Comments on: Singin’ with the Oldies

By: Amanda Blog and Kiss

Amanda Blog and Kiss — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:07:41 +0000

I hate to admit this, but I tend to alienate myself in crowds of primarily Dutch people. It’s my own fault. I wish I weren’t so shy, it can be quite crippling at times.

By: Anita

Anita — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:18:02 +0000

I think every foreigner in NL has been through that. I had that during the first year of my son at school (one of maaany examples I can give you). I would be waiting for him on Wednesdays at noon and moms wouldn’t talk to me. Yes, I do have an open face and yes they know I speak Dutch. I would also initiate a small talk but they would abreviatte it. They get uncomfortable with foreign accents, I suppose. It is a public and religious school in a small village so many mothers know each other from Sunday service and “clubjes” their kids attend. We are not religious, our kids go to swimming lessons in Haarlem and I work in Amsterdam. I can tell you that one and half year later I do have good contact with other moms. It would take me some days or weeks in Brazil for that. Here (NL)things take more time to warm up, they get confused, shy and paralysed about “nieuwekomers”. It is nothing personal against you.

By: Alastair

Alastair — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 21:38:45 +0000

I’m with Lou. If you couldn’t make an impression on them, then hell mend them. Glad you enjoyed the project, though, and, em, thanks for the comments about the Camerata.

By: Lou

Lou — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 23:34:44 +0000

Sounds like my first day at college.
I’ve come to learn through reading your blog that you seem indeed to be a very socialable person. they don’t deserve you. Go to your knit group on Monday night and I’m sure that warm fuzzy feeling will return. x