Netherlands – Do not do these things in Amsterdam

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Netherlands – Do not do these things in Amsterdam

Well, it seems like we should start the travel posts gradually. We have ten days of vacation, we're going to the Netherlands / Amsterdam and small towns in the Netherlands like Delft. We have good friends there and the plan is to go see this and that. We're staying at one of our friend's house and the expenses will be very low (we hope!).

On the account, we take a look at seven things that should not be done in Amsterdam:

  1. Don't take the car to the city center
    The center of Amsterdam is crowded and parking is difficult and expensive. The police are constantly busy issuing fines and pay special attention to tourists' cars. If your car is locked and there is a yellow paper on the window, you will have to pay 67 euros, and if you take twenty-four hours to do this, your car will be towed. Fortunately, we are not looking to drive. We will be cycling.
  2. Don't board the train without a ticket
    Tickets can be purchased from everywhere, so it's better not to risk boarding without a ticket, darling, otherwise we will be fined 60 euros.
  3. Don't stand on the bike lanes
    There are bike lanes in the city that are clearly marked with a bike symbol. These are the highways for bicycles, and standing on them annoys cyclists, especially if you are a foreigner.
  4. Don't smoke on the train and at the train station
    Since the beginning of this year, smoking has been banned on trains, at stations, in lounges, and at boarding areas. There are designated smoking areas, but be careful. Throwing a cigarette butt on the ground incurs a fine of forty euros.
  5. Don't smoke hashish in the street
    It is uncertain and illegal. At the same time, when you are out, it is not right to be moving in the street because you might get hit by a car! If you are very interested, use the coffee shops for this purpose and do not attempt to take hashish out of the Netherlands at all.
  6. Don't take photos of the Red Light windows
    The Red Light is a tourist center where prostitutes sit behind windows/displays waiting for customers. This place is one of the tourist attractions, but out of respect for the providers and customers and to maintain their privacy, it is not right to take photos there.
  7. Don't talk to strangers!
    Don't talk to strangers who try to sell you bicycles or drugs on the street. Their work is illegal and there is a high chance of being robbed.

Note that Amsterdam is one of the safest cities in the world. Apart from pickpocketing, which is somewhat common in all major cities, you don't need to be particularly cautious in Amsterdam. Just keep your personal belongings close to you and be mindful of your bicycle, as some say the only thing that is legally allowed to be stolen in the Netherlands is a bicycle!

Link
https://jadi.net/2006/10/%D9%87%D9%84%D9%86%D8%AF-%D8%A7%DB%8C%D9%86-%DA%A9%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%87%D8%A7-%D8%B1%D8%A7-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%A2%D9%85%D8%B3%D8%AA%D8%B1%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%85-%D9%86%DA%A9%D9%86%DB%8C%D8%AF/
Summary
The article outlines seven things to avoid while visiting Amsterdam, especially for tourists. Firstly, driving into the city center is discouraged due to heavy traffic and expensive parking fines. Instead, cycling is recommended. Secondly, travelers should always purchase train tickets to avoid hefty fines. Standing on bike lanes is also a no-no, as it can irritate cyclists. Smoking is prohibited in trains and stations, with designated areas available; littering cigarette butts incurs a fine. Additionally, smoking cannabis in public is illegal, and visitors are advised to use designated coffee shops instead. Taking photos in the Red Light District is frowned upon to respect the privacy of sex workers. Lastly, tourists are warned against engaging with strangers selling bikes or drugs, as these activities are illegal and could lead to theft. Despite these warnings, Amsterdam is considered one of the safest cities globally, with the main concern being pickpocketing. Visitors are encouraged to keep their belongings close and be mindful of their bicycles, as bike theft is a common issue.