, we have vending machine walls where we can get our snacks from. Yes, this works. Yes, it's great. Thank you.
