Actually the Dutch are much more open minded, individualistic then other continental European nations. This is reflected in their openness and willingness to engage in conversation etc. They seem to have an interesting blend between individualist and collectivist. The Germans e.g. are much more conform and shy (Dutch and German soccer teams play very different: Dutch allow for some action, while Germans play according to formations they've practiced).
Before the U.S. economy took off in the 20th century, it was the UK and Netherlands which had the most dynamic and open market place. Further, the Netherlands were always a tolerant place for divergent political and religious views.
If you like mystery novels, read Willem van de Wettering's series of police procedurals about a bunch of Amsterdam cops, and you'll come to a decidedly different conclusion.
Also, Nicholas Freeling's van der Valk series, ditto.
I read a couple of Freeling's novels recently, including one of the van der Valks. I kept wanting to like them better than I did; they were a bit too extraneously literary and too weak on plot for my taste. I'll have to give Wettering a try. Care to recommend one?
I'm not sure: they're a series, and as such the effect is cumulative. Also, if you found Freeling overly literary, van de Wettering's Zen sensibility (he also wrote three nonfiction books on his experiences studying Zen around the world [Japan and America in particular]).
I just noticed, reading the Wikipedia article, that he died last July 4. Another one gone. Damn.
That's just plain nonsense. Some of you Americans (sorry, assuming here) seem to think that Europe is some kind of communist hellhole/paradise. It's neither.
