Belgian and Dutch Culture
There are many countries and regions that share a border and a language. Here are a few:
- Germany & Austria
- Canada & the United States
- The State of West Bengal & Bangladesh
- South America
- The Arab-speaking countries
- And probably more…
Then there is Belgium and the Netherlands (Ok, the Dutch-speaking part of Belgium).
My statement is this: “No two countries share a border and a language that differ more than Belgium and the Netherlands.”
Quantify the Differences between Belgian and Dutch culture
As you might know, I’m using an updated version of the so-called Hofstede model to quantify the differences between Belgian and Dutch cultures. Below is a table that gives you an overview of the above-mentioned countries and their respective score on the updated Hofstede model.
For a more extensive overview of these dimensions click here.
| Hierarchy | We versus I | Process versus Goals | Anxiety avoidance | |
| Germany | 37 | 65 | 67 | 68 |
| Austria | 21 | 57 | 77 | 70 |
| United States | 39 | 90 | 63 | 45 |
| Canada | 38 | 83 | 51 | 47 |
| Netherlands | 34 | 81 | 17 | 50 |
| Belgium | 64 | 77 | 56 | 89 |
As you can see the biggest difference across the four dimensions is between the Netherlands and Belgium. Of course, some countries differ more, but the criteria here are two countries sharing a language + a border.
The Love-Hate Feeling between Belgian and Dutch culture
So how do the Belgians see the Dutch?
Well, it is not really hate. In fact, I don’t like that word at all. It is more in the form of the saying “A love-hate relationship“. On one side there is a dislike from the Flemish towards the Dutch and on the other side, there is a certain form of liking for the Dutch as well.
First the Dislike.
What the Flemish dislike about the Dutch is that they are so loud, they talk too much (if not all the time), their humor is vulgar, and they are way too direct to the likings of the Dutch-speaking Belgians.
Now you might think that that is quite a lot of dislike, and that is true. The best piece of advice I got one day from a Belgian lady in answer to my question about how to do better business with the Belgians as a Dutchman was: … (she took a long pause) … “Simply be quiet. Shut up and listen for once“. After that comment I was quiet 😉
Second the Like
Next to the number of dislikes, there are also likes. Here is a couple: The Flemish admire the Dutch for their speaking abilities. This might sound contrary to what I said earlier, but when it comes to public speaking, the Dutch tend to be appreciated for their verbal abilities.
At times, the Belgians envy the Dutch entrepreneurial spirit. Compared to the Belgians, the Dutch are much more innovative and ready to try out new things.
I once met a person from West Flanders who had developed a product that would help car leasing companies save about 2-3% on their fuel costs. You would think every car leasing company would jump on it. But no. He tried to “sell” his ideas in Belgium, but couldn’t get a foot in the door. He then tried the Dutch market and was in business in no time.
One other example of Dutch entrepreneurship is in e-commerce. In the Netherlands, people buy much more online than in Belgium (although the Belgians are playing catch-up), and the Dutch have been buying online longer than the Belgians. Belgians are more conservative and prefer to stick to what is familiar. As a consequence, two big Dutch e-commerce companies, Bol.com & CoolBlue, have taken control of the complete Belgian e-commerce market when it comes to electronics and consumer goods.
Overall Conclusion on Belgian and Dutch Culture
Overall I think that there is more dislike than like, typically when it comes to doing business between the Dutch and the Belgians. The Dutch think they have a deal while the Belgian is only considering all his or her options.
You could say that for the Dutch it is more difficult to do business in Belgium. They start with a -1 – 0 score in a way. For the Belgians, it is easier to do business in the Netherlands. The Dutch play checkers; are a pretty straightforward game. The Belgians play chess; a very sophisticated think-ahead game.
Further Reading
If you like this article you can leave a comment, or share it on Social Media. Thanks for that.
There is more on the differences between Belgian and Dutch culture. If you want to read more, go to this article (Dutch). It lists the differences clearly.
Want to read more about Dutch culture, read this article.
An article about humor in different countries can be found here.
An article about Dutch culture can be found here.
Why you will find the Dutch everywhere.
A dedicated post on the Belgian management style can be found here.
More on Belgium can be found here.
Want to do business with the Belgians? Read this article.
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His education is in Organisational Psychology and he has lived in the USA, the Netherlands, and currently lives in Belgium.
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Hi Chris, I am French and I recognize some of the traits of Belgians in your chart so it makes me wonder about 2 things: what would a similar analysis look like between France and Belgium (the Wallon part)? And is there a scoring, on Hoisted or another model, of French speaking vs. Dutch speaking belgians? With the eternal conflict between the 2 I’m thinking it has to be primarily due to a set if cultural differences…
What do you think?
Dear Sophie,
Thanks for your comment here.
First of all, with this article I wanted to illustrate that there are many cultural differences between the Dutch and the Belgians (Flemish, yes). When it comes to doing business, this causes the most friction or difficulties for the Dutch. They tend not to realize that the differences are there and treat the Flemish as a “sweet people” who speak the same language (more or less).
When it comes to the Dutch and French-speaking communities in Belgium the differences are not so much cultural but rather social.
I know that many Belgians disagree, although a lot of them also understand the differences. Somewhat similar to the Turks and the Greeks; Culturally they follow the same pattern but socially they don’t really get along.
Having said that, there is one significant cultural difference between the Flemish and the Walloons and that is on the dimension Process versus Goals (Masculinity in Hofstede’s words); there the Flemish are significantly more Process oriented than the Walloons.
Could’t agree more, but the differences are easy to overcome -> just shut up ;-). It is true, we Dutchies shouldn’t think that the only wisdom is born in the Netherlands!
Dear Jeroen,
Thanks for your comment. Absolutely agree.
There’s a saying about the Dutch: “They think they are the only sane people in an insane world”.
I think there are neighbours that differ more: Jordan and Saudi Arabia share the same language but when it comes to the culture the differences are far bigger than between The Netherlands and Belgium.
Power distance, gender equality, but also future orientation and in group collectivism are different.
Hi Leila,
Thank you for your comment.
My assumption is (and I know I shouldn’t assume) that you have some sort of (close) ties with this region or either of the countries.
The terms you mention (power distance, gender equality, future orientation and collectivism) are all by far more similar between Jordan and the KSA.
About Jordan and the Kingdom of Saudia Arabia:
Power Distance: Both are high in Jordan and the KSA; (NL is low, B is high).
Gender equality (=part of Masculinity): Both are comparable in Jordan and the KSA; (NL is low, Belgium is significantly higher).
Future, or Long term orientation: NL has the highest of the four countries. Muslim countries tend to score lower than the Netherlands.
Collectivism: Both Jordan and the KSA are collectivistic. NL & B are both Individualistic.
You forgot the dimension Uncertainty Avoidance. In Jordan and the KSA they’re both high. NL scores in the middle (50) and Belgium very high (89).
So on a social level they might be different, but on a cultural level (following Hofstede’s model) Jordan and the KSA are much more comparable (not the same) then NL & B.
Hope this helps.
Dear Chris
During my BE lessons I deal with cultural differences with my clients. The other day I had two managers from two different companies (one from Rotterdam Q8, the other one is a CEO of a company in Den Bosch)in my lessons and they both complained about the Belgians (The Vlaams) being rude and impolite while doing business.I can`t put my finger on the reasons, the only thing I can think of is jealousy or maybe having an inferiority complex.I try to avoid using stereotypes and always look at the individual, but in this case I am not sure. In my experience most Belgian people are extremely polite and friendly What`s your stance on this?
Hi Monika,
Thanks for your comment.
Not sure what you mean with “my BE lessons”.
Indeed you might be dealing with typical individual behavior which doesn’t always have to be culture.
Having said that, from your statement saying that the Belgians you mentioned might have “an inferiority complex” I would like to think that you’re Dutch yourself. In my experience, only the Dutch think the Belgians have an inferiority complex.
The Belgian directness might be a reaction to the Dutch directness, which, by the Dutch themselves, is often overlooked and/or not intended.
Let me know if this helps.
Hello Chris,
Important in the relationship is also the knowledge of each other. Dutch people know little about Belgium or Flanders. Belgians know better what’s happening in the Netherlands and abroad. A Dutchman once claimed that Flanders has no history, but on the other hand, he praised the glorious Dutch past.
He listed on the VOC and all kinds of to Dutch Delftware. The fact that Flanders hundreds of years earlier, a leading economic role played and that the establishment of the DUTCH EAST INDIA COMPANY and the first Dutch bank there came thanks to Flemish input to creative people and capital was him totally unknown. When I casually mentioned that Flemings pottery had also introduced in Delft, he was quite a blow for if I was a liar.
(excuses voor taalfouten, na Nederlands is Frans mijn tweede taal)
Hello Geert,
Thank you for your comments and making this article ever richer.
Kind regards,
Chris
15 years ago I worked with a Flem from Antwerp. He was very bright and good at his job, in a software consultancy. One day he rants to me about the Dutch. He said a lot of things mainly pertaining to their stinginess. He told me that when they go on a long summer break with their caravans to southern Europe they take all the food with, “even the potatoes”. He wasn’t being at all ironic, he was genuinely angry. he insisted his was a common view in Flanders.
Hi Nick,
Thanks for your comment.
It’s really a love-hate relationship the Belgians (more the Flemish) have with the Dutch…
I think the cultural difference between the flemish and dutch can also be said of between the Southern and Northern provinces in the Netherlands. As an Australian living in Holland but also having worked in Belgium I find the Dutch way more easy going and effecient. Absolutely hated the Belgian way of “working”and their quasi shyness which was often just plain rudeness. I think the Flemish are jealous of the Dutch. Most Dutchmen couldn’t really give two hoots about Flanders or the Flemish. The Dutch look more to Germany.
Thanks Jay for your comment.
It’s good to see non-Dutch & non-Flemish commenting on this.
Kind regards,
Chris
Hi Chris,
For school i’m doing a project about the cultural differences between the Netherlands and Belgium. Mostly in doing business with each other. I’ve found your Dutch page about the differences, which is very interesting. Dispite your well explained articel, I find the part on masculinity vs feninity a bit unclear. The differences in score is big, but the only explaination I could really see in it, was the differences in how long meetings take. Would you be so kind by elaborating on this subject?
I am from Latin America and lived for two years in both Flanders and The Netherlands. It is true that flemings are considerably more unreliable and less organized; they also have a reputation of being backstabbers (unfortunately I got evidence of that). However, to be honest I still prefer them to the dutch in many ways. First of all, Flanders has something that the Netherlands lacks big time: charm. Flanders exudes charm everywhere. Just look at the houses and the architectural stravaganzas, I love it that belgians possess a brick in their hearts! Also, belgians do not seem to care that much about fitting in with a scheme of “normality”, which to my eyes makes them more open minded when compared with the dutch. In cultural matters, one feels freer in Belgium. Regarding its neighbour, one may find the dutch nicer and friendlier, but I think it is only on the surface. With time I realised they are very culturally molded and suspicious; apparently egalitarian but indirectly competitive and envious to the core; one sided traders displaying significant callousness about lying, among other things that left me with the feeling I was dealing with undercover psychopaths. At least the belgians do not swank about having traits they actually lack (in the case of the dutch, directness does not equal honesty nor fairness, specially while making business).
Hi Eduardo,
Thanks for your comment.
A couple of the things you mention are culturally related and a couple isn’t.
The statement about “charm” is not really culturally related I think. This is more your preference.
The word “normality” you mention is indeed very Dutch. “Doe maar gewoon dan doe je al gek genoeg” (act normal that’s crazy enough) is a very Dutch statement. On the other side of this “normality” is the much more innovative nature from the Dutch compared to the Belgians. Not only in technology but also (e.g.) when it comes to fashion and art.
Belgians tend to be more conservative; traditional.
I tend to disagree with the competitive nature of the Dutch. Jealous yes, but not competitive (more like “how can he afford this brand new car…?”)
Finally, the Dutch directness is a trait that is not much appreciated. Neither in Belgium nor in the rest of the world. Having said that, it does come forth from wanting to be honest though. And it is one of the love-hate things that the Belgians have with the Dutch; they thing the Dutch are too loud but on the other hand, they do envy us in some part for being able to be so outspoken…
Hey,
I like your observations about the cultural differences. One other big difference between the Netherlands and Belgium is the Hierarchical difference. In the Netherlands all employees in a company or the professors and students in a university treat each other is a quite similar way. While in Belgium the relationships are moor hierarchical. So dutch international students in Belgium could send a email to the professor starting with “Hello (first name)”. However this is not appropriated in Belgium so this might be interpreted as rude. Although is not meant to be rude, it is the way dutch student are used to interact with the professor in the Netherlands.
Cheers,
Dutch student
You’re absolutely right in your comments.
Thanks for the addition!
As someone who has American and British passports as well as lived in both the Belgium and the Netherlands I read this article curiously. I can honestly say that in Business and culturally the Netherlands is far superior to Belgium and in fact I am looking to leave because of it.
I made the mistake as someone who is consultant in Telecommunications of living in Belgium and its been a very poor experience and goes a long way to explain why Belgium is so far behind the Netherlands in terms of business and openness to new ideas.
Additionally I would like to add that racism in Belgium is so endemic that in business I have seen first hand that Belgian’s would rather not employ someone of colour at a senior level.
Yes the Netherlands has its problems but this insular nature of the Belgians is just making there future worse.
To put it another way someone from the Netherlands will tell you straight up what they think, where as Belgians have a tendency to talk behind peoples back.
Until there is a culture change I cannot see how Belgium can do better business wise and will continue to fall further behind the Netherlands.