Dutch People

Dutch people do not like to exchange pleasantries. If you really want to ruffle a dutchman's feathers (or dutch woman's - hereafter referred to as "Dutchess"), do the following.

Walk up to a Dutch person, look them directly in the eyes, smile, and ask "how are you today?" Such an exchange will often lead to looks of shock and horror: "well...I. don't. know. Fine I guess?"

I was actually told the other day by a Dutch woman I met with for business that I should refrain from asking how people are unless I know them well. "This is not the type of thing you should share with strangers," she said, shocked that I would think such a thing. No wonder many people in the traditional Dutch settlement of Western Michigan are such assholes.*

Now I make it a point to ask everyone I meet with or speak to on the phone how they are.

*all Dutch people are not assholes...I think it is mostly Amsterdamers. In their defense I think they just pretend to be assholes for a good portion of their lives.