Compare and Contrast: America vs. the Netherlands

I’ve had a few weeks to adjust to my new home in Maastricht and, in doing so, I’ve been able to observe some pretty interesting differences between America and the Netherlands. Although nothing momentous separates the two cultures, there are a few key characteristics that accentuate their contrasts.

The weekends

In the States, the weekend starts on Friday and ends on Sunday. However, for the Dutch, Tuesday and Thursday are the nights for reveling while Sunday and Monday are basically the equivalent to America's Saturday and Sunday. It’s quite a difference in schedules and threw me through a loop for the better part of two weeks until I adjusted accordingly. Apparently going out on Tuesday and Thursday guarantees a younger crowd at the local watering holes while, on the weekends, you’re much more likely to run into an older demographic.

Taking your time

America is very much a “Go go go” society. I didn’t even realize how much that was true until I’d left and set up camp in a new country. It’s almost disheartening to see the difference in how those from the U.S. spend their time compared to the Dutch. For instance, it’s very normal in the Netherlands to sit in a restaurant for hours. Or, rather, it’s not just normal - it’s expected. Within the first week of my arrival, I had been to a few cafes and was constantly impatient. What would happen is I’d sit down, order my drink, and then not see the server for another twenty minutes.

At first, I thought that I was being shafted because I was American, but I soon came to realize that everyone around me was receiving the same treatment. Finally, it dawned on me that the Dutch (and most Europeans, really) actually enjoy taking their time. They relish it. I couldn’t fathom how it was done; how someone could get a drink and take twenty to thirty minutes to finish it.

A perfect example of the American vs. Dutch eating habits can be seen in my recent visit to Tokyoto, a popular sushi bar in Maastricht. I went to Tokyoto with a group of international students and when we got our drinks, I guzzled mine within minutes. Conversely, the other students rationed theirs so that they had one drink the entire meal. I went through four drinks in the same amount of time.

We’re just not taught to relax and enjoy ourselves in America. Or, at least, I wasn’t. So if you’re from the States and visiting Europe, don’t be insulted if your server waits on you sparingly. It is very likely the case that you are expected to be dining in for hours. And enjoy yourself! This may be a novel experience but it can be quite bracing to just take a minute to reflect on the speed of your life and how you may be missing the simplest of pleasures.

Tipping & Tax

Okay, this is one of those things that made me incredibly uncomfortable when I first moved to Europe. They don’t tip over here! With every meal, I felt shameful for not leaving the usual 15-20% gratuity. But that’s just the way it is. And it’s great! Because it means that, if your service is fantastic, the person waiting on you genuinely cares about your experience. Since they don’t have any tip to look forward to, there’s technically no need for waitstaff to show you any kindness or attention, so the fact that they do is really admirable.

I know that must sound crazy to any Europeans reading this. You’re probably thinking, “Well how else are waiters supposed to treat customers?,” but you’d be amazed at how awful the service in America can be when the waitstaff are only tolerating you for the tip they get at the end of a meal.

And don’t even get me started on the tax here. It’s SO nice to have the tax already included in the price of things in Europe. When you look at the price tag of a jacket in a store in Europe, the price you see is the price you pay. Whereas, in America, the price on the tag is only a portion of what you pay before tax is applied. I don’t know why but it’s such a relief to know exactly how much you’re going to be paying prior to taking your haul to the register.

Height & Weight

I don’t believe in the stereotype that Americans are fat. I’m American and I’m quite svelte if I do say so myself. But when I touched down in the Netherlands, I was shocked to see how few obese people there are. I could count on one hand how many overweight individuals I’ve seen in the month and a half I’ve been in Maastricht. It could be a combination of a healthy diet and exercise since the main modes of transportation here are biking and walking, but I’m not entirely sure. Whatever it is, I do think Americans would benefit by taking some pointers from the Dutch.

Oh, and the height difference is HUGE. For the first time in my life, I feel short, and I’m 5’8”! Compared to most other women in the States, that would be considered tall, but not in the Netherlands. I was actually so stumped as to why everyone here was so gargantuan compared to back home that I did some research. Apart from the obvious Nordic genetic predispositions, the Dutch also have diets that are made up heavily of meat, dairy, and grain, which apparently aids in their remarkable growth spurts. Need proof? Just take a gander at the illustration below…

Food

I haven’t actually noticed a substantial difference between the type of food eaten in the Netherlands compared to that of America. They have burgers, fries, pizza, subs, BBQ - you name it. But the quality of the food between the two countries is polarizing. The Dutch somehow manage to make a hamburger and fries feel healthy. The same meal in America would have me feeling bloated and gross for days. The difference can be found in the way everything is prepared in the Netherlands. The Dutch feel far less of an inclination to deep-fry their food or saturate it in fat while the deep fryer is a prized fixture in any self-respecting American restaurant.

I’ve actually started eating larger portion sizes since I’ve been in Maastricht but have actually lost weight. And before you say, “Well you’ve been walking more since you went abroad so that’s why you’re dropping the pounds,” I actually haven’t increased my steps to a great degree because I take the train most places. I’ve been consuming roughly the same types of food here as I would in America but without processed fats, which has caused my overall energy levels to skyrocket and my weight to take a dive.

Although I could never choose between my American roots and the love I've developed for Maastricht, I certainly see the appeal of taking up a European lifestyle. If there's anything I've learned since going abroad, it's that everything is just simpler here. If you don't believe me, take it from the Dutch, whose unofficial motto is "Live and let live." It doesn't get any more lax than that, folks.