In a place where high levels of tolerance have led to remarkable social stability, one element is really out of sync.

When it comes to public urination, the city or Amsterdam was so lax about cracking down on public offenders that complaints piled up. In response to this, outdoor urinals were set up to allow men who can't hold it a modicum of privacy (and more importantly, protecting the vista of an innocent passerby).

This quick fix was not the correct solution. Not only do people have to endure the peeping gaze of men out of the older urinals mid-stream, but the newer models may in fact be worse (see below), providing very little coverage and a whole lot of opportunity for accidental viewing.

Meanwhile, ladies are still are obliged (willingly, I assume in most cases) to find a traditional toilet in a traditional, closed-in room. Sometimes they even have to pay for this service!

I will leave it to you reader to draw what conclusions you will. I find it backwards and repulsive, especially because we are not in nature and soil is not absorbing and recycling our waste naturally. It sits there, uncovered. I propose a better solution be closed in toilets that are either free and maintained by the city or privately run and perhaps cost a few cents. Their are models like this throughout Europe. To me, anything is better in the city centre than the smell and visuals of urination for all tourists and residents.
My rant is over. Have a good day my friends.