BAd Points and Good Points of Amsterdam

[palfreyman18]

As some of you may know, I am organising a holiday to amsterdam with my friends. However there is a big downside to it. It is probably the capital city for Drugs and Prostitution. Despite this i have heard of Good points about the city, like the fact that their police are efficient. Can anybody here who's been to Amsterdam before fill me in on the facts, and wether it would be safe for a bunch of 18 year olds who know what they're doing (we're all sensible)?

Thanks in advance

[palfreyman18]

Thanks In A Pickle! Me and my friends are not seeking the bad points of the city. Me and my friends are sensible and looking to avoid the drugs and stuff (Unlike some teenagers). We are however looking very forward to the good points!!

Thanks again!!

Palfreyman

[pinus]

Stop worrying.  I've been a regular visitor for more than 30 years (Amsterdammer friends say I know the place better than they do).

It's a beautiful and interesting city, full of life, and just a very friendly place to be.

You'll spend a lot of time just walking around and admiring the buildings and views, and within a couple of hours of arriving you've believe that you've been there for ever.

UK friends who have taken their (early) teenage children with them have had no problems or worries (although one parent was once offered drugs of some sort while with the youngsters -- she just declined and walked on with no further hassle)

Read your guidebooks in advance, and go and enjoy yourselves

[brawburd]

terrific place to visit.  Pinus has summed it up well.  I visited last year and am returning this Spring.  I felt very safe.  Red Light District heavily policed and if you don't create trouble you won't find it.  As for drugs, you may be offered, just be firm in response.  My friend who lives there says to firmly say no in German and don't engage in conversation - the dealers are more likely to hassle you if you speak English.  It's a beautiful city with tremendous history and culture.  Go and enjoy!

[palfreyman18]

Ok thanks a lot everyone for your help! We will enjoy it!

[pooks]

Amsterdam IS a wonderful place to visit, as others above have mentioned, but you WILL be someway involved in "drugs / vice" by going there. It's hard to completely disassociate the place from it's "drugs / vice" culture. It would be like going to Venice if you didn't like canals. The drugs culture spills out into the "non-drugs" areas. You will be offered "coke/e's/hashish" "said almost as all one word" meaning cocaine, ecstasy, hashish - the solid form of marijuana at Amsterdam Central Station by drug dealers. I learnt to just ignore it after a while, and look the other way. Amsterdam is very safe and IF the 18 year olds that are going are of good well adjusted stock then you should have no problems whatsoever. HOWEVER - I would say that if there was ever a place to be tempted as an 18 year old - It's Amsterdam!