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Regulars ... |
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Wise Up |
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Meals - If you’re lucky enough to eat a meal in a
Turk's home, it is polite to finish everything on your plate. Turks may be
offended if a meal they prepare has not been finished. Restaurants are a
different story. Eat as little or as much as you like.
Toilets - The man who stands out the front of public toilets asking for
money is responsible for it's cleaning. The price is generally on a sign and
usually under 500 000 TL (about 20p). Don't begrudge paying him, especially
if they are clean! - it's not a tourist tax.
Identification - Turkish law requires everyone to carry I.D. of some kind -
that includes YOU! Make sure you have a license, passport or similar on you
at all times.
Prayer Time - No doubt you have heard the call to prayer coming from the
local mosques. One word of advice, don't take the piss. If you are overheard
by anyone that finds it objectionable, you will end up worse for wear. One
Israeli backpacker in 1998 was badly beaten up when he stupidly imitated the
sound while walking the street. 98% of the Turkish population are Muslim.
Even though they don't seem to take it all that seriously, have some
respect.
Ataturk - On the subject of bagging something in this country... don't even
think about bagging the big guy, Ataturk. All Turks, and I mean all Turks,
speak of Ataturk in the highest regard. To them he is their father, and you
wouldn't hang shit on somebody's father... would you?
Topkapi - Planning on visiting Topkapi Palace? You'll find it in
Sultanahmet... not the suburb called Topkapi.
Bargains - You can definitely pick up a bargain or two in any number of
bazaars and markets. But remember, you are a tourist and the first price
will be ridiculously high. Generally come back to them with less than half
of what they have offered. Haggle away as long as you like, but remember,
the few cents that you are trying to save, could make a big difference to
the traders' family, especially in the provincial areas of Turkey.
Pick that bit of food - You've just eaten some fabulous Turkish tucker and
have a bit stuck in your teeth. It is rude to go digging around in your
mouth without covering up with the other hand.
Cover up - Don't forget to take your shoes off when visiting a mosque.
Always cover your shoulders and legs as well... guys too. Most tourist
mosques will offer a robe (for a fee) to wrap around yourself if you are
wearing shorts or a skirt, but in smaller towns, show some respect by
covering up before going.
Touts - Little do you know, but touts are strategically placed all over the
touristy areas. So, remember, if you are purchasing something, whether it be
a carpet, souvenir, bus, plane ticket or even a bed for the night, and you
are taken to the shop by someone, he/she will take a commission from the
price you paid. This significantly lessens your bargaining power.
Prices - Many of the hostels/hotels/pensions will quote in US dollars or
Euro. The reason for this is that the Turkish Lira is not a stable currency.
Although it is getting better, it fluctuates daily (sometimes hourly!) and
therefore the Euro and Dollar are commonly used.
The cut - If you see a young boy, about 6 years old, dressed in a white suit
with a sultans hat and carrying a cane, spare a thought for him... the poor
boy is about to get the chop! It is traditional to visit close friends and
family before being circumcised. Gold medallions are pinned to the boy and a
huge party begins to celebrate the boy becoming a man.
Gelibolu or Gallipoli? - If you jump on a local bus and want to go to
Gallipoli, don't get off at Gelibolu, which happens to be 40km from where
you want to be. Get off at Eceabat if you've come from Istanbul, or
Canakkale and catch the ferry (ferribot) to Eceabat.
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