Food
The food in the Netherlands is related to the mentality. The original Dutch food is fairly simple fare. The Dutch people prefer to eat for breakfast and lunch a slice of brown bread with cheese. Traditionally the hot meal consists of boiled potatoes with gravy, boiled vegetables and a piece of meat. Very few herbs are being used. However, since the end of the previous century more and more inspiration is being gained from other countries, which resulted in a sort of fusion kitchen.
If one does not feel like cooking, one often takes away fries and mayonaise, with a frikandel (a sort of minced-meat hot dog) or a croquette. There are many Chinese restaurants in Holland, where a combination of the Chinese and Indonesian kitchen is on offer. You may eat out in a Chinese restaurant, but many Dutch people prefer to take away their food and consume it at home.
The most important beverage to a Dutch person is coffee. Everybody drinks coffee, from early in the morning to late at night. Dutch people prefer strong coffee and are often very picky about the taste. If a Dutch person is served an ill-tasting cup of coffee, they can become quite grumpy.