{
  "id": 12156759,
  "title": "Is it hard to make friends with the Dutch or is it you?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/05/is-it-hard-to-make-friends-with-the-dutch-or-is-it-you",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-05T13:17:45.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "DutchNews",
    "slug": "dutchnews",
    "url": "https://www.dutchnews.nl/2026/10/is-it-hard-to-make-friends-with-the-dutch-or-is-it-you/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Dutch people are often said to be difficult to make friends with, but is that the case or just an excuse? A woman on a dinner party agrees, stating it is hard to make connections with the Dutch. Various organizations in the Netherlands offer advice for this challenge. The Leiden International Center advises that even nodding at neighbors can help feel at home. A Dutch poster on Reddit suggests that the person might be unlikable, but it is likely just the truth. Dutch people tend to maintain childhood and university friendships, which is common for everyone. The country's small size makes it easier to keep up with these connections. Dutch people may have strong English skills, but using English all the time may hinder bonding due to cultural differences and language barriers. Making friends as an adult is challenging, especially when dealing with cultural and language differences. The writer advises simply nodding at people and being open to forming new connections.",
  "summary": "Our regular columnist wants to know whether the Dutch are really so hard to make friends with – or is...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}