In this series, I will try to teach you some Dutch for Dummies, aka some must-knows when communicating with Dutch people. Because I’ll admit: we have some unique habits. Today, I’m discussing some things we will and will not do. Not all our eccentricities are shown through words, you know.
Yes, Dutchies are straight-forward. Direct. I won’t deny this, as you’ve probably experienced it way better than I ever will. But just because we say things like they are (or like we see them), that doesn’t mean that some sentiments are better expressed … differently.
Payment requests
This is a basic one, but worth mentioning nonetheless. We share each and every cost, equally. So don’t be surprised when you go out, your friend gets you a beer, and you wake up to a payment request the next morning (or afternoon). It usually doesn’t get as bad as the memes tend to imply (I’ve never heard of someone sending payment requests for literally a couple of fries), but it usually starts at a drink and only gets worse from there on out. Oh, and if you think you can get around that by simply not paying, I’m sorry, but you won’t. Dutchies check their bank accounts and will send you a “friendly reminder”. The good side to all of this, though, is that you can send payment requests too. Maybe you don’t want to, because you think it’s greedy, frugal, or rude, but if you’re ever short on money, don’t worry, just send the payment request. We won’t be surprised, and we’ll pay it (most of us, anyhow).
Impromptu get-togethers
Yeah, so these don’t exist (I figured I could get straight to the point with this one). Don’t expect me to be present at your impromptu nine pm get together with friends, if you’ve only invited me the evening of, or afternoon before. I don’t know why we don’t, but we just … need time to plan, I guess?
Eye contact
We love our eye contact. Whether you’re their student, their friend, or something they just met: they will not be able to keep their eyes off of you. I sometimes think it’s a matter of principle, to see who can keep the eye contact the longest. It’s not a weakness when you walk away and I’ve never noticed anyone being offended at me not being able to hold eye contact longer. So don’t stress about that! This point was mostly meant to inform you that no, they are not staring at you. Just … trying to make eye contact.
Congratulate everyone. Everyone
I don’t care who’s birthday it is or who’s graduated what: if you know someone who knows someone who is celebrating something, congratulate them. Congratulate your friend on the birthday of their parent. Congratulate your peer on the graduation of their sibling. Congratulate them on the celebrations of someone else. I cannot tell you why, but this one is kind of cute, isn’t it? Just everyone sharing in the happiness of someone else.
With this series, I don’t think I’ve solved anyone’s fear of talking to Dutchies. But hopefully, I provided a few tiny insights into communicating with us, the does and the don’ts. Now look at you, communicating with Dutchies like a pro!
By Rosalie
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Image: unsplash.com
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