Differences in mentality

Differences in mentality between Dutch and Germans

It’s hard to determine whether the Germans and the Dutch like each other or not. Do they have an identical mentality or do they differ greatly? This answer is also hard to find. The regional neighborhood shapes and there are identical tribes like the Frisians and the East Frisians. Driving in the Netherlands, whether with your own car or with a rental vehicle, is no different than in Germany as far as traffic rules and road construction are concerned. And there are not hundreds of cars with caravans on the motorways. That is a prejudice.

How accurate are the Dutch, though? They have a sort of code of etiquette. This governs social behavior and is considered important. Some customs may not be common in all regions. Nevertheless, it can be said that Dutch society is egalitarian, individualistic and modern. People are proud of their cultural heritage and they tend to see themselves as humble, tolerant, independent and self-reliant. They value education, tolerance, diligence, ambition and ability in others. And are comparable to Germans in many of these attributes. However, it is harder to integrate in the Netherlands because of the mentality. This may be because Dutch people are quite egocentric. They think of themselves first and see it that way themselves, as the Internet proves. They speak discreetly and with a lot of eye contact, but are generally very honest and direct. To a foreigner, this can seem intimidating, especially in cultures where issues are discussed with extreme care and politeness. When speaking, Dutch people avoid superlatives, it’s noticeable. If something is “not bad”, “okay” or “nice”, this should be perceived as praise. If you go into a shop, you should not become private and avoid personal questions. This sort of thing is not common and comes across as pushy and rude. People are generally very reluctant to talk about money. Bargaining is uncommon, this should also be kept in mind in shops.

The mentioned honesty is a big difference to the Germans. Not that the latter are fundamentally dishonest, but the Dutch know no taboo in terms of topics. They express their opinion openly and honestly. And this can feel in unpleasant situation. Since they are nevertheless reserved, at least towards their private affairs, there is always the danger that the foreign interlocutor shoots as a reaction too far over the target.

All reputable hire car companies have branches in the Netherlands. It is possible to book the vehicles in advance or go directly to a store. Customer friendliness is very important, performance and service have an international standard. There should be no language problems either, as many Dutch people speak English and some also German. Even if there are differences in mentality, it is not difficult to get along in the Netherlands. You should just not let it hang out that you are a German and therefore something better. It the prejudice that Germans like to behave that way, and of course the Dutch understandably do not like such things.