Dutch Identity: Who are we?

‘The Dutch identity? I haven’t found it… Nederland is too diverse to sum up in any one cliché.’
- Princess Maxima

‘Princess Says Dutch Identity Doesn’t Exist’ – Dutch media

Not long after Maxima’s famous quote, I was invited to a Dutch management seminar enititled ‘Dutch Identity: Who Are We?’ I was invited to sit on a panel and share my experiences with other internationals. I said yes. What could go wrong?

The seminar started with a panel of old, balding, white men. They were leaders of Dutch government and business, and they all agreed that Maxima was wrong. There IS a Dutch identity. But they couldn’t agree on what it is, exactly. I thought to myself, ‘If you guys can’t figure out the Dutch identity, then who will?’

It’s no wonder the panel couldn’t agree. According to the seminar’s first speaker, part of the Dutch identity is the need to disagree. Ever since they threw off Spanish Catholicism, the Dutch have been resistant to dogma, even if that means debating everything. Since 1574, the Dutch celebrate their unwillingness to take orders. In my experience, this is also true at many Dutch restaurants.

The ironic part is that – since the Dutch are non-hierarchical – no one wants to be on top. The Netherlands is perhaps the least-chauvinistic country in Europe. The speaker summed it up like this: The Dutch are rather proud of our accomplishments, our culture, and our contributions to world society. But we are deathly allergic to taking any credit for it.’ In essence – if the Dutch do have a national identity – they don’t feel comfortable acknowledging it.

Up next was the panel. I was invited to sit onstage with a Chinese law student, a Turkish telecom entrepreneur, a Polish consultant, and a Dutchman, who was former head of international investment for Rabobank. What started off as a panel quickly turned into an impassioned monologue. Mr. Rabobank agreed that the Dutch are non-hierarchical by nature, and – in his experience – that’s why they are a nation of followers. ‘We don’t need a seminar on management; we need a seminar on leadership! We are a country full of nothing but managers. Who will have the courage to stand up and lead?’

One man in the audience had a question for Mr. Rabobank. He was from the Ministry of Economic Affairs. The men knew each other. What followed was a heated debate. Mr. Government defended his record, defending the Dutch model, and defending the idea of Dutch leadership. And then the retort from Mr. Rabobank: ‘Then why haven’t you done anything to prevent the rise of Geert Wilders and the PVV?’ There was no answer.

The moderator then gave the mic to the other members of the panel. And then: ‘Mr. Gregory Shapiro, what’s your opinion?’ 

(to be continued)