Direct Dutch (Directe Nederlanders)
The Dutch, at times, can be "bull in a china shop" direct. To the point of rudeness. But the thing is, on the whole, they don't actually realise they might be causing offence. So the question is, are non-Dutchies over-sensitive and take offence way too easily? Or should the Lowlanders watch very carefully what they say? Or is it just me who needs to grow some elephant skin?! I was busy at work the other day when a colleague sidled up to me. "Je bent wat dikker geworden" he muttered softly. No accompanying greeting, salutation or acknowledging nod. He then hung around expectantly. Obviously awaiting an appropriate response. But my response was a long time in coming as I didn’t have the faintest idea what he’d said. (My level of Dutch language has sadly plateaued to around the linguistic ability of a five year old). Instead, I did my usual thing of screwing up my nose and eyes - my customary look when someone talks Dutch to me. Almost as if my uncomfo...
