The modern tendencies in the world’s progress and social development also influence the cultural interactions between the representatives of different nations and ethnicities. In spite of the fact the process of globalization with its orientation to multiculturalism is in a progress, various European cultures are characterized not only by many similarities but also by significant differences.
From this point, it is necessary to concentrate on such criteria as the religion and beliefs, language, values, art, philosophy, lifestyle, customs, and traditions.
The European cultures are traditionally discussed as the part of the Western civilization that is why it is important to determine similarities in the cultures of Germany, the Netherlands, and France, paying attention to the fact the cultures’ of these countries also have a lot of differences.
The visions of many cultures are based on the developed stereotypes and the definite historical processes. Thus, focusing on the similarities between the cultures of such European countries as Germany, the Netherlands, and France, it is significant to note that the issues of religion are similar for these countries. The majority of the population in these countries is the Christians (Roman Catholics and Protestants).
The percentage of Muslims in the countries is rather low, but the problem of correlation between Christians and Muslims is typical for France. The next point for comparison is the question of language. The citizens of Germany, the Netherlands, and France speak different languages, but the German and Dutch languages have the similar roots when French is of the Roman origin (“Countries and Their Cultures”).
The geographical location of the Netherlands and Germany and their political and social relations affected the development of many similarities in the culture. In its turn, the French culture can be characterized by more differences than similarities in comparison with the cultures of the Netherlands and Germany.
The cultures of three countries depend on the oral traditions and folktales. However, the further focus on science and technology is typical for the German and Dutch cultures when the concentration on art is characteristic for the French culture.
According to the lifestyle, the representatives of three cultures have different food habits, but the same vision of sport activities. In spite of the fact all three nations pay much attention to their food, the French cuisine is discussed as elegant, and the German and Dutch cuisines have their origin in the meal habits of rural people. It is necessary to mention that the representatives of the German, Dutch, and French cultures prefer to spend their leisure time playing soccer.
The most obvious cultural differences are observed when these people celebrate their holidays and follow definite traditions. Thus, the Germans traditionally celebrate St. Martin’s Day, and the Dutch pay much attention to celebrating the feast of Sint Nicolaas. Certain customs, traditions, and holidays are the factors which always help people to accentuate their cultural identity (“Countries and Their Cultures”).
To conclude, it is necessary to concentrate on the relationships of the German, Dutch, and French people which are influenced by the cultural peculiarities. Therefore, Germans focus on distinction between business and personal relations, the concept of formality is significant for them, and they concentrate on the aspect gender equality.
The Dutch people are similar to Germans in their orientation to tasks’ resolving, but women are traditionally perceived as housewives. The French people follow modern tendencies in attitude to gender roles, but the family traditions are extremely significant for them.
Work Cited
Countries and Their Cultures. n.d. Web.