The dutch serious? Thats the first time I hear that one. Usually we're told we're rude because we have a tendency to be honest and direct. Not directly offensive tho, we just speak our mind. We also don't avoid confrontation, if something bothers us we say so. At least a fair bunch of us. We don't only mind our own business, if you're loud enough for everyone to hear you can expect strangers commenting on it.
And the last thing I can think of Dutchies do that can be seen as rude is; we might push our opinion a little. (Ja toch of niet dan? Am I right?)
my daughter corrected me...she said you're not serious - you're cold....hahahaha...
that's what she calls it...
it's just that europeans tend towards the cold (as compared to americans)....if you want to call it direct....ok...i call it serious..
as opposed to american buddy buddy, glad handing, happy go lucky, chat you up, etc..
europeans just stare at you without smiling.....(the swiss are the absolute best at this....that stare down....always gives me the willies)...
northern europeans...or non-med europeans...
the french are rude....as are the spanish and the italians....must have something to do with the Mediterranean....
but in truth all of this comes under the definition of cultural differences...
what we, as americans perceive as being rude or cold or serious or indifferent is due to cultural misunderstandings...
it's all entertaining really...
i haven't lived in america for 35 years, but i'm still more american than anything else....
still too happy, too friendly, too loud, too chatty, too nosy, too opinionated, too everything...
but not rude or cold or serious....though that's a generalization too...
there are plenty of americans in that cold, serious, direct, unfriendly type....i went to school with some of them...
but no question that when americans find themselves in europe, there are plenty of cultural mishaps along the way..
and i'm guessing DLP has no shortage of them...
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