Netherlands a bad name?

Of course it has a certain reputation amongst certain nationalities - because it is easy for people to believe stereotypes and heresy rather than actually get from off the sofa, visit it and see for themselves.

When you actually live in Amsterdam (or even have visited more than a couple of times), then you quickly realise that actually the stereotypes of the red light district and the coffeeshops are not the major scandal and hoo-har that several other nationalities make them out to be.

I recently moved from the border of Amsterdam/Amstelveen, but lost track of the amount of times that when I said I lived there that (non-Dutch) people would give the round eyes and of course set about bleating on about what a place it would be to live.... wink wink.

Yes, Amsterdam is a great place to live, but I like many residents walked through the red light district more times than I had hot dinners, and never actually frequented any of the "windows", but equally never felt the need to either. It's there for those who wish to partake, and someone actually reads the stats then you realise that it is safer for all concerned. There will always be a x% of people who wish to use prostitutes (often professed as the oldest profession on record!), and you can either legalise it like many countries in Europe (another fact that most choose to disregard) or you can sweep it under the carpet and pretend it doesn't happen (like countries further west of NL).

Likewise coffeeshops. The intention was not to attract bucket loads of tourists to get drunk to the point of vomiting, and then who get stoned as well and stumble around town making a general nuisance of themselves. Actually if you move out of the centre then you will find that the vast majority of coffeeshops are peaceful places where people have a smoke, in a relaxed, calm manner and again it is not a big deal because it is the norm.

For other nationalities itis a big thing because it is taboo in their own countries and this makes it a big deal.For the 750 thousand + residents of A'dam - well it is just a part of their city and certainly not this titillating city of sin (refering to another question in this section)

So what is Amsterdam- well for me of course being realistic then the red light district and coffee-shops are part and parcel of the city of course, but it IS indeed a city with so much more to offer.

- Shopping and fashion to rival any major city in Europe.

- Great nightlife and equally quiet cafe's where you can go for a drink and a chat.

- A massive range of restaurants with all different cuisines that you just would not imagine.

- A city of great history and splendid architecture with sites to visit such as Anne Frank's house, but also a city for which it is in evidence everywhere if you cycle around.

- A city with more than 50 museums on art, culture,science and also fun

- A city of multi-lingual people - ask the average person directions and they will be able to answer in at least one non-native language.

- The capital city of a country which is forgotten about as there is more than just A'dam to the Netherlands

- ..... and my previous home!

Well that is Amsterdam to me anyway - and I know you asked about the Netherlands, but like you, being sick and tired of the "tee-hee Netherlands = Amsterdam, and Amsterdam = sex/drugs" questions - sometimes I go off on a tangent to explain the other side of the coin!

Amsterdam is indeed a part of the Netherlands and not the be-all and end-all. There are many beautiful cities and attractions to see in the Netherlands and just to many to mention.

- Maastricht and the province of Limburg inlcuding Valkenberg - a very beautiful city in a cosy city surrounded by historical charms and lovely scenery on the outskirts. Little villages and a different side of the Netherlands. Caves and spa's and on the border of Germany & Belgium

- Delft & Leiden which are close to where I now live, again individual locations. Delft being another city built around the concept of canals but on a smaller scale than A'dam. Of course reknown for Vermeer and Delft blue. Lovely market square with the Nieuwe Kerk and little shops. Leiden, again an old town steeped in history & culture.

- A lot of things to visit for kids such as Burgers zoo in Arnhem, Apenheul in Apeldoorn, the Dolphinarim in Harderwijk, the Efteling (amusement park) at Kaatsheuvel.

- Of course there are sights such as the Zaanse Schans for which you can see other stereotypes like windmills, but are really great to see

- A visit to the Keukenhof in the Springtime is another one not to miss - beautiful gardens including of course tulips!

You are right. The Netherlands = Amsterdam = drugs, that is what it looks like in Yahoo answers the Netherlands.

First: Maybe that is the image Amsterdam has, true, but maybe that is what people want to hear about. Who would want to hear about the invention of the stock exchange? Who knows the Dutch invented the stock exchange? Who would ask about the invention of the CD? Who knows this is a Dutch invention? People know about dykes, but why should they ask questions about that? I am glad people know the Dutch have a liberal attitude.

Second: I think the Dutch are good at some things (like the "famous" Dutch design). But the questions people ask are about something they know about the Netherlands. If people ask things about drugs, that is because the Dutch are not good at showing what this country does.

Third: this is about travel. Many people want to know about things they want to visit. Tulips, windmills, you can find all about it on the official tourist information sites. But sex and drugs are not mentioned there. Strange thing is that there are more drugs users and drugs problems in France, but I see no questions there.

for me no way, i dont think the netherlands has a bad reputation. yeah ppl might not like it but its a country that just have different views on things that wont go no where anytime soon. i went there and i loved it!!! when i first got out of the train from centraal station i was like whoa!! i was overwhelmed. then the thing i did was have some weed yea yes yes, had to say it. but i also went to the HAgue and Rotterdam which i loved also. i just loved it. oh yeah the people were actually nice and very good looking!!! lol.... i took the bike around the place and i just loved how the place looked , yeah i feel in love and would love to go back......i want to know more about the country if i ever do go back... oh yeah u guys make a lot of tulips and have reclaimed land from the ocean which is some amazing stuff and amsterdam seems to have more canals than venice LOL.. oh yeah i like the international feel of the place i heard people speaking spanish (one language i speak) and i helped a person who just knew spanish and i am not from the netherlandsLOL

Netherlands is a perfect name for the Lowlands. And the freedoms in the Netherlands are often regarded as positive by it's visitors and certainly by the people who live there. The Netherlands is a very open and modern sociaty. In many ways also a test case for new laws ... that are copied by other countries.

A sort of pre runner in the world. A mini world on earth. If it works in the Netherlands it works everywere. Same for fashion. Fashion is not tested in Miland, Paris or NY.... it is tested in Dutch cities. And there is a reason for it.

Amsterdam is just known as the sex and drug capital of the world. im from a little town in the netherlands called wolsfardike or something like that.. nice little place

it quite is in many situations been The Netherlands; Holland involves of two counties in the rustic, and became the section the place the English military decrease than the Earl of Leicester sent to help the Dutch rebels in the1580s landed and quite often operated, consequently the term 'Holland' in English to point the rustic as an entire.the section that revolted against Spain from 1568 became element of the province in the Spanish Empire standard by way of fact the Spanish Netherlands. for the period of it quite is early existence as an self reliant u . s . a ., it became usually standard by way of fact the United Provinces or the States-typical. besides the incontrovertible fact that Holland has replace right into a nicely-liked term for the rustic as an entire, it quite is incorrect - it quite is in many situations been the Netherlands.

Netherlands also famous because of Anne Frank, dj Tiesto, dj Armin, lots of painters, Antonie van Leeuwenhoek (invention microscope), Philips (invention of the compact disc), Jeroen Krabé, Rutger hauer, Doutzen Kroes (model), Anouk, Trijntje Oosterhuis (Total touch), Erwin Olaf, Anton Corbijn, Wim Crouwel (designer) etc.

I don`t think The Netherlands have a bad name.

I think that the people asking the same type of questions over and over (meaning they don`t bother to read questions already asked) give the places they are from a bad name. (ie : all inhabitants of so-and-so are drugaddicts / pornaddicts / stupid etc.)

As to "what to do/see"- i can but refer to BlaBla`s answer.

Or, you could visit here, and see for yourself.

If you need a guide - i`d be happy to assist in dispelling the myths and LIES about my country.

I don't think people think the Netherlands has that reputation--I think people don't know of any other place than Amsterdam (which does).

Netherland women dont know how to cover their netherworld.