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Meeting people
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This is a web link, which will open a new browser window.How to tell if you are Dutch   This is a web link, which will open a new browser window.Dutch culture at hollandring.com


Although the Dutch are known to be a direct and fairly extraverted lot, they generally do not invite you to their home unless you made your way into their circle of close friends and family. This is Holland, not Spain or Italy.

You meet acquaintances at work, in the pub, at the gym, at school, or at your hobby club. Once you are invited to someone's home, your status has been upgraded from acquaintance to friend. Note that you are now expected to attend every birthday party in the family.

Expat communities

When making your first steps into Dutch society, you may find it helpful to get in touch with fellow countrymen who have been precisely where you are now. One of the richest resources for expats in Holland is This is a web link, which will open a new browser window.expatica.com. Also check the This is a web link, which will open a new browser window.expat groups on American Vlaai and the expat groups listed on Internal link dutch culture and society. Some groups only meet on the internet but others get together in real life too.

Clubs and community

Become a member of the gym, enroll in a pottery course or join the local philatelistic society. If you do not have a paid job, get engaged in This is a web link, which will open a new browser window.community work.

Meeting people on the internet

If you do not feel like leaving your home, there is always the internet. There are many dating sites where you can meet Dutch people or even people from other ethnic groups in Holland as advertized by This is a web link, which will open a new browser window.etnodating.nl. When you sign up (usually for free), you can search for people that match the criteria you are looking for.

Other main dating Dutch sites include This is a web link, which will open a new browser window.dating.nl, This is a web link, which will open a new browser window.datecom.nl and This is a web link, which will open a new browser window.iwannadate.nl