Today I have a silly article from Jan who runs Netherlands Tourism. No, this isn’t the official Dutch Tourist office, but his blog about things to do and see in the Netherlands (not Holland…).
Jan is poking a bit of fun at himself and his fellow Dutch People by writing a list of things that annoy them – a bit tongue in cheek!
You can follow him on Twitter and Facebook!
Jan has also produced a 200 page free guide on Amsterdam that you can download too.
Amsterdam is one of my favourite cities, and I’d definitely love to go back there one day, hopefully very soon so I can check out more of the Netherlands!
Anyway, here it is!
How to piss off Dutch people
So you’re traveling to the Netherlands and are already interested in how to piss off the locals… hmmm interesting:)
Well better be prepared then! Let’s analyze those crazy Dutch and prepare yourself to be an annoying tourist.
First off it has to be said that the Dutch are often considered pretty rude themselves.
Not because they are trying to be rude, but because it’s in their culture to be direct and to the point, which can be considered rude by others…
So better not ask a Dutch guy how your butt looks in that pants, if you can’t handle the truth;)So by being blunt, the Dutch will not easily be offended.
Same goes for wishing they die of some awful disease… that seems to be common practice when you’re upset with someone, like your loved one (some strange cursing going on there).
So here’s what you can do to piss them off:
- Refer to their country as Holland. Although they cheer Holland themselves at soccer games it’s not allowed for foreigners to refer to their country as Holland… nope you should call it the Netherlands.
- Confuse them with Germans. Although they don’t really hate the Germans (in fact they’re jealous of their soccer achievements) they really do hate it when you confuse them with Germans… ‘You’re German right?’, ‘You sound German’.
- Mock their tradition of Sinterklaas and Black Pete. Tell them Santa clause is much better… or even worse tell them Black Pete is racist!
- Belittle their country… the Dutch complain a lot about their country, like many cultures I guess, but they truly hate it when an outsider does this:)
- Ride around on a bike in an area designated for pedestrians only:P
- The Dutch are pretty friendly in traffic compared to others… so when someone’s in front of you at a stoplight, as soon as it gets green slam your horn:) And if you’re the one in front, drive away as slowly as possible.
- Ask why Belgians speak better Dutch then the Dutch themselves.
There you go! Here is your definitive guide from a local Dutch guy on how to offend Dutch people!
Having said that, I’ve found the Dutch to be pretty friendly and good fun. I reckon I’d find it hard to offend one easily!
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It’s not true about why we hate or used to hate the german, it’s because of what happen’t in the second world war. And some people are still bitter about that! But not me! I love to read this kind of stuff because most of it is true! haha
There’s always at least an element of truth in these!
There are actually three reasons why Dutch people dislike Germans.
1 – The occupation of Holland during WW2
2 – The lost World cup Football final in 1974. Holland vs West Germany
3 – Germans can be rude on their beach holiday in Holland.
Neil, a Dutchy himself.
Ha ha!
1: no it makes us wanting to explain you that holland is just a part of NL
2: Yep, thats annoying
3: santa is better is just an opinion which doesnt get anyone pissed, tell its racist and, no actually just dont do that then you are an asshole.
4: No, sometimes i would even agree with you for being against the country, there are a lot of ignorant or stupid people or people that dont understand english
5: Doesnt that piss off anyone?
6: No, dont do that then you are an asshole you shouldnt waste everyone’s time just because you feel like pissing off someone
7: Doesnt piss off anyone (again) it would just makes us want to explain you that there are big differences.
to be honest, I truly hate dutch people, me myself am one, I am asian and born as a dutch child, my whole life I have been hearing asian insults all over the country, I’d rather leave than to stay in this shitty country that everyone is calling, nice and all that kinda crap, I am 18 and I know where I talk about. so please if you’re asian stay the hell out of this shitty country.
P.S.
IU am probably gonna get insulted again because it’s the truth.
I used to work in a customer service line for more then a decade and in my opinion, most dutch people are brutally honest and they love to complain. They will try to find the slightest mistakes in anything and everything and will shove it to your face (even if it is not our fault, but most of them do not even care) I always try my best to be extra nice to them but sometimes, it does not work at all. One of the main reasons that I quit my job is because of them. Sad but true…..