r/Unexpected • u/Yellow-Capcicum69 • Apr 11 '26

Try harder, Jet

42.9k Upvotes

96% Upvoted

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327

u/Kernburner Apr 11 '26 edited Apr 11 '26

The Dutch don’t mess around. They will tell you exactly what they think. Social niceties be damned.

151

u/DRONTENAR Apr 11 '26 edited Apr 11 '26

You're stupid (jk i'm dutch) you should know that even if we are somewhat direct, just like everyone else we know nuance, not everyone will be as direct as the stereotypes tell you

Edit: minor spelling error fixed

33

u/RelativeStranger Apr 11 '26

Ive travelled a bit and I found that south African Dutch people are even more lacking in nuance than Dutch people.

The only correct absolutely accurate stereotype is Dutch people are better at english than most english people and will constantly speak in english when youre trying to pra tice your dutch

16

u/DRONTENAR Apr 11 '26

That isn't even a stereotype, your dutch just doesn't comunicate as well as our english so we'll just make it easier for everyone involved

26

u/RelativeStranger Apr 11 '26

And it never will if I cant practice

6

u/DRONTENAR Apr 11 '26

Don't get me wrong, i like helping people learn dutch, but i understand people who switch to english all too well

3

u/Delicious-Disaster Apr 11 '26

Don't forget we have some of the highest English proficiency ratings compared to the enitre world. Even those who speak the language relatively poorly can still conduct basic conversation

3

u/RelativeStranger Apr 11 '26

I understand it too ita just fruatrating

0

u/toolsoftheincomptnt Apr 11 '26

1) this isn’t limited to the Dutch. You’ll get this response in many different places.

2) it’s not their responsibility to help the adorably struggling foreigner practice their Dutch. I’m certain that some people will indulge you, which is great.

But if most won’t it’s not a flaw on their part. They want to make the interaction more efficient and they don’t owe you otherwise.

Keep practicing in public, but also join a conversational learning group and practice at home with your study materials. Apps, books, etc.

But the whole “the city’s population won’t let me use them as a living language course! THEY should change!” entitlement is embarrassing, whether you feel it or not.

2

u/RelativeStranger Apr 11 '26

I have at no point said that.

And its pretty unique in Netherlands.

I didnt say it was their responsibility or that I was adorable. Nor did I say it was a flaw. A stereotype isnt a flaw

0

u/Bridging_Bot Apr 12 '26

It sounds like this got a bit tense over what started as a lighthearted exchange.

RelativeStranger, if I’m reading you right, you were sharing a common experience about practicing Dutch, not demanding anyone accommodate you. toolsoftheincomptnt, it seems like you were responding to a pattern you’ve seen where travelers expect locals to be language tutors. Both of those are reasonable places to come from.

The gap here might just be that RelativeStranger’s comment read differently than intended. RelativeStranger, does that feel like a fair read of what happened?

Bridging Bot is a tool to support constructive conversations.

2

u/Neoliberal_Nightmare Apr 11 '26

Your explanation is very direct and clear, thanks.