1 upvotes, 2 direct replies (showing 2)
Sorry, this is bs.
I live in NL myself and I can 100% guarantee that switching to English is always out of politeness rather than racism. It is frustrating especially when u'd just like to practice your skills, but just politely ask 'wil je in het nederlands spreken?'. Always works like a charm.
And don't get me wrong, Dutch ppl, especially low educated, can be really terrible. I herd stories. Oh man, stories you wouldn't believe. Me myself, I've herd harmless jokes, but I've never faced a real xenophobic behavior.
Comment by jarvischrist at 29/07/2021 at 08:54 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Never said it was racism. I said in another comment that I get they're probably trying to be helpful, but it comes across as assuming I don't speak the language because of where I'm from. It's not that serious but it bugs me because it happens often, only after they find out where I'm from.
Comment by PhiloPhocion at 11/10/2021 at 17:33 UTC
1 upvotes, 0 direct replies
On the other hand, it can be - even if not maliciously - maybe not in the Dutch context as frequently but...
I'm a racial minority in Switzerland (in Geneva) and even though French is my first language, I would say 9/10 a stranger or a shopkeeper etc will address me in English first, even if I haven't said anything yet or even frankly when I've started in French.
I don't think it's out of any malice or hate necessarily - I do think they're trying to be helpful and especially Geneva being Geneva, assuming I'm an international - but it is still an assumption that because of your race, you're assumed to not be Swiss (or even French in these parts). Something I'm sure happens occasionally to other people too but I'm more than certain with much less frequency if I were white.