Annoying: hardly any Dutch is spoken in the hospitality industry anymore
JP (38) has lived in Amsterdam all his life. Whereas he used to order his beer at the pub in Dutch without a second thought, these days it is almost always in English. ‘It feels as though our own language has completely disappeared from the city’s cafés, restaurants and bars. And I’m finding that increasingly annoying.’
‘Every time I go for a drink or eat out in Amsterdam, I get frustrated all over again. It is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, my hometown and the place I have always been proud to live. But there is something that bothers me more and more: hardly any Dutch is spoken in the hospitality industry anymore. That is also true of many clothing shops, by the way, but I go there less often.
My mother tongue
I understand it, of course: Amsterdam is a global city, a melting pot of cultures. And more and more cultures are joining in the form of expats, immigrants and refugees. Amsterdam is also being overrun by tourists. That makes sense, naturally: Amsterdam is a lovely, safe and beautiful place. Tourists come from all over the world to admire our canals, visit the Rijksmuseum, stroll through De Wallen and go out to eat and drink.
English is the world’s primary language, but does it really have to come at the expense of Dutch? It feels as though I have become a stranger in my own city, as though my mother tongue no longer matters.
Hello and goodbye
It starts with ordering. You walk into a café, greet the waiter in Dutch, and get a ‘Hello’ back in English. It may seem like a small detail, but it gets to me every time. Why should I have to switch to another language in my own city when I walk into my local pub?
What is also frustrating is the idea that it has simply become normal. No one seems to stop and think about it anymore. Staff in many hospitality businesses are often not even able to hold a simple conversation in Dutch. How did it get to the point where Dutch, the language in which this city grew, has almost completely been replaced by English?
Where have all the Dutch people in the hospitality industry gone?
I hardly know of a single place anymore where Dutch is still the main language. In fact, you’re lucky if there is even a Dutch-speaking person to be found.
It’s not that I have anything against English. Or against foreigners. I speak it fluently myself, have foreign friends and understand its necessity in a city with so many international tourists. But surely there should be a balance? Making a little effort to speak the local language would already make a world of difference. It makes contact with customers more personal and helps preserve our own culture. Besides: if I were to work abroad, I would have to master the local language too, wouldn’t I?
Just like Schiphol
Maybe people will think I’m whining, but I miss Amsterdam’s gochme, the humour, that old Amsterdam cosiness where you could have a chat with the bartender in Dutch. Where you felt at home because your own language was being spoken. The average café now looks more like Schiphol or some random international airport than the city I know so well and love so much.
Local culture
I’m bracing myself, but I genuinely hope that in the future we will hear more Dutch again in Amsterdam’s hospitality industry. That is not only hugely important for Dutch people themselves, for our identity and culture, but also for tourists, I think. Because how nice is it to discover a new city and, along the way, experience a little of the local language and culture?’
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JP’s name has been changed for privacy reasons. His real name is known to the editorial team. Would you also like to share a personal story (anonymously!)? You can email us at info@favorflav.com
