The Netherlands

What do objects such as the dust buster, geraniums, the beer bike and the sandwich say about us, the Dutch? And why are bicycles so popular, especially in The Netherlands?
It's a given fact that we didn't invent the cheese slicer. But why is it that whenever the Dutch parliament debates about cutting budgets and making austerity measures, there is always someone suggesting to use our 'cheese slicer method' - which means that every department makes a few cuts here and there. We didn't come up with the idea of the biscuit tin either. However, our strict management over its content is nonetheless very Dutch. Hospitable and generous as we are, there are limits to these treats.
The Netherlands offers an 'objective' self-portrait and both a unique as well as a provocative (self)reflection of our country.