Names, greetings and personal boundaries

Why go

Regional names offer a concrete way to show attention to where you are. Holland refers to North Holland and South Holland, rather than the whole country. Using the Netherlands avoids that confusion elsewhere, while leaving space for someone to describe their own region, beliefs and preferred way of greeting.

Useful to know

• Use the Netherlands when referring to the country as a whole.
• Let the other person set the tone of a greeting instead of assuming a cheek kiss.
• Avoid pressing acquaintances about personal wealth or making assumptions about their religion.