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David Mangene

Utrecht, the Netherlands

I love to write. It is my therapy. I do it here in Europe, where I live.

Interests: Artists that tell the truth, laughing till it hurts, the quiet of a golf course, watching people exceed their own expectations, reading stuff that gets me off my ass, ROCK & ROLL, the way my sons' shine their little lights every day.

Recent Activity

I'VE MOVED OVER TO A NEW WEBSITE.

Hi. Thanks for coming. I don't post on this blog anymore. I've moved to a new website. Please click the link below to visit my new site. My mission at the new site is still the same: to make you better at English by teaching you about American language and... Continue reading

Posted Mar 21, 2015 at Mother Tongue - USA english and culture

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WHY AMERICANS ARE THE BEST AND WORST OF FACEBOOK.

By Dave Mangene Here in Holland, I know a guy who writes so well, so full of dry wit and down to earth wisdom - his work is a joy to read. But you won't ever read his stuff. Because he doesn't show anybody. No blog, no posts, no books... Continue reading

Posted Jan 15, 2015 at Mother Tongue - USA english and culture

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WHY AMERICANS CAN'T TAKE CRITICISM.

By Dave Mangene The first thing I did when I moved to Holland, after arranging life's essentials, was to start a band. I put up an ad in a local music store and a guy called. His name was Donnie, a fellow American living in Eindhoven. Donnie and me hit... Continue reading

Posted Dec 11, 2014 at Mother Tongue - USA english and culture

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WHY THE DUTCH CAN'T TAKE A COMPLIMENT.

Meneer Calvijn, aka 'The Compliment Killer'. By Dave Mangene "The University of Utrecht," she says elegantly, raising the glass to her lips, her accent a gentle Dutch lilt, "is one of the oldest Universities in the Netherlands, and one of the largest in Europe..." She sips the wine, deftly tucking... Continue reading

Posted Nov 27, 2014 at Mother Tongue - USA english and culture

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WHY THE DUTCH SIT IN CIRCLES AT BIRTHDAY PARTIES.

By Dave Mangene At a row house, in a suburb, which is every row house, in every suburb, me and my brother stand at a door, about to ring the bell. We've been invited to Roel's birthday party. We don't know Roel very well, but we're young and thirsty to... Continue reading

Posted Nov 20, 2014 at Mother Tongue - USA english and culture

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WHY AMERICANS ARE SO LOUD AND THE DUTCH DON'T TIP.

USA! USA! USA! By Dave Mangene When Americans travel abroad, you can spot us easily because we have a certain look: baseball caps, white sneakers, white socks, shorts (even in cold weather), and Body Mass Index. Although this may be true, I think there's an even better way to identify... Continue reading

Posted Nov 6, 2014 at Mother Tongue - USA english and culture

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WHY LOUIS VAN GAAL SPEAKS GREAT ENGLISH.

Coach Louis van Gaal of Manchester United. By Dave Mangene By now you've seen a clip of Manchester United coach Louis van Gaal standing in front of a microphone saying things like: "...uhh - yes, but dat is different koek..." and "...het is...uhh - again the same song..." Van Gaal's... Continue reading

Posted Oct 29, 2014 at Mother Tongue - USA english and culture

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WHY AMERICANS PURSUE HAPPINESS AND THE DUTCH DON'T BOTHER.

By Dave Mangene In America, happiness is serious business. I don't mean in the commerical sense, although the happiness industry, in its many offshoots, does generate millions. I mean happiness is serious business in our hearts. It's right there in our Declaration of Indepedence: "...life, liberty, and the pursuit of... Continue reading

Posted Oct 23, 2014 at Mother Tongue - USA english and culture

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WHY THE DUTCH SHOULD NOT CHANGE ZWARTE PIET.

Zwarte Piets By Dave Mangene As an outsider, it's easy to see Zwarte Piet as a member of Sinterklaas's subservient black army of helpers, and think it's reminiscent of slavery and should be changed. It's easy to see the imagery of white people painted in black face, with big red... Continue reading

Posted Oct 15, 2014 at Mother Tongue - USA english and culture

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WHY THE DUTCH GO TOPLESS AND AMERICANS DON'T.

It's that way to the beach... By Dave Mangene Shortly after my parents moved to the Netherlands in the spring of 1991, my brother and I came to visit them for summer vacation. We were both students at the time and the summer months allowed us the freedom to come... Continue reading

Posted Oct 14, 2014 at Mother Tongue - USA english and culture

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WHY AMERICANS GO TO WORK AND THE DUTCH GO ON VACATION.

By Dave Mangene I'll be the first to admit, I'm not much of a camper. I do like the sunshine, palm trees, and laid back vibes of a mediterranean campground, I just don't like tents. In fact, I'm horrible at pitching tents. If you want to see me at my... Continue reading

Posted Oct 2, 2014 at Mother Tongue - USA english and culture

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Hi Bart, Thanks for your response and for reading my work. Do you feel that the Canadians smoke more pot than you are used to? Have fun in Canada, eh! All the best, Dave Sent from my iPhone

Commented Sep 27, 2014 on WHY AMERICANS SMOKE POT AND THE DUTCH SMOKE MARLBOROS. at Mother Tongue - USA english and culture

WHY AMERICANS SMOKE POT AND THE DUTCH SMOKE MARLBOROS.

By Dave Mangene The first time I smoked pot was a failure of comedic proportions. I was with my buddy Scott, who was older and seemingly more versed in these matters. Plus, he had the pot. And the pipe. And the lighter. None of which I had. We were 14... Continue reading

Posted Sep 24, 2014 at Mother Tongue - USA english and culture

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WHY AMERICANS HAVE GUNS AND THE DUTCH DON'T.

Utrecht's finest apprehending the suspect. Photo courtesy of Mark Klaassen By Dave Mangene Two weeks ago, on a bright Friday morning, a 26 year old man whom the police later described as 'confused', walked into my kids' school. He was carrying two weapons, both concealed in a paper bag. You... Continue reading

Posted Sep 18, 2014 at Mother Tongue - USA english and culture

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WHY AMERICA HAS STAND-UP AND THE DUTCH HAVE CABARET.

By Dave Mangene When the Pilgrims left England to start a new life in 'America' (or got kicked out, depending on who you talk to), they didn't know much about starting a new 'nation'. All they had was an idea. Granted, it was a big idea - you know, about... Continue reading

Posted Aug 26, 2014 at Mother Tongue - USA english and culture

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ARE YOU MAKING THE WORST MISTAKE EVER IN ENGLISH?

By Dave Mangene Meet Mark (not his real name). He's Dutch. Smart as a whip. Educated both in good schools and on 'the street'. He's likeable and interesting. This is a guy with his shit together. When Mark writes to me in English, his grammar is excellent. In fact, it's... Continue reading

Posted Jul 31, 2014 at Mother Tongue - USA english and culture

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5 WAYS YOUR ENGLISH IS HURTING YOUR CAREER (AND HOW TO FIX IT).

By Dave Mangene Yes, there are a billion Chinese people that do business in Mandarin, but English is still the main language of international business. Take a look at the 5 ways your English is hurting your career and what you can do to fix it. 1. PEOPLE DON'T UNDERSTAND... Continue reading

Posted Jul 23, 2014 at Mother Tongue - USA english and culture

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WHY WE HAVE NO CHOICE BUT TO BELIEVE.

By Dave Mangene My favorite team is done. It has been a beautiful run. When it all started, just a short time ago, my team had no chance. They weren't supposed to beat Spain. Hell, nobody was supposed to beat Spain. But they beat Spain. That's when the believing really... Continue reading

Posted Jul 10, 2014 at Mother Tongue - USA english and culture

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QUEEN MAXIMA, IT'S OK TO CHEER FOR ORANJE.

By Dave Mangene Utrecht, 07 July 2014. Dear Your Majesty, My name is Dave and I was born and raised in the United States but I've been living in the Netherlands for the past 21 years. I, like you, am a proud 'nieuwe Nederlander'. I'm writing to you today because... Continue reading

Posted Jul 7, 2014 at Mother Tongue - USA english and culture

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WHY THE K.N.V.B. CAN'T WIN THE WORLD CUP BUT VAN GAAL CAN.

Holland's coach Louis van Gaal. By Dave Mangene. Last night, following Holland's remarkable win against Costa Rica, Coach van Gaal gave his post-game interview. In his typical 'rough around the edges' style, Louis said: "We've already reached the K.N.V.B's goals (Royal Dutch Football Association), and I'm happy about that. But... Continue reading

Posted Jul 6, 2014 at Mother Tongue - USA english and culture

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THE 14TH REASON TO MASTER ENGLISH: TO REDISCOVER DISCIPLINE

Crack that whip. Give the past a slip. *This post is an excerpt from my book, 'Why Go There? 15 Reasons to Master the English Language.'* REASON 14: TO REDISCOVER DISCIPLINE. A master does her work every day. You often hear people say, “if you wanna get good at something,... Continue reading

Posted Jul 4, 2014 at Mother Tongue - USA english and culture

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LUIS SUAREZ, ARJEN ROBBEN, AND THE CULTURE OF HONESTY.

Uruguay's Luis Suarez By Dave Mangene Luis Suarez was recently playing a World Cup game against Italy and he bit a guy in the shoulder. After biting the guy, he fell on the ground and grabbed his teeth. We all saw it. The cameras recorded it. The Italian pulled back... Continue reading

Posted Jul 2, 2014 at Mother Tongue - USA english and culture

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15 REASONS WHY THE DUTCH WILL WIN THE WORLD CUP.

By Dave Mangene What's the best thing about being an American in Holland? That I get to be 'crazy'. Niks geen nuchterheid. Nobody expects me to be sensible. Nobody expects me to know anything about football either. But I have learned a thing or two about the beautiful game and... Continue reading

Posted Jun 26, 2014 at Mother Tongue - USA english and culture

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WHY THE DUTCH ARE THE BOSTON RED SOX OF SOCCER.

By Dave Mangene Soccer and baseball are obviously very different games. But the history of two of my favorite teams, the Dutch National Soccer Team (known as Oranje) and the Boston Red Sox, are surpisingly similar. Here's why: 1. Both teams have suffered heart wrenching losses for many years. The... Continue reading

Posted Jun 19, 2014 at Mother Tongue - USA english and culture

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WHY AMERICANS DON'T CARE ABOUT THE WORLD CUP.

By Dave Mangene The biggest sporting event on the planet starts today. Nobody loves a good sporting event more than we Americans, but this one just doesn't do it for us. Here's why: 1. We didn't invent soccer. Soccer is not our game. We invented other games: 'American' football. Baseball.... Continue reading

Posted Jun 12, 2014 at Mother Tongue - USA english and culture

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