Amsterdam Coffeeshop Directory Forums

I would consider it rude not to buy a drink if you're staying to smoke, no matter how much weed you've purchased. It's not a rule, it's just something I've picked up. A lot of my buddies work in coffeeshops, and the best explanation I've heard for this 'I should buy a drink' guilt I get was from my Amsterdam bestie: "treat a coffeeshop like a coffee house. You wouldn't sit down in a coffee house without ordering a drink, because it would be weird, so why would you do it in a coffeeshop? A coffeeshop should be treated like a cafe that sells weed instead of food."

I thought that was a pretty fair assessment. However, if I know a place deliberately over-prices and rips off customers on the drinks front, I can see why you wouldn't get a drink there. The long term solution for that problem is not to go there again once you've realised what they're up to. That, to me, is rude on behalf of the coffeeshop.

I've heard that rule about not staying too long as well. It's bullshit. Most places would only invoke that if you're being a hassle, or aren't spending any money and you're taking the seat of a customer who would be. I've spent hours hanging out in some places. On one of my first trips to Amsterdam, my friends and I couldn't check into our hotel until the evening and we hadn't slept for days, so the Greenhouse let us sleep in a booth for a few hours in the morning on the condition that we bought weed and drinks (which we were doing anyway)! Legends.

The only thing that really pisses me off in coffeeshops, etiquette wise, are people taking photos. Not bud shots or whatever, that's not an issue. I mean taking photos of the shop or themselves and getting other customers' faces in the shot. That's pretty damn ignorant. First of all, I don't want my face in anyone's online photo album doing something that is considered illegal in most countries and could cause trouble for me in the future. Secondly, when I'm really stoned, camera flashes freak me out.
Seriously though, I would consider it rude not to ask people in the coffeeshop if they mind you taking photos. I know that's not just me, because I've seen many a budtender asking people to put away their cameras, and I have witnessed one man becoming very agressive towards another customer who took a picture of him smoking a bong.

What are other peoples' feelings on this? I think BlueBerry's videos are a prime example of model etiquette, camera-wise, in coffeeshops. It's a pity more people aren't as considerate as she is![/i]

Agree with you Queen. Taking photos in a CS MUST be done with consideration that others do not want to be in your shot. This goes for nightclubs and concerts too. Don't get me started.....

I think the rules laid down by the original poster are way too rigid and I wonder if they are copied from somewhere? 45 minutes is not a reasonable limit. But if you are acting as asshole and being anti-social, the limit should be five minutes.

As for the tip issue, I am a huge tipper but do not tell me I have to tip in Europe, where the wage system for a restaurant worker does not expect tips. If the budtender is helpful, he/she gets a tip. But at many of the non-central shops, a tip can be an insult.

When I'm over I usually visit about 10 shops per day for something like 30 mins each, like fuck am I spending 30 euros on drinks I don't need or want. I would not call it rude what so ever, in fact I would call staff hassling you after you have spent over 50 euros in their shops for 3 euro drinks to be rude.

If I go in a restaurant and order a meal I am under no pressure to buy a drink if I don't want to, so the analogy you make is pretty worthless.

I'm with Marco & QueenMab on the photo point - if my stoned face appeared on a random website it could have serious implications for my job!

As for moving on after 45 mins or so...hello...I'm normally not functioning so well at that stage

The etiquette of taking pictures in coffeeshops.
Especially menus.

*************** ALWAYS ASK FIRST **************

Most shops will let you take pix to your hearts content, a few don't
even care about videos.

ALWAYS ask first. It's always at the option of the bud tender, so if
one won't let you, go back on another shift and that one might let you.
Be persistant.

Generally, try to keep people out of the background. Some folks don't
want it known that they frequent Amsterdam coffeeshops, I do and I'm
proud but I'm not everybody. Menu pix are short range and don't have
much if any background.

Almost as an afterthought but of primary importance.

Remember, really stoned people don't like flashes of bright light
and most of the folks there are pretty stoned.

Don't use your flash if at all possible. Most digital cameras
will work in pretty low light and software can lighten it up later.

Often the bud tender will move a menu to better light or let you
take it to better light, say to a window with light streaming in.


Enjoy
FlyByNite

Carlos wrote:When I'm over I usually visit about 10 shops per day for something like 30 mins each, like fuck am I spending 30 euros on drinks I don't need or want.

Yeah, that's quite true actually. I rarely go to many coffeeshops in 1 day anymore, so that never really occurred to me. I'm a 'sit in one place for ages' person. Yeah... I'd say no one would even think twice about you not buying a drink if you weren't sitting there for a while and had bought weed. Personally, I still would. But that's a combination of the places I hang out and the fact that I like to have a drink when I smoke anyway, but yeah, you're right. When you're only spending a few minutes in the shop, it's just common sense to watch your funds.

Greetings all, I am very pleased with the replies on this thread! Excellent points have been made by both sides of this issue, and future Coffeeshop visitors will now much have a better understanding of the Amsterdam coffeeshop scene.

Some very interesting and correct points were raised by Boner, hippy_man99, Hotdog, DC and Carlos: since we are already paying for overly expensive Cannabis and Hashish, is the 2 Euro for a glass of orange juice really necessary? For 2 Euro it's possible to buy an entire liter of orange juice!

I am very happy to hear that others are reporting longer staying times that seem acceptable to them, and it is fascinating to read posts to the contrary where people have shared accounts of being asked to leave. I invite everyone that happens to be browsing this thread to share their own experiences. Have you ever been asked to leave for staying too long? Or do you have a comment similar to QueenMab and CHELSEA_SMOKERS_SOCIETY that tells a story of the Coffeeshops' leniency and hospitality?

Some great tips and rules were posted by FlyByNite (I invite everyone to review them and comment, page 2 of this thread) and has also unearthed another important topic regarding etiquette and rules: the taking of photographs, both in the form of menu pix and of the shop interior. What are everyone's thoughts on this matter? Has anyone here ever gotten into trouble for snapping a Coffeeshop photo?

Again, we have some excellent comments being posted from both sides, let's continue this discussion.
Until next time, safe and happy travels!
THCproxy

THCproxy wrote:Greetings all, I am very pleased with the replies on this thread! Excellent points have been made by both sides of this issue, and future Coffeeshop visitors will now much have a better understanding of the Amsterdam coffeeshop scene.

Some very interesting and correct points were raised by Boner, hippy_man99, Hotdog, DC and Carlos: since we are already paying for overly expensive Cannabis and Hashish, is the 2 Euro for a glass of orange juice really necessary? For 2 Euro it's possible to buy an entire liter of orange juice!

I am very happy to hear that others are reporting longer staying times that seem acceptable to them, and it is fascinating to read posts to the contrary where people have shared accounts of being asked to leave. I invite everyone that happens to be browsing this thread to share their own experiences. Have you ever been asked to leave for staying too long? Or do you have a comment similar to QueenMab and CHELSEA_SMOKERS_SOCIETY that tells a story of the Coffeeshops' leniency and hospitality?

Some great tips and rules were posted by FlyByNite (I invite everyone to review them and comment, page 2 of this thread) and has also unearthed another important topic regarding etiquette and rules: the taking of photographs, both in the form of menu pix and of the shop interior. What are everyone's thoughts on this matter? Has anyone here ever gotten into trouble for snapping a Coffeeshop photo?

Again, we have some excellent comments being posted from both sides, let's continue this discussion.
Until next time, safe and happy travels!
THCproxy

Did you copy/paste all those coffeeshop reviews or are they your personal experiences?

schererbuzz wrote:

THCproxy wrote:Greetings all, I am very pleased with the replies on this thread! Excellent points have been made by both sides of this issue, and future Coffeeshop visitors will now much have a better understanding of the Amsterdam coffeeshop scene.

Some very interesting and correct points were raised by Boner, hippy_man99, Hotdog, DC and Carlos: since we are already paying for overly expensive Cannabis and Hashish, is the 2 Euro for a glass of orange juice really necessary? For 2 Euro it's possible to buy an entire liter of orange juice!

I am very happy to hear that others are reporting longer staying times that seem acceptable to them, and it is fascinating to read posts to the contrary where people have shared accounts of being asked to leave. I invite everyone that happens to be browsing this thread to share their own experiences. Have you ever been asked to leave for staying too long? Or do you have a comment similar to QueenMab and CHELSEA_SMOKERS_SOCIETY that tells a story of the Coffeeshops' leniency and hospitality?

Some great tips and rules were posted by FlyByNite (I invite everyone to review them and comment, page 2 of this thread) and has also unearthed another important topic regarding etiquette and rules: the taking of photographs, both in the form of menu pix and of the shop interior. What are everyone's thoughts on this matter? Has anyone here ever gotten into trouble for snapping a Coffeeshop photo?

Again, we have some excellent comments being posted from both sides, let's continue this discussion.
Until next time, safe and happy travels!
THCproxy

Did you copy/paste all those coffeeshop reviews or are they your personal experiences?

I asked the same thing, no reply.

Peace,
Balou

Some very interesting points have been raised here...

The individual's perspective on what constitutes the "right etiquette" often depends as much on the person as it does the coffeeshop and even the staff on duty at the time. So many of us believe that what we do is the right way and noone else has the right to tell us otherwise, but hey, there are some basics of good manners that should generally apply universally:

If the staff make it clear that there are certain rules that must be observed, then observe them...

For example, if there is a sign that says "No hats/headwear" then take off your hat or don't go in.
If the sign states that "Purchase is obligatory" then either buy from there or don't go in.
If there is a sign that says "Maximum stay 1 hour", then either leave after an hour or don't go in.

I could carry on, but you get my meaning, I'm sure.

I know some places are cool with you bringing in your own munchies - De Kuil, for example - but don't take the piss! If the place serves food as well as drinks and weed, then unless you're dropping a fairly large amount of €, it's not really the done thing... At least, not for me. The same analogy has already been explored here, so again, I won't digress...

I would never consider bringing my own drinks to a coffeeshop and consuming them there, but if I have spent money on weed there, then I don't feel bad about flipping open a bag from another CS, but again, I don't take the piss with that either. I visit a shop to sample its wares first and foremost, not to use as a place to sit and consume stuff purchased elsewhere - try that in a restaurant and see how long they let you stay!

Tipping? Much the same as when I eat out. I don't leave a tip if I go to KFC (unless the service was SPECTACULAR!) but if I've enjoyed the experience or the consumables in a place (food or weed), then I will happily add to the take-home wage of the person serving me if I think they deserve it. (And if they'll take it, that is...) On the trip before last, I spent a lot of time (and money) in Amnesia one fine afternoon, and after having sampled a fair and very tasty selection of both the weed and refreshments menu, I left a €5 note in the tip tray for the pleasant young girl behind the counter, and another one for the (again female) budtender... Moments after sitting back down with yet another bag of herb and another drink, the girl serving the food & drinks came over and quietly offered me a slice of Pecan Pie "on the house"... I accepted with a smile and sat there enjoying both the pie and the gezellig hospitality. She didn't seem embarrassed by the gesture, just pleased that I was pleased.

Now, the more cynical amongst us would doubtless say that in fact I payed a little too much for that piece of pie, but I enjoyed it very much and I also enjoyed the feeling it gave me to put a smile on the face of the server... Well worth the €5. At no time did I feel rushed or harangued into buying more of this or that, and that for me is golden. That trip I was on my own, and it's nice to be able to spend time in places you enjoy...

Taking photos? Well, I only carry my phone with me and I always ask if I can take a snap of the menu (no flash). I don't take pics of other people in the CS's and I'd personally prefer if people asked before taking pics of me, but I'm not going to kick off if a group of people start snapping away in a CS...

I clean up after myself as well as taking bottles, glasses etc. back to the bar, but again, this is just me and the way I was brought up. When I went on holiday with my brothers and sister in law to a very nice all-inclusive place in Turkey a few years back, we got surprised looks at first from the staff when we would take our plates and glasses back to the servery, and learned to say please and thank you in their native tongue, but it improved the service we received compared with some of the more ignorant people who treated them like slaves!

Sometimes it's just nice to be nice.

When staff remember you and greet you warmly on your return to either your favourite restaurant, coffeeshop, hotel, or whatever it may be - doesn't that make your whole visit that much more enjoyable?

If all you want to do is notch up a score of all the coffeeshops you've visited on your latest Amsterdam CS crawl, then it's up to you how you behave in those establishments - the chances are you won't be back there in a hurry, or remember very much about it anyway... It's your holiday and your right to do with it what you will, but at the end of the day, when you're interacting with other people (some of whom will be working in that service industry), doesn't it make more sense to behave yourself accordingly? Or failing that, don't be surprised if asked to leave...

If you're lucky, via the door not the window!

However, speaking purely for myself, I like to take things a bit easier nowadays, and value the quality more than just the quantity. If I'm not feeling the vibe somewhere I've tried for the first time then I move on - usually to somewhere I know well enough to restore my mood back to happy, relaxed and high as a kite... Fortunately there are more than enough coffeeshops to cater for pretty much everyone's taste!

Apologies to balou1999 and schererbuzz for not initially making the origins of these guidelines more clear.

The guidelines for etiquette that were posted were based on both personal experiences, observations of both locals and foreigners while visiting Amsterdam and advice from other travelers and message boards.

As for the rules that were posted, the majority of the Coffeeshops that I visited in the Centrum had these rules displayed on the walls and in some cases can even be viewed on their website. One example is Dampkring II on Haarlemmerstraat, which has these rules engraved on a metal plaque mounted on the wall next to the TV screens. An example of a Coffeeshop posting such rules on their website is Coffeeshop Siberië which makes their rules very clear to any future patron.

Thank you for bringing this to my attention so that it could be cleared up!

Comments made by DaveS bring up some very valid arguments and can help us better achieve a moral standpoint on which to base this discussion. I too believe that one must have an understanding and acceptance of the house rules, or simply dont go inside! The most interesting point made by DaveS brings up the point of bringing in outside food and smoke. Does anyone think this would conflict with the house rules and/or unwritten etiquette of the establishment? I am also hoping to hear as many opinions as possible in regards to the taking of photographs, tipping, and the amount of time that it is acceptable to stay.

Keep the great posts coming, and until next time, safe and happy travels!
THCproxy

Thread follow up:
Excellent info on the taking of pics in coffeeshops thanks to the insight of QueenMab, Marco, Carlos and Rufus. I believe that we can learn something from their opinions that can help future travelers avoid any trouble when visiting Holland. While some of us are comfortable with our picture being taken in a Coffeeshop, I think that the vast majority of us who live in countries where such a thing is prohibited can do without the proverbial candid picture of ourselves with eyes half open and with a mouthful of poffertjes.

These are all great and compelling opinions!
THCproxy

Some c/s are happy to allow you to bring food in for example Jolly Joker the bud chick actively encouraged me to go find "a real good bakery" near buy and 2sure no problem bring your food back"

Also on the tidying up etc surely thats just common courtesy ? if im in a pub i take my glasses back , c/s i do the same , make sure i dont leave a mess on the table .

I have also found that doing small gestures like the above it will work in your favour , i found this to be more the case in Italia baristas were surprised at my actions (returning cups etc) that i feel i got better service ! Karma is a mother f , its called respect peeps

For definite, cleaning up your table earns you major brownie points. Especially if you plan to be a regular in a particular place, it's just something nice to do for people who already have a pretty busy job. I do it all the time in coffeeshops and bars in Amsterdam, but when I do it in a pub in Ireland my friends all think I'm weird. It really does depend on the person and place I guess!

As for tipping - it's the Netherlands. No one expects you to tip. Therefore, being a broke ass student, I only tip in places where I'm a regular or where I've received good service. It's definitely not an automatic thing. I tend to take all my small change and give it to the budtender/barista when I'm on the way out. It usually only comes to €2 or €3, but, like I said, this is the Netherlands. They don't expect any tips, so are pleased with even a small token of appreciation. When there's a group of us, we all do the same, so there's usually a nice hefty pile of €1 and €2 coins going into their hands at the end of a session.

Tipping will sometimes earn you little favours - just like the aforementioned pie story, I've gotten free drinks, space cakes, weed, hash, vapo-bags, etc, just for a small tip to show them I've enjoyed their service and company. It's karma baby.

Defo get some funny looks and the piss taken outta me when returning stuff in bars / fast food places etc in edinburgh too , maybe its because i have worked in the service industry and as you say some people are rushed of their feet and appreciate any help

Good karma and positive vibes is a mantra i made up when all that ........... stuff was going on in April !

I aint gonna say it in case i awaken the karma gods