Current Time in Netherlands
Dutch culture of time
Dutch culture of time
It is natural to be punctual for appointments
In the Netherlands, it is very important to keep to the time of an appointment. Even being 5 minutes late without prior notice can be considered rude, so punctuality is expected regardless of business or personal life.
Meetings start and end on time
Meeting culture is also efficient, starting exactly at the scheduled time and ending on time. Wasteful talk is kept to a minimum and people tend to focus on the agenda.
"Leaving work at 5pm" is a well-established culture
In many Dutch companies, it is common to leave work immediately after 5pm. Overtime is not preferred, and private life outside of working hours is valued.
Dutch values of time
Emphasis on efficiency and balance
The Dutch tend to see time as a limited resource and dislike waste. On the other hand, the balance between work and private life is also very important, and shorter working hours and flexible working methods are widely used.
Emphasis on promises and plans
Sudden visits and changes of plans are generally not liked, and it is common to confirm schedules in advance. Individual time is also respected, so early contact is considered polite.
Thorough time education in schools
"Being punctual" and "acting in a planned manner" are incorporated as part of education from elementary school, and a high awareness of time is cultivated throughout society.
Things about time that foreigners should know when traveling or moving to the Netherlands
Pay attention to public transportation operating hours
While public transportation often operates on time, there are fewer trains on weekends and at night, so you need to be careful when planning your travels.
Pay attention to holidays and differences in business hours
Many stores are closed or have reduced hours on Sundays, so it is advisable to check your shopping and outing plans in advance.
Lateness and sudden changes are considered rude
Being on time is the basis, not only in business but also in private life. It is considered ideal to be 5 minutes early, and it is good manners to always contact someone if you are going to be late.
Interesting trivia about time in the Netherlands
"Appointment culture" is commonplace
Even when going to dinner with close friends or to a cafe, it is common to make an appointment in advance. It is best to refrain from sudden visits.
"Bicycle commuting" is also punctual
A large number of people use bicycles to commute to work, and you can see them arriving at work on time regardless of the weather. The city infrastructure is well-developed, and cycling is also part of time planning.
Implementation of daylight saving time
Daylight saving time is implemented in the Netherlands, and the clocks are changed by one hour on the last Sunday in March and the last Sunday in October every year. This has established a culture of making effective use of daylight hours.