halfdutch (Apr 27 2011, 09:31 PM) said: > original post
Because for most rational people, the purpose of owning a shop is to sell goods and earn money, not to irritate people by attempting make a pointless stand on language politics.

If someone can't speak a language or doesn't feel comfortable doing it, that's cool, but if they're perfectly capable and choose not to because they're trying to make a point, I am never going back to that shop.

If this shop isn't in a major tourist area, do you really think the loss of one customer is going to hurt? And if all the shops in the town are like that, just where are you going to do your shopping? Drive to Amsterdam and pay a fortune in petrol and parking?

Sorry, if you choose to come here, the onus is on you to learn at least enough of the language to function. No one is saying fluent in a year or even 5, but honestly....... a functioning level isn't that difficult.

the_purplecow (Apr 27 2011, 03:32 PM) said: > original post
Are you sure that's true? In my experience Danes and Swedes speak better English than Dutch people.

Well as true as any report is. Let me see if I can find it. It just came out in the past 3-4 weeks.
Here and I found the original story Here

kisu (Apr 16 2011, 12:45 PM) said: > original post
Can somebody explain the hesitance of the Dutch to speak any other language? Just curious. They don't even study English until the Sixth Form. I offered to volunteer to teach English at our local school. The headmaster explained that the younger ones wouldn't even understand. The funny thing was, I had been going to my local "supermarket" (corner shop to us used to British shops) regularly and no member of staff would ever speak English to me, nor would the other customers. On my last day I encountered another Brit and slagged off the Dutch culture to him. Much to my amusement, all ears around me pricked.

I'm sure someone will explain it right about the time the French apologise for refusing to speak any other language than French unless absolutely forced. And frankly, why should Dutch people in a local shop in their own country accommodate one foreigner?

Interesting side note: The only other non-native English country in Europe to score higher in English skills than the Netherlands was Norway.

betsie (Mar 13 2011, 09:40 PM) said: > original post
Openbare scholen usually do not teach religion, not even comparative religion. Catholic schools take pupils of any or no religion and only teach comparative religion, not Catholic doctrine. Some strict Protestant schools refuse non-Christian pupils and teachers and a few even refuse to have actively gay teachers. Many of the religious schools and almost all Catholic schools are religious in name only, a remnant from the days of "de verzuiling." Then there are the schools which employ a particular method: Montessori, Dalton, etc. They too are fully funded by the state.

My son goes to a Catholic school that teaches NO religion. But it's also a method school, Jenaplan, to be precise.

Thank you for your insight on the Dutch education system. I'd gotten most of this from my MIL, but it was nice to have it confirmed from someone in the trenches, so to speak.

kelso1975 (Oct 19 2010, 05:16 PM) said: > original post
Thinking on a bit more also- seeing the Dutchies watch English speaking tv/cinema, music that is predom english speaking (only what i have seen i state) you wouldd think that would be a constant reminder and assist them -Aquisition/learning through Immersion! - I am advised to watch Dutch tv to help me learn the language - However - the above does not seem to help them with thier english?

Being able to understand a language doesn't always mean you can express yourself adequately in it.