How to say "no" to Dutch people
Vložit
- čas přidán 23. 04. 2023
- Answer: you just say "no". In America, I used to use phrases like "I'm okay" or "I'm good" to indirectly indicate that I'm saying "no, thanks." This worked perfectly fine until I moved to the Netherlands! Dutch people are known for being direct and this showed when they interpreted my indirectness as saying "yes"! This happened to me a lot of times when I would first visit the Netherlands.
Actually in Dutch we say: "Nee, dank je", which is: "no, thank you". Saying plain "no" is normally rude in the Netherlands too.
"No, thank you. I'm ok."
"I'm okay" is a super specific thing certain Americans say instead of saying "no". Anywhere else it just sounds like "okay"
Input from a Brit who speaks Dutch. It is not your happy smile, but your words. 'I'm OK' = 'ik ben goed' - and is neither yes or no. But OK could be yes. So just say 'no thanks' - 'nee dank je'. Keep it simple and stay away from slang expressions 👍
"I'm ok" is an answer to a completely different question. It's a yes/no answer, we don't care if you're ok or not
As American who worked retail "Im OK" with a smile is confusing. "Yes" or "No, thank you" is a lot more direct. I call it the American "Nokay" haha
😂 but you are NOT saying NO. You are saying "I'm ok".
Speaking actual Dutch works too!
“I’m ok” sounds like “i’m ok with the thing you just said” … so yes. It has nothing to do with saying it smiling, (Most) Dutch people also smile politely when they refuse or don’t want something.
This is absolutely infuriating. So thankful my parents taught me to say "yes, please" and "no, thank you".
"I'm okay" is not no. You need to have cultural knowledge to know that "I'm okay" is a polite way of saying no.
I think it sounds like: Oh oké. for them, wich means more like....uuh yeah sure why not
Can confirm! I live in NL and actually prefer this directness. You don't need to read between the lines and you can still be polite with a smile on, without needing to pretend!
My gf had her American friend over and I was making coffee. So I (bluntly) asked our visitor if she wanted some coffee too. After a lot of confusion I asked my gf in Dutch "wil ze nou koffie of niet" and my gf replied "laat maar, ik heb geen idee" ^^
no thanks, i don't need one, i have my own. To me, a no thank you with a smile, we are not that direct to say only "no" it is nice they ask so that would be blunt, very blunt!!! 😊 so you can say no thanks with a smile. that is positive.
Americans: good for you!
Zeg voortaan: nee, dank je.
Nee, dank je met een glimlach, werkt prima.
This way of frasing 'no' has no equivalent in Dutch, so many people don't know what you mean by 'I'm oke'. Just say 'no thanks'.
I'm Dutch and this happens to me too. Sometimes when I am in an introvert mood and not feeling like saying no, this is exacly what happens.