1) I am not saying that I approve of Zwarte Piet, but somebody, especially a little kid, calling you Zwarte Piet is not actually racism. In my opinion this word is used incorrectly way too often. I suggest you look up the definition of the word racism because clearly you do not understand its meaning.

2) Your perspectives on speaking English in The Netherlands are not only wrong, but also show the typical wrong mentality of somebody looking for fortune in another country.

“bus drivers sometime refuse to speak in english when you ask them for directions”. Oh my, our bus drivers are really awful people….. You know, driving a bus is not actually something you need a college education for or so. So I can imagine that there are indeed some bus drivers who cannot speak English. Instead of complaining about that, why dont you just ask somebody else on the bus. You will surely find some person who can speak English and is willing to help.

“basically the dutch in my opinion expect you to learn their language in order to survive in the country”. Oh how awful of us. That we expect from people coming to live in our country that they learn the language that is spoken there…. So mean of us. You know, if I would ever choose to emigrate to another country, I would learn the language that is spoken there. That is not only how it should be in my opinion, but I also wouldnt want to have it any other way. Its all part of making a conscious choice to settle down in another country. And if you are not willing to do that, then maybe you should not move away from your own country.

“and i also find their policy which if you are a student and are looking for a part job they expect you to speak dutch really unfair”. First of all this is not true. I know many people in The Netherlands, students as well, that do not speak Dutch but still have jobs. Both part-time and full-time. Living in Amsterdam, I actually find it quite appalling to be told on a regular basis by a waiter in a cafe or bar that he does not speak Dutch. I doubt this ever happens in London, New York, or Paris. Imagine a Parisian sitting down on a terrace in the summer and ordering his vin blanc and the waiter saying: “Im sorry, I dont speak French”. In my opinion The Netherlands are way easier to live as an English speaker and I think we are way more tolerant to non-Dutch speakers than in many other countries. Why don’t you move to France, Germany, Spain, Italy, China, Japan, or any other non-English speaking country for a while and see how easy it will be there if you dont speak the local language.

The Dutch are thaught somewhere between two and five languages. English is almost a second language because a lot of the schoolbooks and television programs are in English. Speaking English to you is being polite and has nothing to do with not wanting you to learn their language.

And if you really want to know how Dutch people party: make sure you’re in Amsterdam on Koninginnedag; April 30th, the day they celebrate the queen’s birthday.