I'm interested in terms of society, culture, politics… In what ways are Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland quite similar to the Netherlands. What are the striking differences? On balance, are the differences more significant than the similarities?
On a surface level they appear quite similar – both have a Protestant history, have a high standard of living, most of the nordic countries speak germanic languages… On the other hand, thinking about it, the Netherlands had more of a history of imperialism. Does the Netherlands have the same strong background in welfare-state/social-democratic policies as the Nordics?
32 comments
The Netherlands is more liberal, while the Nordics are more social-democratic. Not to confuse “liberal” with the American meaning of the word, denoting anything left-wing. It means specifically trade and market-oriented. You’ll see that in politics and in the culture. Some huge differences are in how prostitution is treated – a crime in Sweden and something legal in the Netherlands.
Yes, because we used to have the NAM which was a nationalised fossil company that funded the welfare system. Thesedays it’s in decay and couldn’t be compared to what they have in norway.
Netherlands is more individualized I think. It’s been very Americanized or so I’ve heard from others. I’m not sure about the Nordics but it seems they are more socialistic
There are some similar words shared among the different languages. [This site](https://www.makforrit.scot/scots/scots-an-ither-leids/) shows the similarities of some Dutch words with Norse, Svenska, Deutsch, Scots and English
In a global sense, we’re obviously very similar. But there are some obvious differences. One important one is how The Netherlands is a densely populated small and flat country, while the Nordic countries with one glaring exception are anything but.
Dutch people are also generally known as a little more liberal, open minded and free spirited while we’re more pious and closed off, especially when it comes to things like alcohol. Again though, I guess there’s one glaring exception among the Nordic countries.
Also, while Scandinavians and Icelanders speak a Germanic language and the Dutch do the same, the Dutch like to throw in a bunch of weird sounds so that while you can read Dutch and understand it just fine it’s hard to understand how the letters correspond to the sounds. It doesn’t really work that way in Scandinavia, apart from one glaring exception.
In short, there are some differences between us that make the Dutch different from our countries … with one glaring exception.
Denmark is by far the closest country to Netherlands in the Nordics in every single aspect. There’s just no question about that. Besides Denmark, the Nordics are usually a bit.. I dont know how to explain it. Lame? Stuckup? No chill? Not open for other ideas that goes beyond their own nose?
We, the Netherlands, are quite similar to Nordic countries in certain ways. Economically we thrive pretty well and we’re politically stable. We score high on the ‘happiness’ researches, always ranking top 10 of the world. Education, environment and health care are pretty high up the list, although Nordic countries are outpacing us fast here. Both regions are expensive, you need a pretty decent job.
As a foreigner you’ll notice NL and Nordic countries will immediately switch to English. If you try to speak Dutch and make 1 small error, the person you talk to switches to English. It’s a weird politeness that can be interpreted as rude (‘Oh, I suck at their language even though I’m trying very hard’. Dutch are bit more open minded, Nordics a bit more to themselves.
On first glance the people are very friendly, but as a foreigner it’s insanely difficult to make actual friends. You might catch occasional drinks, a party or a restaurant, but getting invited over for dinner or blending in perfectly with their friends is near impossible. Friends from high school are usually still around and regarded as ‘for life’ friends. Dutch, and Nordics, are pretty straight forward and will share their opinion. But they do keep certain parts of themselves hidden and making friends with them is very, very difficult.
Not sure about Nordics, but in the Netherlands we have collective individualism. Everyone wants to be unique, but you damn better not stand out too much. Buy the same white shoes, same brand clothing and don’t have too quirky hobbies. You can’t be too unique, don’t stand out. They always say Dutch people are somewhat similar to Americans in their individualism.
The country itself is of course very different. The Netherlands is insanely packed, flat, and the weather is all over the place. Nordic countries have some dense cities, but overall A LOT more empty space, variety and just more land surface.
I’m probably wrong on some parts, but this is my impression after having visited Denmark, Sweden and Finland. I’d say we mostly match with Denmark in terms of culture and habits.
As a neighbour of both, who visited the Netherlands a few times and lives now in Denmark, I’d say the Dutch are easier to get to know. The Danish are much more reserved, you can talk with them without getting to know the Dane.
Just calling us protestants doesn’t quite cover it. Calvinists are more like “Work hard and reap the reward”, and some, not all, Calvinists have traditionally linked wealth to the grace of God, while lutherans are more like “everyone are equal before God”, and Luther was pretty mad about wealth accumulation, especially when done by the Catholic Church, but also just in general. The man didn’t like rich people.
These dogmatic differences can still be seen in Northern European cultures, even today where the majority doesn’t actually believe in God or practice Christianity anymore.
Edit: Besides Holland another culture that is very much inspired by Calvinism is the USA. It’s not that Holland is more like the USA, it’s probably more correct to say that the US is more like Holland. The Puritans were reformists who were trying to get the Church of England to be more protestant, less Catholic. Their theology was highly inspired by Calvin.
Edit2: For example the first international Stock Exchange was founded in Amsterdam in 1611. And the Dutch East India Company was the first company to sell shares that was actively traded, marking the beginning of the modern-day stock market.
To me, they are very different. I have lived in the Nordics and the Netherlands, and they are very different. My impression is that Dutch people feel more kinship towards the Nordics than vice versa. I also think it’s easier to get to know Dutch people, or even befriend them. That being said, I felt more at home in the Nordics.
Some points I’ve observed:
– NL is more market-oriented (or “liberal” as some say) than many Nordic economies. These are much smaller and require more state intervention to deliver services of all sorts.
– While the Nordic economies are generally dependent on exports, NL has a broader reach globally due to its imperial history, which also makes it “more international” than Nordic societies. By that I mean that someone can easily relocate to the NL to work because the country has the infrastructure to accommodate this.
– On a policy level, I think NL is more proactive in EU affairs.
– In terms of domestic politics, all countries seem to prefer coalition governments of any political colour.
I as a Dutch person went to Sweden one time and Dutch people stick out a lot there by how much louder they are compared to Swedes.
Nederlands is the non Scandinavian country that most resemble Denmark. I have lived and worked in both of them, and in other EU countries.
Resembles in culture with traffic safety and lots of bicycle traffic. People might be financial well but they do not flaunt it.
Resembles in food taste with like herrings, rye bread, fresh milk, salty licorice. Things that are rare or not existing when you drive further south.
Dutch is the easiest language I have learned, but that is because I already spoke German, English and Danish. 😉
One big difference is that the Nordics are much more into their personal space. Since the Netherlands has much less space to population, its simply not possible.
The Nordics in general stands out in this way and it shows when they travel. If you really want to stress a Nordic person then put them at Times Square or a place like that where they cant have much personal space.
Having worked in the Netherlands and Nordics as an outsider I don’t think there are any real similarities past not Catholic, bland food and a tendency for blondness.
I would pay money to never work on a project in Sweden again but would consider the Netherlands as somewhere I could live.
It’s a completely different attitude. In the Netherlands there’s direct rudeness (and it is deliberate rudeness at times) but Sweden in particular has a very mean girl vibe. You know they’re being rude but they’re trying to hide it.
As for the Finns, I think they really need to be considered differently from the Nordics as they have a very specific attitude to life, more of a fatalistic approach.
I never understand why people link the Netherlands with the nordics. I see that most of the time the people who do are not from Europe. The Netherlands is not even really near the Nordics. You should compare the Netherlands with Germany, England and Belgium. The history is totally different also. Different type of Protestantism too. Way more densely populated.
When it comes to culture, there is no single Nordic one.
Fro example, in certain respects Denmark is more like the Netherlands than Sweden (alcohol consumption and the view of prostitution for example) while in other respects it’s closer to Sweden or Norway (language, for starters).
Maybe compare just to Scandinavian countries with their germanic languages. We do not exist here. And don’t dare to say anything bad about our siblings. Other than that, please do continue and don’t mind us.
It depends.
In general I think that Netherlands is getting too expensive for the middle class.
In the Netherlands the childcare is expensive if you earn more than a minimum salary. Me and my partner earn around 5500 euros in total per month, we pay around 900 euros for the childcare for 2 children.
Our costs for a month is around 3500 euro (mortgage, childcare, different insurances and taxes).
Around 1000 euro goes to groceries and we are not even that fancy, I mostly shop at Lidl.
On the other hand, the clothes and house appliances are cheap, I think (but not 100% sure) it is the cheapest in central Europe.
As a Dutch person who’s been to Denmark, I think they’re as similar to us as it gets (more than Germans and Belgians). I see Danes as slightly richer, more socialist, slightly more introverted Dutch people.
The Duch are kind of weird, like the open curtains, red light districts etc? But very relatable, liberal, tolerant, such excellent English. And even with just second hand Swedish (as a Finn) the language makes a certain sense, apart from the guttural things – how can you speak Dutch with a flu? An enlarged Nordic Council would surely include the Netherlands along with maybe Scotland and Estonia 🙂
There is much more inequality in the Netherlands. The Nordic countries are very egalitarian, and people frown upon showing excessive wealth. People in the Nordic countries are also less self-centred and more willing to contribute to the common good. Dutch people are highly allergic to taxation, especially the rich ones.
Still, the Netherlands is probably the closest of European countries to the Nordic countries.
Denmark and the Netherlands are the most similar. Both very mercantile, built on trade by sea. Both countries are also very flat and have intense farming, greenhouses and dairy production.
Sweden, Finland and Denmark are quite different amongst them. Denmark are closest culturally to The Netherlands.
Working at a company that has offices in both all the Nordic countries, and in the Netherlands, I actually think the culture is quite different (it might just be this company, but it’s a large one).
The people from the Netherlands have a more US-oriented mindset, whatever your boss says is the law, less roam to think/plan things yourself, while in the Nordics, your boss (obviously has the final say also), but you are more free/open ti discuss things with them, and challenge their views on things. The same goes for planning your work, you have a lot more freedom in the Nordics, your manager is seen more as an equal, than someone above you.
There have been constant work culture issues when they started having teams consisting of both NL and the Nordic countries, neither side is happy, and it’s a topic that is brought up by both sides all the time, leading to people leaving the company because some teams have either turned into the NL way, or into the Nordic way.
Dutch culture seems more open-minded, in terms of like you do you.
Swedish (possibly other Nordic cultures) a bit more stuck up in there is a right and there is a wrong and we have to protect you from yourself. So like there is only one right opinion. Whether it be on drugs, prostitution etc.
I know many Dutch people, stayed there many times and had them come over to Finland. I really like them and feel like they’re mentally close to us.
They say things the way they are, are fun and open-minded and talk in normal voice unlike the hot-blooded Southern Europeans who are so full of drama 24-7.
Us Finns, like the Dutch also appreciate functionality, cleanliness and things that run smoothly in the society. Maybe they are more pervy than us, with their red lights district and all. But neither of us are prudes in any way!
https://www.reddit.com/r/Netherlands/comments/15mja27/how_different_is_the_netherlands_from_the_nordic/
It is my own post from a few years ago. You are welcome
Copenhagen is the most Dutch looking city outside of the Netherlands.
Overall Denmark gives me Dutch vibes and that’s why I’m madly in love with both countries haha
As many have pointed out, the Nordic countries vary a lot depending on where you are. Its not just between countries, its also within.
Living in Skåne, the absolute south of Sweden, there are probably several cultural aspects in which we are closer to Danes in Copenhagen and Helsingör than Northern Sweden.
But I think there is a certain “Nordic cultural universe” on some fundamental cultural identity level which is very hard to define that sets us apart from the Dutch and the Germans.
Maybe it is the experience of the darkness, maybe it is a shared history, maybe it is cultural quirks like “the jante law”, or a mix. Obviously language (sorry Finland) plays a big role too.
I also feel like somehow our self image comes very much from reflecting ourselves in eachother, and then “the Nordics” on rest of Europe.
But probably much of this is imagination, and in a real life meeting I would have a lot incommon with a Dutch person too. The Netherlands always seemed like the most similar country to us in all of Europe, and for some reason after them, Austria. Maybe because Germany is too big.
I have experiences with the Icelandic and Dutch culture, but to me at least, I saw very few similarities, besides them obviously being “western”. I functioned better in the Icelandic culture, which I felt had way more of “we all know everyone here, let’s keep everyone as friend”, while to me the Duth are incredibly focused on “I don’t care about this person, so let me make sure I get my way”. I guess overly solution-focused without regard for how that could affect future relationships?
While I felt that in Iceland, everyone is generally quite accomodating to others, and would only critique someone if they’re close enough that the relationship won’t suffer or if they present it in an accomodating way.
Although, now that I think about, I perceived neither culture as very ‘polite’, rather very informal versus very confrontational.
>the Netherlands had more of a history of imperialism.
Oh, boy….. Google “Pays-Bas: le scandale du racisme fiscal”
Th Cavinist vs Lutheran divide continues to be felt, 500 years after the Reformation. Both are egalitarian societies, but Lutheranism puts more emphasis on conformity and authority. There is a distinct combination of orderliness and dissent in the Netherlands – a contrarian, even slightly libertarian streak, that differs from the conformity and obedience of Scandinavian societies.
There are more pronounced subcultures in Dutch society than in Scandinavia: historical pillarisation. That is reflected in a distinctive Dutch politics of negotiation and compromise (‘we disagree profoundly and openly, but we have to work together’), as opposed to the more Scandinavian politics of genuine comsensus (‘we all think more or less alike’).
Give a group of Dutch a problem, and they will argue about it, each sharing their own opinion, and then eventually they will reach a pragmatic solution. Give a group of Swedes a probem, and they will all sit in silence because no one wants to risk saying something controversial.
It is also reflected in the difference between the welfare-state, social-market models adopted. The Dutch system is less statist. It achieves egalitariam and redistributive common good goals, but compares to Scandinavian systems makes much more use of the private sector, and especially of non-profit, non-state (social, rather than public) institutions.
Added to this, the Dutch are an essentially commercial people. They are buyers and sellers. They are not really makers. Scandinavian wealth is founded originally upon industry: mines, iron foundaries, munitions factories. The Dutch mind is open to innovation and opportunity, if they can spin a Euro or two out of it. The typical Scandinavian mind is less entrepreneurial, but more exacting in terms of quality and precision.
That is just my POV as an outsider who has spent many years working in the Dutch office of a Swedish organisation, and who has studied the histories and politics of the Netherlands and Sweden.
(Caveat: I have just realised that when I have been referring to ‘Scandinavia’, I am really only reflecting on my experiences of Sweden, and Swedish acquaintances and colleagues. I do not know much about other Scandi-nordic countries.)