Welcome to this wonderful site! :-) I hope you find nice gems and have fun chatting with everyone. :-)
The link you've added is nice, but I have to add/explain more about that. As you've stated, you are from Belgium. That's nice, since I live there too, as a Dutchman from origin (from birth until my 31st I have lived, worked and studied there). My entire family is Dutch, so there you go, more Dutch than that you can't go, I guess.
The Flemish are in no way near direct as you state. "Rond de pot draaien" or, in English, beating around the bush, is more likely. That sounds blunt and might offend you, but it is early in the morning and I have no other excuse. How would I know? I live for over 13 years in Belgium and in all cases the Flemish find me way too direct, rude or extremely right to the point. Some of them admire it, some of them don't. After all those years it is still a daily matter of life.
My girlfriend, a beautiful Flemish woman, fell somewhat silent after reading the above paragraphs to her. I asked if it was too impolite and the uncomfortable smile explained a lot. I asked her if I should delete this and keep my mouth shut, but no. She laughed and asked if I already had my coffee. She's used to this and handles this, seemingly touchy, subject with care.
As you can see, I use the English language to communicate, but I would do that also in French or German, although those languages are not as proficient as English. Four languages to serve people, right from the tip of my tongue/fingertips. That's pretty comfy for any encounter and is, to my opinion, a nice service to people who do not speak, write or understand the Dutch language.
In the USA, where I have stayed twice for an extended period of time, they found it rather funny, but they handled it with joy. It gets things done in a timely manner, is clear and leaves no room for different interpretations in contrary to, for instance, the Flemish. This little writing is by no means meant as a blame-game, but just to point out you are a bit wrong by your statement that Flemish are as direct or honoustly blunt as the Dutch. There might be exceptions to that rule, but until this moment I have never encountered one.
The coffee is getting cold and breakfast is calling, so, again, have a sincerely nice stay on Snapzu, to me it's one of the best sites I have ever been on. :-)
But the history is the history, we don't need to shout the loudest to proof ourselves, people call us modest.
We are occupied by many country's including yours .
It's even in our constitution never ever till forever will there be someone in power of the house of Oranje-Nassau.
Dutch beer sucks, while we have like 1000 beers, yet you like to boost about it to, and mostly get away with it.
We are considered racist cause we speak openly about situation in EU at the moment.
Flemish politician are trying to put in free speech rights even more expliciet in Belgian Constitution
or even total new Flemish Constitution.
While Dutch people have a politician in court to defend his free speech.
Reading your comment, I think I leave it like that. Even after re-reading my own, I would not say I was in any way as defensive or even impolite. Let alone personal or attacking you in any way. Still, have a nice time on Snapzu. :-)
You know, I like you. And this is an answer that is worth thinking about, for which I thank you. Never read the Oxford Declaration, which is a good thing to do before I go on communicating with you, so I understand your answers or way of discussing better. :-)
As a Dutchman, I agree, Dutch beer sucks. (our brewers just seem to be better at marketing)
As a Dutchman, I'm ashamed at my fellow countrymen's ability to speak other languages.
About Geert Wilders (the politician in court to defend his free speech) is in court, because most of his 'free speech' is bordering on hate speech. And that's also in our constitution as being actionable (Article 1)
Welcome to this wonderful site! :-) I hope you find nice gems and have fun chatting with everyone. :-)
The link you've added is nice, but I have to add/explain more about that. As you've stated, you are from Belgium. That's nice, since I live there too, as a Dutchman from origin (from birth until my 31st I have lived, worked and studied there). My entire family is Dutch, so there you go, more Dutch than that you can't go, I guess.
The Flemish are in no way near direct as you state. "Rond de pot draaien" or, in English, beating around the bush, is more likely. That sounds blunt and might offend you, but it is early in the morning and I have no other excuse. How would I know? I live for over 13 years in Belgium and in all cases the Flemish find me way too direct, rude or extremely right to the point. Some of them admire it, some of them don't. After all those years it is still a daily matter of life.
My girlfriend, a beautiful Flemish woman, fell somewhat silent after reading the above paragraphs to her. I asked if it was too impolite and the uncomfortable smile explained a lot. I asked her if I should delete this and keep my mouth shut, but no. She laughed and asked if I already had my coffee. She's used to this and handles this, seemingly touchy, subject with care.
As you can see, I use the English language to communicate, but I would do that also in French or German, although those languages are not as proficient as English. Four languages to serve people, right from the tip of my tongue/fingertips. That's pretty comfy for any encounter and is, to my opinion, a nice service to people who do not speak, write or understand the Dutch language.
In the USA, where I have stayed twice for an extended period of time, they found it rather funny, but they handled it with joy. It gets things done in a timely manner, is clear and leaves no room for different interpretations in contrary to, for instance, the Flemish. This little writing is by no means meant as a blame-game, but just to point out you are a bit wrong by your statement that Flemish are as direct or honoustly blunt as the Dutch. There might be exceptions to that rule, but until this moment I have never encountered one.
The coffee is getting cold and breakfast is calling, so, again, have a sincerely nice stay on Snapzu, to me it's one of the best sites I have ever been on. :-)
I know Dutch like to think that way.
But the history is the history, we don't need to shout the loudest to proof ourselves, people call us modest. We are occupied by many country's including yours . It's even in our constitution never ever till forever will there be someone in power of the house of Oranje-Nassau.
Dutch beer sucks, while we have like 1000 beers, yet you like to boost about it to, and mostly get away with it.
Dutch call us stupid to, yet we all speak 2 or 3 languages, always funny to hear Dutch speak Louis Van Gaal English. http://www.pisa.ugent.be/uploads/assets/106/1396273183438-KORTE%20BROCHURE%20PISA2012.pdf they beat us in uncertainty to, does that explain your boost?
We are considered racist cause we speak openly about situation in EU at the moment. Flemish politician are trying to put in free speech rights even more expliciet in Belgian Constitution or even total new Flemish Constitution. While Dutch people have a politician in court to defend his free speech.
Actions speak louder then words.
Reading your comment, I think I leave it like that. Even after re-reading my own, I would not say I was in any way as defensive or even impolite. Let alone personal or attacking you in any way. Still, have a nice time on Snapzu. :-)
Just being blunt, are you offended now? :P
Not blunt. Rude. And I'm not offended at all. Would you like that?
That was the article are we blunt or rude, you call me rude, that means it offended you in some way.
It was only blunt truth, sorry no dogma, no political correctness, only free speech as stated in the "Oxford Declaration on Freedom of Thought and Expression" http://iheu.org/oxford-declaration-on-freedom-of-thought-and-expression/
I also stated that truth is love, so no single moment I wanted to offend you, just didn't want to hide hard truth for you.
It wasn't me who spammed 20 lines of morality debunking someones welkom greet.
You know, I like you. And this is an answer that is worth thinking about, for which I thank you. Never read the Oxford Declaration, which is a good thing to do before I go on communicating with you, so I understand your answers or way of discussing better. :-)
As a Dutchman, I agree, Dutch beer sucks. (our brewers just seem to be better at marketing)
As a Dutchman, I'm ashamed at my fellow countrymen's ability to speak other languages.
About Geert Wilders (the politician in court to defend his free speech) is in court, because most of his 'free speech' is bordering on hate speech. And that's also in our constitution as being actionable (Article 1)