This post was originally published on August 21, and was updated on October 18, When you hear Amsterdam, you probably think: canals, cannabis and the Red Light District. Read on to find out everything you need to know about the RLDβ¦. The red light above the windows indicates that a woman is currently available. You might also notice windows with a blue light instead of a red one. This means that the person behind the glass is transgender or transvestite.
There are around such vitrines in Amsterdam, so you can imagine that the competition is fierce. Some of the women try to attract customers by wearing outfits that are more sophisticated than lingerie sexy nurses, police women, cats and bunnies seem to be the most popular costumes , while some of them adopt a more proactive approach by knocking on the glass, waving and encouraging the passers-by to come closer. Most of the women work independently, so they have the freedom to choose what they offer, for how long, and how much they charge.
What if someone is interested in something more than the standard offer? It is not unusual in a service industry such as this that more demanding customers need to pay extra if they wish to have their demands met. It is in the Netherlands. Prostitution became legal in this country in , and the ban on brothels entrepreneurial organization of prostitution, also colloquially known as pimping was ended 14 years ago. In fact, sex workers are officially recognized in the Netherlands just as any other profession.
They have their own union, can access medical care, and have to pay taxes; although, as you can imagine, the nature of the job makes it difficult to inspect the truthfulness of their income declarationsβ¦. The sex industry in the Netherlands is heavily regulated and is generally considered fairly safe, especially in comparison to the same industry that goes on underground in other countries.
Brothels need to have permits; plenty of policemen patrol the Red Light District to ensure the safety of both clients and prostitutes, and the latter need to take frequent health tests. The two things that are illegal and closely monitored are forced prostitution and underage prostitution. When visiting the RLD, do remember that taking photos of the women is strictly forbidden! Being one of the oldest parts of Amsterdam, it has a lot to offer for foodies, enthusiasts of beautiful architecture and amateur photographers.
