So – Why are the Dutch Different? The answer seems to be hidden in how Dutch history has shaped the countrys present position. There are many obvious factors like water management; windmills; an addiction to dairy products; biking; and the over-popularity of business meetings.

Why do Dutch houses have big windows?

I heard already different stories behind the fact, that Dutch windows are so tall and wide. One story says, that the Dutch windows are “wide open” because of the tax system from the past – people to avoid big amounts of money to pay, wanted to show everything they owed and build a trust, that they dont hide anything.

Are the Dutch friendly?

The Dutch people are friendly One of the best things to experience when youre in an unfamiliar environment is friendly people. Fortunately, the Dutch people are open, welcoming and dont hesitate to engage when they pass you on the street.

Why do the Dutch not have curtains?

Dutch homes are not particularly large or spacious (on average). So, when you shut down windows with curtains or blinds, the house starts to feel even narrower. To add a bit of space, that lively street view, and some outside lights into the living room, the Dutch preferred the curtains to be open.

Why are Dutch houses so narrow?

Houses in Amsterdam are very narrow because in Medieval times owners would have to pay for the meter of the facade facing the canals. To avoid paying such high taxes, houses were designed to be narrow yet tall and functional. These buildings tend to be narrow, leaning forward and facing the water.

Why Dutch are tall?

The Dutch have grown so quickly in a short period of time that most of the growth is attributed to their changing environment. Since tall men are more likely to pass on genes that made them tall, the study suggests that the Dutch population is evolving to become taller.

Why do the Dutch travel so much?

Last year Dutch people booked 36.7 million holidays – with a population of 17 million people that is! So why do Dutchies travel so much? The basic answer is simple: because they can. Around four million flying holidays were booked by the Dutch last summer.

Why are the Dutch so open?

This is because of the so-called poldermodel, the Dutch practice of policymaking by consensus between government, employers and trade unions. The word polder refers to pieces of land reclaimed from the sea.

Why do Dutch houses have hooks?

Not a decoration, the hook is there to enable residents to pull large, bulky objects up and into a window at the proper floor. Most homes in Amsterdam have narrow, steep, often winding staircases that make it difficult to bring large, bulky objects upstairs. Voila, the hook.

Is the Dutch House a true story?

There is no actual Dutch House. It exists in my imagination and in the readers imagination. Everyone has a house or houses they think are spectacular. Interestingly, the vice presidents house in Bel Canto was based on an actual house — the presidents house at Sarah Lawrence College.

Is Netherlands richer than the US?

Both Netherlands and USA rank in the top for wealth. The USA however ranks near the bottom in social inequality of wealth, between the rich and the poor. The Netherlands also ranks high at #6 in household wealth at about $90,000 USD, but is firmly in the middle ground ranks on social inequality of wealth.