Claim to Fame?

Question

The Netherlands used to be known for their wooden shoes, tulips, and windmills... now, the Netherlands is most famous for sex, prostitution, and drugs...

Is is really like that in Amsterdam? Is it ruining the reputation of the Netherlands?

RTWING: I never said that I thought the Netherlands were all about drugs and prostitution... I live in America, and if you talk to people about the Netherlands, these are what they think of. That's why I asked.

Answer 1

The description you give of Amsterdam is the view that the majority of the foreigners (notably Brits and Americans) adhere to. The truth is, that my city may be known for all of those things all over the world, but you'll have no idea how easily avoided these "tourist traps" are until you actually come over and visit. I'd be happy to show you around the lovely parks, the awe-inspiring museums, the fantastic architecture, the picturesque canals and the up-market shops.
Because its reputation could not be farther from the truth, it doesn't really damage Amsterdam or The Netherlands as a whole; once people come over and see what it's really like, they're usually quick to change their opinion. (Good thing, too, otherwise they'd have me to answer to! :P)
Another reason why this "bad rap" doesn't do much damage, is because everybody loves a rebel! Rebels are always considered extremely attractive because of their careless, frightening, "anything goes" exterior. Once you get to know them, however, you'll find that they're actually unexpectedly mellow, kind and generous. If Paris is the slightly stuck-up grande dame who refuses to conform to you, and London is the scruffy younger brother who is in desperate need of a good wash, then Amsterdam is the punky loner who doesn't care what you do, how you look, whom you love, as long as you don't pilfer his bike and leave enough ciggies in the packet for him to get through the day.
To put a stop to this slightly crooked analogy: I don't know that your list *is* indeed full of things that would damage Amsterdams reputation; this is what it's famous for all over the world. Where would the tourists go if it suddenly became like Milton Keynes........?

Answer 2

It depends were you are interested in.
The Netherlands is also famous about its painters, architects, designers, dj Tiesto, water control system. (experts from New Orleans came to have a look here in the Netherlands after the disaster there), international court etc.

To be honest I really don't care about how other people think about the Netherlands. If you take the effort to know a little bit about Amsterdam and the Netherlands than you know that thinks like Sex, prostitution and drugs is just a small part of the Netherlands. If you just focus on those issues you will see only those issues. And that's something for narrow minded people.

Answer 3

Nothing will ruin the reputation of the Netherlands as it keeps being one of the most beautiful, safe, clean, organized countries in Europe with lots of culture, museums, theaters and friendly people.

The sex, prostitution and drugs that you mentioned are only used by tourists. The fact that the Netherlands has one of the lowest drug abuse records in Europe, proves it.

The UK traditionally has higher levels of drug use than other European countries.
Further, by virtually all measures the Dutch have less drug use and abuse than the U.S. — from a lower rate of marijuana use among teens to a lower rate of heroin addiction among adults.


For more info: http://www.cedro-uva.org/lib/reinarman.dutch.html

Answer 4

you can give a try and see if the locals here will answer your questions, try this site-
http://amsterdam.craigslist.org/

Answer 5

they are known to you by those things. not intelligent people.