I moved to The Netherlands in 2011 with the intention of studying for a year and I have somehow stayed here ever since. I am Lorcán and I originally come from England.
The idea for Being Dutch came from my own experiences of moving to The Netherlands back in 2011 when I knew nothing. I fumbled my way through but there are something I still have not fully sorted out bureaucratically: it always being easier to get these things done right at the start rather than just “one day” until it comes back to give you a hard time!
I have always tried to impart my knowledge and experience upon others on expat forums but I felt it would be easier to collate it all into one place en zo Being Dutched was born!
What does Being Dutched mean? Well, the English and Dutch have not always great friends, especially not during the Dutch Golden Age in the 16th-17th centuries. As a result the English found many ways to use the term “Dutch” disparagingly. We all know “Dutch Courage” (take a shot of booze to pluck up the courage to do something) or “Going Dutch” (splitting the bill by exactly what you had) or even speaking “Double Dutch” ( utter nonsense).
Being Dutched? To be cheated or deceived! But have no fear! The Dutch certainly do not live up to this slanderous stereotype. Although, after many years maybe I have been deceived into starting to thinking more and more Dutch!
Being Dutched 