Sun, 8 November 2009
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Are the Dutch a nation of complainers or are they simply practiced at giving feedback to arrive at a consensus? If so, the expat moan, which can then be termed as 'foreigner feedback', must be a sign of integration, muses the editor.
A Dutch friend hazarded that the polder model, where everyone gets a say in everything that is decided, is the grand facilitating scheme for moaners. 
Defined by Wikipedia as the Dutch version of consensus policy in economics, which is also used to describe similar cases of consensus decision-making, the polder model seems to be making a comeback. The new coalition government is applying it, along with solidarity and social inclusion, as they continue to hammer out compromises behind closed doors under the slogan of 'Working together, living together'.
If we can describe the Dutch moan as pointing out the drawbacks or weak points of something, in order to arrive at the best possible state of affairs for all concerned, then surely expats living in Holland will also develop this skill as they integrate into Dutch society?
The expat moan
Which brings me to the expat moan – or shall we call it 'foreigner feedback'.
I've noticed that the biggest critics of the 'expat moaners' are expats themselves, those who feel they have integrated fully into Holland and therefore no longer consider themselves to be an expat.
Of course we aren't talking about the sort of person who moans about absolutely everything indiscriminately, which is wearying after a while. This type is likely to moan about the smallest thing in whichever country they live in.
No, I mean occasional moaners, those who moan about matters, most of which the Dutch would probably agree with.
Let me give you some examples of 'foreigner feedback' I've heard over the past two weeks:
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