Any Question About Turkey?
May 27, 2013, 1:44 pm
#16
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 20
I have a question about how to deal with the people in Istanbul who constantly harass tourists to buy rugs, lamps, kebaps, evil eyes and everything being sold in the tourist districts.
The constant harassment from people selling things was the only thing I didn't like about Istanbul. The constant hard sell was far worse than the vendors anywhere I have ever been, and that includes the most touristy areas of downtown Tijuana, Mexico. I was approached at least 50-75 times a day, and it got so annoying I finally had to totally ignore the young men who kept approaching me, one after the other.
theturk, is this truly an effective sales technique? What's the best way to deal with the tourist harassment in Istanbul? The only relief I got was back at my hotel, or visiting the areas that don't cater mostly to tourists (Kadikoy).
The constant harassment from people selling things was the only thing I didn't like about Istanbul. The constant hard sell was far worse than the vendors anywhere I have ever been, and that includes the most touristy areas of downtown Tijuana, Mexico. I was approached at least 50-75 times a day, and it got so annoying I finally had to totally ignore the young men who kept approaching me, one after the other.
theturk, is this truly an effective sales technique? What's the best way to deal with the tourist harassment in Istanbul? The only relief I got was back at my hotel, or visiting the areas that don't cater mostly to tourists (Kadikoy).
Actually that problem is really irritating for us too. I mean turkish citizens.
They have been using this sale tecnique for decades and the government is really lazy about it. I wouldnt go there if i were you lol!
Sorry, i dont have any idea about it. Just dont care about them, and they will go away. Or maybe you can play dead!
May 27, 2013, 1:47 pm
#17
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 20
Where are you staying?
We are a family of 5 who will be visiting Istanbul in August. I have a hard time trying to find a nice hotel (not too expensive) in Sultanahmet or Sirkeci areas that is near a tramway station. Most of the recommended hotels have glorious reviews but I was told most of those were written by their staff. Can someone recommend a hotel that you had stayed at and liked and would go back again?
We are a family of 5 who will be visiting Istanbul in August. I have a hard time trying to find a nice hotel (not too expensive) in Sultanahmet or Sirkeci areas that is near a tramway station. Most of the recommended hotels have glorious reviews but I was told most of those were written by their staff. Can someone recommend a hotel that you had stayed at and liked and would go back again?
Maybe you can give us a little information about your preferences.
Cheap or expensive? 3-4-5 stars or boutique? Or just near tramway station?
May 27, 2013, 6:34 pm
#18
Join Date: Mar 2000
Posts: 512
We want to be close to the historical (therefore touristy) sites. In addition, we want to be close to public transportation so we can get to Taksim and surrounding areas. We would like to have a hotel where the rooms are clean,quiet and rooms large enough so we can walk around and stow our luggage. We are looking for a double and a triple room in a 3+ hotel. Whenever I read reviews, I go to the terrible,poor and average reviews first. The only hotel I saw that qualified was the Seraglio hotel but it is sold out during our August week.
May 28, 2013, 2:32 pm
#19
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 20
We want to be close to the historical (therefore touristy) sites. In addition, we want to be close to public transportation so we can get to Taksim and surrounding areas. We would like to have a hotel where the rooms are clean,quiet and rooms large enough so we can walk around and stow our luggage. We are looking for a double and a triple room in a 3+ hotel. Whenever I read reviews, I go to the terrible,poor and average reviews first. The only hotel I saw that qualified was the Seraglio hotel but it is sold out during our August week.
May 28, 2013, 9:30 pm
#20
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Southern California, USA
Posts: 1,393
I have a question about how to deal with the people in Istanbul who constantly harass tourists to buy rugs, lamps, kebaps, evil eyes and everything being sold in the tourist districts.
The constant harassment from people selling things was the only thing I didn't like about Istanbul. The constant hard sell was far worse than the vendors anywhere I have ever been, and that includes the most touristy areas of downtown Tijuana, Mexico. I was approached at least 50-75 times a day, and it got so annoying I finally had to totally ignore the young men who kept approaching me, one after the other.
theturk, is this truly an effective sales technique? What's the best way to deal with the tourist harassment in Istanbul? The only relief I got was back at my hotel, or visiting the areas that don't cater mostly to tourists (Kadikoy).
The constant harassment from people selling things was the only thing I didn't like about Istanbul. The constant hard sell was far worse than the vendors anywhere I have ever been, and that includes the most touristy areas of downtown Tijuana, Mexico. I was approached at least 50-75 times a day, and it got so annoying I finally had to totally ignore the young men who kept approaching me, one after the other.
theturk, is this truly an effective sales technique? What's the best way to deal with the tourist harassment in Istanbul? The only relief I got was back at my hotel, or visiting the areas that don't cater mostly to tourists (Kadikoy).
BTW, in my personal experience, Morocco & Egypt are worse. Tijuana is a breeze, the only thing annoying in Mexico are the time-share salesmen in the coastal resorts, and even then it's so easy to walk away from them.
May 30, 2013, 10:49 am
#22
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: JFK, LGA
Programs: AAdvantage, Miles & Smiles (TK0) and others
Posts: 217
I'm gonna do what Turkish man recommended and pretend I'm dead. ^
May 31, 2013, 4:11 pm
#23
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Houston
Programs: United Platinum, Chase Presidential Plus
Posts: 299
Are tourists safe in Istanbul given what is finally being reported by international media? Was re: this New York Times article, the comments from the nytimes article, and also these graphic images. Or do you still view the massive use of tear gas on peaceful protesters and innocent tourists as a "little personal experience"? In your answer, it would be helpful if you could address the recent deaths that are beginning to get reported.
Last edited by pinks; May 31, 2013 at 4:22 pm
May 31, 2013, 4:21 pm
#24
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Houston
Programs: United Platinum, Chase Presidential Plus
Posts: 299
When in doubt, don't make eye contact and pretend to not speak English. I also enjoy replying back "no" in Russian or some other random language that they likely don't speak.
Jun 1, 2013, 4:17 am
#25
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 20
Are tourists safe in Istanbul given what is finally being reported by international media? Was re: this New York Times article, the comments from the nytimes article, and also these graphic images. Or do you still view the massive use of tear gas on peaceful protesters and innocent tourists as a "little personal experience"? In your answer, it would be helpful if you could address the recent deaths that are beginning to get reported.
You started a topic days ago that there is violence in İstanbul. But protests began just a few days ago.
And yes there is intense tear gas using in Taxim for the last few days. Now I do not recommend anybody to travel to taxim for a while. ^
There is no death in these protests. People protest policies of government and the police using heavy force unnecessarily. You write like there is a civil war in Turkey.
Now please tell us:
Why do you exaggerate protests and misinform people here?
Honestly, what is your exact purpose?
Jun 1, 2013, 4:23 am
#26
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 20
You can get a simcard here and use your unlocked cellphone for about a week. Over a week, nonregistered cellphones may be out of use in Turkey. You should ask this at the gate in the airport. Maybe they have a solution that i dont know.
Jun 1, 2013, 6:53 am
#27
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Houston
Programs: United Platinum, Chase Presidential Plus
Posts: 299
And yes there is intense tear gas using in Taxim for the last few days. Now I do not recommend anybody to travel to taxim for a while. ^
There is no death in these protests. People protest policies of government and the police using heavy force unnecessarily. You write like there is a civil war in Turkey.
Now please tell us:
Why do you exaggerate protests and misinform people here?
Honestly, what is your exact purpose?
There is no death in these protests. People protest policies of government and the police using heavy force unnecessarily. You write like there is a civil war in Turkey.
Now please tell us:
Why do you exaggerate protests and misinform people here?
Honestly, what is your exact purpose?
My purpose here is to inform. The magnitude of these protests has recently increased, but they have been going on since the beginning of May. Although the protests have been about a variety of topics (Syria, nationalism, the park, etc.), at the root, they have been about dissatisfaction with the current government. To mock other people for reporting information in the clear presence of a media blackout is wrong.
Jun 1, 2013, 3:09 pm
#28
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: JFK, LGA
Programs: AAdvantage, Miles & Smiles (TK0) and others
Posts: 217
The protests wouldn't keep me away, but I'd stay away from Taksim Sq. I haven't seen any mention of protests in the Sultanahmet area, has anybody else?
theturkish, please keep posting. I enjoy your informational posts. ^
Jun 1, 2013, 4:21 pm
#29
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: CLE
Programs: UA Gold, HH Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 3,661
Thanks for you answer to my question. I just arrived back from three days in Istanbul. Had no idea there were demonstrations anywhere in the city.
For the person wanting a hotel near the tramway in the Old City, I stayed at a hotel about a block from the tramway. The rooms were small, but clean. Breakfast was minimal. Cost was 69 euro a night for a single room. PM me for details.
For the person wanting a hotel near the tramway in the Old City, I stayed at a hotel about a block from the tramway. The rooms were small, but clean. Breakfast was minimal. Cost was 69 euro a night for a single room. PM me for details.
Jun 2, 2013, 12:32 pm
#30
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 595
This is the part I don't understand. Erdogan was apparently democratically elected. Why take it to the streets when he could be tossed out at election time? It's not like he declared himself President for Life as did Mubarak. Erdogan wasn't exactly hiding his religiosity. The Turkish people apparently got the government they asked for.
The protests wouldn't keep me away, but I'd stay away from Taksim Sq. I haven't seen any mention of protests in the Sultanahmet area, has anybody else?
theturkish, please keep posting. I enjoy your informational posts. ^
The protests wouldn't keep me away, but I'd stay away from Taksim Sq. I haven't seen any mention of protests in the Sultanahmet area, has anybody else?
theturkish, please keep posting. I enjoy your informational posts. ^
But it seems to finally start boiling over now, and like people don't want to wait till next election.