by Janice Byrd
What is now the country of the Netherlands was first Christianized in the eighth century. The first years of the Reformation begun by Martin Luther missed the Netherlands, but by the seventeenth century the second wave of the Reformation brought the Anabaptists, the Mennonites (founded by a Dutch Anabaptist Menno Simons), and the Calvinists. The Dutch even fought a civil war between the liberal and orthodox Calvinists.
The Netherlands won its independence from Catholic Spain, with seven Protestant counties and one Catholic. (The largest county was called Holland and to this day, the entire country of the Netherlands is often referred to as Holland.) Calvinism became the official state religion in the form of the Dutch Reformed Church.
Netherlands became a haven for all religiously persecuted people. The country gained a reputation for its tolerance, and immigrants poured into every area of the tiny country. By the end of the eighteenth century, half of Amsterdam’s population was first generation immigrants. French Huguenots and the Pilgrims from England also came to the Netherlands.
By the late nineteenth century, a system of four religious “pillars” had developed. The orthodox Calvinists, other Protestants (including Baptists), Catholics, and Jews, which were 1/8 of the population in Amsterdam, tolerated each other and coexisted peaceably, each in their own culture. This is the Dutch definition of “tolerance.”
During World War II, most of the Jewish population in the Netherlands was exterminated (the largest percentage of any country, including Germany). Like most European countries after the War, Netherlands began to secularize. It is now one of the least religious countries in Europe. By the end of the twentieth century, abortion, euthanasia, homosexuality, prostitution, and drug use had been legalized.
Dutch culture today tolerates practically anything and anyone. There is no death penalty and only a handful of people are ever incarcerated for more than five years because virtually nothing is illegal. The legality or propriety of any action is determined by the time, place and circumstance of its happening. There are designated places for legal drug use and prostitution. There are rules and distinctions for euthanasia and abortions which determine their rightness or wrongness.
The newest challenges to Dutch tolerance and “pillarization” are the Islamic immigrants from Indonesia, Suriname, Turkey, Iran, and Afghanistan. Only recently, after the murders of two Dutch leaders by Muslim extremists has the government started restricting its very liberal immigration policy.
The Dutch government is very socialistic–with universal health care, years of unemployment benefits at 80% of salary, and over three months of paid vacation time for everyone. The standard of living is high although the Netherlands has a higher density population than any country on earth including India and China.
Netherlands is a picturesque place, which still looks like the classic images of Holland. Old windmills and new ones are everywhere, especially in the south, as are dikes. People still wear wooden shoes in their gardens, and cheese is eaten at every meal. There are more kinds of yogurt than you can imagine. Jersey milk cows dot the landscape as do flowers of all types. May is tulip time, but the blooms don’t stay long on their stalks. Farmers cut them to allow the nutrients to go to the bulb, which is the real crop. If you are lucky enough to see the fields in bloom, you will be overwhelmed by their beauty!
The Dutch eat lots of bread! I once had a lady tell me that her husband was a diabetic and his doctor had restricted his bread consumption to seven slices a day! Breakfast is usually bread with cheese, jam, chocolate sprinkles, or meat. Lunch is always cold cut sandwiches. They don’t eat potato chips with their sandwiches and think it’s strange that we do. Chips are just for snacking. They put mayonnaise on French fries, but not on sandwiches. Potatoes are eaten with the evening meal which is usually earlier than other continental countries, around 5:30 to 6:00 pm. They love cookies of all kinds, but gingersnaps are a specialty.
There are whole parking facilities for bicycles. Bikes have their own lanes, lights, and the right of way. You will still see WWII vintage bicycles in use especially in the cities where newer ones would likely be stolen, and there’s really no need for gears. I’ve seen couples well into their 80’s with one on a handicapped scooter and the other on a bike. Don’t be surprised if you’re given the use of a bicycle while you’re staying in a home.
After a short time in the Netherlands, you’ll understand the meaning of our expression “Dutch treat.” (Of course, they have never heard of that expression and might be offended by your use of it.) The Dutch are not stingy, but their history as traders is embedded in their DNA, and their love of a bargain far surpasses the Scots’ idea of thriftiness.
Just about everyone except seniors speaks English or is learning it, which makes their propensity for frankness all the more direct. Don’t be taken back when a Dutchman asks you how much money you earn, why you are divorced, or any other personal question, even if they’ve just met you. The Dutch have an opinion about everything and they’re not timid about voicing it. They speak loudly and often sound rude to our ears. There’s no “beating around the bush” or any attempt at diplomacy especially in their second language.
The Dutch are the tallest group of people on earth which can cause problems considering the size of their homes and cars. Needless to say, they don’t require a lot of personal space and will stand inches away from you when talking. They love to brag about their country. From the way they talk you’d think they were from someplace really big—like Texas, instead of being from a very small country, much of it reclaimed from the sea.
The Dutch are deep thinkers, yet as fun-loving as the sailors. They are confident, resilient, and can laugh at themselves. They love their royal family, art, and the traditions that make them truly a unique people. They value education and order. They are punctual!
In my opinion, the Dutch are a lot like Americans. (Don’t point that out to them, however, unless you want an argument.) They like to argue amongst themselves, and the Baptists are divided between the union and non-union churches. They like to plan, organize, and direct activities. Sometimes their sense of tolerance makes them seem indifferent or two-faced. They hesitate to say that anyone is wrong. They root for the underdog–just like us. Unlike other European countries, they have sided with the U.S. on almost all international issues.
The Dutch Christians have asked to work with Americans. They admire our passion, efficiency, and ingenuity. They want to trust us. They just don’t want to be dictated to. They are indeed our “Dutch uncle.”