I'm a 25 year old female and I'm originally from Holland. However I've lived and travelled all over the world. Í've lived in San Diego; California, Pine Grove; Pennsylvania, New York and Wolverhampton and London; England. I now live in Amsterdam in the city center in the most beautiful studio next to an amazing 400 year old church. When I go out with friends on the weekend I can walk home from any place in the city by myself. I have never felt un save in Amsterdam. In contrast; I was attacked in San Diego when I walked home from school one day and every day men shouted out their cars saying nasty things. I've never experienced that in Holland. Then in Wolverhampton I actually was followed homes I don't know how many times and grabbed all over my body by men on the street.

Never happened in Holland… yes some of my friends smoke weed but others, like me, don't smoke, don't drink, I have never even tasted alcohol or a sigarette. The first guestion I was asked when I arrived at that college in San Diego when I was 17; oh you're from Holland, wanna smoke some pot after school? eh no thanks. Don't get me wrong, I love San Diego a lot. It's beautiful and it's a huge city and I go back every summer. But there are many areas that aren't that save, just like there are many areas that are.

Ofcourse Amsterdam is not perfect, and yes I do think Americans are more polite to each other. In stores and on the streets people greet each other. However, this is not in the Dutch culture, unfortunately. If I look at my grandparents, it has always been that way, people care about their family and friends but leave others alone. Which is debatable to be a good or a bad thing.

And yes you can come across someone in the red light district who will whisper; want to sell drugs. But if you say know they will just walk on. Plus the red light district… there are some windows with naked ladies yes, there are also a lot of nice restaurants and bars and about thousands of tourists.

I just want to make sure that everyone in America knows that it is safe to come to Holland. I meet tourists every day and I take them to places and talk to them and even let them stay at my place at times. Just because I like traveling and meeting new people. And I have never heard one single tourist say something bad about Holland….

Raul said:

Post edited 2:33 am – September 4, 2009 by Raul
Post edited 8:10 am – September 4, 2009 by Raul

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I was born and raised in The Netherlands and last year moved to Seattle, WA. You couldn't be more right about Fox New. Just watching a few days clearly demonstrates how biased they are. They certainly show the opposite of “fair, accurate & balanced news”. Similar BTW to MSNBC, which I consider the left-wing version of Fox. It is equally unbiased and annoying to watch (especially Rachel Maddow, which is the lefty female version of Bill O'reilly).

Your videos are therefore very appreciated. It helps balance these rather extreme views. It also helps change the common perception in the USA that Amsterdam is all about drugs, gays, hookers and pickpockets. I sat next to an American in the plane and he refused to ever make a visit to Amsterdam. He was afraid that he was going to be robbed or hurt when doing that. The words of O'reilly have a big impact on many Americans that don't know any better, so more videos please!

That said, I must say that living in the USA for a year did show me what is wrong with Amsterdam and The Netherlands in general. My reference is Washington State (not the whole USA) but what I experienced in our daily life is that people are much more respectful and polite towards each other. Little things suddenly are much more enjoyable because of the high service levels and customer centric approach. But also because of the greater respect for others. You can go to a movietheater here without being annoyed by other guests that speak out loud or make a phonecall. People here also seem to be more responsible than in The Netherlands. For example: they drive slowly if they see children, they stop for you at zebra crossings and they let you merge in traffic without any middle finger or honking horn. Things that are long gone in The Netherlands. The declining values (normen en waarden) was one of the reasons we decided to leave. 

I would rate the safety on the streets in Seattle is higher than Amsterdam. I have yet to run into a person that tries to sell me drugs (“psst: coke, hashies?”) and there is a total lack of annoying youngsters that make remarks or insult you. It just feels more safe.

I still love The Netherlands but it would be nice to see a litle less liberalism and a little more realism going forward.

All good points, but i still have to point one thing out.

I live in the Netherlands, but NOT in Amsterdam. Why the hell are people still looking only towards Amsterdam? I know its not a big country but come on… its bigger then Amsterdam. Saying that the values are not that high compared to the USA could be true, i dont know. Ive only visited the USA for two weeks. All i know is that we people in the east (where i live) on rural grounds are very polite as well and we dont rush through the city centre where children are playing.

People from America, please please please look beyond Amsterdam. Its not the only thing here.

ileso said:

what i dont understand is why the people and government of amsterdam (o'reilly's targets) dont sue both him and FOX?

Well, it's not that easy to sue people or institutes for this kind of a reason, because of Hollands strong believe in “freedom of speech”. But various politicians and media journalists have stood up and tried to confront mister O'Reilly, who's been very sillent about Amsterdam all of a sudden. As long as he knows the Dutch are listening….and acting if needed.

 ew