Tricks & Scams, Amsterdam

Amsterdam feels as a very safe place. The system put the traditional criminals out of business as they legalise light drugs and prostitution.
However, try to avoid drug dealer’s offers or someone that offered you to buy bike for 10 f. they are probably stolen and they need the money for drugs.

Some jerk will bump into you. then he and a friend will accuse you of spilling their weed and demand payment. And if you just walk away to avoid conflict they will take something you value alot more than those 25 soon to be 50 guilders. Like the glasses right off your friends face.

This has become a very sad town.

many many warnings about men mainly of an african background in groups or alone approaching you to sell cocaine or "sniff" avoid at all costs make sure you are in a group avoid eye contact and if you want such drugs dont buy from them or at all cannabis is tlerated but any other drugs and you may get locked up.picture attached shows one of many approaches made to my brothers and son to buy cocaine. groups are intimidating be on your guard avoid eye contact and late nights on your own or you will get approached and ripped off or worst.

I've been to Amsterdam the past week and like every tourist I wanted to bring some tulip bulbs.
In Bloemenmarkt (on Singel between Muntplein and Koningsplein) I saw many shops selling big quantities of bulbs - bags of 50 and 100 bulbs.
Me and my friends bought 2 bags of (supposedly) 55 bulbs. When we divided the bulbs back in the hotel, we counted 45 bulbs in each bag!
I confess I felt a bit naive.
(August 2011)

Unique Suggestions: Ask to open the bag and count the bulbs! Don't get fooled.

Fun Alternatives: If they don't let you open the bags, I suggest you to buy the smallest bags, the ones where you can count the bulbs without having to open the bag.

Watch out when you are standing in a crowd watching at a streetartist. Pickpockets often rob people while watching artists.