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It's not customary to talk with strangers in the Netherlands. Banter is not necessary and sometimes it's not polite.
Sometimes the Dutch — and especially Amsterdammers — will casually ignore casual interaction. It's the kind of thing that can make you slink away, not knowing how to feel. This is not to suggest that the Dutch are unfriendly. And if you need information, theyr'e likely to tell you what they know in a polite manner. A question is not the same as an attempt at familiarity.
Naturally, unacquainted talk is more likely to be problematic in certain conditions — speaking English,* or being loud - or in Amsterdam. But it's not just you; and it's not just because you speak English; and it's not only true in Amsterdam. The reticence is an expression of Dutch custom.
It's just not normal to speak with strangers in the Netherlands. You don't have to engage with people you don't know, and it's not always acceptable.
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*The Dutch speak English. It's usually awkward to ask. The average Dutch person speaks more than "a little" English and understands it in spoken form.
↑ Return to "speaking English" ...
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