Many expats are sick of Dutch people speaking English to them in shops, bars, restaurants etc. For those of us who have lived here a while this is nothing new, however today’s article in the Volkskrant newspaper; "Haagse expats zijn het zat; ze spreken heus wel Nederlands" (Dutch expats have had enough; they can speak Dutch) yet again shines a light on the subject.

But will anything change?

Some time ago I met Monique.  Monique is 13. She lives in The Hague and goes to the French school. She was born on the Netherlands and has lived here all her life. 


When I asked her what she would consider herself. “French, of course” she replied (with a bit of a “what a silly question” look). She has never lived in France. All her friends are French (apart from one neighbour she sometimes plays with). Can she speak Dutch? “emmm... yes…a little but… “