[Opinion] First impression of the Netherlands [해외문화]

Dutch present-day society

글 입력 2015.08.08 10:25

First impression of The Netherlands

If I have to describe the Netherlands with three nouns, they would be English, bikes and party. Undoubtedly, it is merely one side of the Netherlands, not an all-round description. Yet, it is the first impression the Netherlands gave me.

People in the Netherlands are normally capable of communicating in English without any problems. Comparing with other countries in Europe, English is much more popular in the Netherlands. And it was one of the reasons I chose to have my exchange in Utrecht. When I encounter any difficulties here in the Netherlands, whether I am on a street or by a helping desk, it is never hard to find a local who can speak English to help. One who only speaks English can definitely live in the Netherlands without big trouble. Looking back to the history, the Netherlands is located in between Britain and the Europe and was a major trading center bridging the Britain and the Europe. Hence, English was important for the Dutch to communicate with the British, whereas in other European counties English was not that vital. Therefore, nowadays English is more common in the Netherlands.

I am wondering it may be related to the educational system here. I hypothesize that the educational system in the Netherlands may require kids to start learning English at a very young age, especially when compared with other European countries. Another point worth discussing is that, learning English for a longer time does not necessarily mean that you are learning it well. In Korea, we learn English as early as we learn Korean. However, in my observation, people in Korea cannot speak in English as fluently as Dutch although daily communication is of no problem. Thus, I propose that the English education here is better or specially more efficient and practical.

It is totally not surprising when talking about the Netherlands people come up with bikes in their mind immediately. Accompanying most of the roads, there are bicycle tracks on the two sides, even if there are no pedestrian paths. Moreover, everyone here rides a bike, from kids to the elderly, from people wearing T-shirt to people wearing suit. And most of them ride their bikes extremely skillfully. There are occasions I can see someone riding his/her bike with only one hand or sometimes with no hands, sparing their hands to smoke, to play mobile phones, to carry a huge shopping bag from supermarket and so on. I have asked a Dutch person, when do Dutch people usually first learn how to ride a bike. He answered me: ‘In Holland, children learn to ride a bicycle after they learn how to walk.’ He may be a bit exaggerated, but I believe people learn that when they are really small. It seems that bikes have an irreplaceable place here.

I suggest that the popularity of bike may reflect somewhatinadequacy of the public transport system. People prefer riding a bike than taking the public transport shows there should be some advantages for the bike over the public transport. I doubt perhaps the network of public transport is not extensive enough. Possibly, places that are farther away from the city center do not have access by the public transport, and if people want to get there, they can only either ride a bike or walk.

Lastly, from my point of view, people in the Netherlands go parties a lot. I stated the point clear because it may be normal for people in other countries, such as Spain, as well. Yet, to me, from a more conservative culture, partying is also an issue of interest. It was weekends when I was in Amsterdam before coming Utrecht. People were all around enjoying party and drinking alcoholtill late night or even another morning in pubs and coffee shops. Besides, it seems the number of pubs or coffee shops is comparatively larger than in other countries, as I can see on average there are a few on one single street. What strikes me more is that, people in the Netherlands, especially students, are supposed to be quite busy. Why would they have time to go party so often?

▲ Kingsday in Holland, Source : Google image

It may because the working hour is rather short in the Netherlands. The shops I can see on the street, except restaurants, mostly open eight hours a day and close at six in the evening. In Korea, it is not unusual for a shop to open twelve hours a day and close at eleven at night, sometimes even later. Furthermore, people may have a good balance between work and play. When they go off work, they are completely off and the time is for leisure; they make a clear cut between work and play. Therefore, they enjoy the party as much as how hard they work.

English, bikes and party only show the surface and one side of the Netherlands. Underneath the surface, there lays the society to be discovered: the educational system, the public transport system and the working hours.

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