Going To Amsterdam - Need Helpful Info?

Ok, I have a 2 part question. I am going to Amsterdam from Paris (via EuroRail) in December of this year.



My 1st question is how do you get to the location of where the majority of the coffee shops are from the train station?



Question 2 - What is the best coffee shop to go to in terms of the quality of the merchandise and friendliness of staff? I have heard that a lot of the employees at these shops can be extremely rude. Please Help!!!Going To Amsterdam - Need Helpful Info?
Go to the main train station in Amsterdam, not the one at the airport, Schiphol airport. Once you leave and head to the main center go left and look for the Blue Bird coffee shop. Address: St. Antoniebreestr 71. Most everyone in The Netherlands speaks English. Ask directions. You can typically get a map for free.

Stay away from the Bulldog, just a tourist trap. Some coffee shops serve liquor with the other offerings, most don't. I would suggest finding one that serves both. The Amstel is very cheap and very good.
Don't be that cynical, probably any local can help you out once there, chk out http://www.letusexplore.com/Netherland/m鈥?/a>Going To Amsterdam - Need Helpful Info?
Take the #2 tram from the station to the Leidesplein.



Most coffee shop employees are polite if you are.
You can find coffee shops all over the place, they aren't really centralized in one location. Every time I go to Amsterdam my first stop is the Rokerij, it's near Centraal Station. Basically just walk out of the front of the station and continue straight forward until you get to the first main road (lots of traffic, lots of people). There was, for years, a big banner there that read "Beware of pickpockets" in several languages. When you get to this road turn right and continue in that direction for a few blocks. When you get to the first sign of a canal, turn left, and the Rokerij will be to your right almost immediately. I'm sure if you look it up online there would be better directions. It's a small shop but one of my favorites. Good quality stuff and the staff was always friendly...just make sure you go in and act like a professional, not some dumb-*** tourist, and you'll be fine. If you continue walking down that same street into the city, you'll run into several more shops (The Doors, The Bulldog, etc.etc.).
Take tram 2 or 5 to Leidse plein. Cross the street and walk into the the small alley until you see Rookies at your right hand. They have good beers, the smoke and great staff.
Amsterdam's two major entertainment squares are: the Rembrandtsplein and the Leidseplein. Information and a map of the city's buses, trams and underground can be had from the GVB pavilion in front of the station. The VVV (Tourist Information) office is just opposite the station at Stationsplein 10.