Former sex worker explains why you need to shut curtains at Amsterdam's Red Light District
A former sex worker has explained exactly why you need to shut the curtains in Amsterdam's Red Light District.
Home to one of the oldest professions in the world, the Red Light District has long-since been a massive tourist attraction of the buzzing capital city of the Netherlands, but it's clear that there are some rules that must be followed at all times.
An industry veteran has revealed the very important reason why punters should draw the blinds when they get down to business.
There are just a little under 300 windows in Amsterdam's Red Light District - Europe's controversial hotbed for the legal sex industry.
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Amsterdam is known around the world for its liberal laws on prostitution which allow sex workers to pose for tourists in windows in the De Wallen district, only closing the curtains when busy with a client.
While the laws are fairly relaxed, it's clear that there are some rules which should not be ignored.
Amsterdam District Red Light Tours has mapped out 20 rules, to be precise, which tourists should observe to ensure they follow proper etiquette.
Whether that's bringing cash money to spend on arrival and not littering cig butts or joint-leftovers on the street, to not taking pictures of window posers and respecting the sex workers - tourists have a duty to respect the customs set out by the industry.
Sunny, a former sex worker who now manages My Red Light - one of Amsterdam's 19 brothels in the Red Light District - has explained a little bit more about the ins and outs of the trade.
Before getting into the nitty gritty, however, Sunny offered viewers a tour around the brothel - granting audiences exclusive behind-the-scenes intel into the venue and how it functions.
From 'display windows' to 'rent a room signs' - the former sex worker opened up about how the whole procedure works.
Sunny explained: "So on a regular busy night, like Friday night Saturday night, the doors on both sides will be open so clients can come through.
"They look at the girls and if they like what they see, all of the things, they step up to one of those girls and negotiation usually starts at the door."
After the negotiation is complete, Sunny says things 'get naughty' after sex workers and clients alike 'get down to business'.
Sunny then walked up to one of the 'luxury' sex working rooms overlooking one the many scenic canals the booming city has to offer and noted that each encounter typically lasts '15 to 20 minutes'.
When asked if customers should 'close the curtains', Sunny replied: "Of course we're going to close the curtains unless you want the whole city to see."
The brothel manager went on to explain that having sex or sexual interactions in public view is a major no-no.
"It's basically not allowed," Sunny said, "So I would get in problems and so would you."
Sunny then closed the floor-length curtains, leaving the room totally dark parring a few neon red LED strobes here and there.
So, unless you want a see a curtain-call for Amsterdam's Red Light District altogether, Sunny suggests punters be sure to keep those curtains closed.
Topics: Travel, Sex and Relationships
Rhiannon Ingle