Dutch Traditions Through Expat Eyes: From Open Curtains to Birthday Calendars

by Christy - NT2 Dutch language trainer at TRIPLLLE Language & Location Lessons

Posted May 14, 2025

As a Dutch language trainer for expats, I’m often reminded that it’s not just the language that feels new to those arriving in the Netherlands. It’s also the small, everyday things—habits, customs, and quirks—that shape Dutch culture and make life here feel truly different. In our online Dutch lessons, we don’t just focus on grammar and vocabulary. We also talk about what students see, hear, and experience in their daily lives, that is different from their own cultural backgrounds—and some things always stand out.

Of course, the usual topics come up: how tall Dutch people are, how much they ride their bikes, and how they eat chocolate sprinkles (hagelslag) on bread. But there’s another thing that always catches their attention: the curtains! Or rather, the fact that many Dutch people don’t close them in the evening—or only very late at night. As a result, it’s easy to look into people’s living rooms. And to be honest, many people enjoy doing just that.

One of my students recently told me about an evening walk through her neighborhood. She noticed that almost no one had closed their curtains. As she passed one house, she saw a large group of people sitting in a circle, laughing and chatting. Hiep hiep hoera! What she had witnessed was a Dutch birthday circle (de kringverjaardag)—a social tradition that often seems quite strange to newcomers.

When I moved abroad a few years ago, I realized how Dutch I really was: I loved keeping the curtains open during the day until it got too dark. Meanwhile, my neighbors kept theirs shut all day long. So maybe open curtains really are a typically Dutch thing?

The birthday circle definitely is. Dutch people love gezelligheid—a uniquely Dutch concept that refers to a warm, cozy, sociable atmosphere. We enjoy inviting friends, family, and neighbors to Dutch birthday parties. Social equality is important in the Netherlands, and a circle ensures that everyone is seated on the same level—no one is excluded. And since living rooms used to be quite small in Dutch houses, the circle was also the most practical solution to fit everyone in.

Then there’s another charming cultural detail you might notice at a Dutch birthday party: the birthday calendar in the bathroom. My students often ask why it’s there. Well, it’s both decorative—because we like to make even the smallest room in the house gezellig—and practical. You see it every day, so you won’t forget anyone’s birthday. And let’s be honest: making it onto someone’s bathroom birthday calendar is a bit of a milestone—and maybe even an important friendship status in the Netherlands!

Want to learn Dutch—and understand Dutch culture even better?
Through our tailor-made online Dutch lessons for expats, you’ll not only improve your Dutch language skills but also gain insight into daily life, traditions, and cultural norms in the Netherlands. Whether you want to speak Dutch more confidently or better understand your Dutch neighbors and coworkers, these lessons help you feel more at home.

Curious to know more? Feel free to get in touch via the contact page—we’d love to hear from you!

Our Beginners’ Dutch Course: What to expect?

by Christy - NT2 Dutch language trainer at TRIPLLLE Language & Location Lessons

Posted February 19, 2025

In 2011, I transitioned from a Supply Chain office job to working as a freelance NT2 Dutch language trainer. It was an exciting step, and I have never regretted it. Teaching Dutch to expats is incredibly enjoyable and energizing. I help them learn Dutch, and in return, I learn a lot from them—about traditions and customs in their home countries and how these differ from the Dutch culture.

When I tell people that I teach Dutch, I often get asked how I approach it. Where do you start when someone doesn't speak a word of Dutch? Actually, it’s not as complicated as it might seem. We start at the very beginning—often with the first step in any conversation with a stranger: introducing yourself. "I am Christy, and I am from the Netherlands." That’s where it all begins, and from there, we start building vocabulary and knowledge.

What is covered in a Beginners' Dutch Course?

To make steady progress, we follow a structured approach at TRIPLLLE. A beginners' course typically includes fifteen online lessons. Our goal is to progress from A0 (absolute beginner) to A1 (beginner plus) during this time. We focus on acquiring basic Dutch grammar knowledge, but more importantly, on building a vocabulary for everyday use. We use a textbook, but during the lessons we also engage in spontaneous conversations based on topics relevant to the participants.

Practical lessons for everyday situations

Recently, one of my students mentioned that her rental contract was expiring and that she would soon visit a Dutch real estate agent to find a new home. We combined this topic with Dutch prepositions of place, making it a highly practical lesson. She learned how to ask the real estate agent about the layout of the house and describe different rooms in Dutch, for example: "Is the bedroom located on the ground floor, next to the bathroom?

A few weeks later, another student told me that his bike was broken and that he needed to go to the bike repair shop. During that lesson, we discussed relevant vocabulary and practiced a conversation with the bike mechanic. The following week, the student enthusiastically shared that he had practiced his Dutch at the repair shop and that the conversation had gone well!

These examples illustrate that a beginners' course is primarily focused on Dutch for everyday situations. By the end of the course, participants can order food in a restaurant, have a conversation at the doctor's office, and engage in small talk with friends and colleagues, such as talking about their weekend.

Tips for successful learning

Learning a language takes time. That’s why I encourage students to dedicate time to homework and self-study outside of class. Here are some useful tips:
✔ Set a goal for yourself, for example: learn at least ten new words every day.
✔ Listen to Dutch music or podcasts.
✔ Practice conversations in Dutch, for example, at the bakery or supermarket.
✔ Watch Dutch television with Dutch subtitles to improve your listening and reading skills!

Would you like to start learning Dutch? Get in touch and find out which course suits you best!