When in the Netherlands, do as the Dutch do?

AuthorKlosterman, Chuck
PositionThe Ethicist - Brief article

I moved to the Netherlands two years ago. I don't plan to stay more than five years, and I don't know whether I should learn Dutch. Virtually everyone here speaks great English.

Is there some obligation to assimilate when living abroad?

--Anonymous, The Netherlands

ASSIMILATION IS NOT AN ETHICAL RESPONSIBILITY. You retain the right to decide what language you speak and what culture you identify with. That said, any problem you encounter with the language barrier is totally on your...

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