Rick Steves’ Europe: A Coffeeshop conversation in Amsterdam
Handing a two-foot-tall bong and a baggie of leaves to a woman whose huge dog is tied to the bike rack outside, Pieter says, “My grandmother has an old pipe rack. It has a sign: ‘A satisfied smoker creates no problems.’”
“That was tobacco, wasn’t it?”
“Yes, it’s from the 1860s. But this still applies today.”
I ask the guy with all the holes why he smokes here.
Speaking through the silver stud in his tongue, he says, “Some young people hang out at coffeeshops because their parents don’t want them smoking at home, others come here to smoke pot with their parents. I come here for the coffeeshop ambience.”
The older guy in leather laughs. “Yeah, ambience with a shaved head,” he says, as Pieter hands him his baggie to go.
I ask about the sign with a delivery boy on it.
“In Holland, we have pot delivery services,” Pieter explains, “like you have pizza delivery in America. Older people take out or have it delivered.”
A middle-aged woman hurries in and says, “Yellow Cab, please.”
Pieter hands her a baggie saying, “I cut you a fat bag.”
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