1. The Netherlands:
Concepts in Communication
Debbi Mann- Nonverbal Ritual
Christmas
Jessica Moore- Nonverbal Rituals
Lucy Park- Informal Clothing
Tylor Mullins- Nonverbal use of clothing
Sheila Makalena-Verbal Rituals
Jessica Moore, Debbi Mann, and Lucy
Park- Gender Roles

2. Team Purpose
 It is this team’s purpose to help
identify and explain communication
and apply concepts chosen to The
Netherlands culture. Through these
applications, the team hopes to
establish better ways to communicate
with people of the Danish culture.

3. Christmas in the Netherlands
By Debbi Mann

4. First of Two Christmas’s to
Celebrate
 December 5 is the first night that is celebrated as a
Christmas holiday. It is not traditional like we know it in
the U.S.
 This is the eve of the passing of St. Nicolaas , a 3rd
century bishop who was known for his kindness and
generosity.⃰
 Sinterklaas arrives in late November every year, by a
ship from Spain. His arrival is celebrated by cheering
children and a parade that leads its way through town
 On Dec. 5 the families celebrate with good food and hot
chocolate. All of the gifts are opened and in each one
there is a poem or verse for the recipient. The gift giver
is a mystery to all.
 Children lay out their shoes in front of the fireplace and
put hay and carrots in them for St. Nic.’s horse. If the
children have been good they will have goodies in their
shoes in the morning.
 Dec. 6 the children wake up to their shoes filled with

5. Second Christmas to
Celebrate
 December 25 and 26 are the second Christmas that is
celebrated in the Netherlands. This Christmas is not
about Santa and Reindeer like it is here in the United
States.
 Christmas in the Netherlands is more about the
ambiance, than anything. People decorate trees and
many put Advent star lights in their windows.
 Families spend the day together on the 25th, having
breakfast together and eating themselves silly the rest
of the day. Some attend a late night Christmas service
at the local church. The 26th is a time for left overs and
spending quality time with family. Many times they go
on an outing, like ice skating.
 Families spend the day together on the 25th, having
breakfast together and eating themselves silly the rest
of the day. Some attend a late night Christmas service
at the local church. The 26th is a time for left overs and
spending quality time with family. Many times they go
on an outing, like ice skating.

6. A Portrait of Two Santas
Sinterklaas of the Santa Claus of the
Netherlands U.S.

7. Nonverbal Rituals:
Etiquette of Gift Giving
By Jessica Moore
 A practice of etiquette
throughout the Netherlands is gift
giving. The nonverbal concept of
communication applied to etiquette in
the Netherland culture can help people
from other cultures assimilate, and
understand the importance of this
tradition.

8. Gift Giving Etiquette:
The Gifts
 When invited to a dinner party, it
is customary to bring a gift. It
should not be too lavish, but
something simple. A bouquet of
flowers, Belgian chocolate, a
book, or a plotted plant are
considered appropriate.
 The item should be nicely
wrapped.
 Be prepared for the host/hostess
to open the gift immediately upon
receiving, this according to
http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/re
sources/global-
etiquette/netherlands.html .
 A gift should be small, but quality
is important. It is always best to
search for something high-quality,

9. Do’s and Don’ts of Gift Giving
 Do give flowers in odd numbers.
However, avoid the number 13
since it is considered unlucky.
 Don’t give sharp, pointy objects,
they are also unlucky.
 Don’t gift white lilies or
chrysanthemums as they represent
death and funerals.
 Don’t give gifts to acquaintances,
as the Dutch prefer to give gifts to
people they have established
relationships with.
 Don’t consider the purchase of
wine. Many Dutch hosts are picky
and have already selected a bottle.
 In the Netherlands, the Dutch
people believe that when giving
gifts, reciprocity or mutual
exchange should be applied.
According to
http://www.giftypedia.com/The_Net
herlands_Gift_Giving_Customs the
rule of thumb is to give and receive

10. The Nonverbal Concept Applied
to Gift Giving
 The nonverbal concept can be applied to gift giving
through the Do’s and Don’ts of Netherland gift
giving. Expectations such as no pointy objects, no
flowers in the amount of thirteen, and what type of
present to give on the certain occasion all
represent what the nonverbal ritual is. These
unspoken things are how nonverbal
communication effects the people of the
Netherlands and how most know these unwritten
rules.

11. Informal Clothing in the
Netherlands
By Lucy Park
 Clothing show culture (TCC, P.95).
 People in the Netherlands wear similar
clothes to the United States.
 Clothing is often
worn in layers.

12. Orange Represents Royalty
in the Netherlands
• Orange is the color of
Netherlands and
Netherlands Royal
family.
• Amplify Verbal
cheering by wearing
orange color clothing!
• When cheering for
sports game, wear
and use orange!
• http://en.wikipedia.org
/wiki/Orange_(colour)

13. Sneakers Draw Pickpockets
• People do not wear
sneakers in Netherlands
often.
• Sneakers are “Sports
Shoes”.
• Wearing sneakers in
public gives the
impression of someone
being a tourist.
• http://www.vayama.com/e
tiquette/netherlands/

14. Nonverbal Messages
 Are communication tools other than
written/spoken language (TCC, P.20).
 Are subconscious and hard to control,
thus more believable than verbal
communication (TCC, P. 88-89).
 Are critical to first impressions leading to
successful/unsuccessful relationships
(TCC, P.89).
 Help verbal communication by
substituting, complementing,
contradicting, repeating, regulating, and
emphasizing verbal communication
(TCC, P.89-91).

15. The Netherlands Formal Wear
By Tylor Mullins
 Like the close countries of France,
Germany, and Belgium, high end
fashion plays a large roll in formal
events and social outings.

16. Men Going Over the Top
 Traditionally women are
known for being very into
fashion and spending a lot
of time and money with the
goal of looking near
perfect. But in the
Netherlands men are
expected to look just as
fashionable as the women
they are with. Being close
to Belgium and Germany,
Holland has a very low
poverty rate. The largest
city in Holland is
Amsterdam with a
population in 2007 of
719,000 people. Even with
nearly three quarters of a
million people in one city,
Amsterdam ranks #8 in the
world in human
development according to

17. Attire Cost: Dutch VS. US
Men’s on the top left is a
The jacket
common jacket that is very
popular when someone knows
that they are going out in
public. This jacket runs for
425£ which converts to about
$541.00 dollar US. The article
below that one is called a
gilet. A gilet is like a semi thick
jacket that has the sleeves cut
off. Sort of like a vest. This is
considered casual wear. This
is 285£ which is about
$363.00 US. The article on the
right is a actual vest that one
would dress similarly as
Americans but Europeans are
big fans of wearing a vest
when they need to appear
dressed up a little more than
normal. This vest which
Europeans call a waistcoat
runs about 179£ which
converts to about 228.00
dollars US.

18. Traditional Dutch Clothing
 Although this is older
traditional clothing, this
style is very common in
Dutch festivals and
theatre. This would have
been considered a
formal setting were all
the children are dressed
in similar attire. Also take
notice to all of the
children’s similar shoes.
They are a clog like
shoe that would have
only been worn on
special occasions such
as a wedding, church, or
special festivals. These
outfits consist of several
layers and many extras

19. How This All Works with
Communication
 Just like in many other
places in the world, a
person in a formal
setting is expected to
say certain phrases and
topics and expected to
not say even more. The
same goes with our
Holland setting. When in
a formal setting it is a
known rule that politics
must be a center of
conversation when
socializing or at the
dinner table. It is just
something everyone is
alright with, just like we
like having chips and
beer while watching a
football game. Just a

20. Applying Communication
Skills
 Anywhere in the world the way a person
dresses speaks to many thoughts. It’s
the way you present yourself that people
are going to perceive you. A lot of people
say that they do not judge people but if
you don’t know someone and you just
see them for the first time, you are
instantaneously going to start judging
them. Judging is not always a bad thing.
We do it every day many times a day.
We just need to be sure to be open and
respectful when doing it.

21. Verbal Rituals in the Netherlands
By Sheila Makalena

22. Meeting and Greeting
 The handshake is the common form
of greeting. It’s firm and swift
handshake, accompanied by a smile,
and repetition of your name.
 Shake hands with everyone
individually including children and then
again upon leaving.

23. Do’s and Don’ts upon
Greeting
 Very close friends may greet  It is polite for a passers-by to
each other by air kissing near greet each other in passing by
the cheek three times, starting regardless of where you are.
with the left cheek. It is also considered polite for
 The Dutch consider it impolite drivers and pedestrians to
not to identify oneself upon make a greeting gesture when
arrival. They also are very there is eye contact involved.
conscious of who arrived in  A hand shake need to be
what order and will wait quick and firm anything
patiently to be acknowledged beyond that is deemed
in the same order. inappropriate.
 Most Dutch only use first
names with family and close
friends.
 Wait until invited before
moving to a first-name basis.
 Yelling at an acquaintance
from a distance is considered
rude and impolite.

24. Appropriate Conversation
 Be aware of recent political events, both in your own
country and in the Netherlands, since the Dutch tend
to be keen on discussing politics. Don't, however, get
involved in a political discussion if you are not well
informed.
 Regarding Dutch politics, remember that one's choice
of party is considered private information.
 In private conversation, the Dutch may easily criticize
American policies, but remember that in Dutch culture
a critical approach is a sign of involvement rather than
of rejection
 Make it clear that you are aware that the country is
officially called the Netherlands. But in speaking
English, the Dutch themselves will also say Holland, a
shorter term officially referring to only two of the 12
provinces that make up the country.
 Discussing expensive items purchased recently (or
anything similar) will be seen as boasting. Asking
personal questions is equally dangerous, as the Dutch
are private and feel uncomfortable answering
questions they deem too personal. These problems
can be avoided at least partially by acknowledging in
advance that a question is rude or intrusive. One can
ask permission to ask the question anyway if there is
real need. This leaves the other person the opportunity
to refuse to answer. If so, it is considered extremely
rude to ask the question anyway. This especially
includes asking about income or other personal

25. Verbal Communication Concept
to Meeting and Greeting
 According to Styan: "Ritual is an act of solemn
ceremonial. It is equally an organized expression of
prescribed customs of religious belief or social
behavior." (1990:145).
 Ritual Communication examines how people
create and express meaning through verbal and non-
verbal ritual. Ritual communication extends beyond
collective religious expression. It is an intrinsic part of
everyday interactions, ceremonies, theatrical
performances, shamanic chants, political
demonstrations and rites of passage. Despite being
largely formulaic and repetitive, ritual communication is
a highly participative and self-oriented process. The
ritual is shaped by time, space and the individual body
as well as by language ideologies, local aesthetics,
contexts of use, and relations among participants.
Ritual Communication draws on a wide range of
contemporary cultures.

26. Gender Roles in the Netherlands
By Jessica Moore, Debbi Mann, Lucy Park
 Gender roles in the Netherlands are not
as evident until women begin to start
families.
 Most women in the country make 90% of
what men make yearly.
 When switching to part time to raise the
family, women only make 73% of what
men make.
 Men, however, are now being expected
to take a more interactive role with the
family.

27. Gender Roles: Women
 All women are entitled to
maternity leave. This even
entails women are self-
employed.
 Six weeks of maternity
leave before the birth of the
child, and ten weeks after
the birth of the child.
 In the Netherlands women
are offered 100 percent of
the payment for sick leave.
 Parental leave also applies
to woman.
 Women are allowed equal
opportunity
 In general most women
work part time after having
children.

28. Male Role in Traditional Family
of the Netherlands
 The father is allowed 2 days that can be
taken within 4 weeks of the birth of the
child.¹
 In todays society there is a demand for
the men to take a more active role in the
lives of their children. One day a week
for the dad to spend at home with his
children is becoming the normal.²
 According to statistics, men have who
have younger children at home, have
had to devote more time to chores
around the house. ³
 Regardless of the role the fathers have
taken on, it is still up to them to be the
main bread winner of the family.
 Professor Louis Tavecchio, an expert on
fatherhood believes one of the stronger
points of fatherhood is that the fathers
are more likely to attend sports events
that their children are a part of. The
daddy’s are very good at “dreaming up
nice days out.”³ Photo by RNW/John Tyler

29. Nonverbal Concept in Gender
Roles
 Nonverbal communication is predominant in
gender roles. After women have children, it is
generally expected for them to work part
time. That expectation is the nonverbal
concept put into action. Another nonverbal
concept is that men are the primary
breadwinner for the family. Maternity leave
also supports the concept. How much
maternity leave is suppose to be taken before
and after the birth of the baby, by the woman.
All of these examples provide evidence that
doesn’t necessarily need to be
communicated.

30. Group Questions
 Do you think that someday the Dutch (people
of the Netherlands) will come around to
celebrating Christmas as we do here in the
U.S.?
 How has past formal attire influenced the
Netherland culture of today?
 Do gender roles in the Netherlands seem to
have a positive/negative impact on the
culture?
 Etiquette plays an important role in the
Danish culture. What are some common
etiquettes one might see in the U.S.?
 In what ways do the U.S. and the
Netherlands differ when it comes to verbal
communication?

31. References
 Alkon, D. & Burke, E. (2010). The Netherlands Gender, Work and Family Issues.
Family Leaves and Employment Policies. Retrieved from
http://www.tulane.edu/~rouxbee/soci626/netherlands/policies.html
 Aonate (2010). DSC_0570
http://www.travellerspoint.com/photos/gallery/features/countries/Netherland
s/
Amsterdam, Netherlands.
 Aonate (2010). DSC_0539
http://www.travellerspoint.com/photos/gallery/features/countries/Netherland
s/
Amsterdam, Netherlands.
 Basaraba, N. (2011, May 9). A Tourists Guide to Belgian Chocolate [Web log
post]. Retrieved from
http://universecityblog.wordpress.com/2011/05/09/a- tourists-guide-to-
belgian-chocolate/
 Beebe, S., Beebe, S., Ivy, D., & Redmond, M. (2011). The Blue Book of
Communication Studies. Boston: Pearson Learning Solutions.
 Dutch Etiquette Tips (n.d.). Retrieved from
http://www.vayama.com/etiquette/netherlands/
 Englebrecht, K. (n.d). Kerstfeest (Christmas in Holland). Retrieved from
http://dutchfood.about.com/od/dutchholidayrecipes/a/Kerstfeest.htm
 Englebrecht, K. (n.d.). The Story of Sinterklaas. Retrieved from
http://dutchfood.about.com/od/dutchholidayrecipes/a/Sinterklaas.htm
 Etiquette and Customs in the Netherlands (n.d). Retrieved from
http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-
etiquette/netherlands.html
 Etiquette and Special Occasions (n.d.). Retrieved from

32. References Continued
 Headen, K. (2011) Santa-Claus-1 http://christmas-ideas-for-you.blogspot.com/2011/11/santa-
claus-and- christmaspart-2.html Massachusetts, United States.
 Hochqemuth, M., Do modern fathers have time for Father’s Day?, Radio Netherlands
Worldwide, (Jun 19, 2011)
 Orange (Colour)(n.d.). Retrieved May 24, 2012, from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orange_(colour)
 Press, C., & Foundation, W.-gren. (2001). Ritual Communication and Linguistic Ideology.
Current Anthropology, 42(5), 591-614. UChicago Press. Retrieved from
http://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/abs/10.1086/322557
 "Rituals." International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences. 2008. Retrieved May 27, 2012
from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-
3045302292.html
 Seasonal Politics: Sinterklaas vs Santa Claus,
www.expatica.com/nl/leisure/arts_culture/seasonal-politics- sinterklaas-
 Sinterklaas. (n.d.). Retrieved May 10, 2012, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinterklaas
 The Netherlands Gift Giving Customs (n.d). Retrieved from
http://www.giftypedia.com/The_Netherlands_Gift_Giving_Customs
 Toast, S. (n.d.). Christmas Traditions Around the World. Retrieved from
http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/family/Christmas-traditions-around-the-world- ga7.htm
 Tyler, J. Super dads face ‘quality time’ crunch, Radio Netherlands Worldwide, (June 20, 2010)
 Viator (2011) Christmas in the Netherlands. http://thingstodo.viator.com/netherlands/christmas-
in-the- netherlands/ Amsterdam, Netherlands.