Incestuous fishermen, arrogant schmucks: Dutch stereotypes

A guide to Dutch stereotypes – in English and drawn up by a Dutchman – is proving a big internet draw even though designer VictorVan says himself ‘this is no hard science (or whatever form of science, for that matter)’.

The map covers the entire country, listing, for example, the ‘arrogant schmucks and ignorant tourists of Amsterdam’ and the ‘broke Commies’ of East Groningen.

‘Loud, obnoxious, and claiming to be the center of the universe,’ VictorVan writes about the people of the Dutch capital. ‘We generally like tourists, apart from those who don’t see the differences between sidewalk and bike path, and those who think the Netherlands consists of Amsterdam and some windmills and tulip fields.’

Texel, Vlieland, Terschelling, Ameland and Schiermonnikoog are described has having ‘less Germans, so more room on the beach for us. Great place for cycling and camping, as long as the wind blows in the right direction and you know how to properly set up a tent.’

Volendam is typified by ‘incestuous fishermen’ and is an ‘incredibly tight-knit fishing community, known for their traditional clothing. For some reason responsible for half of Dutch pop music production.’

Leeuwarden is the ‘capital of the province of Friesland, but they don’t speak the same language and they don’t support the same football club, so no one in Friesland takes them seriously,’ VictorVan says.

VictorVan has been overwhelmed by the reaction to his map, which has had widespread Dutch media coverage since he placed it on social media site Reddit. He has even been approached by a theatre maker who wants to do something with the project.

Thank you for donating to DutchNews.nl.

We could not provide the Dutch News service, and keep it free of charge, without the generous support of our readers. Your donations allow us to report on issues you tell us matter, and provide you with a summary of the most important Dutch news each day.

Make a donation