Turkey advice, Don't Go!!!

[stillroaming]

Hi to all that read this.

I have been traveling the world for a few years now, untill settling down in Norway, which i might add is a VERY nice place, especially in the West and North.

Anyway me and my fiancee recently went to Turkey and i have to say, I WILL NEVER GO BACK!!!

It is the worst place i've ever been too.  The people are ignorant, they man handle the ice for your drinks and get pi*sed off when you ask them not too.  One shop owner even shouted f**k off to us when we wouldn't visit his shop, because we had been hastled 1000 times before.

And they say Turkey has one of the best quisines' in the world.  Trust, stick to your local kebab house at the corner of your street.

But if you don't mind ignorance and arrogance go there, it's cheap, but then you do pay for what you get!!!

[Shire]

"The people are ignorant" - That's a bit of a sweepng statement isn't it??  I went to Turkey a few years ago, and sure, you do get the aggressive, pushy shop owners that hassle you to buy their goods, but I've experienced that all over the world, it's just competition for business.  I also met some very friendly, nice people in Turkey as well, and would go back again any time.  As for using fingers to put ice in your drink, that can happen to you in your local bar just as easily, so if you are that paranoid about it, don't have ice!

[stillroaming]

No, not a sweepng statement, just what i and many others experienced.  Sure you probably do get friendly people away from the tourist traps.  As for the pushy shop owners around the world.... i don't know what country you've been to.  I've just finished a two year stretch, which i consider creditable experience and i have never experienced anything on that level.

As for being paranoid, if you've seen some people get sick from bacterior like i have, especially from those third world countries then be my guest!  

[Cheekyteddy]

Hi stillroaming, I went to Turkey with my family 2 years ago and loved it so much we went back last year.

Found it fantastic. Yes you do get hassled a bit. But you go to see a different way of life and that is part of it. We enjoyed the food, the local transport, the local bars and restaurants, the beaches and the locals.

We did not enjoy the Markets or the rip off goods.

Still a bit of luck we are not all the same.

[blueeyedlass]

have to say that when we went to turkey we really enjoyed it . yeah the shop keepers are slightly pushy but as long as ur polite to them they take no for an answer and i have to say i found the turkish people VERY friendly,every where we went they chatted away and made such a fuss of my small son i would go back any time no problem.

[jno]

Have to say I found Turks among the kindliest, friendliest people I have ever met. They do hassle you to shop with them, but if you smile while you say 'no thanks' you usually get a smile back. I got invited to a circumcision party which was going on in one town I stopped at. When I asked a guy in Istanbul the way somewhere he insisted on walking with me all the way to make sure he got lost (perfect gentleman, he wasn't after my body). Then there was the guy who stole my wallet... sounds terrible, but that can happen anywhere. And though the tourist restaurants can be nothing special, I had some utterly fabulous meals at out-of-the-way places.

Not denying you had bad experiences. just saying it doesn't happen to everyone, and personally I'd recommend the country. (But I wouldn't dare drive in it.)

[ipek]

Erm, well.....

I am reasonably well-travelled and have been to many countries, I thought the whole point of travelling was to find out what the other country is like - not expect them to automatically accept your ways and preferences.

That said, I've been going on holiday to Turkey every year (sometimes twice) for the last twenty years.  I've visited many areas and in all that time I have only met one person who tried to rip me off.  Of all the places I have visited, I can honestly say that the Turkish people have been the most hospitable, most helpful and
most tolerant.  They have made us welcome, invited us into their homes and shared whatever they have with us.  All this without a thought of reward, in fact they can get quite hurt if you try - but now they know us, they sometimes ask a favour, like taking photos for them at a child's birthday party.  I feel honoured to oblige them - it's all about respect, really.

This isn't to say that the Turks don't have some ways about them that I personally don't like, but if you go there with an open mind and heart, I doubt you will be disappointed.  Like any place, you still need to be aware and not invite misfortune - take normal, sensible safety measures as you would anywhere, that's common sense.....but at least try to get to know how the culture and what makes them tick. 

There is now more of a tourist industry there and some of the more popular places have sadly been abused by the visitors and become 'anglicized' - including our bad manners, arrogance and language.  If you spend all your time being spat on, one day you'll spit back.

As for ignorance, if you think kebabs is all there is to their cuisine, then you have some serious learning to do yourself.  Turkish home cooking is wonderful - fresh ingredients, simply cooked and served with joy.....and not a kebab in sight!

[Dom Tuk]

ignorance and arrogance.........its all in the question posed. Turkey is a fabulous destination. Millions of british visit the country every year. They would not go back for repeat visits if what stillroaming says is even remotely true. Complete ********

[jno]

for some reason in my last post I said 'to make sure he got lost' when I meant ' to make sure I didn't get lost'. Sorry, must have had too much raki.

[beamer]

I'm with Dom Tuk on this one.

It's all in Stillroaming's response to the first answer; "I've just finished a 2 year stretch". He makes it sound like he's been in prison.

Not a very open-minded traveller i'd say... been to a  fair few places meself spending long periods on the road at a time. I'm a firm believer that travel can and should benefit both the visitor and the host... This is obviously not the case when folk like Stillroaming strut around expecting people to conform to their opinions/beliefs.