I have been living in the Netherlands for the past two years now. It’s been a great experience none the less. I have faced several cultural shocks, traveling in and around Europe.
Let me list some of them here:
- Vegetarian eggs/ fish:
I have faced it too many times and in so many cities of Europe that when I ask for a vegetarian dish, I inevitably end up with some egg or fish. This one time in Spain, when I ordered a vegetarian sandwich, I ended with a salmon- tomato sandwich.
For Indians, vegetarianism would simply mean no meat, egg, or seafood.
- Sparkling water
In India, when you go to a restaurant or a bar, and you order water, you get water.
In Europe, they ask you what kind of water: sparkling or plain?
Sparkling water is carbonated water.
It surprised me to find out that not everyone drinks water along with their meals, some prefer infused water/ sparkling water or any other drink.
- Sun, water, and Nudity
I have seen Europeans across all countries share a common love for sun and water and swimwear. Come summer, they can be found lounging in their shorts and bikinis in beaches, swimming pools, and strange places like parks and college grounds.
It should not be much a surprise if a person is naked, reading a book beside a lake on a bright sunny weekend.
It did shock me a bit, but well, that’s the way it is.
- Legal red light district
On my first visit to Amsterdam, as I walked in the red light district looking at the skimpily clad women on display in their windows, I was shocked and amazed at the same time – shocked because it was so out in the open and amazed as to how it empowered the sex workers and how the locals and the sex workers co-existed together.
About 8 countries in Europe (The Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Greece, Turkey, Hungary, and Latvia) have legalized prostitution.
- Friendly strangers
Everyone in Europe, ranging from receptionists to cashiers to customers to bus conductors greet each other, before proceeding with the business. Even strangers smile and greet if your eyes meet.
Well, greetings don’t give a culture shock but they surely give a reverse culture shock when you are back in India. On my last visit to India, I would greet shopkeepers and cab drivers with a ‘hello’ and get surprised stares in return.
Note: All the pictures have been taken from google and are for reference only.
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