What the Dutch REALLY think about expats in the Netherlands?

[@theselfishcodependent]

Watch my other videos: 👉 What to do in the Netherlands: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Z6OwdZWslq2ErtU 👉 Biggest stereotypes about the Netherlands: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iYDUfJKeo8Z8f6M 👉 My FULL story of moving to the Netherlands: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jX3YhZZ-fddqaLM

[@KeesBoons]

I think this topic is more complicated than what you described in the video. Many people in the Netherlands have their close circle from an early age. It's not so easy to get into these circles at a later age. This goes for other Dutch people as well. I'm from the South, but have worked and lived a lot in the West of the country, and was not factually an expat, but the experience is comparable besides speaking the language. Because as an outsider your primary contacts are often work related (and work related friendships are not as common as in some other countries) and you're often in environments were a lot of outsiders reside, you don't automatically come in contact with locals. Even your neighbors are often outsiders as well. For me what worked best was meeting people with the same kind on interests, outside of the work environment. Sports or other hobby clubs have always been my go to. For me expats, or more permanent immigrants, are very welcome, and I think even necessary if we want to keep our welfare state alive. There is a lot to learn from people with another background, and I think that goes both ways.

[@theselfishcodependent]

Thank you for watching the video. Totally - in a 13 minute video, only that much can be discussed. I appreciate you sharing your point of view and your life experiences. :)

[@theselfishcodependent]

​@jasonbills8385thank you for watching! :) Sounds like you know how to make friends and what works best for you. Hope you'll enjoy the Netherlands when you decide to pay a visit!

[@qualitytraders5333]

As a Dutchman I can say the Dutch are friendly but they are not friends. The main source of friends are family, like cousins, or Dutch neighbors who you have known for years. Even in the workplace you normally don't make friends. Once again, your colleagues are friendly but not your friends. On Friday, at 5 pm, you leave and don't see them back till Monday. In Dutch living rooms you'll know honest opinions but you'll never know those as a foreigner.

[@PH61a]

I consider myself to be a very open person and easily make contact with expats. I always like(d) to travel and see other parts of the world. I'm almost 63 now and that nowadays might maybe 'scare' off the young(er) generations. Even when I was younger I met quite a lot of people from abroad, also expats. What I often experience is a lack of effort to really get in touch with locals (not only superficially). Many tend to stay in their expat environment as they can relate to other expats a lot and that is safe. Many Dutch people are very open to get acquainted to but probably expect expats to put most effort in a new relation(ship) to show that they are serious about getting acquainted and/or becoming friends. They don't want to 'invest' in something superficial or very temporary. In the apartment building that I live in there are quite a lot of expats. Many of them stay within their own circle of expat friends. In my opinion they are a bit too passive and maybe even too careful in that regard. Have some more guts. This might not work always but it shows you're trying. This is my opinion and it my be totally different for someone else.

[@theselfishcodependent]

@@PH61a this is adorable 😍 thank you for being so respectful in sharing your perspective! I think your message can inspire a lot of expats to approach the Dutch and make an effort to integrate into a Dutch circle.

[@MsYolost]

Thank you for that video! I am very interested in this subject. I'm from Germany and seriously considering moving to the Netherlands as I find people there fit my personality better. But the last time I visited I got a lot of the 'we are already full' sentiment. In two occasions where I mentioned that I actually like the rain both people had the same reaction. 'the you should move here haha' followed up with something like 'better not, already enough people here'. I also heard a lot of Dutch people talk about that. And I understand that the housing market is crazy there (as it is in almost every other country) so I don't want to feel bad for taking away space I hope this makes sense

[@theselfishcodependent]

Thank you for watching. It's very thoughful of you. At the same time, it's unfortunate that the 'we are already full' sentiment can be a barrier for people pursuing their dreams.

[@julianasdepaula]

I'm Brazilian living in Portugal, and all you said could easily be apply here. It's the same thing. I guess this is normal and expected any place. Its not just a dutch thing.

[@PrinceWalacra]

I don’t think Dutch people are so much different compared to other nationalities in the same situation, people are people. To integrate it takes effort and that’s everywhere, but it also takes a perspective of building up a future …. and be honest to yourself as an expat…. Will you be staying or are you here for just a few years.

[@theselfishcodependent]

Thank you for watching and sharing your perspective!

[@johnveerkamp1501]

Ja natuurlijk ben je gelukkig hier. Nederland is een paradijs ,in vergelijking met andere landen !!!

[@shutting88]

you're right but it takes time.

[@pilylozanoruenes]

Thank You. Where are You from?

[@theselfishcodependent]

Thank you for watching! :) I'm Russian.

[@SpaceCadet5100]

It's ironic, the dutch expect you to speak the language very well or not at all. They will look down on you if you don't speak fluently but decide to speak it instead of English. They can't tolerate someone not speaking it as they do.

[@theselfishcodependent]

Curious observation! Are you learning Dutch? :)

[@SpaceCadet5100]

@@theselfishcodependent No, haha, I've been living here since 2008. I think it might be related to the immigrant workers they brought here last century. They didn't put much effort into integrating them into society, which is why they and the children of those immigrants don't speak the language properly. Due to this lack of integration, the children of these immigrants often got into trouble with the law. Hence, the association between poorly spoken Dutch and xenophobic tendencies towards it. Ofc this doesn't apply to everyone, it is just a pattern I have noticed.

[@helenooft9664]

Sorry, but they have to understand that, they are living in the Netherlands, and the lanquage is Dutch and not English. If i am moving to spain, i will learn the language. So many expats are not learning the Dutch language and stay speaking english. To come in the circle, they have to speak Dutch, that is the problem. Their mother tongue is Dutch and not English. I dont mind when there are expets living in the Netherlands, that is fine by me. But i dont want to go to a shop, where staff is speaking in English in the Netherlands. Yes, when i meet expats in my environment, i will speak English, but in my personal live i want to speak Dutch. And if i have an expats that is learning Dutch, then there will be no problem to invited them in my personal environment.

[@theselfishcodependent]

Thanks for sharing and explaining your personal point of view! What if they approach you in Dutch, and you hear the accent, would you stick with Dutch?

[@frankgeurts3912]

Complicated subject...

[@dave4132]

It is a complicated Subject. Expats and war refugees are very welcomed. And we do try to help them integrate into our society. Dutch really support and compliment you if you help with school, work.. and make a real effort to be a part of the Dutch society. But on the other hand, and this is really a touchy subject. Some cultures just seek a better life here, they will not integrate into the Dutch society, and maintaining the beliefs and culture within their lives and to do not want to engage with Dutch people and society. Turkish, Marroccan, Indian and devoted muslim societies are generally likely doing this.

[@byankaree91]

Oh that's a bit strange! My experience however was a little bit different when I visited Amsterdam 2 months ago as a tourist. I'm a Muslim girl and I wear a headscarf so I'm used to stares and racist remarks, nonetheless the Dutch people were very very nice to me! I could honestly say they were one of the friendliest people I've ever met in my entire life I've never felt as welcomed in any other country! They went out of their way to help me with directions and tours' suggestions. Literally angels such lovely people!

[@KurtMueller-g2l]

Expats can move on. The dutch would remain there.

[@johnveerkamp1501]

En zo snel als mogelijk Nederland leren.

[@GabberPinda]

Nederlands bedoel je?

[@johnveerkamp1501]

Je zal toch zelf de meeste moeiten moeten doen GA OP EEN CURSUS ,ZOEK CONTACT

[@johnveerkamp1501]

Je moet de taal leren in het land waar je ,anders heb je geen respect voor dat land !!

[@Нок-ц8й]

mee eens

[@qixxor2075]

How about you do this whole video in Dutch? It’s ridiculous all the people you interviewed know no Dutch people. You are just in your expat bubble.

[@theselfishcodependent]

I'm sorry to hear that you are not satisfied with the outcome of interviews with random people in the streets of the Netherlands. Thank you for watching the video nevertheless! 🙏

[@frankgeurts3912]

Depends i think,the problem is the housing

[@frankgeurts3912]

Ha,ha,yes we like talk English i would like to hear you speak Dutch

[@theselfishcodependent]

@@frankgeurts3912 there are a few videos on my channel where I speak Dutch!

[@frankgeurts3912]

@@theselfishcodependent iam gonna check it out