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In Holland, people usually bring a bouquet of flowers when they are invited for dinner. I make sure that the flowers are properly arrange and cut so the host/ess doesn't have to spend too much time looking for a vase and arranging and cutting them.
Other than flowers, I usually bring bon bons, home made cookies/cakes or pie, a selection of cheese or nuts/japanese crackers/wasabi peas for something to have with after dinner drinks. If I bring Prosecco or champagne or white wine, I usually chill them before we leave.
Sometimes I bring something that is just for the hostess and not the dinner like raspberry eau de vie, special olive oil/vinegar or vanilla pods if I know the hostess is an ardent cook/baker.

I try to bring flowers (but you know, I never thought of cutting and arranging first... that would be great).

Since I love to cook but rarely entertain, I also bring 'miscellaneous nothings' - usually some tidbit I've seen online and want to try... spiced almonds, roasted chickpeas, sweet & sassy cashews... munchie sort of stuff.

And I have been known to bring the entire meal, after inviting guests to someone ELSE'S house for dinner. ;)

Great ideas - and I adore Prosecco. Can anyone recommend some good bottles? thanks!

Personally, what I bring depends on the person, and how well I know them. FLowers/wine are always a safe bet.

As for the question "What shall I bring" - my usual response is "Your best personality and that winning smile" or some such.

As a guest you should always remember to respect your host or hostess's wishes when you ask what to bring!
I had a dinner party recently and a guest asked what to bring. I said booze. Not only did booze arrive, but so did a baguette (although I already had one) and a chocolate cake. I spent the better part of a Saturday afternoon slaving over profiteroles and felt compelled to serve the chocolate cake the guest brought. :(

Normally it would be great to have more dessert but there were only five of us at dinner (we didn't even make it through half the cake) and I live alone so extra dessert always eventually ends up in the trash.

Arran - we've tried a few Prosecco labels. We currently like Borgo del Col Alto from the Veneto region.

in place of prosecco, you could try moscato di asti - along the same lines, though a little sweeter than dry.

since we tend to be all-or-nothing entertainer types, i usually assign wine - red, white, or dessert - but depending who asks, sometimes first course (soup, salad) or dessert.

I'm going to invite more Dutch people around, they sound really polite and thoughtful!

I would also prefer flowers since I usually want to be in control of the food and drink, and I always try to bring flowers if the host is not specific.

My usual response is to ask close friends/family to bring something for dessert or whatever they'd like to drink, because a. I don't like to bake, and b. I rarely drink.

Another response, especially if I'm just having an open-house type party, is to bring a friend, add to the fun!

I have found that often when I ask "what can I bring?" I get the "just bring yourself" answer. My mother suggested (and I've found this works) to instead ask, "can I bring ___?" I fill in the blank with a standard and usually accepted answer, like desert, wine, a salad, etc, depending on the event and people involved. I rarely get refused, and then I know that I'm bringing something that is within my means and abilities. It helps the host know what to suggest as well, if my suggestion isn't something they need, so they're not put completely on the spot.

I usually ask friends to bring bread, because it's something that a) I usually forget and b) is easy to find at a store/bakery. Also, baguettes go with just about any dinner.

I usually volunteer to bring dessert. If the offer is accepted I always discuss with the host -- "How about a coconut flan, that might be nice with the curry-- or would you prefer a fruit tart, or something chocolate?" That way, you don't mess up the balance of the meal. If the offer of dessert is refused, I ask if there's something else I can help with. If the answer is no, I bring flowers and something non-perishable like excellent olives, or Marcona almonds. I suggest that my hosts feel free to serve it or keep it for later, whatever they prefer.

These are great suggestions. I never know how to answer the "what can I bring?" question because half the time I can't tell if the person asking is serious, or just trying to be polite.

we usually bring good dark chocolate or truffles (the chocolate variety ;-)