Have you ever noticed any difference about the working culture between Dutch people and the Chinese way of working? What cultural differences can you expect to experience and how can you overcome these contrasts? In today’s globalized world, more and more business are working across borders,and understanding the different work cultures can improve collaboration and productivity. In this blog, the cultural contrasts between Dutch and Chinese workplaces through interview with both Dutch and Chinese representatives of MN Logistics will be explored.
For MN Logistics International, a company with both Dutch and Chinese employees, recognizing these cultural differences can foster stronger business relationships. With its focus on providing B2B warehousing and logistics services, MN Logistics stands at the crossroads of two distinct business cultures.
In any globalized business environment, working across borders requires a deep understanding of cultural differences, especially in the workplace. The Dutch and Chinese cultures are examples of how diverse working styles can be.
General Cultural Differences
One difference that you will see between Dutch and Chinese work cultures is the communication style. Dutch professionals are known for their direct approach, while Chinese professionals tend to be more indirect.
“Dutch clients tend to be very direct and to the point, trying to get to a solution in like 10 minutes,” said Robbert. With Chinese clients, the conversation usually takes more time. They go step by step, asking various questions spread over multiple rounds.” Mia agreed with this observation, stating:
“Yes, Chinese are for sure more indirect. If we want to say no, we won’t say it outright. Instead, we come up with another solution, but in our mind it is a no. Dutch people are fast and to the point, but Chinese people take more time because we want to know everything and keep asking questions.”
While Dutch professionals prefer to discuss the end result immediately, Chinese professionals prefer to build relationships first before getting into business discussions. This contrast can cause misunderstandings if it is not properly managed.
Business Challenges That You Can Face Due to Cultural Differences
2.1 Daily Operational Communication
The way how Dutch and Chinese people daily communicate differs from each other. In the Netherlands, business communication is more informal. Dutch professionals prefer clear and direct responses. “Dutch suppliers tend to be very direct, saying immediately what something will cost and if something is not possible. That can ccontradict with the Asian way, where people don’t communicate like that.”
Meanwhile, Chinese professionals may expect frequent updates, even if there is no change in the situation. This can frustrate Dutch partners: “Asking for a status update every five minutes, even if there is no update, can cause misunderstanding with Dutch professionals. Generally speaking, Dutch professionals will only provide an update when there is actually something new.”
In contrast, from a Chinese perspective, constant follow-ups are part of ensuring control over the situation:
“In China, we want to make sure everything is under control, so we will ask for updates frequently. It is part of our way of handling business.’’
2.2 Project Planning Communication
The Dutch work culture is built around structured planning. Dutch professionals prefer to set a clear workflow, define responsibilities, and follow a system to achieve long-term goals.
“From a Dutch perspective, we start by thinking: What is the end goal? Then, we build a structured process to reach that goal.”
In contrast, Chinese professionals tend to take action immediately, refining their approach as they progress. “Chinese professionals work step by step, jumping into work right away and addressing challenges as they arise.”. This approach can sometimes give the impression that there is no structured plan, making it challenging to establish relationships or gain understanding from Dutch suppliers.
From a Chinese perspective, time is money.
“For us, we will start with working as soon as possible. We work as long as needed to get out work done. We don’t have plannings, we will just work and see what will happen. That’s the Chinese work method.”
2.3 Negotiation Communication
The negotiation styles in the Netherlands and China are also very different.
Dutch professionals resolve pricing and terms quickly. “With Dutch suppliers, I tell them what they need to charge me, and they say, ‘Okay, let’s work with that.’
However, in China, negotiations can continue even after the work has started. “With Chinese clients, negotiations about rates can go on for multiple days. They first ask for rates on five things, then another five, then more exceptions, and it continues for two weeks until everything is finalized.”
This processcan be challenging for Dutch professionals, who prefer a fixed agreement from the start.
Mia explains why:
“Price is really sensitive for us. If we find a cheaper supplier, we might switch. Everything needs to be clear and cheap, so the negotiation takes longer.”
How Do We Bridge Cultural Differences Internally?
3.1 Adapting to Each Other’s Work Styles
In a business environment, someone who can adjust their communication and work styles based on the situation, will succeed in their career.
“I tend to adjust my behavior depending on the client. Some clients prefer a soft approach, while others appreciate a direct one.”
Chinese professionals working in the Netherlands should not feel offended by Dutch directness, as it is not personal. “Dutch people say exactly what they think, but it’s not meant personally. It’s always about solving the issue as fast as possible.”
Mia added:
“When I work with Dutch people, I communicate more directly than I normally would with Chinese colleagues, because I know that’s how their culture are.”
3.2 Building personal relationships
Although Dutch professionals focus on business, building an informal relationship can help create trust and long-term cooperation.
“Having an informal relationship with clients makes solving issues much easier. When you know each other personally, you’re more willing to help each other outside of business hours.”
Informal relationships can help strengthen your partnership. Most of Dutch clients has always been very direct and to the point. Everything starts on a formal direct basis and then later it transferred from a sort of formal situation to informal situation. Clients can become friends and this way, it will be easier to manage relationships.
Mia agreed:
“As a Chinese, I think building relationships is important if you want to do long-term business with clients. ”
3.3 Creating a Cross-Cultural Work Environment
At MN logistics, we provide Mandarin-speaking support, holds daily meetings, and finds ways to combine both work cultures to have smooth collaborations.
“Every day, we work to bridge the gap in language and culture. Our long standing relationships with clients and suppliers are built through daily meetings and regular communication with all stakeholders.”
Succeeding in the Dutch Market
If you want to enter the Dutch market, understanding the Dutch way of working is a key to success. Some important skills include:
- Combining the Asian work ethic with European strategic planning
“Asian professionals work hard and get things done quickly, while Dutch professionals focus on structure and planning. Combining both approaches leads to success.” - Understanding the direct communication style
“Dutch people say what they mean and don’t take offense easily. Understanding this makes communication smoother.” - Building trust through transparency
“Providing detailed project information upfront helps build trust quickly. The more transparent you are, the better the cooperation.” - Selecting the right business partners
“The Dutch logistics industry is very competitive, so finding reliable partners is difficult. Establishing personal trust with key suppliers is really important.”
By adapting to Dutch communication styles while maintaining Chinese business strengths, professionals can successfully enter the Dutch market and build strong international partnerships.
About MN Logistics
MN Logistics International is a logistics and warehousing company that specializes in B2B storage and freight forwarding for businesses operating in the Netherlands and Europe. With a multicultural team of Dutch and Chinese professionals, the company bridges the gap between two distinct business cultures, helping Chinese companies efficiently manage their logistics in Europe.
Understanding the cultural differences is important, no matter with who you are doing business. At MN Logistics, we ensure that our client feel comfortable by providing business that align with Asian business expectations. Unlike many Dutch companies that operate strictly within business hours, MN Logistics is available for weekend and after-hours support, making it an ideal partner for Chinese businesses looking to expand in Europe. Whether you are a Chinese business entering the Dutch market or a Dutch company working with Chinese partners, MN Logistics provides the expertise and network needed for smooth collaboration and long-term success.