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Original poster

Amsterdam and teenagers

17 replies

Mollylegs · 14/08/2023 21:14

Hi, my 19yr old son has been invited to go to Amsterdam with a few friends. I suppose I'm worried about him getting mugged and so drunk he will end up in the canal. Does anyone have any idea about things/areas they should avoid. My son has only really started going out drinking this year so he'd not even used to that!!. Sorry if people think i'm being stupid writing this post but any help would be greatly welcomed. Sorry just an after thought is it an expensive place to visit?

OP posts:
Thelonelygiraffe · 14/08/2023 21:17

We've just been. It's expensive to drink - about £11 for a glass of wine - and weed is everywhere.

The centre of Amsterdam felt relatively safe to me, but my 18yo dd was hassled by men quite a bit.

Your ds just needs to be sensible...

belge2 · 14/08/2023 21:31

It's no more or less dangerous than any other major city. Just be sensible and he will be fine. Weed is everywhere but it doesn't feel threatening or unpleasant in any way imo. Sure he will be fine !

Ladybrrrd · 14/08/2023 21:50

He'll be fine. Amsterdam is very safe. Remind him that space cakes REALLY sneak up on you so just a little bit at a time! Get him to look up bike lane etiquette. Worth bearing mind that most shops in the NL no longer take Visa/Mastercard so take cash unless he has another card. Smoking weed on the street is NOT LEGAL. He must be in a designated coffeeshop.
The red light district is not an excuse to behave like a pig.

As a young Brit I'm afraid he's much more at risk of being a major irritant to the locals/causing a bit of trouble than anything happening to him. If he's going on a 'lads holiday' the best he can do is stick to the main tourist spots so he doesn't get in anyone's way, pre load the details of some take aways to soak up the booze, and tell him to avoid the rubber duck shop. It's a rip off.

Just please, please plead with him to fucking well behave. Amsterdammers in general are sick to death of drunk Brits ruining it for everyone else. They're so close to not letting tourists smoke/imposing restrictions. A real shame for those of us that go there frequently and like to have a sensible amount to relax!

PS: If he can be sensible, the smoke boat is great at night. It's a bit cheesy but sitting on the back in the open air and watching the views is incredible.

Ladybrrrd · 14/08/2023 21:54

Oh and if he wants to go to the Anne Frank museum then book EARLY. Though obviously don't bother if he's going to be rowdy.

9292 is a great source for travel advice, its a bit like TFL.

An iamsterdam card is worthwhile if he does want to go to museums and attractions. It's 50 euro and comes with unlimited public transport too.

HappiDaze · 14/08/2023 21:54

Teens have been going for decades I'm sure he'll survive and if not it'll be a life lesson

Original poster
Mollylegs · 15/08/2023 07:55

Thank you @Thelonelygiraffe I will make sure to let him know how expensive it is, hopefully it will be trouble free x

OP posts:
CebelloRojo · 15/08/2023 07:59

Worth bearing mind that most shops in the NL no longer take Visa/Mastercard so take cash unless he has another card

Was in Amsterdam recently and used a Visa card everywhere.

Original poster
Mollylegs · 15/08/2023 08:01

Hi @Ladybrrrd thank you so much for all the information. I suppose with him being new to going out drinking i'm just an over worried mam. Sorry to seem really dumb but do you mind me asking what will work best for him regarding taking cash. He only has a visa card and you said they aren't accepted anymore. Would you mind letting me know what you suggest instead. Thanks in advance.

OP posts:
01F · 15/08/2023 09:40

SparePantsAndLego · 15/08/2023 09:25

We use a Currensea card - it’s free to use and saves us lots when outside of the UK. You can also withdraw at ATMs fee free

https://www.currensea.com/

Thanks

Original poster
Mollylegs · 15/08/2023 13:40

thank you @SparePantsAndLego

OP posts:
Ladybrrrd · 15/08/2023 16:41

Perhaps I had a different experience, I'm happy to be corrected. I've been once this year and twice last year and lots of places were not taking Visa/MasterCard. But then I was in the 'burbs of Amsterdam and Rotterdam and not the tourist areas, so he might be ok!

LiquoriceAllsorts2 · 15/08/2023 21:12

Ladybrrrd · 15/08/2023 16:41

Perhaps I had a different experience, I'm happy to be corrected. I've been once this year and twice last year and lots of places were not taking Visa/MasterCard. But then I was in the 'burbs of Amsterdam and Rotterdam and not the tourist areas, so he might be ok!

Was it a credit card? Lots of places don’t accept credit card. Credit cards aren’t as big a thing in the Netherlands.

Ladybrrrd · 15/08/2023 21:21

No, it was any Visa/MasterCard debit card. I found out the hard way at Albert Heijn!

BlackForestCake · 15/08/2023 22:21

I knew it would be Albert Heijn you had trouble with. They don't want to take Visa/Mastercard and only accept them in the really touristy places like at airports. Other shops do take them.

BlackForestCake · 15/08/2023 22:26

I have no view for or against the Currensea thing but just to point out that is also a Mastercard

user12345678912334 · 16/08/2023 00:14

I got to Amsterdam/Hague frequently with my teens. We all love it.
Always feel safe.
Debit cards accepted everywhere.

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