A while ago, I wrote a guest post for fellow travel bloggers of Always Trekking on 5 Differences between the Dutch and Poles (from a Pole’s perspective) and that made me think I should also share my thoughts here too, on my blog.
As I was living among Dutch people for a week (I know it is not enough to make objective comments or judgement), I was able to observe how they behave and live and confront it with the lifestyle and way of thinking of Polish people. Being in Holland actually made me realize how we (Polish people) differ from them (the Dutch) and here are the results of my observations:
#1 Dutch people are more domestic
This so amazing to look at Dutch families having fun on Sunday morning in the garden or having ice cream in the town. Without a doubt, Dutch people care a lot about their families and spend a lot of time together. The family always seems to go first. Grandparents take their grandchildren to football matches, parents watch TV with their kids, play in the garden and have a lot of fun together. Unfortunately, in most Polish families parents don’t find enough time for their kids. Everyone works their asses off to provide basic necessities for their kids so instead of playing football with their kids, parents work overtime at work.
#2 Dutch people smile more often
That worries me the most about Polish people. They don’t smile a lot. They do look so miserable when walking down the streets. They don’t say hi if they don’t know you. They don’t stop to wave at you. Everyone is busy, unhappy and looks pretty depressed, especially in big cities. It’s such a cold and unwelcoming atmosphere in some places in Poland and it scares tourists off. In Holland, locals wave at you in the street even when they don’t know you, they always say hi when they see you and stop to have a little chat. It is so polite, you wouldn’t believe it! They are very friendly and kind-hearted people. Poles, we need to smile more often, that’s for sure!
#3 Dutch people trust their neighbors a lot
In Holland, you can leave your front door open and nobody will walk in without asking your permission. Neighbors rely on each other, they trust each other and care a lot. It is something incredible! They pay each other unexpected visits, bring some shopping and invite each other for birthday and housewarming parties, Sunday BBQ or tea time in a garden. It might sound awful, but in Poland, some neighbors are real enemies. They compete against each other making sure they have a better car, better-looking house and so on. Sometimes this rivalry has no limits, and one thing is certain – you should not trust anyone in the neighborhood.
#4 Dutch people are frugal, but not stingy
There are some silly stereotypes about the Dutch in Poland such as they are tall and skinny like a stick and very mean and greedy. It’s true that many Dutch keep a tight watch over their money, but saying that they are greedy is way too exaggerated. They are definitely more money wise than Poles. We spend money on expensive holidays, nights out with friends, good cars and nice apartments. We don’t really save much, we don’t think about the future, we live like it’s gonna be the last day of our lives and there is one thing for sure – we should learn from Dutch people how to keep an eye on our savings (if we start having some at all).
#5 Dutch people are definitely more tolerant and open-minded
I am so sorry for all gay couples in Poland. They must be discriminated, people must be picking on them and give them dirty looks. Yeah, welcome to Poland – a country ruled by the Catholic Church which does not approve lesbian and gay couples. Actually, older people consider being a gay/lesbian as an illness and keep saying “it’s a disease of 21st century!” The majority of Polish society is disguised by them whereas in Holland nobody cares and you can express your sexuality without being judged. That’s right!
#6 Poles know how to have fun
We are very hospitable people especially when it comes to warm welcoming of foreigners with a few shots of vodka. It starts from just one and you end up on absolutely drunk and knocked down after few extra shots. When we have fun, we mean it and we dance and drink till the next morning, sometimes afternoon. Our weddings are so fun much fun while we enjoy the traditional Polish dishes between drinking and dancing. People go absolutely crazy with the alcohol, but I guess it will never change. We have it in the blood like Russians :). Dutch people, as opposed to Poles, prefer to party in a very posh, “well-behaved” way. They indulge themselves in a glass or two of red wine, they have a family dinner together, some cake, they chat a lot, dance, watch TV and play cards – all in moderation. Sorry, but we can’t do it this way!
What differences can you see between the Dutch and your country fellows?
54 thoughts on “Polish vs. Dutch people: How We Differ And What We Have In Common”
Ofcourse the Dutch being friendly and openminded is a slightly biased view, since those that are not so will never engage you in the first place, so you only meet the outgoing types, which i presume would skew your view of our little country. And while i know my neighbours to some extent (i recognize them and nod hello when i see them) i’d never leave my door unlocked, since that’s just asking to be burglarized (but maybe that’s just a general ‘big’ city thing all over the world (we don’t really have big cities ofcourse, but i digress)).
Also we don’t just party in moderation :)
Nice to read, although I am not so sure about our ‘well behaved way of partying’. Have you been to King’s day or any other type of festival really. Things get a bit uncivilized at those sometimes. :-)
My first orientation of Polish and Poland was through our late, beloved Saint Pope John Paul II as I’ve seen him twice during his Papal visit in the Philippines when I was a child and later in 1995 in college.
I have not traveled to Europe specifically to the the Baltic states but as I have been living in America for seventeen years now, all I have been drawn to more are Polish!
My bestfriend since 2002 is Polish. The first person at work to give me a gift for my soon-to-be born son in 2001 was Polish. The one who taught me how to drive, Mr.W is Polish. Then for 10 years now, my only neighbor on my right since I live in a corner house are an old Polish couple.They are quiet, hardworking, modest and helpful people. We do trust one another for mails, going on vacation, and help on garden work, and give each other presents on Holidays which we both share since we are both solid Roman Catholics.
To make it short, I love Polish people. There is so much in them that I see in our Filipino culture and that goes for other countries that has Spanish influenced in them.
My observations based on experience:
1) Polish like to drink, equally or more but not less than Russians!!!Hard or beer :) Wine, occasionally.
2) They work hard. They dont mind getting their hands dirty. Some are modest but others live beyond their means which happens to any other people from other countries even to natural-born Americans.
3) Polish men and women talk loud. They hardly whisper. They just enjoy conversations, up front or over the phone.
4) Polish are helpful people in any way they can to people they’ve built trust over the years especially.
5) Going to church on Sundays, Easter, and Christmas is a must unless you’re working or not feeling well.
6) Polish loves their food and other good food too. But no matter what, at least have some boiled potatoes, add some butter and dill on top if you can. :) Polish rye bread should always be available and sweets. =)
7) They expect women to take care of the cooking and clothes and Men, they do the rest, as in the rest!!!
And lastly, being in a relationship with a polish man for 3 years gave me more knowledge on my previously-learned Polish culture. They’re not complicated people at all. Very simple and easy to please. They can truly be your bestfriend in and out of bed! Thank you Agness for your interesting blog!~ Mary
Sorry but majority of your points are completely missed. Have lived in both Poland and Holland I found that polish people are definitely much more family orientated, although Dutch families are also close. Seems like an article written by insecure person. Sorry won’t be back again.
Mark, you seem very secure. Secure that you know you are an asshole. Fuck off and eat some keilbasa, moron.
I read the article (not all the commentary). I am an American traveling in Poland at the moment. I have been here over 2 months and traveled to many different cities. Polish people are remarkably loving and attentive to their children in public (from an American perspective). All the playgrounds all full of happy children and attentive, nuturing parents.
I’m Polish living in Spain and I disagree.. Poles and Spaniards have A LOT in common, especially rural Spaniards and Polish people. But of course naturally Spaniards are more similar to Italians and Poles to Slavs, Hungarians, Romanians etc. but living in England, Holland, and Spain I would say Poles are more like the Spaniards than they are north-western Europeans.
Very interesting point of view. I would not call Dutch people super warm people. They are polite that is true, that is why it looks like they are so friendly and open-minded. However, it is just an outside, I think most of them have a ”double face”, whereas polish people are more honest that is why it might look that they are not smiling to much, because they are not fake and don’t try to pretend for someone. I don’t know how about others, but honesty for me seems more warm than fakeness.
Thanks for sharing your opinion with us, Beata! ;)
Very good observation Beata!
As a Dutch person, i totally agree.
A big part of Dutch people has an ugly face hidden behind a friendly and polite mask.
Great read Agness!
Although i think your view of Dutch people is too positive.
I am Dutch myself and i don’t recognize the view that most Dutch people smile or wave their hands to unkown people.
And these days, only people in places with very few immigrants will leave their house without closing windows and locking doors.
And yes, native Dutch people are tolerant towards homosexuals, but muslim immigrants (a large group in Netherlands) are mostly very intolerant.
So funny….
When I was in The Netherlands, the nicest people I met were…Americans, Malaysian and some girls from other countries.
I won’t lie If I say that- the nicest was my Dutch cat and those American girls and few others.
Please bear in mind – smiling it’s not always related to good wishing. The fact some nationalities smile all the time, it doesn’t mean they wish you luck.
What about help that polish people provided to Dutch during the II World War?
Please don’t create a bad picture of your own nationality. It doesn’t look good.
Joanne