3 Amazing Culture Shocks in Amsterdam

Culture Shock in Amsterdam

We describe “culture shock” as a disorientation we feel when we suddenly experience an unfamiliar culture, way of life or set of attitudes. I experienced some culture shocks when I visited Amsterdam for a day in 2018 while attending a three-week course in Delft in the Netherlands. Staying in Delft, I had become familiar with its delightful canals, dedicated lanes for bicycles and beautiful flowers. However, when I visited Amsterdam to engage in some sightseeing for a day, I paused and shook my head in wonder over a few cultural quirks.

A Free Ferry Ride

I took a train from Delft to Amsterdam Central Station. Over there, I saw a ferry which served to transport people across the IJ river into the city. Hence, I approached the ferry, intently looking for where to buy a ticket for the ride. However, to my utter surprise, it was free for pedestrians, cyclists and mopeds! I thus learnt that the city considered the ferry as an essential part of the public transport system. As such, the City Council managed this service with the ferry running 24 hours per day, every few minutes. That was my first culture shock as I had never experienced free public transport before.

Buying ketchup

After doing some rigorous sightseeing, I was naturally hungry and I entered into a fast food restaurant. I ordered and paid for fries and chicken, expecting the usual ketchup packet to accompany it. Instead, I saw mayonnaise. When I asked for ketchup, the waiter directed me to a stand where a packet of ketchup cost about 50 cents.

I quickly learnt that unlike many countries where ketchup is a default condiment, the Netherlands was an exception. Apparently, Dutch cuisine rather paired up fries with mayonnaise. The Dutch considered ketchup to be a luxury condiment that you had to pay for. What a culture shock! I couldn’t help comparing this to the fast food restaurants in my country, Ghana, where you could expect several free packets of ketchup with fries.

Paying for the washroom

After satisfying my rumbling stomach, I decided to attend to nature’s call. I was extremely pleased to find a public washroom nearby only to realise, to my dismay, that there was a coin slot in front of it, demanding 70 cents. I never expected to have to pay to use a public washroom. This was another culture shock! Rummaging through my handbag for change, I was mildly annoyed. However, my annoyance disappeared when I saw the sparkling, clean facilities. I then realised that the purpose of the fee was to maintain cleanliness.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, I pondered about these culture shocks that I had experienced. I realised that culture shock was not only about different moral norms or language barriers. For instance, I had heard of the Amsterdam Red Light District famous for its window prostitution, which is legal and regulated. Had I visited there, that would have been an expected culture shock.

Culture shock, I discovered, also consisted of tiny, unexpected details that made a place unique. These could be as simple as a free, surprise ferry ride, buying ketchup and paying to use a public restroom. These incidents remind us of how diverse the world really is and lend credence to the mantra, “Travel and see.”

Culture shock pushes you out of your comfort zone. It offers benefits like enhanced personal growth, increased adaptability, empathy and self-reflection. Amsterdam taught me to embrace the unexpected, keep some coins handy, and to enjoy the ride.

What are the culture shocks that you have experienced? Kindly provide your comments by clicking on the chat icon beneath the heading.

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