What it feels like to live in a more equal society

Currently I live in one of the most equal places on the planet. Whilst I personally do not agree with all these rankings but when you look at how it fares in the various measurements — be it to peace, gender, environment — it is a leader and also an innovator.

This country does a lot of good in the world. Whether by exporting a surplus of tomatoes or doing good through sometimes questionable foreign policies, at least there’s compassion and empathy in what it does. Have a look at the Good Country Index below.

I live in the Netherlands and I will tell you what it feels to live in a society that greatly values equality — peace. Granted, it has its problems. In fact, many. It doesn’t “feel” enough. It lacks the human connection that comes with touch and involvement. It lacks that rawness. Look at food and cuisine. It’s terrible.

This post is not out to critique it, nor should its equality benchmarks be a gold standard to everywhere else on the planet. But I can tell you how the small things in life differ and how my relationships are unique in this society.

Firstly, you do not need to prove yourself. Yes, you would want to succeed in your career and there is still this rat race in some ways here, but it is much less about competition. To talk about one’s salary or to stare down on society based on a vertical system are social taboos here. You are less pressured to “do well”. You are not obliged to go to university. In an equal society, a builder is equally valued as a computer scientist.

This does not apply just to one’s career, but to everyday life. Throughout my everyday observations, you dress differently here. The amount of top branded clothing boutiques are lesser here. Maybe its because of the tax. There are wealthy people here, but the culture has produced individuals who are largely “clothing-blind”. Everyone has their own styles, but their styles are not too provocative. It’s not very exciting but it gives the impression that you are not any different from me. You do…

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