Amsterdam

6 replies

berrieberrie · 10/04/2011 09:44

Anyone been? can you enjoy it without all the seediness getting in the way?

Dp wants to go, and I really enjoy going to european cities... I'm just worried that the trip will turn in to one long rant from me about the objectification of women and spouting statistics about how many women in the sex industry were abused as children blah blah, I joked with him that I'd end up coming back to the UK with 10 strippers in tow in order to rehabilitate them... (I know it's no laughing matter) have I got the city wrong? Can you avoid the red light bits all together?

OP posts:

ByTheSea · 10/04/2011 09:47

I love Amsterdam and the seediness is only in one area and you can avoid the red light district very easily.

AliceWorld · 10/04/2011 18:22

When I went you could avoid it. However you can't avoid being aware of the 'sex tourists' and what they are there for. So I think you would be reminded of it even if you didn't go to the specific area.

amothersplaceisinthewrong · 10/04/2011 18:28

Brill city - compact enough to walk everywhere. Red Light area easily avoidable. However, the drug pushers less so, when I was last there with DH a man came up to us and asked if DH wanted "a little E for the lady"!!!

Ciske · 10/04/2011 18:41

Amsterdam isn't the only city in the world with prostitution, it seems an odd reason to avoid it. What upsets you about the Red Light District? That the prostitutes are visible instead of hidden in the shade of the criminal world?

InmaculadaConcepcion · 10/04/2011 20:21

Officialdom in Amsterdam is clamping down on the sex trade anyway and many of the "windows" are being closed down.

That said, you'll still find plenty of sleaze in the form of sex shops and live sex shows, but as other posters have said, you can avoid that area without too much difficulty and without missing the other more palatable attractions the city has to offer.

I was pleasantly surprised by Amsterdam - it's a great place to lap up some culture, not to mention enjoying a slice of their speciality apple cake!

Original poster

berrieberrie · 11/04/2011 11:05

Ermm ciske I'm sorry if my attitude appears shallow to you. I spend a lot of time concerned about the women involved prostitution and I don't want it right in my face while I'm on holiday, similarly sex shops selling porn. I'd find it upsetting.

Also, my DP is long suffering in hearing about my concerns with the objectification of women and I don't think he would wish to spend his holiday time hearing me huffing and puffing every time we turn a corner.

Thnaks for all the advice, I'll give it a whirl then!

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