Hofstede's Uncertainty Avoidance

1 December, 2025

___________

This week’s class was about uncertainty avoidance. I immediately recognized how this plays a role in my own life. I always try to prepare for uncertainty, because if you don’t, unexpected situations hit harder and become more difficult to react to. At the same time, I still try to live with a 'go with the flow' mindset. Stress is natural, but only until it reaches a certain point. After that it becomes unnecessary and unhealthy. One quote I always use is:

'You already have a no, but you can get a yes.' - Mamend, 2025

I change it depending on the situation, for example: 'I already have a bad grade, if I try, I can only improve it.' This helps me keep my stress level normal while still being ready for uncertainty.

When we learned more about uncertainty avoidance in class, I immediately thought about the differences between countries. Hofstede said that the Netherlands scores low in uncertainty avoidance, which means that the people are generally relaxed, flexible, and open to unexpected changes. I agree with that, as we don’t need strict rules for everything, and if something goes differently from the plan, most people just adapt. Japan scores much higher, said Hofstede. Uncertainty is seen as something that must be controlled. This results in more rules, more structure, and more stress if things do not go according to plan. I recognize that difference clearly, Dutch society feels more open and spontaneous, while Japanese culture is more organized and careful.

Even though I personally prepare for uncertainty, I think I still approach life in a very Dutch way: stay calm, trust the process, and keep moving forward. Life won't always be certain, but the way we handle the unknown makes all the difference.

The dog behind is the stress in your life, and you should be the dog in the front of the picture. 




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