Yes, most Dutch people genuinely appreciate it when expats try to speak Dutch first. It is not annoying. The switch to English is usually about efficiency and politeness, not rejection. They hear your accent, assume English is easier for both of you, and switch to keep the interaction moving.

That said, context matters. In a busy supermarket queue or at a coffee counter during rush hour, people are on autopilot. They are not evaluating your language skills. They are trying to get through the line. A short "goedemorgen" or "dank je wel" is almost always welcome and rarely triggers a switch. A longer attempt at a full transaction in broken Dutch may prompt English because the other person wants to help you finish quickly.

If you want to practice, pick lower-stakes moments. Ask a simple question you can already handle, like "waar is de melk?" or "heeft u dit in een andere maat?" Then accept the answer in Dutch if it comes. If they switch to English, you can politely say, "Ik oefen graag, mag ik in het Nederlands doorgaan?" That signals your goal without making it a test. Many people will slow down and continue in Dutch once they understand you are learning on purpose.

Do not read the switch as a verdict on your Dutch. Dutch people switch for many reasons: they want to be helpful, they are in a hurry, or they simply enjoy speaking English. It is rarely annoyance. In fact, many locals say they respect the effort even when they switch.

Practical next steps: use Dutch for greetings and closings, keep early practice to one or two sentences, and choose quieter shops or regular spots where staff may recognize you. If you want structured practice, consider a tutor or a conversation group rather than relying only on errands. Apps can help with vocabulary, but real conversation builds confidence. Programs like Dutch Fluency focus on speaking, which is the skill that matters here.

Finally, be honest with yourself about your goal. If you want to be polite, a few Dutch words are enough. If you want to improve, you need repeated low-pressure conversations. The supermarket is a start, not a classroom. Most Dutch people will meet you halfway if you make the effort clear and do not force a full conversation when they are clearly busy.