To my fellow Iranians who moved to the Netherlands (or anywhere in Europe) for a better life

To my fellow Iranians who moved to the Netherlands (or anywhere in Europe) for a better life:

I say this with love—but also with a deep sigh that comes from the depths of my soul—please stop complaining about the weather and taxes!

As an Iranian who left home young, lived in Budapest, North Italy, and now near Rotterdam, I’ve seen enough to say this with confidence: yes, Dutch weather sucks, and yes, taxes here will make you question your life choices. But let’s get some perspective.

Some of us come from countries where governments don’t just tax our wallets—they tax our existence. Where basic rights are not an inconvenience but a distant dream. Where women fight to exist freely, men are imprisoned for speaking out, young people risk their lives for a future, and the LGBTQ+ community has to hide who they are to stay safe.

So the next time you want to curse the gray skies and the belastingdienst (which, let’s be honest, is a fair reaction), take a moment to appreciate that you’re in a place where you can actually curse freely without getting arrested.

And while you’re at it, you might as well thank me for this wisdom. In an age where even air costs money, consider this a free, high-quality reality check. You’re welcome.