So, how do they do it?
When you’re at the cafe door, they ask visitors to speak Dutch by saying goodnight and showing their ID card. Apparently, many are falling at the first hurdle. They state that they do not have a problem with Poles (and other migrants) who speak and understand Dutch, but it’s important that everybody can understand each other.
Can you refuse people for not speaking Dutch?
In short, yes. Well, they have managed it. Is it fair? Personally, it’s complicated. For a few people who do cause an issue, every other person gets penalised for it. It also depends on how long the person has lived here for. If they have only just arrived in the country, fluent Dutch just isn’t possible and everybody is entitled to have a drink in their local area without being quizzed.
However, if the issues aren’t improving then there is not much else you can do. Banning certain individuals who are known to cause a fuss is an option, but if it is random people every time then that may not stop it. I imagine that there are other cafes in the area, so the person can still go elsewhere. But it is technically considered discriminatory, so it’s a difficult one. It does seem like a ploy to mask how wrong it is.
What do you think about this rule? Let us know your views in the comments!
Good idea. Speak Dutch, at least try to speak it, or move on !