just got back from marmaris and they are now stopping restaurants from giving flyers or hassling you.

the penalty is closure for a few days.

I read on another Turkish site that a few places in Icmeler have been closed for 3 days because of hassling. Hopefully this will put a stop to it as they won't be happy when it comes to being hit in the pocket.

I dont mind being hassled by the hairdressers at all.Last May I went to shops with my friend with newly washed hair.I was stopped and asked if I wanted a blow dry but I only had about 3TL left.He said not to worry and I got my hair done!So ladies wash your hair,then go shopping and get a cheap blow dry.

I just wanted to post on this thread, because up until this week, I was a first time Turkey Virgin and it was on reading this thread and peoples comments that did make me a little nervous, especially travelling as a single mum with just my young son.

We have just returned from a wonderful 10 days in Olu, and am already looking at flights to return in July/August. I was concerned before I went, about the "hassle" aspects of it, although I am quite capable of looking after myself, I dont want to go somewhere where I feel intimidated or uncomfortable. And I only experienced 2 occasions where I felt a little bit, but nothing which I could neither handle or expect.

I have never felt as safe, ANYWHERE as what I did in Turkey, and even in the markets did not feel that it was "hassle", Some evenings, it may have taken us an hour to walk down the main street in Olu, but that was only because people were so friendly, they took the time to sit and chat, invite you to stop for apple tea or a drink, (now Im addicted to Raki )and so many played football with my son. Yes, they try to get you to buy or eat in their restaurants etc, but it wasnt anything I would class as intimidating or uncomfortable. The only thing that really did make me uncomfortable, was seeing the way that some of the British people reacted to the locals, it made me cringe to see some really totally rude, ignorant and offensive behaviour, because in a lot of the cases, there certainly wasnt any need or any excuse for the way that they spoke or reacted, and it really did make me cringe from the inside.

So, any Turkey Virgins, who are unsure about this, I was expecting the worst, but, in being "hassled" I have made some very good friends even on my first visit, and who have already invited my son and I to return to stay with their families. If we could experience anything as friendly as that over here, then we would be living in a far better place. I do understand that people do get hassled, and Im not trying to say that they don't, I was very concerned about it before I went, but it wasnt as bad as what I thought or indeed what people told me it would be like. I am so in love with Turkey already, I cannot wait to return, maybe never to return to the UK!

Karen x

Glad you enjoyed Olu Karen, its a lovely place

I returned last month from Turgutreis & found the "hassle" in Turgutreis much more full-on than Olu.
I've never been as bothered by "hassle" in the Fetiyhe area as I was in the Bodrum peninsular.
So maybe its down to different areas, I think Olu probably does really well out of tourists & their sales pitch is not so desperate.

Well said Karen on your experince of this wonderfull country, Hassle as some know it is relevant everywhere, But it's how people handle it that counts, Some can, Some cannot, It's as simple as this, say No thanks and walk on, They are only trying to be friendly and make money also from it, Particularly the Bar/Restauraunt people who generally are working for 10% of the restauraunt's takings that 10% is for all the staff and staffing varies from place to place these people work at least 12 hours per day.

rwb you are right, the hours they work, for the money they earn really shocked me when I got chatting to the locals in these places, we take so much for granted being here at home. So its not surprising they do what they do, when they work the hours that they do.

I did chat about it to some of the local people and they did agree that in some of the areas, the "hassle" can be quite overwhelming, but I also think that they react according to how they are treated to, just as we would.

but it is a wonderful country, and in the time I was there it felt like "home" I got home this morning, and just cant wait to return. . .

We have never been bothered by hassle or found it intimidating. We have always found a polite refusal does the trick.

We were in Olu last year and it was declared a "hassle free zone," for tourists which is why I think it probably is better than other places. There were signs in the streets and the rep told us before we got there. We, too, found it a fab place and would go back again once we've tried lots and lots of other places in Turkey. 4 years ago we were Turkey virgins and haven't been any where else since. We are of to Gumbet this August and looking at Side for next year.

Only once have I felt intimidated by the hassle whilst at Turkey...

I went to Marmaris market on my second visit to the country and some Turk was constantly on my case about buying 20 pairs of boxer shorts. Told him politely I didn't need any, especially 20 pair, and he kept on, and kept on. Lowering prices, offering to speak to a friend of his to offer us a discount excursion etc.

Told him repeatedly that I did not need 20 pairs of boxer shorts, though offered to have a max of 5. He wasn't interested. So I proceeded toi walk off, and while doing so, I was told "go on, walk away skinny b*****ks"!

I thought it was quite funny initially, but when I turned to try and return the 'sarcasm' (which I thought it was), this guy was blatantly rude and upset that I had not bought from him. He uttered some other stuff which I care not to repeat.

On the whole though, the hassle is actually bearable at least. Most hasslers, once realising you will not buy from them at that particular moment will 'invest' and invite you for a free drink and a chat. They do this solely for the intention of enticing you to their premises the next day, or some day in your stay! Take advanatge if offered!

However, being treated with a bit of respect like this made my girlfriend and I try to visit the place if we could, because knowing Turkey and it's people, being treated with respect without being a customer can guarantee superb service when you are.

I have minimal complaints about Turkey, the hassle (can be quite funny sometimes, especially refusing to offer custom to a very pushy Turk!), food, hotels etc. Turkey virgins, take the talk of hassle with a pinch of salt, deal with it assertively, and you will be fine. You will love the country.

You live once, go for it. Hassle is all part of the experience imo!

Got back Friday hassle in Icmeler is no where near as bad as it used to be whilst we were there several bars were closed for 3 days I felt sorry for the people staying in the hotel/apts attached to these bars as it was not much fun for them. I went to get a manicure one afternoon and told the guy on the front before I went in I only wanted manicure no pedicure, hair cut or facial he agreed I went in and straight away lady started on my nails next thing she brings out a foot spa for me to start a pedicure and I stood up straight away and went to leave saying I had only asked for manicure the boss guy came in and asked what problem was I told him and he sorted it. Halfway through my nails young lad came up with hair colour samples wanted me to have highlights which I again protested at you just have to state what you want when you go in. My husband went for a shave he was gone ages I went to look for him and they had him covered in a face mask and two guys pulling his arms in a type of massage hubby said they wouldnt take no for an answer and when they took mask off he showed me his eyebrows which one of the had threaded I went mad he is 54 for goodness sake he said he only just stopped them putting a blonde streak in his hair. I wish they would just let you have done what you want and not push you into things.

Hi jillym

Definitley try Side, and dependant on what you are looking for, try the Old Town - Wonderful!!!!

Try http://www.beachhouse-hotel.com/ available direct or through Thomson small and friendly, if you prefer a package.

Just back from Turgetries nr Bodrum - very little hassle at all and neither myself or any of my party felt intimidated/threatened.

Turkey remains, to me, one of the safest and laid back places I have been to - otherwise I would have not taken my family there for the last three years.

While I can understand that some of you are lucky enough never to experience overt "hassle", because IT IS ONLY A FEW that go over the top, most of them don't.

IT DOES GO ON.

Most of the stories on here are not from people unaccustomed to travelling.
To those of you who post that it's not a problem, IT IS, TO THEM THAT HAVE HAD IT HAPPEN. You have not been unlucky enough to encounter it.

I have read stories before of people being prevented from leaving shops & ladies being touched & inappropriately manhandled.

I am no shrinking violet & my husband is huge, so we have NEVER felt threatened by it, to us its just like annoying flies that won't leave you alone no matter how many times you swat them.
There are people on here that HAVE BEEN FRIGHTENED & INTIMIDATED. Frankly I find the posts that dismiss the "hassle" a bit rude. To these people who say it's not a problem, are they saying these people are lying or exaggerating? It may not bother most to a great extent, but it does bother some.
Some of the ladies in the ADR had such an experience in Turgutreis market with the women who sell the costume jewellery they were quite bothered by it. I didn't see this happen to them, but I certainly believed them when they told me.

I agree kim it does go on but you do get used to it and learn to politely say no and carry on past,the first time we went to turkey 7 years ago a small pen knife was pulled out to my sister because she didnt want to buy from the shop,she quickly left the shop before she was poked up the bum

Agreed you kinda do expect it & to some degree get used to it. But some stories like your penknife one & where they shout abuse & swear because you won't part with your hard-earned cash where they tell you to are awful.
Like I said, my husbands huge & so we don't feel intimidated.
But I've read posts on here (not just on this thread) & heard things in resort which SHOULD NOT HAPPEN.

But the Turkish autorities know its a problem, which is why they are addressing it. That makes the people on here who say it is not a problem sound even sillier, it might not have been a problem for them, but it is for some.

The Turkish tourism industry accept that hasseling has been a problem for a few years and are finaly trying to address the problem.
This year I thought that it would be a good year for the Turkish resorts, because no problems have arisen this season has in previous years to stop the people from visiting.
But numbers are down yet again, is it because so many people have been put off by past hassle experiences?
I know many people who say that they would never visit Turkey again because of the hassle.
Also the old Dalaman airport did no favours for Turkeys Tourism, again many people vowing never to return because of the conditions experienced at the airport.

Gene

Yeah same story there.
There are stories from people who have argued the toss with them & had supervisors called & won their case.
My sister was not over, how could she be, she wasn't leaving Gatwick & + one small fridge magnet & less toiletreis & sun creams = less weight coming back. But on that flight EVERYONE had to pay something & it was all cash. She was charged £35! I had to pay £50, but hey I had bought stuff so I might have been over.
But there are people on that thread swear UNLESS you are over, you won't be charged, well some of us know otherwise, Dalaman is well known for it.
Turkey is a fab holiday place, I love it.
But there is hassle & Dalaman is a con, from the excess baggage to the food & drink prices (but at least we have a choice in that!)

Whats the hassle like in belek. We are going to turkey for the first time in August and although we are AI i have 2 teenage daughters who will have to go shopping a couple of times.

We have done it in Egypt and that was not to bad.

It will be a doddle compared to Egypt. Belek is a bit posher than most of the other places in Turkey. I doubt you'll have much trouble there.