Dealing With the Dutch: The Cultural Context of Business and Work in the Netherlands in the Early 21st Century (Living and Working in Other Cultures) [Paperback]

Jacob Vossestein (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2001 | Series: Living and Working in Other Cultures

The Netherlands is a thriving transportation hub for Europe, and a booming center for banking and energy sectors, and other innovative industries. Thousands of expatriate executives and their families are transferred to Holland annually; and hundreds of thousands of visitors come on business. People from all corners of the globe come into contact with Dutch colleagues and contacts, both in the Netherlands and in their own countries. They all have to "deal with the Dutch," and although the Dutch are becoming more and more cosmopolitan, aspects of their character and behavior still surprise many people.For instance, the directness of the Dutch, their critical attitudes, and sometimes slow decision-making processes are some of the characteristics that foreigners notice immediately, and may find frustrating. While the Dutch may drive a hard bargain, once agreement has been reached, their word is their bond. They are also noted for their thoroughness, and their energy and ingenuity in discovering and exploiting new business opportunities. Expatriates working in the Netherlands point out that it is the underlying values and norms of the Dutch that puzzle them most and sometimes irritate them. For anyone traveling to the Netherlands on business, to live and work in the country, or for anyone who may have regular contact with the Dutch abroad, this unique book - written by a Dutch author - will ensure more effective and enjoyable business and social relations.This new edition both follows the first in covering Dutch values and norms, and presents an up-dated picture of the latest economic, social and cultural changes in the country.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Jacob Vossestein is a human geographer and social anthropologist who has visited more than 60 countries. Since 1984, he has been a cross-cultural trainer, mainly at the Royal Tropical Institute (KIT) in Amsterdam. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 112 pages
• Publisher: Koninklijk Instituut Voor de Tropen; Revised edition (April 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9068325639
• ISBN-13: 978-9068325638
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 4.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.3 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,764,337 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A bridge connecting two cultures, May 8, 2000

By 

Wouter Wessel (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dealing with the Dutch (Living and working in other cultures) (Paperback)

As a Dutch-American cross-cultural trainer I have read the gamut of literature dealing with this subject. Mr. Vossestein's 'Dealing with the Dutch' is the most concise, clearly written book on the subject. The book's non-judgemental approach gives future immigrants to the Netherlands a thorough understanding of and a simple guide line to life in this fascinating land by the sea.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a mirror for Dutch abroad, June 28, 2004

By 

meulensteen (new york) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dealing With the Dutch: The Cultural Context of Business and Work in the Netherlands in the Early 21st Century (Living and Working in Other Cultures) (Paperback)

Most books on cultural stereotypes try to be funny. Often jokes work only for those already in the know, or worse, they are misleading to those who aren't.
Aimed at expats and others working with the Dutch, Mr Vossestein has written a serious book. The goal is to inform, not to get cheap laughs (though many of the anecdotes from foreigners interacting with the Dutch are quite entertaining).
Perhaps the greatest value of this book is as a mirror for Dutch travelling abroad. After all, understanding other people's culture starts with understanding your own. This book should be compulsory reading for all Dutch expats.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Please reprint this excellent book, August 23, 2000

By 

sarah - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dealing with the Dutch (Living and working in other cultures) (Paperback)

This is the best introduction to Dutch business culture available. It is uncluttered, and makes connections between different aspects of Dutch behaviour to develop a broad picture suitable for business people from any background.