Well, it is based on my experience, I can't speak for everyone...
I just repeatedly got hounded and chastised for doing things that were "normal" for my culture (both Danish and American) but not "normal" for the Dutch. I know very well that different behaviors are appropriate or inappropriate in different cultures, I've lived in many countries, but I've never lived anywhere where the people I interacted with were as unforgiving of making mistakes about that.
I don't think that "every" Dutch person is like that, of course! It's just that I *kept* getting scolded, over and over, for just about anything I did that was un-Dutch. Perhaps I took it too personally, perhaps it was just the people I interacted with. I dunno.
Examples are: Complaining about an ache or pain, the weather, etc. Asking how much someone's car cost Making french fries in the deep-fryer for lunch Walking slowly Taking a longer time to get ready to go somewhere
All of these things are quite common in America, and most are in Denmark (the ones that aren't are very quickly forgiven)
Also I had to hear a lot of negative things about Americans. Don't get me wrong, I get it, but to be the skinniest person at a table of people ranging from slightly- to quite-overweight, and hearing about how all *Americans* are fat? :/ Or uneducated, or racist, or bigoted... and if I passed a generalization about the Dutch, I was the bad guy.
Again I'm not trying to say this is "every" Dutch person at all, but it's just a theme I encountered many times. It doesn't mean there aren't awesome, excellent qualities as well or that I disliked the place, but I did notice it.
Aah I see.. Your story actually made me smile because this behavior in Dutch people sounds so much like its from the north of the country. I myself am from the south, and i must say it irritates me when my family from the North say things in the same categories about me. (people from Limburg are very different compared to the rest. To everyones annoyment) I can say Dutch people don't really like complainers, and indeed think it's not-done when someone asks the price of their car ^^' i however am not at all like this.. But i do like 'our' humor. May i ask you, in what places have you been in Holland?
I'm confused, but I meant no offense, only humor.
Well, it is based on my experience, I can't speak for everyone...
I just repeatedly got hounded and chastised for doing things that were "normal" for my culture (both Danish and American) but not "normal" for the Dutch. I know very well that different behaviors are appropriate or inappropriate in different cultures, I've lived in many countries, but I've never lived anywhere where the people I interacted with were as unforgiving of making mistakes about that.
I don't think that "every" Dutch person is like that, of course! It's just that I *kept* getting scolded, over and over, for just about anything I did that was un-Dutch. Perhaps I took it too personally, perhaps it was just the people I interacted with. I dunno.
Examples are:
Complaining about an ache or pain, the weather, etc.
Asking how much someone's car cost
Making french fries in the deep-fryer for lunch
Walking slowly
Taking a longer time to get ready to go somewhere
All of these things are quite common in America, and most are in Denmark (the ones that aren't are very quickly forgiven)
Also I had to hear a lot of negative things about Americans. Don't get me wrong, I get it, but to be the skinniest person at a table of people ranging from slightly- to quite-overweight, and hearing about how all *Americans* are fat? :/ Or uneducated, or racist, or bigoted... and if I passed a generalization about the Dutch, I was the bad guy.
Again I'm not trying to say this is "every" Dutch person at all, but it's just a theme I encountered many times. It doesn't mean there aren't awesome, excellent qualities as well or that I disliked the place, but I did notice it.
"this water's too cold!"
Americans are the only people that complain about COLD water! Lmao
"Dude, that class is soooo boring, the teacher is just awful!" "Omg, I know, right?"
"Ughhhh it's so hot! I hate summer!" "Ew, me too. Especially the bugs!"
It's an important sociological tool to share experiences and make friends :) ...among other things
Your story actually made me smile because this behavior in Dutch people sounds so much like its from the north of the country. I myself am from the south, and i must say it irritates me when my family from the North say things in the same categories about me. (people from Limburg are very different compared to the rest. To everyones annoyment)
I can say Dutch people don't really like complainers, and indeed think it's not-done when someone asks the price of their car ^^' i however am not at all like this.. But i do like 'our' humor.
May i ask you, in what places have you been in Holland?