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Amsterdam Local Customs

Someone is enjoying a Febo! - Amsterdam
Someone is enjoying a Febo!
by mazzap
Learn the local customs of Amsterdam. Tips and photos posted by real travelers and Amsterdam locals.
Local Time 11:55 pm Friday, July 25, 2008
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Coffee Shops / Drugs: For Adults Only: More Than Just Coffee
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  • Updated By Ciambella on January 14, 2006
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  • Baldi of Highway Coffeeshop - Amsterdam
    Baldi of Highway Coffeeshop
    by Ciambella, 4 more photos
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    Since 1976, the Netherlands has decriminalized cannabis use in small quantities (less than 5 grams) by adults. Marijuana and hashish can be purchased and smoked legally in licensed coffee shops, which are clearly identified by the green and white sign at the door. There are about 300 coffeeshops (written as one word) in Amsterdam alone, most are congregated in tourist area.

    We have seen coffeeshops with marijuana menu posted on the inside wall near the bar, although I have read somewhere that this is not the common practice. However, there is always a person in the coffeeshop who is in charge of selling weeds, and this is usually not the same person who tends bar and sells drinks.

    There are so many different types of legal weed and hash available in the coffeeshops, if you are not familiar with them or not a habit user, it would be better to explain yourself beforehand lest the experience become negative.

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    Eating and Drinking: Bring Home Some Siroopwafelen!!
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  • Updated By mazzap on January 12, 2006
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  • A soon empty box!! - Amsterdam
    A soon empty box!!
    by mazzap
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    Bring a box home and indulge! They sell them everywhere - but I didn't think about getting mine until I was in the airport coming home - I am glad I did! Each one has a soft layer of caramel sandwiched between two crispy textured waffle layers!! They were delicious, and the box of 10 didn't last long.

    There are various brands to choose between. Mine were called "Gouda's Gilde". According to the blurb on the box, these syrup waffles are baked to a secret original recipe dating back to 1864 using the finest cream and butter!!

    I guess they are a just a little fattening then!

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    For Adults Only: The Gay Way To Europe
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  • Updated By Ciambella on January 11, 2006
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  • Gay district - Amsterdam
    Gay district
    by Ciambella, 4 more photos
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    The title of this tip is a quote from Amsterdam's Mayor Schelto Patijn (1994-2000). He proclaimed in the Gay Games V (1998) of his pride in Amsterdam's philosophy and official policy of GLBT acceptance, and called the city "The Gay Way to Europe". The proof is in the pudding, Netherlands' constitution clearly dictates that discrimination against gay and lesbians is against the law, and marriage between same sex couples is as legal as the parliament itself.

    There are about 100 hotels, restaurants, bars, dance clubs, cafes, museums, shops, clinics, and doctors who cater to gay clientele in Amsterdam (however, there are only three gay saunas in Amsterdam while Paris has more than twenty).

    The age of consent for gay sex in Amsterdam is 16, but for prostitution -- gay and straight -- the legal age is 18.

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    Wrapped up Buildings!
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  • By mazzap on June 4, 2005
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  • All wrapped up! - Amsterdam
    All wrapped up!
    by mazzap
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    Amsterdam was the only place I have been to that makes an attempt to disguise any building works that are in progress (and there is a LOT of renovation going on!")

    This was one example of a creative way of making a messy building site look pleasing to onlookers – and more to the point, the suffering neighbours!

    Other examples I saw were huge advertising pictures spanning the whole front of a building top to bottom, one was of a beautiful beach scene (promoting Turkey!), a bright pink mesh cover, and even a cheerful bright yellow covered front of a building!

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    Red Light District: For Adults Only: Behind The Windows
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  • Updated By Ciambella on January 11, 2006
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  • The windows in Red Light district - Amsterdam
    The windows in Red Light
    district
    by Ciambella, 4 more photos
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    Red Light district is located south of Amsterdam central station, and named so for the red light behind the windows where the prostitutes waiting for business. During business hours (which varies depends on the women) and when the windows are occupied, make certain that you are not aiming your camera toward their direction or anywhere in the vicinity. It is absolutely prohibited.

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    Houseboats
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  • Updated By Ciambella on April 6, 2006
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  • A houseboat - Amsterdam
    A houseboat
    by Ciambella, 4 more photos
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    Houseboats are a part of Amsterdam but not out of necessity and economy as houseboats in some other parts of the world. On the contrary, most of the moorings on which 2,500 Amsterdam houseboats sit are very coveted.

    Many houseboat owners convert their prime real estate into B&Bs, giving tourists who seek the romantic life on the canal a taste of water living. One owner turns his used-to-be-home into a museum, charging a fee for anyone who desires a look see.

    The houseboat museum and the houseboat B&Bs do not attract me at all. From my experience living on a sailboat from time to time in the '80s, the romantic aspect of life on a boat only happens when the boat is out on the open water and only when everything is going smoothly. On the other hand, a houseboat that sits still on a canal is only a very cramped quarter decorated with bright paints and cutesy flowerpots.

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    Eating and Drinking: Tasty Hot Snacks at Febo's!
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  • Updated By mazzap on January 12, 2006
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  • Someone is enjoying a Febo! - Amsterdam
    Someone is enjoying a Febo!
    by mazzap
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    Before I visited Amsterdam - I read on VT (of course!) about Febo's. Naturally I had to try something from this fast food snack place. For just 1 Euro I was pleasantly surprised with my instant hot snack - I can't remember the name of it - it looked like a typical Dutch croquette.

    Self serve yourself from the coin operated mini windows - the food is replenished regularly and is served piping hot on a little paper plate - it fills a gap for a while - just what you expect for your money really!

    By the way - I don't know the 'model' demonstrating the food in my pic - he just wouldn't move out of the way!!

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    Architecture: Pictures instead of Words
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  • Updated By Mariajoy on February 19, 2006
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  • Amsterdam Local Customs
    by Mariajoy
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    These plaques once indicated to local Amsterdammers where the chemist/apotheke was situated... the man has a pill on his tongue! I guess in the old days few people were literate and pictures and symbols would have been necessary. I am so glad that a few of these have been preserved for posterity!

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    Eating and Drinking: Hagelslaag!
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  • By Rachael71 on August 19, 2004
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  • Hagelslaag - Amsterdam
    Hagelslaag
    by Rachael71
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    This is one of my favourite things about The Netherlands! Hagelslaag is chocolate sprinkles ( a bit like vermicelli) that you can eat for breakfast on bread. It comes in different flavours of chocolate, my favourite is plain. It's also great on toast, as it melts slightly. It's available on the breakfast section of major supermarkets like Albert Heijn, for around 1 euro 70 a box. I imagine that it is really intended for children, but 'big kids' shouldn't miss out either!

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    Language: Language
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  • By micas_pt on December 11, 2003
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  • Amsterdam Local Customs
    by micas_pt
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    Locals speak Dutch and although i don't know a single word and had no problem getting around. Touristy places, such as Museums or train station, have English-speaking people and even if you feel the need of asking some information to some local, Dutch usually are fluent in English.

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