DCA - Holland - Frequently Asked Questions about Holland and the Dutch

Why are Dutch people so tall?

It must be genetic and they are getting taller and taller. The Dutch are actually the tallest in the world. According to some people we met, the sole reason is because 50% of the country is above sea level and one wants to keep the head dry.

Is it true that Dutch people in Holland are always on holidays?

More or less. The law prescribes 24 days or so. In order to create jobs, the so called ATV (Work Time Reduction) kicked in in the eighties, which allowed companies to have the staff work for 40 hours, but be paid for 38 hours. In this way, you bank another 13 days a year by saving up those two hours per week. Add Christmas, Easter, Queen's birthday and a few more and indeed, the Dutch don't work that much. Interestingly, the productivity is somewhat higher than the US with two weeks holiday and way higher than Canada. The Dutch must obviously work smart, that is, if they work.

What is the difference between Holland, Dutch, Netherlands, Nederland, Pays-Bas?

The official name is "Koninkrijk der Nederlanden" (Kingdom of the Netherlands) and covers even six islands in the Carribean. It used to include Suriname in South America and Indonesia. Holland is the western part of the Netherlands and is split in two provinces: Zuid Holland and Noord Holland. It was Holland where most trade happened in the 17th century (look for VOC on the link section of our site). Zeeland is another province (one of the twelve) and New Zealand is called after the province of Zeeland. So a correct question is: Are you Nederlander? rather than 'Are you from Holland?'. the latter one will insult especially the Frisians from the north of the country, who don't consider themselves Hollanders, and even speak their own language. The city of Leeuwarden is called 'Ljouert' in Frisian, the town of Sneek is called 'Snits'.
And Pays-Bas, to confuse every one, is just the French translation of the English words low lands that is itself an English translation of the Dutch phrase nederland and of course the word Dutch is derived from Deutch meaning German in German (see below). Because this is all so logical Canada Post will deliver your mail to Holland, Netherlands, Pays-Bas or Nederland without problems as long as it isn't posted to Dutchland as it may end up in Deutchland, being Germany in German.

What is the capital of Nederland?

Amsterdam is the capital with most of the culture, Den Haag is where the government resides and Rotterdam is the world's biggest harbour. A common joke in Rotterdam is, that the money is earned in Rotterdam, divided in Den Haag (The Hague) and spent in Amsterdam.

Does everyone have a bike in Nederland?

We are not sure if everyone has one, there are even more bikes than people in Nederland. The country is flat as a pancake, distances are short and it is a cheap way of commuting. The country has heavily invested in bike lanes, separated from the road by some grass, a ditch or pavement. One can cycle dozens of kilometers, even into downtown Rotterdam or Amsterdam, without ever sharing the road with a car. Cyclists not only have their own lanes, they also have their own traffic lights, road signs and distance indicators.

Do you have windmills?

There are about a thousand windmills left, we believe. If you have a chance, visit a windmill inside. It is a beautiful piece of pre-industrial 'machinery'.

and how about the flowers?

Tulips are grown on a narrow strip behind the dunes in Holland. The soil is sandy, which makes it perfect for cultivating bulbs. Once the bulbs flower, the bloom is sheared off, so that the bulb can start multiplying. The blooms are used for futter. Seventy percent of the world production of bulbs comes from Nederland. Flowers are grown in the greenhouses and brought to an auction, to be sold to the highest bidder. Visit the Aalsmeer bloemenveiling. It is an attraction on its own. but get up early: by 6.30 am most business is done and the flowers are flown out of Nederland by 10 am! Be prepared for some walking. Loyal to the North American tradition to express surfaces in football fields, according to our math, the flower auction is the size of approx. 130 football fields. It is the biggest covered commercial building in the world and quite a site.

… and the wooden shoes?

Every family does have a least one pair of decorative wooden shoes, that we call klompen, but only the farmers still use them daily. They are well suited to walk around on the soggy farmland and we have quite a lot of that. But even city folk use them when working in the garden.
There is a traditional Dutch wooden shoemaker in Ottawa (klompenmaker), usually present at Dutch events as Koninginnedag, the Dutch Day in Merricksville etc. Or order your own Dutch clogs on-line (starting at $25) and have them shipped to Canada (approx $25).

How is the Dutch reputation?

Pretty good. The Dutch immigrants have a reputation as hard workers, yet laid back, reliable, intelligent. But the Dutch are also know as straight forward, which is sometimes considered rude and sometimes refreshing, depending who you speak to (and what you told them). We also seem to be a loud bunch with spoiled children as well and most of all, we always know it bloody better. This wouldn't be a problem if we were wrong afterwards, but we ARE right, that is so obnoxious for others.

Some Canadian mores: If you offer cookies, leave the tin on the table. Typically Dutch seems to be, that you offer one cookie and then store the cookie tin away again. People give one kiss, not three. You generally don't call someone after 9.30 pm (21.30h) and you never drop in unannounced. Canada is an early to bed country. It is common at weddings that you pay your own drinks (it is called a 'cash bar'). Don't say "No" but "I have to think about it" or say something like "mmm". Never use words like 'fucking (car)' instead say 'fricking'. Canada is a more polite country than Nederland so you have to adjust a bit.

What is the difference between Dutch and German

... and Why does Dutch sound like Deutch?

Dangerous and painful question. In the past Germany and Nederland where not the countries they are now. Germany consisted of hundreds of city states, counties, castles with land and Nederland was much different, with pockets owned by Austria and the Catholic church. One version says that the the whole lowlands of Nederland and northern Germany was referred to as 'Dietsch Land'. It becomes even more painful if we look to the Nederlands National Anthem: "Wilhelmus Van Nassaue, I am of Duitschen descent". Some people say that because Willem Van Nassau was German, one can safely sing it, others say it comes from Dietsch, therefore there in nothing wrong but other feel like they are singing they are from Deutchen (that is 'German') blood. The languages are closely related.

As for our relationship with England: The British began firing a volley of insults at the Dutch in the 17th century, when the two countries became fierce commercial rivals. Along with Dutch courage (you need a drink to be brave), Dutch treat (the person inviting you to a meal doesn't pay for you) and do the Dutch (kill yourself), a Dutch concert is a cacophony where no one is playing the same tune.

Do the Dutch care about their national anthem?

Usually only if they live abroad. Dutch soccer players chew gum during the anthem.

Is marihuana legalized in Nederland?

Sort of, you are allowed to grow marihuana for personal use we believe, and possessing less than 5 grams is a violation not a felony but still not legal. Coffee shops have become synonym for places where you can buy hash. Don't think that every Dutchman is continuously stoned, research learned that a higher percentage of the Americans smoked pot in their life than Dutch. It is just that the Dutch are more open about it and don't make such a drama of it. If you accidentally happen to walk into a coffee shop, do not panic.
Vancouver has a cafe called 'New Amsterdam' which is currently pushing the limits by allowing people to smoke pot in a glass box inside the cafe.

A dutchy is 20th-century slang for a pipe or other implement used to smoke marijuana, so now you know the origin of the lyrics to the song Pass the Dutchie

What is all that orange about in Nederland?

One of the Royal Family's last names is Van Oranje Nassau (there is that Nassau again). The House of Orange (France) so to speak, as that is where the family originally comes from. To show some (rare) patriotism, Nederlanders tend to dress orange on Queen's birthday or during international sports events. It really took off, when the soccer team (nicknamed "Oranje" finally) won from Germany in the European soccer championships after a world war and two lost world cups. Ever since, Dutch dress oranje as much as they can.
This is also the reason why ING Direct profiles itself in Oranje (ING is Dutch in case you didn't know), Oranje Vrijstaat in South Africa and the Orangemen in Ireland are all linked to that same Orange.

All quotes courtesy of Warren Clements