--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I like it [Rotterdam] much better than…" description: "\"I like it [Rotterdam] much better than Amsterdam which is too much like a postcard. It's too cute for me. Rotterdam is more real, it's got a stomach.\" ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a42/nan-goldin-6289_amsterdam_i-like-it-rotterdam-much-better-than-ams_3074068.png" --- # I like it \[Rotterdam\] much better than Amsterdam which is… ![“I like it [Rotterdam] much better than Amsterdam which is too much like a postcard. It's too cute for me. Rotterdam is more real, it's got a stomach.” quote by Nan Goldin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a42/nan-goldin-6289_amsterdam_i-like-it-rotterdam-much-better-than-ams_3074068.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a42/nan-goldin-6289_amsterdam_i-like-it-rotterdam-much-better-than-ams_3074068.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a42/nan-goldin-6289_amsterdam_i-like-it-rotterdam-much-better-than-ams_3074068.png) > “I like it \[Rotterdam\] much better than Amsterdam which is too much like a postcard. It's too cute for me. Rotterdam is more real, it's got a stomach.” [Nan Goldin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nan-goldin/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Goldin prefers Rotterdam's gritty authenticity over Amsterdam's polished, touristy feel. **In simple terms:** Rotterdam feels real, Amsterdam feels like a postcard. Key Takeaway Seek authenticity over superficiality. Themes authenticity city life perception culture realism Mood reflective analytical Type observational personal When to use this quote - travel planning - city relocation - photography projects - cultural critique - urban exploration Key Concepts urbanism aesthetic contrast identity place attachment Questions to Reflect On - What makes a city feel 'real' to you? - How does aesthetic preference shape your experiences? A Different Perspective Rotterdam's edginess may be overstated; some may value Amsterdam's charm. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Amsterdam](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/amsterdam/) ## Related quotes > [Amsterdam is like the rings of a tree: It gets older as you get closer to the center.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/amsterdam-is-like-the-rings-of-a-tree-it-gets-older-as-you-get-closer/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [I had my first museum showing of my slide show in Rotterdam, in 1983. I love Rotterdam. I love harbour cities in general.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nan-goldin/i-had-my-first-museum-showing-of-my-slide-show-in-rotterdam-in-1983-i/) [Nan Goldin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nan-goldin/) > [I was born in Birmingham, and then I moved to Rotterdam when I was about five/six and then came back when I was 14.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stefflon-don/i-was-born-in-birmingham-and-then-i-moved-to-rotterdam-when-i-was/) [Stefflon Don](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stefflon-don/) > [By late accounts from Rotterdam, that city seems to be in a high state of philosophical excitement. Indeed, phenomena have there occurred of a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-allan-poe/by-late-accounts-from-rotterdam-that-city-seems-to-be-in-a-high-state/) [Edgar Allan Poe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-allan-poe/) > [I want to move to one of Europe's best clubs if I leave Rotterdam, just like Robin van Persie and Kuyt did before.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/georginio-wijnaldum/i-want-to-move-to-one-of-europe-s-best-clubs-if-i-leave-rotterdam/) [Georginio Wijnaldum](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/georginio-wijnaldum/) > [The entire brain of the organization is here. The construction drawings and data processing all takes place in Rotterdam.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/boyan-slat/the-entire-brain-of-the-organization-is-here-the-construction/) [Boyan Slat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/boyan-slat/) > [The Nazis entered this war under the rather childish delusion that they were going to bomb everyone else, and nobody was going to bomb…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sir-arthur-harris-1st-baronet/the-nazis-entered-this-war-under-the-rather-childish-delusion-that/) [Sir Arthur Harris, 1st Baronet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sir-arthur-harris-1st-baronet/) > [If you've been to the city of Malmo in Sweden, or to Berlin or to Hamburg or to London or to Paris in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geert-wilders/if-you-ve-been-to-the-city-of-malmo-in-sweden-or-to-berlin-or-to/) [Geert Wilders](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geert-wilders/) > [ The great thing about Europe is that things have not been represented \[as much\]. If you open the door of a bar in Brooklyn… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-bidegain/the-great-thing-about-europe-is-that-things-have-not-been-represented/) [Thomas Bidegain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-bidegain/) > [“You're pouting. Pouting is not allowed. It's too cute.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carrie-jones/you-re-pouting-pouting-is-not-allowed-it-s-too-cute/) [Carrie Jones](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carrie-jones/) > [I just have this thing in my head that I want to do serious stories that are still just way too cute and drawn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-lee-o-malley/i-just-have-this-thing-in-my-head-that-i-want-to-do-serious-stories/) [Bryan Lee O'Malley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-lee-o-malley/) > [“Ben had the most expressive face I’d ever seen. When he told a story, he dove into it, re-enacting each character with a new…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hilary-duff/ben-had-the-most-expressive-face-i-d-ever-seen-when-he-told-a-story/) [Hilary Duff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hilary-duff/) > [As women, we're always supposed to be catty, or too cute to dance. And it sucks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rico-nasty/as-women-we-re-always-supposed-to-be-catty-or-too-cute-to-dance-and/) [Rico Nasty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rico-nasty/) > [“Where I had expected to appreciate the monuments and love the natural environment, the reality was entirely the reverse. The immense beauty of many…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tim-winton/where-i-had-expected-to-appreciate-the-monuments-and-love-the-natural/) [Tim Winton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tim-winton/) > [“Also I don't, um, eat meat?" "No problem. We'll vegetarianize some," she said. "Animals are just too cute?" Gus asked. "I want to minimize…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/also-i-don-t-um-eat-meat-no-problem-we-ll-vegetarianize-some-she-said/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) ## More by Nan Goldin > [I shot for French and British Vogue. The British Vogue one featured clothes by Chloe and was shot at Highgate and the John Soane…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nan-goldin/i-shot-for-french-and-british-vogue-the-british-vogue-one-featured/) [Nan Goldin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nan-goldin/) > [No place could be less sympathetic to my politics than America.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nan-goldin/no-place-could-be-less-sympathetic-to-my-politics-than-america/) [Nan Goldin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nan-goldin/) > [I'm very much interested in water and women in water. I've been photographing that for years although I didn't really know it at the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nan-goldin/i-m-very-much-interested-in-water-and-women-in-water-i-ve-been/) [Nan Goldin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nan-goldin/) > [I think it killed my sister as the times she was living in were so conformist. This is a subject I really want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nan-goldin/i-think-it-killed-my-sister-as-the-times-she-was-living-in-were-so/) [Nan Goldin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nan-goldin/) > [American magazines are becoming very patriotic beyond belief to the point that I can't live there any more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nan-goldin/american-magazines-are-becoming-very-patriotic-beyond-belief-to-the/) [Nan Goldin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nan-goldin/) > [I'm very flattered when people I respect like my work. It's like a dream of a little kid when somebody I idolised likes my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nan-goldin/i-m-very-flattered-when-people-i-respect-like-my-work-it-s-like-a/) [Nan Goldin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nan-goldin/) > [I always thought if I photographed anyone or anything enough, I would never lose the person, I would never lose the memory, I would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nan-goldin/i-always-thought-if-i-photographed-anyone-or-anything-enough-i-would/) [Nan Goldin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nan-goldin/) > [As a non-Catholic, and since I was a child, I have been obsessed with the ritual and the beauty of Catholic art. I look…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nan-goldin/as-a-non-catholic-and-since-i-was-a-child-i-have-been-obsessed-with/) [Nan Goldin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nan-goldin/) > [The main thing that I want to say is that I don't think women are at their most beautiful in their adolescence or in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nan-goldin/the-main-thing-that-i-want-to-say-is-that-i-don-t-think-women-are-at/) [Nan Goldin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nan-goldin/) > [Each time I spend with Stella McCartney, I like her better. So I was excited to be asked by her.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nan-goldin/each-time-i-spend-with-stella-mccartney-i-like-her-better-so-i-was/) [Nan Goldin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nan-goldin/) > [A lot of people seem to think that art or photography is about the way things look, or the surface of things. That's not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nan-goldin/a-lot-of-people-seem-to-think-that-art-or-photography-is-about-the/) [Nan Goldin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nan-goldin/) > [ Some people have become \[in U.S\] a lot more conservative but I can't really speak about that because I wasn't there. I feel compassion… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nan-goldin/some-people-have-become-in-u-s-a-lot-more-conservative-but-i-can-t/) [Nan Goldin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nan-goldin/) > [I used to think that I could never lose anyone if I photographed them enough. In fact, my pictures show me how much I’ve…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nan-goldin/i-used-to-think-that-i-could-never-lose-anyone-if-i-photographed-them/) [Nan Goldin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nan-goldin/) > [ I know somewhat about Kate \[Moss who featured in the Vogue spread\]. I always thought that Kate's look had come from my old friend… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nan-goldin/i-know-somewhat-about-kate-moss-who-featured-in-the-vogue-spread-i/) [Nan Goldin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nan-goldin/) > [I have very healthy strong relationships with women.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nan-goldin/i-have-very-healthy-strong-relationships-with-women/) [Nan Goldin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nan-goldin/) [Explore all 99 Nan Goldin quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nan-goldin/) ## More Amsterdam quotes > [I think that if you look at places like Amsterdam and places where pot is very legal they do well with it. There is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-buffalo-mailer/i-think-that-if-you-look-at-places-like-amsterdam-and-places-where/) [John Buffalo Mailer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-buffalo-mailer/) > [In Europe, I always have fun bike riding in Amsterdam.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ezra-koenig/in-europe-i-always-have-fun-bike-riding-in-amsterdam/) [Ezra Koenig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ezra-koenig/) > [“There are skeletons in this earth.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/corinne-duyvis/there-are-skeletons-in-this-earth/) [Corinne Duyvis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/corinne-duyvis/) > [“She said I should pick the hall and the date and whatever I want, because it really doesn’t matter to her. That isn’t the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/etgar-keret/she-said-i-should-pick-the-hall-and-the-date-and-whatever-i-want/) [Etgar Keret](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/etgar-keret/) > [I was born in Belgium and moved to Amsterdam when I was 17. I am not a Calvinist Dutchman but a Catholic Belgian. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eddy-de-clercq/i-was-born-in-belgium-and-moved-to-amsterdam-when-i-was-17-i-am-not-a/) [Eddy de Clercq](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eddy-de-clercq/) > [Although I miss my family and friends when I'm away from Amsterdam, I've never had that feeling of missing a city like I have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michiel-huisman/although-i-miss-my-family-and-friends-when-i-m-away-from-amsterdam-i/) [Michiel Huisman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michiel-huisman/) > [Curator Shantrelle P. Lewis left for Amsterdam an Andy Warhol fellow, and came back with a film in her pocket. Please support this confrontation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dream-hampton/curator-shantrelle-p-lewis-left-for-amsterdam-an-andy-warhol-fellow/) [dream hampton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dream-hampton/) > [I am a village boy, and Amsterdam for me was always the big town.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anton-corbijn/i-am-a-village-boy-and-amsterdam-for-me-was-always-the-big-town/) [Anton Corbijn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anton-corbijn/) > [Some tourists think Amsterdam is a city of sin, but in truth it is a city of freedom. And in freedom, most people find…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-green/some-tourists-think-amsterdam-is-a-city-of-sin-but-in-truth-it-is-a/) [John Green](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-green/) > [I'm scared of audiences. One show in Amsterdam I was so nervous, I escaped out the fire exit. I've thrown up a couple of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/adele/i-m-scared-of-audiences-one-show-in-amsterdam-i-was-so-nervous-i/) [Adele](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/adele/) > [“Amsterdam: Where the pendulum swings from God to a guilder.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jessie-burton/amsterdam-where-the-pendulum-swings-from-god-to-a-guilder/) [Jessie Burton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jessie-burton/) > [Ireland is also quite nice. So is Amsterdam.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/diane-von-furstenberg/ireland-is-also-quite-nice-so-is-amsterdam/) [Diane von Furstenberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/diane-von-furstenberg/) > [“Between the whores' world and God's world, like a river dividing two empires, stretches an intense smell of urine.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milan-kundera/between-the-whores-world-and-god-s-world-like-a-river-dividing-two/) [Milan Kundera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milan-kundera/) > [“What do you say to those heading to Amsterdam? “Have a smooth ride.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nkwachukwu-ogbuagu/what-do-you-say-to-those-heading-to-amsterdam-have-a-smooth-ride/) [Nkwachukwu Ogbuagu](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nkwachukwu-ogbuagu/) > [I was in George Martin's studio in Amsterdam and he was telling me, 'They come in here and it takes them three days to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ringo-starr/i-was-in-george-martin-s-studio-in-amsterdam-and-he-was-telling-me/) [Ringo Starr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ringo-starr/) [Browse all 142 Amsterdam quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/amsterdam/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I like it [Rotterdam] much better than Amsterdam which is too much like a postcard. 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