Which Dutch stereotypes are true? Non-Dutch students weigh in

Frankness, frugality, fondness for cheese, which Dutch stereotypes hold true when you are an international living among the locals?

Dutchies are direct. Dutchies are stingy. And another one: Dutchies are punctual. We have all heard the stereotypes surrounding the people native to the Netherlands: the Dutch.
Stereotypes exist for a reason: they tend to hold a kernel of truth and reflect patterns, but not always. Most times, stereotypes oversimplify and generalise complex characteristics, leading to biases.
In Dutch culture, certain traits – like frankness, frugality, and fondness for cheese – seem to persist in these broad descriptions. So, which Dutch stereotypes actually hold true when you are living among the locals? Groningen internationals weigh in on which ones resonate and which miss the mark.

In Groningen they give you a hug because they have to, it feels forced

‘The two biggest stereotypes I have about Dutch people are their directness and having a cold personality’, says Paula Garcia, a 20-year-old International Business student who has lived in Groningen for over two years. ‘In Spain, we give two kisses and a warm hug. In Groningen here it seems like they give you a hug because they have to, it feels forced.’

Lucien, a 25-year-old International Finance & Consulting Control student from Bulgaria, shares the sentiment of the Dutch being direct. ‘They may not be honest, they may not even be tactical about it, but they are definitely straightforward and do not beat around the bush.’

‘With directness you avoid misunderstandings, it makes life easier’

Nora Kristiansen feels the same. ‘The Dutch are very direct, and they can sometimes be a little rude or impolite’, says the 22-year-old Communications student from Norway.
Internationals sometimes perceive directness as blunt or unpleasant. ‘For Dutch people, being direct is a plus’, says Paula. ‘It’s an easy way to communicate. With directness you avoid misunderstandings. It makes their life easier.’ But that’s not always the case for people from abroad, Paula thinks. ‘I still don’t really like it, but I’m getting used to it.’

We are still not sure what the Dutch love more: bread and cheese, or sending tikkies for cigarettes – and, well, pretty much anything else. Party starting at 21:00? Do not be surprised if you hear a doorbell at 20:55, as punctuality is practically a cultural hallmark – something Paula realised within weeks of moving to the Netherlands. ‘Whenever we met in the city or at a bar, everyone would arrive ten minutes early, while I would usually be ten minutes late.’

‘The Dutch are very cheap, they really tikkie each other down to the smallest thing’

How do the Dutch get to a party they are early for? Probably by cycling through rain, wind, fog, drizzle and more rain. Kudos to them for being sustainable, one pedal at a time.

Barring punctuality and directness, their approach to money is another aspect that stands out to internationals, and it is a stereotype that draws mixed reactions.

‘The stereotype about the Dutch being frugal and stingy is very real’, Nora says. ‘I don’t think I have ever been to a country where people were more cheap. They really tikkie each other down to the smallest thing.’

 The Dutch have no problem in indulging in self-deprecating humour 

While some internationals find the Dutch approach to money takes getting used to, others say the stereotype of Dutch frugality does not always hold up. ‘Most Dutch people I have met are generous, so I do not really have experience with someone stingy’, says Lucien.

While internationals frequently discuss traits often associated with the Dutch, the Dutch themselves have no problem in indulging in self-deprecating humour. We certainly admire their self-awareness, along with the fact that they are not easily offended.

After spending over two years in Groningen and a lot of time with Dutch people, Paula finds herself adapting well to the Dutch culture. ‘The things they do are very functional, they do not want complications. I realise it is just how they express things.’

Internationals who have just arrived will rapidly learn: you’ll get used to anything

Lucien wants to debunk the stereotype that Dutch people are introverted and closed off. He held that stereotype himself when he arrived in Groningen five years ago. ‘It is quite the opposite, though a lot of them do tend to stay within their Dutch circles.’
Internationals who have just arrived will rapidly learn: you’ll get used to anything. For Paula, Nora and Lucien, what once seemed blunt, now feels refreshingly clear, and the stinginess they once perceived turns out to be practical. While these Dutch stereotypes may set the stage and contain an ounce of truth, living in the culture adds warmth, as well as an appreciation for the quirks that make it unique.

Illustration (fragment):  cover of Going Dutch, a crash course in understanding the Netherlands! by Ricky van Duuren