Overview
Whether you are coming to the Netherlands on a business trip or to work here for a while, or you have regular contacts with Dutch people in your own country, being prepared for Dutch culture will make your stay more effective and your interactions more satisfactory.
People from all corners of the world involved in government, business, academic studies and culture come into contact with the Dutch and may be taken aback by their directness, their critical attitude, and their sometimes slow decision-making processes-just a few of the characteristics that are immediately noticed. Fortunately, there are many good attributes, too. For example, the Dutch may drive a hard bargain, but once agreement has been reached, their word is their bond.
As in previous editions, this updated version of Dealing with the Dutch focuses on Dutch values and norms, but also takes into account the rather drastic economic, social and cultural changes that the Netherlands is undergoing. Some of these have hit the international press for their apparent contradictions of the general image of the country as being peaceful, open-minded and tolerant.
Synopsis
The Netherlands is a thriving transportation hub for Europe, and a booming center for banking and energy sectors, and other innovative industries. Thousands of expatriate executives and their families are transferred to Holland annually; and hundreds of thousands of visitors come on business.People from all corners of the globe come into contact with Dutch colleagues and contacts, both in the Netherlands and in their own countries. They all have to "deal with the Dutch," and although the Dutch are becoming more and more cosmopolitan, aspects of their character and behavior still surprise many people. For instance, the directness of the Dutch, their critical attitudes, and sometimes slow decision-making processes are some of the characteristics that foreigners notice immediately, and may find frustrating. While the Dutch may drive a hard bargain, once agreement has been reached, their word is their bond. They are also noted for their thoroughness, and their energy and ingenuity in discovering and exploiting new business opportunities. Expatriates working in the Netherlands point out that it is the underlying values and norms of the Dutch that puzzle them most and sometimes irritate them. For anyone traveling to the Netherlands on business, to live and work in the country, or for anyone who may have regular contact with the Dutch abroad, this unique book - written by a Dutch author - will ensure more effective and enjoyable business and social relations. This new edition both follows the first in covering Dutch values and norms, and presents an up-dated picture of the latest economic, social and cultural changes in the country.