GETTING PREPARED.

I am planning a trip to Europe with a childhood friend of mine... Things like these are never certain but it never hurts to be prepared... I've heard many things about Amsterdam and it's all fun... The drugs... the sex... the total craziness... I want to experience all of that but I want to learn about the culture also... I am researching the landmarks, people, and the sub-culture...

Let's start with the obvious stuff...


Attitudes
Many people choose to visit Amsterdam because of its reputation for tolerance, although part of this reputation is attributable to cultural misunderstandings. Prostitution is legalized and licensed in the Netherlands, and in Amsterdam it is very visible (window prostitution), and there are large numbers of prostitutes. The sale, possession, and consumption of small quantities of cannabis, while illegal, is condoned by authorities (the policy of gedogen). This does not mean that you can get away with anything in Amsterdam. In any case, public attitudes and official policy have hardened in recent years. For more on coffeeshops and drugs, see below in Stay safe.

Depending on your viewpoint some people will consider Amsterdam an unwholesome city whereas other people will find their relaxed attitudes refreshing. Amsterdam is not generally seen as a family destination, but if you avoid the red light district, it is no more objectionable for children than any large city.

Nearly everyone in Amsterdam, young or old, seems to speak excellent English.

-http://wikitravel.org/en/Amsterdam