A Canadian in the Netherlands

Mark thought he knew what to expect when he first moved to the Netherlands from his quiet, polite hometown in Canada. He had gone through each and every guidebook and article online. However, nothing could have prepared him for the vibrant and occasionally perplexing culture in which he was about to become immersed.

It was shocking to see him on his first day at work. When lunchtime arrived, Mark was astonished as his coworkers pulled out sandwiches made of just peanut butter-slathered slices of bread. Not just one or two sandwiches, but several stacks of six to eight sandwiches each. Jan, his neighbor at the work area, got his confounded articulation and smiled.

“We call this lunch,” Jan explained. “It gets you through the office day.”

Mark laughed, but couldn’t help thinking about the elaborate lunches he was used to back home. Here, simplicity reigned supreme.

Another eye-opener was biking to work. Although Mark had been told that the Dutch loved their bikes, the sheer number of cyclists surprised him. The bike lanes were congested during rush hour, looking more like a crowded highway than a tranquil path through the city. People of all ages moved quickly and confidently by. Mark felt like a novice in this world of experienced bikers as he struggled to keep up.

Then there was the Prime Minister’s motorcade. Mark saw it on the news: the Dutch Prime Minister, Rutte, riding to work on his bicycle, in stark contrast to the American President’s heavily armored limousine, aptly nicknamed ‘The Beast.’ The sight was a clear reminder of the country’s laid-back, practical approach to life.

Social customs presented their own challenges. When his Dutch colleague Lisa had a baby, Mark was introduced to the tradition of beschuit met muisjes. He found himself holding a biscuit rusk adorned with pink sugar-coated anise seeds. Mark marveled at the quaint, celebratory treat, wondering how long this tradition would withstand the pressures of modern sensibilities. As the father of a newborn, he couldn't help but think of how gender-specific colors might soon be criticized in this progressive nation.

One day, Mark decided to explore the cycling superhighways he had heard so much about. These paths were marvels of urban planning, making cycling a smooth and efficient way to travel long distances. But what intrigued him even more were the ecoducts—special highway crossings for wildlife. While other countries had started to adopt this practice, the Netherlands led the charge, demonstrating their commitment to harmony between nature and urban development.

Dining out with his new friends revealed yet another Dutch peculiarity: the concept of Going Dutch. At first, Mark was taken aback when everyone insisted on splitting the bill down to the last cent. Back in Canada, one person usually picked up the tab, and it was considered polite to offer. Here, financial independence and fairness were the norms, and splitting the bill was a matter of course.

The Dutch love for potatoes was legendary, and Mark experienced it firsthand during a traditional meal. His host, Pieter, served a dish that involved grinding—prakken—the food together. Potatoes, vegetables, and meat were all mashed into an unrecognizable blend. To Mark, it seemed like culinary madness, but he didn’t want to offend his host. He took a tentative bite and found it surprisingly delicious.

Living in Amsterdam, Mark was acutely aware of the city’s liberal stance on soft drugs. Weed was legal and widely available, but he quickly realized it wasn’t the locals who frequented the infamous Red Light District or the coffee shops. It was mostly tourists. The Dutch, as Mark observed, stayed clear of these areas, preferring quieter, less sensational pursuits.

The most startling cultural difference, however, was the Dutch penchant for bluntness. Mark was used to sugar-coating his words to avoid offending anyone, but here, directness was valued above all else. If someone asked for an opinion, they expected honesty. Mark learned this the hard way when he hesitated to comment on a colleague’s dress during a conversation. His reluctance was met with confusion and mild irritation.

“You’re being rude,” his colleague had said. “Just tell the truth.”

Mark couldn’t believe his ears. Back home, honesty was often considered secondary to politeness. But in the Netherlands, it was a mark of respect.

Over time, Mark adapted. He began to appreciate the straightforwardness, the simplicity, and the practicality that permeated Dutch life. He even started enjoying his peanut butter sandwiches and cycling through the bike traffic jams with newfound confidence.

Yet, the transformation wasn’t without its struggles. He still found the bluntness challenging and occasionally longed for the more diplomatic interactions of his homeland. But he understood now that these cultural quirks were not just random peculiarities. They were integral to the Dutch identity, a blend of pragmatism, equality, and a deep-rooted connection to both nature and honesty.

As Mark reflected on his journey, he realized that living in the Netherlands had taught him more than just how to navigate a new culture. It had shown him the value of embracing differences and finding common ground in the unlikeliest of places.

Moral of the story: Embracing cultural differences can be challenging, but it opens up a world of understanding and personal growth. By immersing ourselves in new environments, we learn to appreciate the unique perspectives that shape our global community.