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settle in the netherlands (my family and i are moving to amsterdam in january). it's going to be a huge change for us too -- going from a tropical country to a

settle in the netherlands (my family and i are moving to amsterdam in january). it's going to be a huge change for us too -- going from a tropical country to an european city, not only not knowing the city itself (we've never been to AMS, only to London), but also, we don't speak any dutch (although my coworkers said i don't really need dutch, my wife and i are trying to learn it).

yodsanklai 4y ago
Good luck, it'll be a great experience!
bigpeopleareold 4y ago
I think there is plenty who experience this, but I felt like a small breakthrough happen when I took command and only used Norwegian instead of falling back to English. It helped a lot and even if it is not the best, it's opening doors in my career here, in that I am able to get interviews with mostly Norwegian speaking companies. :)
exceptione 4y ago
I think you do well to learn Dutch. People here speak English well, the universities are a magnet for international students and especially Amsterdam is quite international, so changes are that you will order something in a cafe in your best dutch and they would not understand you, because you speak Dutch. Your coworkers left out an important detail though: on the workfloor, in the shops, anywhere, speaking English is fine. When socializing, there you will face obstacles. After work hours are for relaxing. So, having to speak in English makes it less optimal, even if the Dutch are really willing to accommodate you there. Quite naturally, people will drop to Dutch again during conversations. If one have to make jokes, common references and all the stuff for which you need a finer touch which your mother tongue provides for, falling back to a foreign langue is a degradation. 1) vocabulary, 2) emulation vs native speed. If you are with six dutchies and you are the only one that forces everyone to have a "degraded experience" of a fun night, you do well to try to learn Dutch. Tell them to fuck off if they switch to English when you want them to speak Dutch, so you can learn. You can be direct and honest with the dutch, that is appreciated. When people start to insult you, congratulations! They are joking and signaling they accept you as one of them. You should respond with another insult. When we do something social, we plan. Don't just drop by and assume you will be invited over for dinner. Dutch people are anti-social or well organized, pick your perspective. This is definitely a difference with more tropical social climates. If you move in January, brace for cold, dim days. When spring comes, everything will look nicer. Good luck!
misja111 4y ago
Good luck! In Amsterdam you won't need any Dutch, except occasionally when you have to sign some government papers. But a little Dutch will certainly let you enjoy your stay a lot better!

yodsanklai 4y ago

Good luck, it'll be a great experience!

bigpeopleareold 4y ago

I think there is plenty who experience this, but I felt like a small breakthrough happen when I took command and only used Norwegian instead of falling back to English. It helped a lot and even if it is not the best, it's opening doors in my career here, in that I am able to get interviews with mostly Norwegian speaking companies. :)

exceptione 4y ago

I think you do well to learn Dutch. People here speak English well, the universities are a magnet for international students and especially Amsterdam is quite international, so changes are that you will order something in a cafe in your best dutch and they would not understand you, because you speak Dutch. Your coworkers left out an important detail though: on the workfloor, in the shops, anywhere, speaking English is fine. When socializing, there you will face obstacles. After work hours are for relaxing. So, having to speak in English makes it less optimal, even if the Dutch are really willing to accommodate you there. Quite naturally, people will drop to Dutch again during conversations. If one have to make jokes, common references and all the stuff for which you need a finer touch which your mother tongue provides for, falling back to a foreign langue is a degradation. 1) vocabulary, 2) emulation vs native speed. If you are with six dutchies and you are the only one that forces everyone to have a "degraded experience" of a fun night, you do well to try to learn Dutch. Tell them to fuck off if they switch to English when you want them to speak Dutch, so you can learn. You can be direct and honest with the dutch, that is appreciated. When people start to insult you, congratulations! They are joking and signaling they accept you as one of them. You should respond with another insult. When we do something social, we plan. Don't just drop by and assume you will be invited over for dinner. Dutch people are anti-social or well organized, pick your perspective. This is definitely a difference with more tropical social climates. If you move in January, brace for cold, dim days. When spring comes, everything will look nicer. Good luck!

misja111 4y ago

Good luck! In Amsterdam you won't need any Dutch, except occasionally when you have to sign some government papers. But a little Dutch will certainly let you enjoy your stay a lot better!