Do as the Dutch - Sex, Drugs and Pee Pee? - And how does this relate to HFI...

Having lived in the Netherlands for some time and visiting often, on my last trip I realized something about the dutch as I sat at a cafe in Leidseplein and watched men using urinals in the middle of the square...yes, you read correctly, urinals out in the open, men all around, and thousands of people as their spectators.

This pic was actually taken on Queens Day, however the urinals are still being used.

The dutch have this philosophy "we know people are going to do it", sex, drugs, pee pee in the street, whether they should or should not isn't the issue for them...it is how to deal and live with the problem, after all some human behavior cannot be quelled.

So they take a human behavioral problem, accept it, and come up with a solution for the RESULT of the problem.

They don't just stick up a sign saying "Do not pee pee in the square" they offer a quick and cleaner solution solving the result problem. Solves the problem of smelly stinky Amsterdam streets later - I would imagine.

Another controversial example, whether you agree or not they provide clean needles to heroin users, so they take care of the result of the problem (problem being drug addiction, result of using dirty needles, AIDS). Now this is a touchy subject so I must clarify they also do many things to help drug users off the drugs as well; however; they accept that people might not stop so if you are going to do it, here is a means to stop the result of the initial problem. Same goes for their philosophy on prostitution, provide a safer environment.

So, how do we follow or apply this methodology to User Interface and HFI, ideas thoughts?