{"product_id":"lekker-direct-surviving-the-netherlands-one-awkward-moment-at-a-time-black-white-edition-9789916924143","title":"Lekker Direct: Surviving the Netherlands One Awkward Moment at a Time - Black \u0026 White Edition","description":"\u003cp\u003e • Author(s): Steven Van Holland\u003cbr\u003e • Publisher: Linguistica Pro\u003cbr\u003e • Publisher Imprint: Linguistica Pro\u003cbr\u003e • BISAC: Topic - Regional \u0026amp; Cultural\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat happens when blunt meets gezelligheid?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eArmed with good intentions and a broken bike, Dimitrios and Eleni - a Greek couple new to the Netherlands - join countless internationals stumbling through kringverjaardags, King's Day chaos, and the soul-crushing reality of bringing your own birthday cake to work.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFrom the infamous \"circle of death\" to the trauma of molten bitterballen, \u003cem\u003eLekker Direct\u003c\/em\u003e is a brutally funny, painfully accurate guide to Dutch culture - as told by expats just trying to survive it.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMeet an Italian couple who dare to arrive late to a social event. An American haunted by Sinterklaas poems. A Portuguese woman stalked by curtainless windows. With a cast of characters from every corner of the globe, this book explores: \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBirthday gifts gone awkward\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMustard-based secret societies\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDutch supermarkets as competitive sporting events\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWhy even compliments can feel like criticism\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eBased on absurd-but-true stories, baffling traditions, and brutal honesty wrapped in gezelligheid, \u003cem\u003eLekker Direct\u003c\/em\u003e is the guidebook you never knew you needed - and the therapy session you absolutely do.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIf you've ever: \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTried to politely decline birthday cake and been met with suspicious silence\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSurvived a kringverjaardag while forgetting half the names around the circle\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBeen two minutes late to a social event and felt like you crashed a funeral\u003cbr\u003e...this book is for you.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhether you're an expat, a Dutch native with a sense of humor, or a wide-eyed visitor - you'll laugh, cringe, and maybe (finally) understand what the hell \"lekker direct\" means.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy librarians and readers love this book\u003c\/strong\u003e: \u003cbr\u003eClear themes of intercultural communication, social customs, and European expat life make this a relatable and useful nonfiction title for humor sections, Dutch culture shelves, or travel \u0026amp; society displays. Ideal for readers exploring life abroad, cultural identity, or simply looking for a good laugh about awkward social rituals.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eSteven van Holland\u003c\/em\u003e is a Dutch language teacher, communication nerd, and former expat who returned to the Netherlands only to realize how bizarre it truly is. Through storytelling, he's helped thousands of internationals navigate Dutch culture - now he's letting you in on the joke.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Atlantic Books","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":46379518689431,"sku":"9789916924143","price":1459.0,"currency_code":"INR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0666\/3471\/1191\/files\/9789916924143.webp?v=1768767076","url":"https:\/\/atlanticbooks.com\/products\/lekker-direct-surviving-the-netherlands-one-awkward-moment-at-a-time-black-white-edition-9789916924143","provider":"Atlantic Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}