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I visited Amsterdam almost 20 years ago. I'm very square. I struggled to find a place to just buy a coffee! Re: Comments about crime, things may have changed b

I visited Amsterdam almost 20 years ago. I'm very square. I struggled to find a place to just buy a coffee! Re: Comments about crime, things may have changed but I found it to be very safe. Perhaps not as safe as Tokyo, but better than the South side of Chicago or the tenderloin in SF.

edblarney 10y ago
It's safe. There's no question about that. I don't think this is the issue. One thing is that the laws have never really been clear. In 2016, it's hard to have 'local flex' on many things. Everything is observed. This is one of the big drawbacks of globalization: every little bit of odd-behaviour is scrutinized from a global and legal perspective. 'Local cultural context' is not possible, and basically ignored. With a microphone a camera and a twitter feed on every corner, everything must be 'sanitized'. I'm willing to accept a few greasy wheels, a bit of foul language so long as I know that the locals can handle/deal with it.
- kelseydh 10y ago
  This is a very true point and sad consequence of both globalization and technological interconnectedness. In New Zealand I have heard stories about how a few decades ago in rural parts of the country, pubs used to stay open well past national closing hour limits, due to a general nonchalance and attitude among the locals that we "we-just-do-things-differently-here." Local police just looked the other way. That kind of flagrant disregard for laws where they don't fit the desire of local populations is starting to die out, as globalization combined with technology is sterilizing the power of local cultures to develop their own quirks, customs and ways of doing things without accountability. Where local discretion used to reign, rigid codified standards have taken over.
jdmichal 10y ago
I think Amsterdam is safe, in the sense that I don't feel there's much reason to fear for your physical well-being. However, when I visited (mid 2000's), the main train station's PA message loop included warnings about pickpockets.
- mercer 10y ago
  Yeah, Amsterdam is very safe. But there has been an influx of pickpockets in Amsterdam as well as many other cities. Even cities like Utrecht (close to Amsterdam, but still a relatively small town) seem to have significantly more beggars and homeless these days. I also noticed an increase of beggars in the trains, leaving notes and packs of gum or whatnot at every table in the cabin. It worries me slightly, not because I'm bothered by it but because I can imagine it having significant effect on the rise of populism.
  - pmoriarty 10y ago
    Is it safe even for muslims?
    - mercer 10y ago
      Yes? I'm not sure what you're getting at...
- timwaagh 10y ago
  if there are pickpockets a station will warn. it happens sometimes but not always.
- jungletek 10y ago
  I remember those signs! They have one of my favorite Dutch words, 'zakkenroller' (pickpocket) :)
rconti 10y ago
Other than "every cafe in town?"

edblarney 10y ago

It's safe. There's no question about that. I don't think this is the issue. One thing is that the laws have never really been clear. In 2016, it's hard to have 'local flex' on many things. Everything is observed. This is one of the big drawbacks of globalization: every little bit of odd-behaviour is scrutinized from a global and legal perspective. 'Local cultural context' is not possible, and basically ignored. With a microphone a camera and a twitter feed on every corner, everything must be 'sanitized'. I'm willing to accept a few greasy wheels, a bit of foul language so long as I know that the locals can handle/deal with it.

kelseydh 10y ago
This is a very true point and sad consequence of both globalization and technological interconnectedness. In New Zealand I have heard stories about how a few decades ago in rural parts of the country, pubs used to stay open well past national closing hour limits, due to a general nonchalance and attitude among the locals that we "we-just-do-things-differently-here." Local police just looked the other way. That kind of flagrant disregard for laws where they don't fit the desire of local populations is starting to die out, as globalization combined with technology is sterilizing the power of local cultures to develop their own quirks, customs and ways of doing things without accountability. Where local discretion used to reign, rigid codified standards have taken over.

jdmichal 10y ago

I think Amsterdam is safe, in the sense that I don't feel there's much reason to fear for your physical well-being. However, when I visited (mid 2000's), the main train station's PA message loop included warnings about pickpockets.

mercer 10y ago
Yeah, Amsterdam is very safe. But there has been an influx of pickpockets in Amsterdam as well as many other cities. Even cities like Utrecht (close to Amsterdam, but still a relatively small town) seem to have significantly more beggars and homeless these days. I also noticed an increase of beggars in the trains, leaving notes and packs of gum or whatnot at every table in the cabin. It worries me slightly, not because I'm bothered by it but because I can imagine it having significant effect on the rise of populism.
- pmoriarty 10y ago
  Is it safe even for muslims?
  - mercer 10y ago
    Yes? I'm not sure what you're getting at...
timwaagh 10y ago
if there are pickpockets a station will warn. it happens sometimes but not always.
jungletek 10y ago
I remember those signs! They have one of my favorite Dutch words, 'zakkenroller' (pickpocket) :)

rconti 10y ago

Other than "every cafe in town?"