The Dutch way of socializing

This video is a part of a free online crash introduction to living in the Netherlands, “Feeling at Home”. Learn more about building your life in the Netherlands: • Top tips for feeling a...
ABOUT THIS VIDEO:
The Dutch Way of Socializing
In this video, we talk about the Dutch way of socializing. Dutch people cherish their close-knit circles, but that doesn’t mean they’re not open to making new friends. Hear top tips for meeting new people, ideas for bonding activities, and learn the basic customs for attending dinner parties and birthday celebrations.
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Municipality of Amstelveen
WEBSITE: www.amstelveen.nl/english

[@Dutchbelg3]

Connecting to Dutch people is not always that simple. The way you would connect to people in your home country is sometimes not very effective. But in this video great tips are given to connect! If you want to connect to your neighbors ring their door and invite them over for a coffee (of course let them pick the date and time ;-) ) That date could be in a week ... This trick does not always work.. Some people just don't want to connect. But most of the Dutch will be won over by such act of kindness.

[@Uducan1]

no you just have to tell them there a 'vieze kanker hoer' it means youre a nice person in dutch

[@paulinebrus7580]

I am Dutch and I really do not like smalltalk. Or say hi to strangers on the street. Not everyone is the same. Like in every country. But inviting new people/friends to you home is a great advice.

[@Mr.deBest]

nou hallo zeggen op straat tegen een vreemde is makkelijker dan een vreemde vragen of die bij je thuis wil komen. zou gewoon beginnen met hi. en als je geen zin heb, na dan toch niet

[@paulinebrus7580]

@@Mr.deBest dat is het precies. Ik heb er gewoon geen zin in ;) 't is niet dat ik het niet kan ofzo haha. En dat is in contrast met wat er in de video gezegd wordt, dus vandaar dat ik het beschreef

[@mavadelo]

I haven't had a watch and/or agenda since I left school a good 4 decades ago. Nobody of my friends has an agenda. I don't know where this "they plan everything" comes from because nobody I know does that. The only thing I ever plan is my vacation. 4:35 might be the best tip in this video. Don't try to emulate our culture when we visit you, show us yours.

[@edgaracostadavila204]

One way to connect with them: invite them to your house. You prepare everything. I am Latin in Mexico we are used to used the agenda for work related things, but not for enjoying life… the last part has been the hardest for me. For me still enjoying life is latin, free your mind, enjoy!!!

[@lexburen5932]

we dutch people do enjoy life without agenda. But some people are very busy and they need to know where and when they have time, so they have an agenda to make sure they have time FOR YOU. :)

[@positivenergylife]

Guys what you do/did here is incredible! Your videos touch my heart very deeply, maybe because i love Dutch people and your videos are just so true ;)

[@CrownRider]

The Dutch small talk is nothing compared to what the Americans do. Nice video, thanks.

[@s.b.907]

For me planning meeting friends is mostly because I respect their time and privacy and most of all because when I see them I want to give them my undivided attention. Especially friends I do not see that often because they live further away or I know they have a busy life. Other friends I just call, hey you are doing something now? Shall we hang out. Or I call them around lunchtime and ask if they would like to have dinner together. No? No biggie.

[@black4pienus]

But we know who we can call to hang out on the moment. We wouldn't call just anybody. Some friends and family members appreciate a date and time. Sometimes because they're busy people and sometimes because it's easier to plan it and/or don't want to take the other of guard.

[@dotheyfloat9961]

With my friends in the UK, when you say to be somewhere at say 5pm, then it really means be there around 6:30pm... and that means I get there around 7pm just to make sure everyone's already there.

[@mariadebake5483]

Don't do that here.....

[@nova_verse6284]

That will not fly in The Netherlands lol..

[@millennial_bug]

Hoauhaha great, like here in Italy

[@lexburen5932]

we wont like that in the netherlands.

[@xxxx-qo9dh]

Never ever come 15 minutes early or late, that is not respectful. 5 minutes is okay, never more than that.

[@lexburen5932]

one distinction between small talk in the netherlands, and the usa is, is that if we small talk we mean what we say, and we say what we mean, while in USA and other country's people tend to talk around things, wich makes communicating less efficient difficult and unpleasent

[@ritassali1360]

I doubt your statement Dutch people aren't straight at all.

[@akasidina1708]

​@@ritassali1360they are

[@xxxx-qo9dh]

@@ritassali1360we definitely are straight and direct as well. You are actually doubting a Dutch person, doesn’t make much sense to me.

[@Dimmabangz]

@@ritassali1360you’re not wrong white Dutch people in particular are far from straight forward and have the same weird trait in common that they talk/complain around things before ever being straight forward and this is from young to old people. Not one person can convince me that my fellow Dutch people are not back handed people that will not directly speak their mind but rather poke and ask around about who they want to know something of instead of getting to know the person they talk about and if someone is going to try and convince me of the opposite bro je moeder hè wegwezen kk boef

[@cutebear1817]

Dutch are not actually direct at all I'm sorry...I find them to be not like this AT ALL. I do not know where this stereotype is from...I spent most time in Zuid Holland. Personally...I feel that Dutchies need a bit of self examination too much pride

[@budrager]

I grew up in The Netherlands and all my friends are Dutch but we don’t plan ahead unless it’s a big event. I refuse to engage in the whole agenda game it’s so rigid and unnecessary.

[@dsgarden]

How to connect with Germans or Dutch: enrol in a kindergarten

[@natic.1971]

🥰🥰

[@RickJoystick]

Die blonde in de duimnagel is echt knap joh

[@sumimaind]

When I loved in The Netherlands people were very cold and hard to socialise with. I ended up being friends only with international people

[@sumimaind]

*lived

[@Harry_PP030]

Did you try to connect?

[@mactrek2]

@@Harry_PP030 Trying to connect isn't always successful. I'm still trying to connect even though I've lived here for more than 30 years. Living in a village I'm still seen as an "outsider". My Dutch fluency perfect so not speaking the language isn't the problem.

[@Harry_PP030]

@@mactrek2 That's strange, my Sint came from Africa and didn't sprak the language and looked completely different from the people in het New Dutch village. Within a short time she had friends and neighbours coming over and visiting her and my uncle. They still live there among their friends.

[@xxxx-qo9dh]

@@mactrek2yeah, village-people hard a tough crowd. They are all family of each other, and even as a Dutch person, you will never feel welcome, you will never be invited for even a cup of coffee, I don’t even try anymore.

[@qualitytraders5333]

We Dutch don't socialize. For instance in the office we have friendly colleagues but no friends. Our friends are mostly family and neighbors. We invite those for drinks at home. We also have drinks or other activities with colleagues but in a "neutral" venue like a café or bar. As a foreigner don't expect to be invited in their home or expect them to accept your invitation. We're like Scandinavians. We will tolerate speaking English for 15-30 minutes and stop the conversation telling you we have things to do.

[@Theguzm4n]

This man is just a grumpy, and is quite gay. You see were Nice people and will make friends everywere. Thats Why you don’t have to worry. Just don’t be like this guy.

[@xxxx-qo9dh]

Talk for yourself, not everybody is like you

[@Theguzm4n]

I see so many comments explaining how Dutch people are, like they are experts About the Dutch culture. Let me tell you just be normal and yourself and do not take Any advise from onze “culturele experts”

[@steffanfockenssf]

Im 38 dutch, and dutch arent great (Bonders) we do know how too party (hense our agenda,s) 🎉

[@diarmuidcooney9347]

Dutchies just stick with dutchies

[@xxxx-qo9dh]

You couldn’t be further from the truth with your comment