I'm American and interviewing for a position in Holland..can you tell me about the people,culture....?

I may be moving and would like more information on the people, culture, business culture, making friends, etc. Anything that might be useful to becoming comfortable in the country? I want to merge into society and not stand out as the "Ugly American." Things I should be aware of and things not to do?

The + about most of the people:
Open minded
Tolerant (it is more like, live and let live)
Friendly
Hard working
We say what we think and do what we say.

The - about some people:
Self righteous
There is a lot of road rage
Some think we are rude
we have an opinion on everything

I will keep my meaning about the Dutch culture to my self if you don't mind. A good book to read is "the undutchebels"

Business culture is informal, my German friends say it is way to informal, but they admit that they would like to have that too :-)

Just to add: another good book series on this is "culture shock". I thinkt there is one on the Netherlands (for sure) and one for Amsterdam (not sure). As to the Undutchables: recommended read but some comments give me the feeling it's written in the Amsterdam area. I don't recognise a lot of things.

You may also want to check what the view is of the stereotypical American to see "what not to do". :)

Bussiness is indeed unformal, but to what extend will differ from company to company. Hierarchy does exist but will not always show as strong as in other countries. People tend to address eachother with the informal "je" very quickly and you're often invited to do so if you don't.

Good luck and ask detailed questions here for more info.

"M" summarised it well.
the book is "the Undutchable" and although it is stereotyping the Dutch culture, it is also pointing out the issues a lot of Non-Dutch struggle to understand or accept.
you will NEED to learn Dutch to be accepted! and good luck! the language is difficult and the Dutch will speak English to you (they are better in English then you are in Dutch) but you will go a long way if you master it: most anglosaxon people do not make the effort so yours will be appreciated.
be ready for serious culture shock.
other books:
- "Mind you manners" (can't remember the author)
- any book by "Hofstede" will explain cultural dimensions and differences.
- "the low skies" - very good too