荷兰是世界闻名的郁金香王国，也是著名的低地国家，坐落在欧洲的西北部，与德国及比利时接壤。荷兰土地肥沃，物产丰富，农业生产发达，曾是历史上有名的海上强国，拥有“海上马车夫”的称号。本书从地理、历史、宗教、节日、习俗、商贸等方面介绍了荷兰的基本情况，并配有详尽的中文注释，让读者进一步了解荷兰的思想家和哲学家，如伊拉斯谟、斯宾诺莎等。书中的语言流畅、地道，内容浅显易懂，对读者了解荷兰的历史渊源、风土人情有很大帮助，使读者在阅读过程中获取相关文化背景知识，提高对文化差异的敏感度和宽容度。

前辅文
Chapter 01 LAND & PEOPLE
  ? Geographical Overview
  ? Climate
  ? The Dutch People: A Brief History
  ? Cities in the Netherlands
  ? The Dutch Royal Family
  ? The Government
  ? Living Apart Together
  ? The Legacy of Pim Fortuyn
  ? The Dutch in the EU
  ? The Dutch People Today
Chapter 02 VALUES & ATTITUDES
  ? The Influence of Calvin
  ? Egalitarianism and Democracy
  ? Pride
  ? Added Value and Thrift
  ? Modesty
  ? “Doe Maar Gewoon ... ”
  ? Stoicism
  ? Cleanliness and Health
  ? Dutch Honesty
  ? Gezelligheid
  ? Community Spirit
  ? Religion
Chapter 03 CUSTOMS & TRADITIONS
  ? National Festivals
  ? Annual Special Events
  ? Family Celebrations
  ? Historical Occasions
Chapter 04 MAKING FRIENDS
  ? Attitudes to Foreigners
  ? How to Meet the Dutch
  ? Vrienden of Kennissen? (Friends or Acquaintances?)
  ? Greetings
  ? Joining Clubs, Societies, and Classes
  ? Gastvrijheid (Hospitality)
  ? Entertaining
  ? Gift Giving
Chapter 05 THE DUTCH AT HOME
  ? Quality of Life
  ? Living Conditions
  ? Schoon, Netjes, en Gezellig (Clean, Neat, and Cozy)
  ? Furnishings
  ? Appliances
  ? Identity
  ? Daily Life and Routines
  ? Attitudes to Children
  ? Schools and Schooling
  ? TV and Radio
  ? Resolving Complaints
  ? Changing Lifestyles
Chapter 06 TIME OUT
  ? Shopping
  ? Banks
  ? Eating Out
  ? Drink
  ? Restaurant Etiquette
  ? Sex in the City
  ? Leisure
  ? High Culture
  ? Popular Culture
  ? Countryside Pursuits
  ? Sport
Chapter 07 TRAVELING
  ? Cycling
  ? Walking
  ? Public Transportation
  ? Local Transportation—Buses, Trams, and Metros
  ? Car and Driving Licenses
  ? Taxis
  ? Where to Stay
  ? Health and Security
Chapter 08 BUSINESS BRIEFING
  ? Making Contact
  ? Office Style and Etiquette
  ? Who Are Dutch Businesspeople?
  ? Communication Styles
  ? Presentations
  ? Teamwork
  ? Leadership and Decision Making
  ? Meetings and Negotiations
  ? Handling Disagreements
  ? Gezelligheid at Work
Chapter 09 COMMUNICATING
  ? Language
  ? Familiar and Polite Forms of Address
  ? Greetings in Shops
  ? Written Communications
  ? Telephone System
  ? Postal System
  ? Misinterpretations
  ? Humor
  ? Conversation
  ? Body Language
  ? Conclusion
Appendices
  ? Places
  ? People
Exercises