Stuff Dutch People Hate by Colleen Geske

You’ve all heard what the Dutch love: stroopwafels, bicycles and of course, gezelligheid. But what about the things that make their blood boil? 
While the title of this book may sound negative, you’ll see that the Dutch are defined just as much by what they dislike (aka “hate”) as by what they like. With the signature wit and sarcasm of the Stuff Dutch People Like this hilarious guide exposes the tiny (and not-so-tiny brand, the Dutch) things that drive gek.
Whether you’re Dutch or just curious about their quirks, this book will have you laughing, learning and questioning how a nation so small can have such big opinions.

by Molly Quell

Tourists, expats, bike helmets, non-consensual decisions — these are just some of the entries in the latest book in the “Stuff Dutch People” series, which this time round looks at the many things the Dutch do not like at all.

Not that it is meant to be a negative book, you understand. It is more an affectionate look at the things that irritate the Dutch and why, with a healthy dose of humor thrown in.

Writer Colleen Geske has lived in the Netherlands for nearly 20 years. With kids in the Dutch school system, Dutch colleagues and a good grasp of the local lingo, she is perfectly placed to identify and explain the quirks that can drive newer arrivals to drink.

You will find out why the Dutch hate you referring to the Netherlands as Holland, why stable governments (six cabinet collapses in 20 years) are a rarity and why you will not get a prescription for antibiotics when you visit the doctor.

You will learn why the Dutch have developed a distaste for expats – particularly those who want a place to live and those who haven’t learn to speak Dutch “by the time they should”.

You will also learn that despite the famed soft drugs policy, the Dutch do not actually like weed themselves, why everyone gets to have a say during company meetings and why those fancy stroopwafels covered in chocolate and sprinkles are considered the lowest of the low.

Since Stuff Dutch People Like first hit Facebook in 2010, over 200,000 books have been sold, 500,000 people around the world follow the franchise on social media and the podcast is now in its fifth season — enough reasons to brag about it all.

But then, perhaps not. As Stuff Dutch People Hate is careful to point out, bragging is something the Dutch are not keen on at all.

This post first appeared in DutchNews on December 7, 2025.