The Low Sky
The book that makes the Netherlands familiar
Understanding the Dutch
Doe maar gewoon, dan doe je al gek genoeg
Act normally, that's crazy enough. Nine out of ten people in the Netherlands will quote this well-worn saying if asked to come up with a basic trait of the Dutch character.
But foreigners who stay here for any length of time see it differently. To them, Dutch society is a weird and wonderful maze full of unpredictable people.
At times they will ignore you politely; at others they will go out of their way to help you. They will condemn you severely for putting up a fence in your garden without permission, but will tolerate the coffee shop around the corner, selling 'illegal' 'soft drugs'.
Couples kiss passionately in public, while great efforts are made to stamp out sexual harassment in the workplace. Even your best friends reach for their diaries to make a dinner date, because you don't just drop by without being invited. And when you buy them a present they will open it in front of you without batting an eyelid.
Han van der Horst paints a picture of Dutch society and the Dutch psyche. The first edition of The Low Sky: Understanding the Dutch became an immediate bestseller among expats in the Netherlands. In this new, updated edition. Van der Horst once again portrays the weird and wonderful normality of life in the Netherlands.
A detailed exploration of the reasons for our desire for independence, our sense of respect and our business sense.
de Volkskrant
Han van der Horst takes a surprised and humorous look at his own people.
De Telegraaf
A handbook. No more than that, a set of instructions.
Het Parool
Well written, full of humour.
Ceert Mak, NRC Handelsblad
It's informal yet thorough, clearly written and eminently practical. Neither academic nor touristic, the book is ideal for people from a foreign country who are moving to the Netherlands or will be spending a good quantity of time there.
Mark Klempner, Amazon