Direct flights to Amsterdam from Bradley International Airport make sense from a business standpoint. According to The American Chamber of Commerce in the Netherlands, American companies directly employ more than 200,000 people and are the source of almost 5 percent of The Netherland’s GNP. Total assets of U.S. non-bank foreign affiliates in the Netherlands are estimated to total more than $650 billion. Over the past decade alone, U.S. direct investment flows have totaled more than $100 billion.
It’s not a one-way street. More than $165 billion of investment has flowed from the Netherlands to the United States — making The Netherlands the third largest foreign investor in the U.S.
Yet, there’s a lot the Connecticut businessperson still needs to learn about Amsterdam, which is why The Hartford Business Journal traveled there in advance of the non-stop Northwest flight that commences July 1. Peter Boonstra, an international trade consultant with The Amsterdam Chamber of Commerce, a quasi-public authority, offered insights into dealing with the Dutch during a 90-minute interview at his office in Amsterdam, just a short walk from the Central Train Station.
When first meeting a Dutch person for business a certain formality is expected. It’s considered more polite to say, “Nice to meet you, Mr. Boonstra” instead of saying, “Hi Peter.” The Dutch can look more reserved in the beginning, Boonstra said.
“The Dutch like to come to basics immediately,” Boonstra said. “The Dutch have a tendency to be blunt. … You know immediately if you are in business. Yes means yes. People will appreciate honesty more than beating around the bush.”
A 9 a.m. appointment really means 9 a.m., but don’t sweat a minute or two of tardiness. “We’re not so punctual as the Germans, but more so than the Belgians,” he said.
Business entertainment isn’t likely to be extravagant with the Dutch more likely to conduct commerce over sandwiches at lunchtime. Also, a meeting won’t be interrupted to adjourn to a restaurant for a meal. The Dutch like to save money and time and will most likely just order food in.
If invited to a business acquaintance’s home, bring a small gift. A Dutch family will bring out a tin of cookies, offer one cookie, and then close the tin and put it away. It’s more likely, though, a Dutch businessperson will invite you to dinner at a restaurant before inviting you to their home.
There is not an instant conviviality. “Being accepted will take a longer time,” he said. The Dutch like to keep business and social life apart from each other. “They may look a bit reserved to you,” he said.
There is an interesting hierarchy in Dutch culture, according to Boonstra. “Everybody is the same here, but of course some are more important,” he said. “There is always a need for consensus. There is always a tendency to ‘talk, talk and talk’ until you have an agreement.” Along those same lines, the Dutch tend not to order each other around; they request something be done. “That’s one of the reasons we’re not so fond of the Germans,” Boonstra said. “They like giving orders.”
Drug Culture?
There are also misconceptions about The Netherlands and drugs. Coffeehouses selling hashish sit side-by-side with five-star hotels, but drugs aren’t legal. Boonstra said there are strict laws against hard drugs. Soft drugs are forbidden but police have more to do than prosecute marijuana use, which is allowed for personal reasons. Marijuana can’t be grown or sold in large quantities. Each coffeehouse has its own dealer, but the dealer is not allowed to sell too much. “If they exceed their freedom, the coffeehouse will be closed,” he explained. “It’s tolerated, but tolerance has its price. To the outside it looks like Holland is accepting of drugs,” Boonstra said.
There is obviously an open sex industry in Amsterdam with a large red light district where women sit in windows hoping to lure customers. It’s an area that attracts a steady throng of tourists after dark, but it has a notable police presence. The country has the Brothel Act that sets standards. Prostitution is not allowed on the street, but it still happens. (Only female prostitution is allowed. Male prostitution is illegal.)
Don’t expect sex to be part of business entertainment. “If you say, ‘I want to go to a brothel,’ it might shock a few people,” Boonstra advised.
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