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Cultural Etiquette
Cultural Dos and Taboos
1. The firm handshake is the standard greeting for men and women, upon meeting and again upon departure. Men shake hands briefly with other men, with most women, and even when being introduced to a child. Friends, family and those who share some familiarity may use either the handshake or a brief hug. In the case of closely acquainted women, they may kiss each other three times on the cheek.
2. If you have not been formally introduced to everyone at a business or social gathering, it is commonplace to introduce yourself. One should go around the room and shake hands with everyone.
3. One should use the formal form of address such as Mr. or Mrs. followed by a surname, unless invited to move to a first name basis. Younger people are more apt to move to less formal forms of address quickly. Among men, it is common for last names alone to be used in forms of address. Outside the personal sphere, however, it is advisable that professional and governmental titles be used. In business, titles are used more rarely in verbal communication although they are customarily used in written communications.
4. Most greetings take place at a close distance. Yelling hello across a room would be considered culturally inappropriate. Wait until the person or persons with whom you are meeting are in close proximity to you where a quiet and polite greeting can be exchanged.
5. When entering a shop, it is considered polite to say "good day" or "hello" to everyone present, customers and employees alike. If the clerk is attending to another customer, however, you should not interrupt him or her; it is typical for clerks to wait on only one person at a time.
6. Dutch culture emphasizes and appreciates equality, while denouncing servility and superior stances. In encounters with Dutch people of all walks of life, it is advisable that one adopt this respectful outlook. Airs of condescension and arrogance will not be well-received.
7. The Dutch culture also emphasizes modesty and understatement, while eschewing ostentation. Likewise, the Dutch culture also values honesty and candor. One should thus take these traits into consideration while engaging personally or professionally with locals.
8. In conversation, sports, sightseeing, travel and politics are considered to be good topics of conversation. The Dutch people tend to be well informed about politics and to have firm political opinions. Expect honest and opinionated expression of ideas in this regard.
9. When invited to dinner, taking some sort of gift is suggested protocol. A bouquet of unwrapped flowers for your hostess is the preferred gift. Chocolate or candy are also good choices, especially if there are children in the household.
10. Dining is typically continental-style with the fork steadfastly held in the left hand and the knife in the right hand.
11. Punctuality is the norm in this culture, so be sure to be consistently punctual for both business meetings and social occasions. Even being five minutes late could be considered rude. Punctuality reflects the Dutch belief that everything has to be done at fixed times: a time to work, a time to drink coffee, and a time to visit friends.
12. Dress is generally casual and should conform to the temperate climate. Business wear is more conservative; suits are the norm for both men and women, although some industries may allow more casual attire to be worn. Women generally to be more restrained in regard to makeup and jewelry, opting for a more natural look than other parts of Europe. Casual wear is essentially the same as in the United States, although shorts are generally worn when indulging in some kind of outdoor activity such as jogging or hiking.
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