Today I helped an elderly man in a restaurant. I told him I was moving his table closer to him as it got moved by me as I was leaving. He barked at me "what's wrong with your Nederlands? Increasingly, my day to day life is changing as it seems as if there is more dislike for ex-pats. I have decided that the reasons I moved her four years ago are disappearing before my eyes. It seems as if The Netherlands is on a moral decline.

By Jonathan | June 27, 2011 2:26 PM

I also experience problems while trying to talk to people in Dutch. When they don't automatically start talking English to me, they criticize my accent or my mistakes. Totally discouraging. The other day, I heard from a colleague: "Does your friend ALSO speak half-Dutch?". People in Holland should be proud that some of us are trying to learn their half-dead language.

By Lidy | June 27, 2011 4:07 PM

The sentiment in all countries is changing towards foreigners in general. I am noticing a big change in the USA too towards US ex- pats. Perhaps it is time for us all to move back to our own countries.

By Ingeborg Mertz | June 27, 2011 4:07 PM

I have been here for almost 14 years. I can only echo Jonathan's sentiments. This country is getting more intolerant, racist and downright xenophobic by the day...

By Michael | June 27, 2011 4:20 PM

If importance is measured by open borders and being involved in foreign military operations I sure with the USA would join the Netherlands and decline in importance as well.
From my perspective the Netherlands is getting its moral compass back.

By Daniel K | June 27, 2011 4:43 PM

Jonathan, Netherland is a country of stress, they pretend to be happy while they are not. it is a pity for all of us who move here, iam real planing going moving back and dump this stress country.

By kins | June 27, 2011 5:10 PM

Tragically Jonathan, this seems to be the case and in many areas the Netherlands is losing its international reputation as a leader. Luckily, I many do business in Germany and you can feel the difference. Germany wants and is an international player. Size has nothing to do with it, I come from New Zealand and that is a country with only 4.5 million people and they can still carry their weight in the international arena. I truly hope that the Netherlands wakes up and starts to realize that Mr Wilders does not provide realistic and workable solutions and what an incredible amount of damage he is doing by creating an inward negative jingoistic culture.

By Karl | June 27, 2011 5:10 PM

there is nothing surprise, it's a old news, that Holland gaveup being a leader, over all it is a small coutry, not a nation.

By xxx | June 27, 2011 5:47 PM

what a ridiculous story and a waste of virtual space. Your Editor should refrain from using every opportunity to slate the PVV. Its very immature, desperate and biased. I simply can't trust this publication to be objective and thats sad

By Lewis | June 27, 2011 5:50 PM

You mean important like people come here for stag nights & to get high?

By Donaugh | June 27, 2011 6:11 PM

The Netherlands is declining (in many areas) because the so-called leaders needed to isolate the population from reality over the course of the decades-long propaganda war against immigrants of dark skin color.

Foreigners, inclusing business people are not as quick to forget history as the Dutch and they don't want to get caught up the next time this cute little country decides to kill off 94% of some ethnicity or subpopulation.

The Dutch rejection of a multi-ethnic society is evident to all, unfortunately for them - many dark-skinned people have been born here over the last few decades - the upcoming clashes are as easy to predict as Wilder's hair colour.

By Geert Van Leeuwen | June 27, 2011 8:06 PM

Don't let the one bad apple spoil the whole barrel for you

By demobigen | June 27, 2011 9:21 PM

So glad I learned Dutch and bought a 2nd passport all those years ago.

So glad I can tell them in their own language when they become abusive or racist.

A sorry looking nation that's become too easily mislead through the media and living the equivalent of the fantastical 'American Dream'. Since this infantile government came to power, Dutch politics really suck!

By The visitor | June 27, 2011 9:27 PM

Excuse me, but that is not true. I'm from Denmark, and Wilders' acquittal was one of the most important victories for the liberal democratic ideas in Europe.

By Christian | June 27, 2011 9:49 PM

The elderly idiots brainwashed by Wilders should know that the expats pay their pension too.

By George | June 27, 2011 10:30 PM

I also cannot understand the difference. Its part of the government and give the ...tempo.

By Nikos | June 27, 2011 11:38 PM

You are not the only one. I've been here for three years, there's a clear difference in my perception of the Netherlands now and then...

I definitely started to feel not welcome and the day-to-day life evidence for that is mounting.

By Adrian | June 28, 2011 2:05 AM

I also notice more and more smart ass comments about the language and other things on the street, etc. The saddest part is that most Dutch people completely do not understand the point made by Ms. van Ardenne, because they do not understand globalization. We cannot go back in time, even though the current Dutch government and many Dutch voters think they can. Progressive forward positive culture begins with a mindset, a mentality and a vision. The Dutch do not have this mindset, that is now obvious to the entire world.

By Bill | June 28, 2011 6:53 AM

What's wrong with the Nederlands ? Losing what made Dutch society different : tolerance. See all that nonsense about immigration, cannabis and so on.

By Philippe | June 28, 2011 8:11 AM

Looking back to historical facts,when any National party is leading the country or at least has major voice in government, it will not bring any good for the country.That was how Hitler started his national policy...it ended up tragically.

By expat | June 28, 2011 8:12 AM

i first came to the netherlands because of their image of tolerance. after 7 years of life here i have met large number of wonderful, openminded and warm dutch people that i truly love. unfortunately, daily i meet very racist people, who openly say to me that they hate me because i am black. thank god i am not muslim!

all i want to say is this-i am a highly educated employee of a fortune 500 company in netherlands, that is moving out. most people i have met during my work here were also expats with same experiences as mine. and most people, like me, are planning to leave. this country is sinking

By deki | June 28, 2011 12:00 PM

I'm amazed that most of the above comments past the editor.

It looks to me that trying to keep your identity in the wake of globalization efforts is not popular, at least not to those practicing that progressive liberal agenda.

For the past 50 years I have seen a slow decline in the uniqueness what Holland used to be and each time, when arriving at the Airport, it becomes more obvious.

Ms. van Ardenne says it all when she identifies a party as an Anti-Islam,which is going against an Islamic objective.

By Hank Kemp | June 28, 2011 1:51 PM

lived & worked & spoke the language in Nederland for 16 years- by 2004 fed up being the foreigner ( kids born in NL, spoke the language- but when at home or out as a family we spoke to each other in english) and in 2006 moved back to my country of birth- brought back some of the old dutch ethos & enjoying my time back in the home land!

By engels90-06 | June 28, 2011 2:14 PM

Im surprised that the Dutch - of all nations - are becoming victims of this demagogy. This is the 21st after all, immigrants have been here in Europe for many years. Why is it that suddendly there is a shift in attitudes towards being right-wing and exclusive?

I've only visited the Netherlands on two occasions so I cant comment much on my experiences of the Dutch people (those I have met have been nice people). But it does seem that The Dutch people are turning in on themselves, as if they are fed up with everyone non-Dutch. And looking at other people's comments about their negative experiences when trying to speak Dutch, this saddens me.

By Richard | June 28, 2011 2:44 PM

I came to the Netherlands about two years ago. My perception of good old NL changed. I learned Dutch but sadly, I am often criticised for speaking `Half-Dutch`. I have had enough and I have decided to return to the UK asap. It is a pity that NL is going down hill.

By Conrad | June 28, 2011 3:56 PM

Christian,

Study him again, please. Even a blind can see Wilders' ideas are not liberal nor democratic . . . I fail to see how this mans "contribution" can be healthy in any way

By Bert | June 28, 2011 4:16 PM

2 Philippe. I think that here in the Netherlands tolerance was a disguise for indifference. In many regards people were considered to do what they wanted, because, as long as conflicts were avoided, nobody cared. Margins have been eroded and things went sour. Think back few years when the French turmoil among the North African immigrants reaches the Netherlands. Today we have the PVV. Same things with drugs, prostitution, employment and education.

By MPO | June 28, 2011 4:27 PM

I know you are not going to publish this, but all I can say is that those people who dislike Holland so much like most of the above should lift their heels and go back where they came from because it must be a lot better back home. Why stay in Holland if you hate it so much?

By Teddy: | June 28, 2011 4:50 PM

Actually this is not news at all. Everybody know that the Netherlands is in a downward spiral. Hopefully at the next elections the people will have experienced the consequences of their (fear-inspired) vote, though being totally non self-critical, I have my doubts that this society even realizes how bad the country's reputation is becoming...

By leon | June 28, 2011 5:05 PM

Teddy: i came here many years ago, when Dutch society was almost 180 degrees different. since then I have built up an hefty amount of pension and other benefits that I can only access after retirement by staying in this country. otherwise, I would leave tomorrow, and not miss it.

By Bill | June 28, 2011 5:47 PM

I've read the comments re, speaking "half-dutch".
My Dutch is far from perfect but I have never experienced these type of comments.

By Donaugh | June 28, 2011 6:42 PM

I am greek, i am employed as a scientist for the past 6 years here and I do not peak Dutch. Honestly do i live in a different country? I feel very welcome, people are nice , very friendly and most of all when you have to deal with public services they are very EFFICIENT and SPEAK SEVERAL foreign languages. Yes there are some people with weird behaviour towards foreigners but that happens EVERYWHERE. I will leave the country soon but i had 6 very good years here.

By Kos | June 29, 2011 12:44 AM

The more the Dutch government attempts to appease those of the Islamic faith, the more rapid will be its decline in world affair. Western nations need leadership to resist radical Islamic influence. Limits are needed and appeasement is not the answer.

By Kasey | June 29, 2011 1:23 AM

If your country is so much better, then go back to your own country! We don´t force you to stay here.

By SandraV | June 29, 2011 8:19 AM

Of course it is natural - the Dutch dont mind foreigners, but now it is getting too much, noticed how most crime is done by foreigners? Or, to be more politcally correct: Non-western immigrants are still over-represented in the crime figures...

If i had a guest in my house i would also throw them out if they started trouble or showed a lack of respect.

By vc | June 29, 2011 8:39 AM

@vc: ever thought about how your guests would feel if their host started trouble or showed a lack of respect? Hospitality works both ways. The comments along the lines of "go back, we don't even want you here" for me are illustratory of our rapidly declining hospitality. Even as a native and non-expat I feel ashamed for this.

And no, I haven't noticed how most crime is committed by 'foreigners', mostly because I don't care. I dislike all crime.

By Sigma | June 29, 2011 11:58 AM

Sorry to hear so many expats are having a hard time in the Netherlands. Many, if not most, Dutch people would much like the country to retain its historical openness and tolerance. Don't let a few rotten apples spoil the whole bin... An American in Delft.

By fromDelft | July 2, 2011 2:38 PM

Why did the dutch goverment let all these poeple that do not belong to holland in the first place,I was born in holland and never been back. I love to go back because it is not so nice living in australia anymore either.

By Mr A.R.Forster | August 20, 2011 12:08 PM

Mr AR Forster: NL is part of the EU & as such cannot prevent any EU passport holder from entering the country as there is freedom of movement under EU treaties.
The Schengen agreement which is now part of EU law prohibits internal border controls. Only UK & Ierland do not follow the agreement, as islands they must maintain their borders.
These were introduced after pressure from business interests who wanted easier movement of goods & staff.

By Donaugh | August 21, 2011 9:57 AM

The UK stopped being an island when the channel tunnel was complicated, even as far as yesterday i passed thru the tunnel with my passport untouched leaving the country. Maintaining border controls went out the window in the early 80's, now its all down to 'intelligence' and 'counter terrorism' operations. The UK is as good as in the Schengen, just without signing upto it !

By Alze | August 22, 2011 10:23 AM

Why don't some of us leave?

Because moving costs money and not all of us are highly paid expats.
Because some of us live here with Dutch partners who have family ties here that can't be broken or a job that they can't perform in another country.
Because some believe that trying to make things better here is more constructive. Because, on the balance, the Netherlands is still a great place despite the bigots.
Because once you reach a certain age, going "back where you came from" has additional risks involved.
Because some cannot sponsor their Dutchies to move with them to their home country.

That's why, SandraV. Any other questions?

By CW | August 22, 2011 10:40 AM

CW - right on time with your comment, I couldn't have said it better. I will be staying here and exercising my right to free speech, any chance I get. Thanks!

By Bill | August 22, 2011 12:11 PM