Navigating Cultural Differences as A Korean in the Netherlands

Navigating the waves of cultural differences is a bit like being handed a Rubik’s Cube – twist, turn, get a tad frustrated, then jubilantly celebrate when all the colors align (even if by accident!). Well, my fabulous readers, let’s dive into my personal Rubik’s Cube.

Cultural differences? When Eastern meets Western

Born and bred in Korea, politeness was my middle name. Okay, not really – but it might as well have been. Korean culture prioritizes respect, and growing up, I was taught to always approach people with a gracious smile and a courteous nod. But here’s the fun twist: while my Asian friends always applaud my so-called “grown-up” demeanor, my Western buddies sometimes find me a little too, let’s say, “reserved.“

You’d think a girl who loves K-Dramas and is from a country that gave birth to BTS would know her way around emotional roller-coasters, right? However, when I moved to the Netherlands, the Dutch – with their open hearts and inquisitive minds – made me feel like I was part of an endless interview. Every chat felt like a pop quiz I hadn’t studied for!

Where is my ‘How-to-socialize 101’ manual?!

Living in a picturesque Dutch village near Amsterdam, with tulips practically at my doorstep, I was amidst a sea of amicable Dutch neighbors. But boy, were they curious! Every “good morning” came with a sprinkle of questions. Sometimes, it felt like I had unintentionally become the neighborhood’s daily quiz topic. And while I wanted to bask in the morning sun on my little bench, the endless chat sessions turned it into more of a Q&A hotspot.

Perhaps it’s my Korean upbringing or my inner introvert screaming for a breather, but the art of small talk seems a tad challenging. And, no thanks to the pandemic, it feels like I’ve officially misplaced my ‘How-to-Socialize 101’ manual.

Interestingly, the Dutch make small talk as easy as riding a bicycle. And while their English is impeccable, a certain je ne sais quoi is lost when they switch from Dutch. Some jokes that would have a Dutchman in splits barely evoke a chuckle in English.

In essence, the balance between Eastern reverence and Western openness is tricky. While I’ve embraced some Dutch quirks (hello, cheese cravings!), the cultural teeter-totter is still a work in progress. So, to all you fabulous readers out there navigating the fascinating maze of cultural diversity, do you have any tips? How do you handle the dance between cultures? Do spill the tea!

P.S. If you are interested in my journey in the Netherlands, check out my blog post, “Journey of a Mixed-Family.”