Moving to a new country comes with many surprises, especially when it comes to cultural differences. As a Southern Italian living in the Netherlands, I’ve had my fair share of “Wait, what?” moments. Here are some of the culture shocks that caught me off guard — some frustrating, some heartwarming, and some still puzzling!
Restaurants Close Shockingly Early
One of the biggest shocks I experienced when I first moved here was the early closing time of restaurants. Coming from Southern Italy, where dinner at 9:30 pm is completely normal, I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw places shutting their doors before 10 pm.
I remember my family visiting in July, and we confidently left the house at 9:30 pm, expecting to find a lively dinner spot. Instead, we wandered the streets in disappointment, realising we’d completely missed dinner service. In Italy, 9:30 pm is barely when the night begins!
So, if you’re moving to the Netherlands, plan your dinner early. Otherwise, you’ll end up like me: learning the hard way and going home hungry!
Supermarkets Close Early on Sundays
Another shock related to time management is how early supermarkets close, especially on Sundays. Back home, Sunday evenings are often spent preparing a beautiful family meal, and shops stay open much later to accommodate that.
In the Netherlands? Good luck finding a supermarket after 6 pm on a Sunday.
Even now, in my third year here, I still sometimes forget about this. There’s nothing worse than realising at 7 pm that the shops are closed, and your only option is to eat bread and cheese for dinner (again). I’ve learned my lesson (kind of), but it’s a habit that’s hard to shake when you’ve grown up with shops that never seem to close.
The Dutch Lunch: A Sad Sandwich
As an Italian, lunch has always been something to look forward to. So imagine my shock when I discovered that, in the Netherlands, lunch often consists of a simple sandwich and maybe a piece of fruit.
It’s quite a downgrade from the beautiful pasta dishes I used to have back home. Seeing people eat cold cheese or peanut butter sandwiches at their desks felt… tragic.
While I’ve learned to appreciate the practicality of a quick lunch, I’ll never get used to the idea of skipping a hearty meal in the middle of the day. According to the culture I grew up in, food is meant to be enjoyed, not rushed!
Friendly Strangers Everywhere
One culture shock that pleasantly surprised me is how friendly the Dutch are to strangers. Maybe this is specific to our little city of Maastricht?
When I first arrived, I found it strange that people would greet me with a cheerful “Hallo!” on the street, even if we didn’t know each other. Whether you’re walking in the park or cycling through a neighbourhood, people here aren’t shy about offering a smile or a casual greeting.
Coming from Italy, where strangers don’t usually greet you unless they know you, this was a refreshing change. It’s a small gesture, but it can really brighten your day and make you feel welcome when homesick.
Unexpected Dutch Habits That Surprised Me
Over time, I’ve come across a few other Dutch habits that left me either confused, amused, or both. One of the biggest surprises was how direct people are here. In the Netherlands, there’s no beating around the bush — they’ll tell you exactly what they think, whether you want to hear it or not. At first, I thought it was a bit rude, but now I’ve learned to appreciate their honesty. It saves a lot of time!
Another big one is the cycling culture. It’s no exaggeration when people say the Dutch live on their bikes. Whether it’s raining or freezing, they’ll be out there cycling as if the weather doesn’t exist. I’ll never forget the day I got yelled at by a cyclist for walking on a bike lane thinking I was good to do so in the snow — lesson learned!
I was also surprised by how far in advance people plan their social lives. Back home, we often make plans spontaneously, but here, I’ve had to book coffee dates weeks ahead. It took some getting used to, but now my agenda is my best friend.
Lastly, Dutch birthday parties were a whole other experience. The first time I went to one, everyone sat in a circle, and I had to congratulate not only the birthday person but their family and friends too. It felt strange at first, but now it just feels very Dutch!
Moving to the Netherlands has been full of surprises, but it’s also been a rewarding experience. While some culture shocks made me feel a bit out of place, others taught me to embrace new traditions and ways of living.
If you’re planning to move here, be ready to adjust to the early closing times, simple lunches, and friendly greetings — and don’t forget to buy your groceries before Sunday evening!
