Can someone from Amsterdam advise me on what to do when I get harassed by drug dealers right in the centre?

Question

full of tourists where it is supposed to be safe

Three times in one day, they asked me if I wanted drugs, I said no but they would not go away; I walked off and said nothing but they followed me and continued trying to talk to me. If I had ran away they would have followed me. People around did nothing to help, like it was normal, or they were scared of them because they were black. What should I do next time...shout for police?

Answer 1

You could try if you see any police at all. Running away from them is not an option as you noticed..they can just as fast run behind you. I find it odd that no one near you said or did anything to help you. Make it look obvious you are not pleased with their behaviour. Talk loud or flash your hands or arms showing you dont want any drugs. If you are near a shop, just walk in the shop. It is likely that shop security might help you out for being harrased.

Answer 2

Just tell them you said NO.

That will be enough.

But it does not hurt to walk towards the nearest police officer, or the police station if there is non in view.

But better still, change your style of clothing.

Some people do get offers all the time, some people never get any.

But looking at them as if you are interested in what they want to sell makes them think you are a sucker, (and likely you are.)

If you had known the Netherlands a little better you would have known that colour of skin would have very little or no influence. Just your behaviour, like you were interested in what they sold or at least that you did not tell them off made that no help was offered.