Why Your Dutch Networking Style Doesn’t Work in the U.S.
I recently had a conversation with someone in the Netherlands. During our chat, we realized — almost by accident — that I had the contacts and knowledge to help her move forward with a project she was working on. I offered to connect her with a few people and send her some useful links.
To my surprise, she tensed up.
I quickly reassured her: “Don’t worry — I don’t expect anything in return.”
You see, in the Netherlands, networking is often reciprocal: I do something for you, you do something for me. Whether stated or not, there’s usually an expectation that a favor will be returned — preferably soon and in a tangible way.
In the United States, networking works very differently. It’s based on the principle of paying it forward:
✔️ You share your network, time, or advice without expecting something in return.
✔️ You help others move forward and be successful, trusting that it will come back to you eventually — perhaps through someone else, or in an unexpected way.
This also means Americans will often gladly accept your help or introduction — without feeling the need to reciprocate. That’s not impolite; it’s simply part of the culture.
So what can you do as a Dutch entrepreneur?
✔️ Let go of the idea that networking has to be transactional and reciprocal.
✔️ Be generous with your time, knowledge, and contacts, even with people who may not appear to be useful to your network - right now.
✔️ Invest in long-term relationships without expecting immediate returns.
This open and generous attitude is seen in the U.S. as professional and trustworthy.
Curious what this means for your U.S. expansion? Let’s talk.
Join my Workshop: Doing business with Americans - the Key to Success!
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Hi, my name is Annette. For over 10 years, I have helped Fortune 500 companies, scale-ups and individuals understand the intricacies and advantages of communicating across cultures, turning cultural differences and similarities into competitive advantages.
Let me help you prepare for your interactions with American partners and clients, and improve Dutch-American collaboration. Simply r schedule a free 30-minute assessment here.