In this questionnaire, we plan to interview Lexiophiles bloggers to get tips on how to learn their native language. Instead of offering run of the mill advice, we tried a different approach, more unconventional, which might even help people NOT be labeled as a tourist in the first 2 minutes!
Hum or sing along with these three songs in the subway:
[Please name us three songs everyone knows in your native language]
Dutch songs are most likely unknown outside the Netherlands, but if you´re on a typical Dutch party, especially on a student party, you will see that the Dutch like to sing loud. Here are a few classics everyone should know.
- Bloed, zweet en tranen (Blood, sweat and tears)
André Hazes (a famous popular singer, who died a few years ago)
- Aan de Amsterdamse grachten (Along the canals of Amsterdam)
This version is sung by the famous Dutch cabaret artist and singer Wim Sonneveld.
- Het is een nacht
(It is a night) – Guus Meeuwis (This song was a huge hit in the mid 90ties.)
Get by with firing off any of these five swearwords:
[Please tell us the five unavoidable curse-words that are commonly used in your country and what they mean]
In the Netherlands there are quite a few swearwords, ranging from rather harmless to very rude. Here are a few common ones, which are not too bad.
Godverdomme – Goddamn it (Has the word God in it, better not to say this word in front of religious people.)
Shit – Pronounced as the English word shit.
Dat is klote – That sucks
Klootzak – Asshole, bastard, son-of-a-bitch
Sodemieter op – Bugger off
Get the phone number (or a great laugh) with this pick-up line:
[Please share your favorite pick-up line with us]
There are many pick-up lines, but mostly the Dutch start with a friendly ´hallo´ or ´hoi´ (hello or hi). But you can also make a nice compliment! Jij bent leuk. (You are nice.)
For all the smokers, it is always good to ask for a light: Heb je een vuurtje?
Cheer to this word with your new local friends at the bar:
[Please tell us what the word for “cheers” is in your language]
We say ´proost´ and look in the eyes of all the people we cheer with.
And for our tip on feeling like a local - how to order a Big Mac menu in your language:
[Please write how you would order a super-size Big Mac menu in your language]
Ik wil graag een Big Mac menu.
The one thing you should do every day to feel truly local:
[Please describe a truly local thing/tick people in your country do]
To feel really Dutch you definitely have to cycle. That is THE way to go everywhere and to explore the Netherlands. Everyone cycles, so you will feel like the locals.
Have we forgotten anything? What is in your opinion the most unusual way to learn your language?
[Any ideas, comments, suggestions that we missed.]
Since Dutch people have no difficulties to phone in public space, you can hear (private) conversations everywhere. Just take a train or bus and listen! Afterwards, you will probably know how to break up with your boyfriend or how to get one 
.