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Sorry, I wasn't clear. I'm not in Amsterdam anymore; this was near Sneek.
I want to learn Dutch because I think it's important not to let language limit your ability to connect with people, and I want to feel less like a foreigner. Also, I think if you live in a country long enough, you should learn their language, and not expect other people to speak your language, even if it's English.
you should learn their language, and not expect other people to speak your language, even if it's English.
I disagree with that. If 2 people have a language in common, then that can be used, especially if both are proficient in that. I explicitly ask of some of my US friends in NL to please speak English unless they're doing a practice run, and in the latter case, one hour max, haha.
Edit. PS:
Sneek
I'm right now giving myself a schouderklopje - I was even right about the province...
The "long enough" does a lot of work in my sentence.
I took it into consideration and still disagree. Especially in Europe, because union.
Either we have a misunderstanding again, or I would consider you rude and/or inconsiderate for having lived in a country for many years and expecting the people you talk to to speak English, even when it means they struggle more in a conversation in their own country than you do, when you’ve had plenty of time to learn their language.
I don't see how there is a misunderstanding here. Your prejudice simply isn't compatible with my experience. Which is good because even though you exclaim that I must be rude and inconsiderate, I don't wish for you to make the same mistakes I made.
So go ahead and rule the world ek. It's wide open for ya. Do it better than I did. Do it better than anyone ever did before.
@remindme in 50 years to ask @ek after how many languages he gave up.
So do you agree with the people who say that immigrants should at least try to assimilate more to the culture of the countries they migrate to?
Good. And I think it is fair to believe both one way or the other. (That immigrants are under no obligation to assimilate vs. they are.)
I just get annoyed when somehow you get called a racist for suggesting that immigrants should try to assimilate.
As a Dutch person... just use English and save yourself the hassle... Dutch grammar is a mess, even for me. A gazillion exceptions, without logic. Dutch people will switch to English effortlessly and usually do not mind at all.
The fact that you have an Airbnb host, in Amsterdam no less, that does not speak English, is beyond me... you really won the lottery there lol...