Worried!

Blackdiamond · Post by **Blackdiamond** » Tue 19th Aug 2008 12:27 pm

Hey!

I am going to my first trip to Amsterdam next month. While I am really looking forward to it and of course trying the many coffee shops I am also a bit worried about certain things!

I have been doing some reading on the net and I have come to realise that smoking cannabis there is not as 'legal' as I thought but allowed. I am a bit of a worrier anyway, and I don't want to get arrested or anything crazy like that. So, am I just confined to coffee shops when smoking? Do I need ID? (I'm nearly 32) and am i likely to run into trouble? And what if I am really off my face which I have been in the past? I laugh a lot and talk non stop a load of gobbldygook! I am worried about drawing attention to myself!

Sorry guys, I know these are fairly broad questions and I know no one has any magic answers but any suggestions or advice would be welcome. Thanks!

echc1 · Post by **echc1** » Tue 19th Aug 2008 12:35 pm

just relax,stop worrying,be cool....smoke in coffeeshops , the parks maybe even the hotel room.....just don't do it in the street......enjoy the trip, many will be off their heads and talking bollocks,so don't worry on that front....i feel safer there than in uk.....use the advice in the forum,and just be a little street-wise in the RLD but don't stress and wind y'self up...go with the flow and enjoy....take i.d. just incase.......if you're asked for it ,treat it as a compliment....hope that's helped a little......peace

Blackdiamond · Post by **Blackdiamond** » Tue 19th Aug 2008 12:38 pm

echc1 wrote:just relax,stop worrying,be cool....smoke in coffeeshops , the parks maybe even the hotel room.....just don't do it in the street......enjoy the trip, many will be off their heads and talking bollocks,so don't worry on that front....i feel safer there than in uk.....use the advice in the forum,and just be a little street-wise in the RLD but don't stress and wind y'self up...go with the flow and enjoy

Thanks for reassuring me! Can I just ask, is there a specfic advice thread or do you mean generally across the board? What is RLD?

Thanks again..

echc1 · Post by **echc1** » Tue 19th Aug 2008 12:40 pm

rld is red light district.....the forum here is a font of knowledge and experience....it's a big forum and you'll no doubt find all you need to know....good luck,good toking

Blackdiamond · Post by **Blackdiamond** » Tue 19th Aug 2008 12:42 pm

doesn't the smoking ban mean that you cannot smoke in hotel rooms? Sorry to bombard!

echc1 · Post by **echc1** » Tue 19th Aug 2008 12:45 pm

can't say on the ban as i haven't been since it came into effect....but there is plenty on the topic in the forum

no9 · Post by **no9** » Tue 19th Aug 2008 01:02 pm

well said...

i never had problem smoking on canal benches... and even if police would warn me i would kindly appologise.

as far as for RLD goes... really safe place. Lots of tourist.

Boner · Post by **Boner** » Tue 19th Aug 2008 02:07 pm

You know I've never smoked in public in Amsterdam, there's something like 300 coffeeshops in town surely you can respect the people who live there and dont want to see/smell people smoking in public.

This comes to mind:

no9 · Post by **no9** » Tue 19th Aug 2008 02:23 pm

Agreed Boner.

guess im lucky thats all...

I somehow prefer smoking outdoors (habbit).

geoffk · Post by **geoffk** » Tue 19th Aug 2008 02:39 pm

I've smoked in the parks (Vondel & Sarphati), I'm just discreet. I'll find a nice secluded spot and smoke for a bit. Oddly enough I saw a cop walking in and out of the trees at Vondelpark last time I was there, so I moved. Maybe he was picking up the used condoms, someone needs to.

courtjester · Post by **courtjester** » Tue 19th Aug 2008 03:58 pm

I've smoked outdoors in the 'Dam, just away from people. I certainly wouldn't do it with others in the vicinity.

cheese · Post by **cheese** » Tue 19th Aug 2008 07:32 pm

if you want to be completely safe and sound.. smoke in the coffeeshops..

if your not to worried and are pretty discreet, you can smoke outside where there arent any children or large crowds.

if you look 32.. you wont need your I.D.. most places wont even ask if you look over 18 or whatever.

many people talk a shitload in coffeeshops and most people are friendly and at least pretend to be enjoying there random conversation with you. i even find the odd budtender who isnt very busy loves to chat.

no worries about drawing attention to urself.. lol many try really hard to draw attention to thereselves in amsterdam.. and they will hide you really well.

i have smoked all over amsterdam, drawn some stupid attention to myself and prolly done some things i shouldnt have... and i had no troubles with the law. so i wouldnt be worried.

enjoy your trip!!!

ynwa · Post by **ynwa** » Tue 19th Aug 2008 09:02 pm

The RLD can be freaky and certainly eye opening the first time you go. You will be approached by beggars and also by a lot of guys offering you chrlie. Just say no thanks and walk on, or just ignore. They are actually harmless in my experience. Oh and stay away from the Blue Light windows in the RLD!

I always like to respect the people whos country you are visiting. They are nice people but dont abuse the place by smoking tobacco in bars and coffee shops (unless they allow) and dont smoke inpublic places. I always smoke in the coffee shops. To me its the best place anyway. Chilled, with some music and a view over a canal watching the boats go by. Cant be beat!

OneForTheRoad · Post by **OneForTheRoad** » Tue 19th Aug 2008 10:41 pm

ynwa wrote:Oh and stay away from the Blue Light windows in the RLD!

That could be his kind of thing...

rks0 · Post by **rks0** » Wed 20th Aug 2008 06:29 pm

The precise legal staus of cannabis in the Netherlands is an issue of much debate- 'tolerated' is a word used alot.
My suggestions mirror those of other people on here- relax, have respect for your hosts, and enjoy yourself.
As far as smoking outdoors is concerned, I have smoked in the parks, and will sometimes smoke on certain streets, at certain times of the day. Also, many coffeeshops and bars have outdoor seating that allow cannabis smoking there.
With this being your first trip, I would advise that you do browse all of the forum, as well as the main site- it holds an unbelievable wealth of knowledge. Print off a copy of the map as it will come in very handy.
Don't worry about laughing and talking rubbish; you'll see a lot of if out there!
At the age of 32, I wouldn't imagine that you'll get asked for I.D. I tend to keep my driving licence with me anyway.
One final thing, over the years that I have visited Amsterdam, I have seen many Amsterdam newbies check into their hotel, and then venture no further than a few hundred yards during their entire stay. It it so easy and tempting to go into a coffeeshop and smoke all day long, Amsterdam is a beautiful city, explore it!