Culture smart! (London, England)

Title from title page

"Taking readers beyond the stereotypical images of windmills, clogs, and tulips, this pocket-sized guide helps visitors understand the complex layers of identity in this small, densely populated country on Europe's northwestern seaboard. With roots as a maritime nation that built a network for transportation, defense, and trade, the Netherlands of today is still a prime economic hub of Europe. The Netherlands is also famous for its liberal attitudes, recently challenged by high levels of immigration, and is home to an intelligent, cosmopolitan, enterprising, tolerant, and modest people. The visitor or business traveler will find that the predominant attitude continues to be one of "live and let live," and that many different communities live alongside each other in harmony."--Amazon.com

Machine generated contents note: ch. 1 Land and People -- Geographical Overview -- Climate -- A Brief History -- Cities in the Netherlands -- Royal Family -- Government -- Living Apart Together -- Pim Fortuyn -- Rise of Populism -- Dutch in the EU -- Dutch People Today -- ch. 2 Values and Attitudes -- Influence of Calvin -- Egalitarianism and Democracy -- National Pride -- Added Value and Thrift -- Work Ethic and Modesty -- "Doe Maar Gewoon ..." -- Stoicism -- Cleanliness and Health -- Dutch Honesty -- Gezelligheid -- Community Spirit -- Religion -- ch. 3 Customs and Traditions -- National Festivals -- Annual Special Events -- Family Celebrations -- Historical Occasions -- ch. 4 Making Friends -- Attitudes Toward Foreigners -- How To Meet the Dutch -- Vrienden of Kennissen? (Friends or Acquaintances?) -- Greetings -- Joining Clubs, Societies, and Classes -- Gastvrijheid (Hospitality) -- Entertaining -- Gift Giving -- ch. 5 The Dutch At Home -- Note continued: Quality of Life -- Living Conditions -- Schoon, Netjes, en Gezellig (Clean, Neat, and Cozy) -- Furnishings -- Appliances -- Identity -- Daily Life and Routines -- Attitudes Toward Children -- Schools and Schooling -- Resolving Complaints -- Changing Lifestyles -- ch. 6 Time Out -- Shopping -- Banks -- Eating Out -- Drink -- Restaurant Etiquette -- Sex in the City -- Leisure -- High Culture -- Popular Culture -- Countryside Pursuits -- Sports -- ch. 7 Travel, Health, and Safety -- Cycling -- Walking -- Public Transportation -- Local Transportation -- Buses, Trams, and Metros -- Car and Driver's Licenses -- Taxis -- Where To Stay -- Health -- Safety -- ch. 8 Business Briefing -- Making Contact -- Office Style and Etiquette -- Dutch Businesspeople -- Communication Styles -- Presentations -- Teamwork -- Gezelligheid at Work -- Leadership and Decision Making -- Meetings and Negotiations -- Contracts -- Handling Disagreements -- ch. 9 Communicating -- Note continued: Language -- Familiar and Polite Forms of Address -- Greetings in Shops -- Written Communications -- Misinterpretations -- Humor -- Conversation -- Body Language -- Media -- Telephone and Internet -- Mail -- Conclusion