“We have nothing to hide,” according to CNN; the Dutch possess a rather open culture.
Open Culture
For many visitors to the Netherlands, one of the most intriguing aspects of wandering through the streets of Amsterdam or other towns and cities is that you can peek into the homes of locals when night falls.
This is because many Dutch families never close their curtains, and some homes don’t even have curtains at all.
The Dutch themselves do not find this unusual.
According to anthropologists Hilje van der Horst and Jantine Messing, the reason may stem from the Dutch having an open culture, similar to the mindset of “I have nothing to hide.”
In a study conducted in 2006, experts observed that families in close-knit neighborhoods were often more likely to leave their curtains open; instead, they adorned their windows with sculptures or vases.
Many homes in the Netherlands don’t even have curtains.
Another reason is that the Dutch often enjoy observing the world outside, watching the lights, the hustle and bustle of the streets, and the flow of people passing by.
As living standards have risen over time, the interior decorations in apartments have also become more luxurious and upscale. Similar to how merchants in the past would draw their curtains to showcase a room filled with furniture and exquisite artwork as a way to prove to others that they were trustworthy.
Enjoying the View Outside
Jan Willem van Hofwegen, 41, who lives on the third floor of an apartment building, shared with CNN that he originally thought his apartment was high enough that no one could see in. However, one time while shopping for groceries across the street, his wife turned on the lights, and he looked up to realize that passersby could see everything happening inside.
Still, he decided not to use curtains because he found them stifling and lacking in aesthetic appeal.
“I don’t mind neighbors looking into my living room… I’ve never seen anyone peering through binoculars outside my house, so I don’t care,” he said.
Additionally, he enjoys seeing the lights outside when it gets dark. “I think many Dutch people don’t use curtains because we like the light, and we have nothing to hide.”
Mrs. Marianna Beets, 51, who lives on the first floor, has an apartment right next to a street in a busy fishing village. She stated that she doesn’t draw her curtains because she wants to observe tourists and wave to them as a way to interact.
“I understand why people look inside; I enjoy it too. The interiors of others inspire me, and the best time to do that is at night when it’s dark and the lights are still on.”
Ms. Natasja Wielandt, 34, who lives on the second floor of an apartment, mentioned that her apartment overlooks a large lake, providing a stunning view, and she doesn’t want her sight obstructed.
“The sunset view is amazing. I happily wake up, step into the living room with a cup of coffee and look outside. It creates a sense of calm and freedom while the life outside continues. It gives me the feeling that this is the city I need,” she said.
She also noted that she only looks into other people’s homes when she sees something she likes or something that inspires her, such as a beautifully decorated room or a lovely garden.
