So is everyone going to hate me in Holland if I want to visit coffee shops?

I saw your question and didn't answer it so feel I can try to answer this and explain as someone who answers here (and is stick of the "Holland=only drugs and prostitutes" stereotype" and answers quite bluntly when I see this) and also as an ex resident of Amsterdam who quite honestly did get sick of having to dodge (mainly) male batchelor groups who were drunk, stoned or both, stumbling around town, just to get home.

The above is probably the group which most people tire of - the ones that visit Amsterdam purely for the coffeeshops, show no interest in what Amsterdam has to offer and that take it to excess.

Personally I feel (and ok this is just a personal observation of course) and also think that many people as well feel that tourists coming to visit Amsterdam, to enjoy it and everything it has to offer, happy, social, relaxed and want to enjoy a quiet smoke as part of that - well great, that's the way it should be. It's actually a shame for this kind of tourist that there is a minority that spoil it for them and also the residents of Amsterdam

So personally I would say don't give it a miss just because of the answers to a question. You are planning a once in a lifetime holiday and if you want to have a quiet smoke then go right ahead. No big deal. The comments are usually reserved for the ones who have no interest in travel and being a tourist (which it's clear you are). In any case people are of course entitled to their own point of view, and so are you. Feel free to enjoy your vacation - there will not be any stink eye (never heard of that before!!!! :)

EDIT - Oh yes, I almost forgot, have a look at a site like hostelworld.com or tripadvisor.com to see the ratings of hotels/hostels from people who have actually been there (not just the marketing blurb) and as long as it is in the centre of Amsterdam then you will never be too far away from a coffeeshop.

EDIT2 - I just read your added comments and want to comment myself. Ranting and raving isn't the way to go and if you go around calling people idiots then you can expect the same (and then some!) back in return. Freedom of speech is a given in both of our countries and you have to accept that people don't always meet your personal expectations.

If there is one thing you will learn then it 's that the average Dutch person will tell it how it is. If you can't accept an alternate POV then you are going to hate not just this country but also the rest of Europe as well.

"But now I know what kind of people it is over there being closed minded. I'm not afraid of idiots" - now YOU are the one out to ridicule and it's rather childish to play the insult game as I'm not going to enage with you

As a volunteer mental health worker that has seen many young lives destroyed by even minor use of cannabis I am glad that the government maintains a tough line on it. There is no upside to using cannabis. It is addictive, carcinogenic and it will damage your brain function over time. Regular users under the age of 21 are far more likely to suffer depressive illness and there is substantial increased risk of schizophrenia. Chronic depersonalisation is a devasting condition that can be brought about by even one use of such a psychoactive drug. In addition to the medical risks users always become less sociable and less productive members of society. I have never known someones personality improve when they have started using. Because the previous government allowed and encouraged alcohol usage to get completely out of control, does not justifying making the same mistake with cannabis. The current government is not liberalising alcohol use, it is looking to tighten the law. It is already introducing minimum unit pricing and it will go much further over the course of the parlaiment. The presumption that governments will not tackle other problem drugs has also proven false in the case of tobacco use. Chewing tobacco was banned many years ago, punitive taxation was applied to other forms of tobacco, frightening health warnings were put on packets, advertising banned, no smoking in public areas and now even branding may be banned. All drug addict claim and often believe that what they are doing is their choice, that they can handle it and it is doing them no harm. It is self delusion and self denial, not reality. The Dutch are quite entitled to impose membership restrictions on establishments. Local authorities in this countries do the same thing on some clubs that sell alcohol. Local people are entitled not to have their home lives spoiled by disrespectful visitors. That entitlement will always trump any hedonistic demands.

The "coffee" we have up in Canada is a lot like the stuff over there. And people don't get offended when you smo- er, "drink" it.

I'm sure the Dutch have gotten used to it by now, but at least take a day or two to visit the museums and local art. Their country is not Disneyland for adults, they have heritage, culture and a strong history behind them. Try to respect that.

I live in Amsterdam, in fact, you'll probably walk past my apt if you decide to visit. Trust me, no-one minds if you visit coffee shops or not. Don't forget that here it's about as normal as going to Starbuck's for actual coffee.

Have a good time, and don't forget: the Dutch stuff is a lot more potent than what you may be used to, so don't go overboard on your first day. I've seen people spend their first days sick in bed; Dutch 'coffee' and jet lag is a tough combination.

Do not worry about it. Who cares if they hate you if you visit a coffee shop? If they hate you, it is their problem, not yours. Will they like you if you do not visit a coffee shop? Just enjoy the trip. Why would you let strangers push you around by telling you what you should or should not do? I hope your find peace and enjoy your trip. By the way I am an American and puzzled why they care, peace to you and your husband. Drink a cup of coffee for me.

Having lived in the Netherlands for 6 years, I think you are seriously limiting yourself if you think that the coffeeshops are the only thing worth seeing in Amsterdam. It's a city with a great history and great art.

Oh, and coffeeshops in the Netherlands are not like coffeeshops back home, dearie.

Why should people hate you if you visit a coffee shop. If that's what you want to do, go for it. Coffee shops are like bars, some you like and some you don't.

Find a coffee shop you like and enjoy your stay.

The problem we have with the dopeheads on yahoo (and in the real world) is that they

a. think drugs are legal

b. if drugs are legal they can ignore all the other rules as well like traffic regulations, maximum speed and parking rules (that's more in real life than on yahoo)

c. the only thing there is to this country is drugs and prostiution

If you want to come over here and visit coffeeshops to use drugs go ahead, its still legal, there will be plenty of foreigners to keep you company and the people in Amsterdam are used to drugs tourism.