Another Point of View

[twinkles]

I have been going to Amsterdam two or three times a year since 2011. I went three times in 2016. My most recent trip was December 2 through December 12. My wife had planned a trip to New Orleans December 13 through December 18. So, I got home around 9:00 on the 12th and the next morning I got on a plane to New Orleans. Then two weeks later, the wife had booked a New Year’s trip to Key West and Miami.

This created a very stark contrast between American hospitality service and the service that you receive in Amsterdam. In Amsterdam I rented a "Premium XL Room with Dam View" at the Krasnapolsky. Admittedly, those rooms are probably not typical of what your average solo male visitor, intent on drinking beer and vaping weed, rents, but I enjoy the view in those rooms. I arrived at about 10:30, and didn't expect my room to be ready, but the clerk confirmed that it was vacant, and that she would prioritize cleaning it. Well it took four hours for my priority number to come up. That service is unacceptable to me. I am not renting the cheapest room in the hotel. Right or wrong, I expect to be treated accordingly. On our New Orleans trip despite our early arrival, we were immediately escorted to our room. They had anticipated our arrival, and prepped the room before we arrived. Same thing happened in Miami. On the other hand, our room was not ready when we checked-in at Key West, and we had a similar problem with broken promises to prioritize prepping our room--when the general manager heard about our experience, he credited us $1600 in compensation for our inconvenience. Nobody at the Krasnopolsky even bother to apologize.

Secondly, I went to the Lobby Bar in Hotel V for breakfast. They had Eggs Benedict on the menu. I was excited. Eggs Benedict is an American dish, and a favorite of mine. The classic version is an English Muffin topped by Canadian Bacon, with a poached egg on top and Hollandaise sauce poured over the whole thing. I have had Eggs Benedict in Berlin, Frankfurt, and Zurich. While there have been minor variations such as a brioche bun as a base, and grilled baked ham in place of the Canadian Bacon, but it was the basic theme of Eggs Benedict. Not in the Lobby Bar. It was a cold ham sandwich with a poached egg on top and a teaspoon of Hollandaise on the egg. You can't claim that is a variation of Eggs Benedict. I found it nauseating, to be frank, and complained to the waiter "that isn't what I ordered." He claimed that cold boiled ham on bread with a poached egg is how it is made in Amsterdam. I couldn't eat it, so I paid my bill and left.

Thirdly, on my KLM flight home, they had "Fried Chicken" on the menu, so I ordered it. It wasn't fried, it was poached. I just don't understand why they use American terms for dishes that bear no resemblance to the terminology they have used.

Earlier in the trip, I had visited Picasso Coffeeshop, because it was open early. I was the only customer in the place. Nevertheless, the staff was the rudest I have ever encounter.

Bottom line, is that the instances above are emblematic of the substandard service I received in Amsterdam. You know, perhaps I have simply grown out of Amsterdam. Moreover, I have recently discovered THC oil in electronic cigarette cartridges. Five sips and you are high. And it gets me high 20 or 30 times. Much more pleasant than smoking weed, or even vaping weed. And far more convenient. And obviously not available in Amsterdam.

I have a flight booked for the end of March. Fortunately, I paid for it with miles, so for $150 I can get the miles back. I am really debating whether to cancel it, and go to Colorado instead.

Sorry for posting a negative trip report. I sat on this for a month, realizing that it wasn’t necessarily appropriate for this board. But this trip did change my view of Amsterdam.

[OneHighMofo]

Ahhhh refreshing European 'service' - where they really don't give a fuck what kind of day you're having or how you're feeling, whether you come back or frankly whether you ever draw another breath. Our service staff earn minimum wage and are expected to be grateful for it - so (if they ever existed - through gritted teeth perhaps) their airs, graces and 'have a nice day' went out of the window in the late 90's with the realisation that good old Ronnie CockWomble and ThatchBitches 'you can have it all if you just work (get into debt) for it' promise was of course - utter bullshit.

Worse; the Owl-worshipping old-money bastards that owns and runs establishments like the Hotel Krasnapolsky give even less of a fuck about you than their underpaid migrant work-force and would happily sell your ass into true white slavery before apologising to you for fucking up eggs benedict. What a world we live in eh?

Seriously though - it's a shame you had a bad time, Europe isn't really the place to expect particularly attentive service I'm afraid. I really do hope your March trip to the Rockies bears more comfortable vape-juice soaked fruit. Let us know how you get along.

[LLMReb]

OHM, what I don't understand is if the service industry pay in Europe is so low, why not adopt high quality service in exchange for tips?

Service or no, however, the city experience in AMS beats CO anytime. The only place comparable for me in CO is a little brewery in Aspen where you can drink really good stouts and watch skiers come down the mountain.

Twinkles, as for eggs benedict, oh man, NOLA has got to have some of the best. Where I live in TX a local restaurant, Black Walnut, does a variation with slider size, thin patty of prime beef on English muffin.

[OneHighMofo]

In all honesty I don't actually think it's 100% about monetary recompense - it's a cultural misgiving we Europeans just don't place an emphasis on overly-sincere personal service.

There's a similar cultural divide between mainland Europe and the U.K. Where we insincerely (without really wanting an honest answer) ask 'how are you?'

Personally - I like the refreshing honesty of the European demeanour. The time I've spent in North American eateries and retail outlets felt not dissimilar to being served by the stepford wives

[Fat_old_dwarf]

I'm curious to know what's meant by rude service in Picasso – or any other coffeeshop, for that matter. I don't think I've ever had anything I'd describe as rude. Indifferent service, sure. I suppose the closest I've ever come to actual conflict with any coffeehouse staff was at Prix d'Ami, where I joked about not being asked for ID – which made the goons call me back and demand to through my bag and even my tobacco tin, of all things. But frankly I found that rather funny, and I had provoked it a bit.

[KeyMonCha]

Instead of booking an overpriced, City-Centre hotel in the middle of an overly expensive city knows for slightly surly service, why not stay elsewhere?

....i.e. Haarlem?

Book an apartment, rather than a hotel if you want friendly, personal service...

I'd recommend Wherels due to their incredible customer service and amazing breakfasts.

...And if you want Eggs Benedict, i'd suggest strolling down to The Egg Store/Roast Chicken Bar to try their offering... I guarantee a more enjoyable experience than the one you had in Amsterdam.

The transport in Haarlem is also excellent, so if you want to visit Amsterdam, or anywhere else really, you have the option to do so quite easily.

Finally, and this is an opinion only; Haarlem, and the Netherlands in general, are such a beautiful places, steeped in history and art... Colorado, not so much, but they do have a large hole in the ground, i hear! (jk )

[Nuggz]

Sorry to hear that it was a negative experience for you.

I wouldn't give up on Amsterdam just yet, but indeed the service can be quite off-putting at times, to say the least.

I don't know if I'd say all European service is bad. I find Spain is decent enough, and they expect tips (even small ones) less than say in Germany or Holland (in NL they expect at least a modest tip a lot of the time at nicer sit-down establishments and in DE if they know you're an "Ami" they may even "assume" that the bill you handed them requires no change - if the amount given is only a little more than the total bill) Italy is the perfect compromise, Italians are lazy in a lot of ways but goddamnit if their respect for the culinary process and dining experience doesn't lead them to find a good balance between Dutch-fuck off service and American - cheesy, fake-friendly, overload of options, but secretly trying to to rush you out the door to turn tables over - kinda vibe. In Italy they'll practically throw a tip back at you before accept it, are accommodating to modification requests, don't rush you but make themselves available when need be.

As for the availability of cannabis-products, I don't know what to tell you on that.

Indeed Amsterdam from an urban/culture/cosmopolitan standpoint is much prettier than any American city; but then again the rockies and accompanying nature are lightyears ahead of any "nature" ( ) extant in the lowlands that's for damn sure!

[OneHighMofo]

I'm curious to know what's meant by rude service in Picasso – or any other coffeeshop, for that matter. I don't think I've ever had anything I'd describe as rude. Indifferent service, sure. I suppose the closest I've ever come to actual conflict with any coffeehouse staff was at Prix d'Ami, where I joked about not being asked for ID – which made the goons call me back and demand to through my bag and even my tobacco tin, of all things. But frankly I found that rather funny, and I had provoked it a bit.

Over the years I've seen a good few examples of dutch coffeeshop 'service' that outwardly and in the moment 'seems' rude but on reflection is just a simple miscommunication due to the language barrier. Common ones I notice are that native English speakers aren't used to being told 'no', or 'don't do that', or 'you can't do that here' backed up with 'well - you can leave if you want' when protestations fails so I think it seems jarring to them sometimes - even more so when stoned.
Lately I've seen a few customers wide-eyed in disbelief that a coffeeshop staff member has told them to turn their phone off. I've seen (in Amnesia) a couple bluster red-faced and leave the premises in a huff with usual murmurs of how much money they'd spent etc, looking for support from the other staff members who simply shrugged and sashayed about their day.

I did have a little chuckle at the time but I also saw it from their point of view - it's so off the scale to what consumers are used to.

[Not_the_monk]

Could be wrong, but I don't think coffeeshops are allowed to sell THC oil under the current policy are they?

[Fat_old_dwarf]

[Dutchmode]No. THC oil is forbidden in the Netherlands. You will not find it here.[/dutchmode]

Actually, I find directness refreshing. If the answer is no (and, wherever you are and whatever you're doing, it quite often is), the only thing insincere apologies and ridiculous excuses are going to do is to make you waste time.

Scouring the remnants of my brain for an example of rudeness, I remembered a café in Brussels. It was a very hot day, and there was a fan, but it wasn't switched on. A customer switched it on, and was told in no uncertain terms that this was not something he should be doing. The waiter actually shook his finger, and I realised that I couldn't remember the last time I'd seen anyone doing that, anywhere. Not to an adult, certainly. And the customer appeared to be a local. But even that was funny, not least because I don't live in Brussels and risk extreme condescension from waiters. The secret of travel is that anything is worthwhile - in limited doses.

[OneHighMofo]

Agreed - I like to think that I'd be secretly pleased if someone wagged a finger at me. It's kinda funny!
'ah ah ahhh - nooo no no'

[benstraat]

I really don't understand this post .

The check in time of the Kras is 15.00 it states this on their website , it shouldn't matter what room you've paid for , it makes no difference that check in time is set and anything else earlier is a free goodwill bonus .

Also the breakfast that "you couldn't eat ". How did you order it ?
Every time I have stayed there the breakfast has been a buffet set up and nothing is to order . I'm curious to ask because if you can order a sit down restraunt order style breakfast I'd like to know because it's news to me .

[ZBeebs]

I really don't understand this post .

The check in time of the Kras is 15.00 it states this on their website , it shouldn't matter what room you've paid for , it makes no difference that check in time is set and anything else earlier is a free goodwill bonus .

Also the breakfast that "you couldn't eat ". How did you order it ?
Every time I have stayed there the breakfast has been a buffet set up and nothing is to order . I'm curious to ask because if you can order a sit down restraunt order style breakfast I'd like to know because it's news to me .

I believe his point is he was told the room was vacant, and that they would get it ready for him "as a priority"... yet they still made him wait until the regular check-in time, which is much different that the typical experience at hotels in the USA (I can't remember the last time I arrived early and wasn't taken directly to my room).

He also pretty clearly states he didn't order the eggs at Krasnapolsky.

[Fat_old_dwarf]

they still made him wait until the regular check-in time, which is much different that the typical experience at hotels in the USA (I can't remember the last time I arrived early and wasn't taken directly to my room).

I'm curious as to how this would work in practice, because I'd have thought that the law of averages would mean that at some point the previous guest would just have checked out or might still be there, assuming you're arriving in the morning. Were you just lucky, or would they switch you from the booked room to a similar one that was free? This might not always be possible either.

They say you get what you pay for, and to some extent that's true, but not always. The least satisfying experiences I've had in Amsterdam have been in higher-priced hotels. One sticks in the mind, because I'd spent the first night at Voyagers, but had to find somewhere else for the second. When I arrived – after the check-in time – there was nobody on reception. When someone did turn up, my room wasn't ready. When it was, it turned out to be on the ground floor, even though I'd specified a higher one to take advantage of that lovely lift I was paying for. Windows didn't open, which is unpleasant apart from the no-smoking angle. In fact, the only thing I liked about the place was the coffee machine in the room. The more you pay, the more you get irritated when you don't get precisely what you think you're paying for – none of this would have bothered me much at a cheaper hotel. This is probably supremely unhelpful.

[Namajnag]

This is probably supremely unhelpful.

That made me smile