How I fell in love with the Dutch way of life, and how you can too

If someone had told me in 2024 that I would one day fall in love with Dutch discipline, rain and boiled food, I would have laughed. Loudly. But here I am in June 2025, slowly and genuinely falling for everything about this beautiful land.

Find out which things that surprised me when I first arrived have become the things I love about my new Dutch life, and how you can make the Dutch way of life your own too.

Conversations that don’t waste time

When I first started working and talking to Dutch people, especially in cities like Utrecht, Rotterdam and Eindhoven, I was a bit taken aback. They are so direct! So clear! So professional! And honestly, I loved it. 

If they can help, they absolutely will. But if they can’t, they don’t sugarcoat it; they just say, "I’m afraid I can’t help you". And that’s it. No drama. No false hope. Just respectful honesty.

Even the level at which they communicate feels different. People here make sure you understand what they are saying. If you look confused, they don’t just move on, they explain it again, sometimes in Dutchish, just to make sure it clicks. This small kindness really makes you feel seen. And yes, I have slowly started picking up Dutch too, because I want to, not because I have to.

Tip: If the directness feels too sharp at first, try being equally direct in return. You'll be surprised how well it works - it’s a cultural superpower here!

A culture of time

What surprised me more was how obsessed they were with time. In India, being 5-10 minutes late is usually okay (sometimes even expected). But here? If your work starts at 9am, you better be there by 8.50am. Not 9am. Not 9.01am.

At first, I found it stressful, especially since I don’t own a car and commuting was not easy. But eventually… I grew into it. I loved it. For the first time in my life, I felt like time had real value. I started respecting it. Funny enough, it was catching flights that taught me this. Flights don’t wait, and now I don’t either.

Tip: Want to blend in better? Start your appointments 10 minutes early. It shows respect and earns quiet admiration.

Healthy living

And let’s talk about lifestyle. I’m not exaggerating when I say Dutch people are so fit and active. At first, it was almost intimidating. But slowly, their habits became mine. I started cycling and I still cycle nearly 15 kilometres a day. I walk at least 5-10K steps every single day now.

My diet changed completely. Goodbye, oily, heavy food. Hello to light meals, boiled veggies, colourful salads, fresh fruits and my favourite: lemon and cumin seed water. I feel lighter. Healthier. Happier. And I didn’t do it out of pressure, I genuinely started loving it.

Tip: Start small. Rent a bike for short trips or take walking breaks. You’ll naturally build a rhythm, and your body will thank you.

Whatever the weather

Now… the rain. Let’s be real: rain in India or some Asian countries is a full-blown event. Potholes overflow, roads get clogged, and cars splash dirty water on pedestrians (and yes, you curse the driver after he is gone).

I remember during my college days in Karnal, the main roads were often flooded. I had to take side routes to get to campus. Buses would pass and we'd wait on the sidewalk, praying not to get splashed. Even in the big cities, the bus stops would turn red from paan stains floating in the rainwater. Your shoes, your pants, everything would be a mess.

But in the Netherlands? Rain just… happens. No chaos. No drama. It can come at any time, in any season, and people simply carry on calmly, gracefully, like it’s part of the rhythm of the day. The streets don’t flood. People keep walking. Some wear raincoats on a bike, some carry umbrellas on a bicycle, and many just walk freely.

And guess what? You can wear white pants in the rain here and not worry. I know it sounds unreal, but it’s true. The infrastructure is just that good. It amazed me. Especially considering the Netherlands is sitting on the edge of the North Sea!

Tip: Don’t wait for perfect weather. Start going for short walks in the rain. Feel it. Accept it. It’s oddly freeing.

A love of life

What touches me the most, though, is their passion. Just recently, I attended the Koren Festival in Hengelo. It was raining, but people were still out, performing music, dancing, directing others and pulling the crowd in with their energy. And no one looked tired or bothered. Their faces were glowing. They were so alive at that moment. It wasn’t just a performance; it was love, art, and dedication. I couldn’t stop smiling and clapping.

At that moment, standing in the soft Dutch rain, surrounded by music and joy, I realised something deep: I am not just living in the Netherlands. I am becoming a part of it. Slowly, deeply, naturally.

I never expected to fall in love with punctuality, discipline, clean streets, boiled veggies, or a silent drizzle. But I have. And that’s the magic of this place. It doesn’t shout to impress you. It gently changes you until one day you wake up and realise… this land feels like home.