MattS wrote: ↑Fri 13th Oct 2017 02:10 pm
Just to follow on regarding Mr k and Co (MKC) . I was there earlier this year and I hadn't been smoking properly since my college years, I was looking forward to the whole experience so much. I'd researched all the coffee shops and MKC seemed to be what I was looking for, quiet, friendly and helpful. However when asked what I wanted, I said while smiling, ahhh I'm not sure - to which the lady replied "well if you don't know, I can't help you" Now I'm 32 (31 at the time) and I deal with a lot of rude people in my profession and it's fine, I handle these people case by case . However her response really spoiled what otherwise, proved to be a lovely experience. I was hoping for advice and enthusiasm, I tip really generously and I go to Amsterdam to enjoy myself. Being met with that kind of greeting really puts me off going back. I then asked how much am I likely to need, to which she said, I don't know. Maybe I was just unfortunate? But I thought it was worth mentioning
heheheh - I am sorry that you had a bad experience here. I should start with that. I too have had similar conversations with Dutch shop-keepers and the first few times walked away puzzled about whether or not they'd just been rude to me.
In hindsight - it doesn't seem so to me anymore.
I think what's going on is that there's a breakdown in cultural communication in that particular interaction:
It always starts the same way. My looking puzzled and professing confusion.
A verbal behaviour that I'm sure you'll agree is somewhat at odds with the physicality of standing in front of a shop-keeper whom is expecting to be given some information with which to guide their customer to a decision, or be offered a specific request.
The knock-on effect is quite often a Dutch shopkeeper failing to understand the subtext of my statement and responding in a typically direct and humourless fashion.
If I'm honest - when I say 'I'm not sure':
What I really mean is (and I'm speaking about myself here - not you)
"I don't want to demand to see everything because I'll feel like an asshole; instead I want you to offer it to me - but I'm not willing to (be direct, brave, polite enough) to offer you the courtesy of simply saying it so I shall manipulate the situation to make me look less like an asshole.
I have learned through experience. That my British, indirect, suspiciously fraudulently self-effacing (and probably quite tiresome to the very direct communicative nature of most mainland Europeans) bumbling nature; is somewhat annoying to the Dutch.
It's surprising I know

To be honest it hasn't stopped me doing it.
If you really want to piss them off. Ask them 'how are you?' as an opener to your indecisiveness - ooooh they love that
Welkom in Nederland
BACK ON TOPIC.
Current pick of the Coffeeshop Crop for me has to be:
Het Ballonetje
Voyagers
Boereojongens
Utopia
Grey Area