[KJasper]

Let's be honest here (I'm Dutch): In the Netherlands failing is looked down upon, investing in something as risky as a start-up is very uncommon and probably frowned upon, working for 40+ hours is okay but we highly value our spare time, there are lots and lots of rules and regulations if you want to hire and fire. All these things are part of our culture and need to be modified in our hearts and rulesets to have a better environment where startups can thrive as well as in the US.

[ovi256]

That's ironic given that your people (the Dutch) were the original European venture capitalists! In the 16th and 17th centuries, they put together and financed again and again (thus repeatable and scalable) overseas trading voyages.

I would hope that spirit left traces in your cultures.

[Radle]

I am German, while I believe that what you say is quite right. I would never give up on the worker protection in order to help start ups, there are other things that can be done.

You shouldn't need to remove the base your country is building on successfully, in order to support new ideas.

[makeitsuckless]

This is just the bullshit self-loathing of Americanophiles.

"failing is looked down upon". In which f-ing corner of the country? How the hell do you think our tiny country has become so completely disproportionately successful? Because we don't take risks? Because we were to afraid to just set sail and see what happens? Bullshit.

We're the champions of fucking failing. We're the only big soccer nation never to win the World Cup, yet we celebrate our heroes for trying and failing.

Failing is not a bad or shameful thing in Dutch culture. This is just a meme that's being repeated inside a small bubble of people that worship American startup culture and use it as an excuse.

(Edit: the only slightly valid excuse is that bankruptcy in NL can be a bit of a pain in the ass.)

[mc32]

It may be something as simple as partners who don't tolerate someone without a "stable career". It's not that people look down on you but that subtle signals yell people to steer clear of "risky" career choices.

Maybe working for known companies hold cachet for young professionals and people looking for jobs look for that approval.