Kicking It With The Dutch
On
Friday we met with Jacob Vossestein, a senior consultant with the Royal Tropical Institue and the author of Understanding The Dutch. Vossestein leads an “Understanding the Dutch” seminar for international employees working in The Netherlands. He met up with us and gave us an introduction to Dutch culture, history and behavior. We also discussed differences between American and Dutch culture and identity.
Vossestein noted that many of the differences between American and Dutch culture stem from the different relationships we each have with our government. While Americans celebrate the birth of our country; many European nations, including the Dutch, can’t place the birthdates of their countries. Vossestein characterized the relationship between the Dutch and the government as long established and trusting. The Dutch place a high premium on the Dutch National identity, with a focus on being local not global. The government sponsors Dutch-citizenship classes for immigrants to encourage assimilation. The idea of American identity is constantly being questioned and redefined by Americans themselves, while tradition and government with a “top down” approach dictate the Dutch identity.
While America is composed mainly of immigrants and our national character, attitudes and identity are affected by the diversity of our population, Vossestein explains that The Netherlands never wanted to be a nation people immigrated to. Vossestein characterizes the Dutch as mostly tolerant, except when it comes to Muslims. Around the time Muslim immigrants from Northern Africa and the Middle East started arriving with their families to work menial jobs in The Netherlands, the country was experiencing a waning of religious faith. The devout Muslims clashed with the more secular Dutch society. The very recognizable Muslim presence seems to threaten Dutch identity. Vossestein noted that Dutch see Islam as backwards almost and as standing against women’s rights. How can someone become thoroughly Dutch, incorporating the values of the culture when Islam comes with its own set of values?
Comments