Fountain in Red Light District
The Dutch have a much more liberal attitude towards sex than just about any other country. Sure there’s conservative small towns that don’t allow prostitution in their district, but by and large prostitution is an institution in Holland. That is, it is regulated and taxed like any industry. Workers are given regular health checks, they have a very vocal union, even pensions. The sex industry is huge in Holland, and they export many products including videos and sex toys. In the larger cities there are many sex supermarkets, some several stories tall. Videos, books and magazines run the gamut from straight and gay sex, S&M, to beastiality to child pornography (the last two are technically illegal, but readily available). If you can’t find what you’re looking for in one of these, it doesn’t exist! In addition these places also screen movies, have sex ‘cabins’ where you can view a movie and have sex, too. There are numerous private clubs that cater to every type of sexual fantasy or fetish. If you can’t get it off in Holland, you’ve really got a problem!
Amsterdam’s Red Light District is world famous for the number of prostitutes who cavort in front of windows in narrow alleyways and more busy streets. Red lights abound and some of the more popular ladies have a line outside. Fetish shops feature leather and studs with every kind of novelty item.
But your ordinary Dutchman is not impressed by all this as they’ve known all about sex since they were kids. In fact when kids reach the ripe age of 14, they are sometimes encouraged to have sex by their parents. It’s seen as something natural and healthy. In fact some disabled Dutchmen have been able to convince the government to increase their stipend to include the services of a sex worker once a month to ensure their health.
Sex can even be art in Holland. I’ve seen a show on TV on the KunstCanal (art channel) which consisted of an endless loop of a penis ejaculating. Nothing else, no bodies, no faces, just a penis. On public TV! How do you follow THAT act?
Like most northern European countries, the Dutch view sex and love as two very different things. Sex is something to be experienced spontaneously without expectations or hang-ups. Sexual relationships can coexist with loving ones. But that doesn’t rule out jealousy. Of course every society has its prudes, but in a place like Holland, they are a minority and often considered “country folk”.