• Dutch manners are frank which can be described as a no-nonsense attitude, informality combined with adherence to basic etiquette. This might be perceived as impersonal by some other cultures but is the norm of the Dutch culture. As always, manners differ between groups. Asking about basic rules will not be considered impolite
• Shake hands with everyone present – men, women, and children – at business and social meetings. Shake hands again when leaving. Introduce yourself if no one is present to introduce you. The Dutch consider it rude when you do not identify yourself
•  The Dutch value privacy and seldom speak to strangers. It is more likely that they will wait for you to make the first move. Do not be afraid to do so
•  The Dutch expect eye contact while speaking with someone
• Food does not play a major role in hospitality as it does in many other cultures. It is not considered essential for making someone feel welcome. Do not expect to be served a meal unless the invitation specifically mentions a meal
• Men should wait until all women are seated before they sit. Allow the hostess to start eating and drinking before you eat
• The Dutch prefer fashions that are casual, unpretentious, conservative and subdued. A traditional suit and tie are required only in certain circles of business and government
• When invited to someone’s home, bring a small gift for the hostess. Bring children a small gift or candy. Sending flowers before or after the party is also appropriate

The Netherlands has only a few official public or bank holidays. Most of them take place between April and May. Here you have an overview:

• 1 January: New Year’s Day
• March/April: Easter
• 27 April: King’s Day
• 5 May: Liberation Day (it is a national holiday only every five years)
• 40 days after Easter: Ascension Day
• 7 weeks after Easter: Pentecost
• 5 December: Saint Nicolas’ Eve
• 25-26 December: Christmas

On 27 April the Dutch celebrate King’s Day, the birthday of King Willem-Alexander. That day the King, Queen and several other members of the Royal Family visit a town that has a central function in its region. The town offers a range of festivities such as a parade and musical performances. The Royals meet locals along the route, and this event is broadcast live. If 27 April falls on a Sunday then it is celebrated the Saturday before.

The Dutch Royal Family’s name is ‘van Oranje’ (of Orange) and everything of that colour is in their honour. Most people are dressed in orange, and you see orange flags, wigs and face paintings.

In some towns King’s Day starts on King’s Day’s eve (King’s Night) with music and this goes on for the whole night.

On the day itself almost every city, town, and village offer the public the chance to trade on the streets without a licence. This is called a flea market. If you want to find a free space to sell your things, you need to be early as the places are available on a first-come, first-served basis. The prices charged are very low and the average earning on the day is €100. Payment is always in cash.Al

All over the country there are musicians on the streets as well as parties and concerts.

The celebrations only stop when King’s Day is over.

During the evening of 4 May each year, the Dutch commemorate civilians and members of the armed forces of the Kingdom of the Netherlands who have died in wars or peacekeeping missions since the beginning of World War II. This commemoration is called Dodenherdenking (Remembrance of the Dead). There is a national ceremony at the Dam in Amsterdam where the King and Queen are present. At 20.00 there is a two-minute silence which is respected all over the country. The ceremony in Amsterdam is broadcast live.

On 5 May the Dutch celebrate the liberation of the Netherlands from Nazi Germany in 1945. They understand the importance of freedom, democracy and human rights. This day is not necessarily a day off from work. If people do get the day off it depends on the agreements made by their employer and trade unions. Usually, it is agreed that employees receive a day off every  five years.

Activities are organised all over the country and these differ from one town to another.

Sinterklaas is an annual tradition in the Netherlands that starts with a grand arrival mid-November and ends with big celebrations on 5 December.

The Character and his Arrival 

Sinterklaas himself (St Nicholas) is depicted as a dignified bishop with a golden staff wearing a long red robe and a tall pointy hat called a miter. He arrives in the Netherlands by steamboat from Spain mid-November and is accompanied by his helpers, the Pieten (Petes). The exact date of his arrival varies by year but is always marked by major televised parades and street celebrations where Sinterklaas throws sweets and kruidnoten (small gingerbread biscuits) to children. Traditionally the Pieten had their faces painted black, but since this was seen as racist they now usually sport soot marks rather than full blackface.

In the weeks leading up to Sinterklaas, children leave their shoes by the chimney hoping to find small treats like marzipan, chocolate coins or kruidnoten inside the morning after.

The Eve (5 December) 

The main event occurs on the evening of 5 December, known as Pakjesavond (St Nicholas Eve, gift evening). Families and/or friends gather to exchange gifts and the presentation is often theatrical with humourous poems that tease or praise the recipient. The gifts are sometimes hidden in creative places or delivered by Sinterklaas himself with a ring of the doorbell, accompanied by the helper’s footsteps on the stairs. Children leave their shoes by the window or a fireplace on the night of 4 December, hoping Sinterklaas will leave a gift inside. Those aged up to 8 or 9 years still believe Sinterklaas is real.

Sinterklaas is not to be confused with Christmas where, for many Dutch people, Christmas Day (25 December) is a quiet family holiday and Sinterklaas is the festive, gift-giving occasion.