Cultural differences between the Netherlands and Italy exposed

To what extent do the cultures of the Netherlands and Italy actually differ? Many statements are made about this. About the difference in food culture, in social manners and in the field of business, for example. Many of these differences are based on our own observations. But thorough research has also been done.

Professor Geert Hofstede is known for his intercultural studies. For example, he captured the culture of many different countries in 6 dimensions, his so-called 6D model. What about the cultural differences between the Netherlands and Italy?

6 dimensions of Hofstede

The 6 dimensions from Hofstede's model are successively:

1. power distance
2. individuality
3. masculinity
4. uncertainty avoidance
5. long or short term thinking
6. indulgence vs restraint

All these concepts get in score in relation to the other countries. A comment that should be made here is that these figures only say something about society as a whole and certainly not about individuals. Regional differences within a country can also make quite a difference.

If we look at the picture for the Netherlands compared to Italy, it looks like the graph above.

What exactly do these states mean? We will briefly explain them to you one by one.

Power distance (power distance): this concept is about that not everyone in a society is equal, no matter how much we would like to be. This statistic shows the extent to which the less powerful elements in a society expect and accept their role. With a score of 38, the Netherlands is quite low on the list, just like countries such as Sweden, Denmark and Austria. This indicates that the Dutch are not very fond of hierarchy and that, for example, employees expect their opinion to matter.

Individualism (individualism): this is the degree of interdependence of the individuals in a society. It tells whether it is more about the 'I' or the 'we'. The Netherlands is an individualistic society. We mainly care about ourselves and our immediate neighbors. We expect people to be able to take care of themselves and their immediate family and we see work as a business arrangement based on mutual benefit.

Masculinity (masculinity): societies can be masculine (masculine) or feminine (feminine). The Netherlands scores low on masculinity, which indicates that we have a feminine society. Female values ​​such as caring for each other (within the framework of the family) and quality of life (working to live, not the other way around) score high here.

Being or becoming the best at something is not of great value in a feminine culture. Here it is important to 'polder', until everyone is satisfied. Competitiveness and social success do not play significant roles, as they do in male cultures. A good example of a masculine society is North America.

Uncertainty Avoidance (uncertainty avoidance): should we try to bend the future to our will or do we take everything as it comes. This is what uncertainty avoidance is all about. How does a society deal with the fear of the unknown? The Netherlands scores 53 on this scale, which means we are slightly above average.

The higher the score, the less understanding there is for people who behave differently than what is expected of them. Social codes are more important, as are punctuality and precision. Innovation is seen as less important.

Long or short term thinking (pragmatism): this dimension describes how countries deal with their past and tradition and with matters that play a role in the present. In countries that score low, traditions and norms are more fixed and more important. More pragmatic countries, such as the Netherlands, focus more on the current situation. If necessary, traditions and customs are adapted to make them fit better with today's society.

Indulgence (indulgence): the degree of control of desires and impulses. Relatively weak control is called "indulgent." Relatively strong control is 'reluctant'. This is how small children are socialized in a society. The Netherlands scores relatively high on this scale of permissiveness. This means that enjoyment is important, leisure is more important than work and that we generally have a positive basic attitude.

Italian society differs considerably from Dutch society on a number of points from this 6D model. Differences are especially striking in the areas of power distance, individualism, uncertainty avoidance and permissiveness.

Power Distance: Italy scores 50, which means that equality and decentralization are important, but to a lesser extent than the Netherlands, where everyone 'should' be equal. Control and supervision are not highly valued, especially among the younger generations.

An open management style and teamwork are important, which is also reflected in the high score for individualism. It should be noted that this dimension is much higher for the south of Italy.

Individualism: Like the Netherlands, Italy scores high on individualism. There is also a striking difference between the north and the south of Italy. In the north of Italy, especially in the big cities, individualism is rampant. It's all about 'me' and the people directly around me. Others are only important if they can 'arrange' something.

In the south of Italy groups to which one belongs are important. You often hear from southerners that those northerners are so 'cold and unpleasant'.

Masculinity: the biggest difference with the Netherlands is the masculine society. Italy is driven by success and ambition. Children are taught that it is important to be the best and to win, whereby in the Netherlands it is much more about 'participating' and that it is 'fun'.

Status symbols are important in Italy: a nice car, a camper to go on holiday to 'Scandinavian and exotic countries' such as the Netherlands, a large house with an electric fence around it. To achieve all this status, the workplace can be quite competitive.

Uncertainty Avoidance: a score of 75 is high on the uncertainty avoidance scale. In combination with the masculinity, this causes stress among Italians. Doing Business in Italy becomes a minefield of formal codes, Italian laws are complicated and processes take forever. There are rules, standards and procedures for everything.

And if you're wondering where all those bureaucracy it comes from, well, so that's it here. Yet Italians seem to regularly flout their own rules and procedures. That too is fully explainable. If you want to be able to live in a country with such a high score on uncertainty avoidance, it is important to know which rules are really important and which you can safely take with a grain of salt.

This dimension also explains why Italians enjoy lunch breaks and coffee breaks so much: they have to to let go of the stress they have to live under in their society. Also, because of their high score, Italians are passionate people: emotions are so powerful that they have to be conveyed to others with full dedication, with a loud voice and many gestures.

Long or short term thinking: Italy is a pragmatic country, just like the Netherlands. The truth about something depends a lot on context, time and situation. The things are not cast in concrete, but stretchable and adaptable. The pursuit of results is important, as is living a frugal lifestyle and investing in the future. Traditions are best adapted if the zeitgeist demands it.

Indulgence: The Netherlands scores high on the scale of indulgence, Italy low. That means Italy is much more of a 'reluctant' country. Cynicism and pessimism are then lurking in the national culture. There is a lot of criticism and grumbling. Free time is less important than a good job. Social norms hold back overly lavish excesses.

And what do you think of these research results by Professor Hofstede? Recognizable as an Italian living in the Netherlands or a Dutchman living in Italy? Feel free to leave your comment below. We are curious about your opinion.

Source: The Hofstede Centre