I had a trip down memory lane today; flying in the Amsterdam then getting the train down to Eindhoven for the kick off meeting on a Phillips LIghting project. Now I used to do that journey a lot in DataSciences days and I always enjoyed the trip. Faster and more comfortable than flying direct and you get to see the Dutch countryside from the double decker trains. Also Eindhoven is different from Amsterdam, I made the mistake of saying they were in Holland on my first visit, so they called me English for a week or so until I learnt my lesson and talked about the Netherlands.
I also learnt about a key cultural difference. When someone from the UK says they will do something on Friday then all reasonable people know they mean Wednesday of next week (don't panic Tony, I do mean this Friday). However the same statement from the Netherlands is in effect a verbal contract. Net result, UK staff used to think the Dutch were impossible as they always hung back from commitment, while the Dutch thought the Brits were a bunch of incompetents who never kept their word. The reason they did not easily commit, is that once they did they meant it. Language is very much a part of social context and a consequence of that context. You have to listen to the stories to get anywhere near understanding another culture. Given the common history between the Netherlands and the UK you wouldn't expect major differences, but there are. How much more so where there is little history in common, or what there is, it is colonial in nature.
Comments (5)
Great story! A simple and effective example of the influence of culture in relationship building, and perhaps the power of tolerance and understanding! Thanks for sharing!
HB
Posted by Heather Bauer | May 12, 2009 4:55 AM
Posted on May 12, 2009 04:55
That's my experience of working in NL too. "Language is very much a part of social context and a consequence of that context" ? Absolutely ! After 15 years in Belgium the cultural differences between the Flemish and Walloons, and the linguistic antagonism, never fail to amaze me.
Posted by Cheryl | May 12, 2009 5:33 PM
Posted on May 12, 2009 17:33
In China, we note which language someone speaks (out of many) and based on that decide if they are part of the Chinese cultural group. In Belgium (Switzerland works much the same way), we note which language someone speaks and know their cultural group. Language does not always define cultural group, but it is a useful inside/outside group marker.
Posted by Bill Proudfit![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.cognitive-edge.com/blogs/dave/nav-commenters.gif)
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May 14, 2009 12:29 AM
Posted on May 14, 2009 00:29
I think I was reasonable once. Long ago...
Posted by Tony Quinlan | May 14, 2009 1:33 PM
Posted on May 14, 2009 13:33
Great story indeed! After working in Ghana, back in Europe I'm always surprised at the cultural differences within Europe!
Posted by Joitske Hulsebosch | May 24, 2009 9:02 PM
Posted on May 24, 2009 21:02