While the Frenchman ahead of you in line at the supermarket struggles with English, you casually chat with the cashier in the same language. On the street, you help a few lost tourists. According to the Proficiency Index, the Dutch are the best non-native English speakers, which shows in the ease with which we use the language. However, that doesn’t mean things always go smoothly in the workplace.

Although the Dutch are known for their good command of English, things often go wrong in professional settings. Here’s an overview of the most common blunders and their solutions.

The Salutation and Closing of an Email

In Dutch, it’s normal to start your email with “Beste” if you don’t know exactly who you’re addressing. But don’t apply this one-to-one in an English email, because starting with just “Dear” turns the recipient into “darling.”

Then, the closing. “Greetings” is often used, which is the translated version of “groetjes,” but people don’t realize that this word is only used around Christmas in English—or by aliens when they first arrive on Earth.

Use “Kind regards” for formal emails, and a simple “Best” works well in both formal and informal settings.

The Difference Between “When” and “If” in a Negotiation

If you have to negotiate with an English-speaking party for work, be careful not to commit before negotiations have even begun.

In Dutch, people say “Als we het eens worden” (If we agree), but if you translate this as “When we agree,” you’re giving the deal away to the other party. Always use “if,” and only use “when” once the deal is finalized.

Spelling Your Own Name

There’s nothing more awkward than not being able to spell your own name correctly aloud. And this often goes wrong. A few mnemonic devices for commonly confused letters: A as in L.A., I as in FBI, and E as in email. There are also tricks for consonants: Y as in YMCA, G as in G-Star, J as in DJ, K as in OK, and H as in H&M.

Asking How Someone Is

There’s a significant difference between “How are you?” and “How do you do?”—the latter is only used when meeting someone for the first time. If you use it again, it might seem like you’ve forgotten the person. So, stick to a simple “How are you?”

Agreeing or Disagreeing

The Dutch are known for being quite blunt. If you translate sentences literally into English, you might come across as arrogant or rude.

If you agree with someone, you can express it with words like “totally,” “completely,” or “definitely.” Even if you disagree, it’s helpful to first acknowledge that you understand the other person’s point. Never outright say someone is wrong—that’s “not done.”

Start your sentence with “I tend to think,” “I would believe,” or “It seems to me” to emphasize that you see things differently. This way, you can have a good discussion without your conversation partner walking away offended.

Source: nu.nl