Calis Beach and Fethiye Turkey Discussion Forum
Calis Beach Forum => Calis Beach Questions and Information => Topic started by: samandmark on July 25, 2013, 12:42:30 PM
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Hi again :)
not sure if I'm in the right area of the forum, please move if not!
We have never been to Turkey before and I'm wondering if there are any expectations of behaviour in this area? I don't want to offend the local people, have read that shoulders should be covered for example? Is that just near places of worship?
I'm far too old to be dancing on tables and singing at 4am ;) well, mostly... But I would like to know if there are any things that we should avoid!
Thanks again,
Sam :)
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So long as you don't stroll in the street, market or restaurants in your swimwear you should be fine. Although there are those who disrespectfully do:(
No need to cover shoulders or hair unless you plan on visiting the mosque
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Men in speedos and wearing socks with sandals are universally accepted as inappropriate behaviour. For women, going topless on the beach (or in the shops) is not regarded as appropriate in a Muslim country. Falling about drunk and fighting are frowned upon but apart from that it's pretty relaxed and laid back sort of place so go ahead and enjoy yourselves. If hubby gets into trouble just tell him to say his name is Keith Campbell, you won't see him again for the next two weeks and you can relax. ;)
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Taxi for SteveJ !!!! ;D
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If he gave that name they would find it totally implausible. It is a name long associated with impeccable behaviour.
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SamandMark, I find it totally refreshing that you bothered to ask the question. Thank you
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And say a poite 'No Thanks' ıf you are asked by a waıter ıf you want to come ın for a drınk/meal and you don't want to. They are only tryıng to earn a crust.
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and don't (as we heard on a dolmus one day) confuse mosques and synagogues really!!
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;D thank you all for your advice, I'm sure (most of) it will be very handy!
It seems like a pretty cool place, will suit me perfectly :D
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If you go into anyone's home remove your shoes at the door.
If you buy from a shop (probably early in the day) and the shopkeeper throws your money on the floor in front of you, don't worry, it's a Turkish custom that it's lucky to throw the first money of the day down on the floor.
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They kiss it too Jacqui!
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What the floor, never seen them do that!! ;) ;
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Don't shout "hello" at the dolmus driver when you want him to stop.
I don't know the correct phrase but "Lutfen dur" might do
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What the floor, never seen them do that!! ;) ;
Yes Gary, We have seen it in the Market, happened to us a few times...Perhaps you don't get up earlier enough for the first sales. ;) ;D
We bought a push along toy for our Granddaughter a couple of years ago, it was in a small shop on the Antalya Road and it was just after lunchtime. When we bought the item, the guy held the money high in his hand above his head and threw it violently on the floor, gave us quite a shock. :o
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Don't mention the war. I did, but I think I got away with it.
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Oops Jacqui - think you might have to have a re-read :)
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If you go into anyone's home remove your shoes at the door.
If you buy from a shop (probably early in the day) and the shopkeeper throws your money on the floor in front of you, don't worry, it's a Turkish custom that it's lucky to throw the first money of the day down on the floor.
I've never seen that.
But I'm not normally awake until 10am lol
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Our first trip to calis and we have found everyone to be so pleasant and polite. Whilst walking the prom in the evening, the restaurants will ssk you to look at their menus as they are trying to earn a living. A polite no thank you is all that is needed. Or like us you can have a look, and go back at later date :)
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Our first trip to calis and we have found everyone to be so pleasant and polite. Whilst walking the prom in the evening, the restaurants will ssk you to look at their menus as they are trying to earn a living. A polite no thank you is all that is needed. Or like us you can have a look, and go back at later date :)
ABSOLUTELY. I'm still unnerved by my very recent encounter. Have to get it off my chest please. Sorry.
I got chatting to someone in the dentist's waiting room yesterday. She told me she'd just returned from her first trip to Calis. Needless to say I was delighted to hear all about her holiday. However, it quickly became a really uncomfortable conversation (and one the other 3 patients and reception staff were also listening to) as it became obvious that this woman had decided that the way to deal with 'them' as she charmingly referred to our Turkish restaurant friends, was to be downright rude and obnoxious.
I tried to enlighten her with some rudiments of general etiquette and encourage some tolerance, but it was obvious I was wasting both my breath and brain cells even trying. In the end I'm afraid I became quite angry and told her she was a rude racist and that she should stick to holidaying in the UK.
Her response was to look at me as though I was the imbecile. There was nowhere to escape to, so we both had to still sit there. You could have cut the atmosphere with a butter knife. I'm still angry. Ridiculous I know.
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Good for you Menthol! Not ridiculous at all.
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How awful to have to come across someone like that Menthol - especially when you couldn't get away from her.
It really annoys us when we see people being rude to, or just ignoring, the 'front of house' guys. They are only there trying to do a job and won't be particularly well paid for it either. Most of them are really nice and we enjoy having a chat and a bit of friendly banter with them. If you don't want to eat in their place that night, just as sarahandmark have said, a smile and no thank you is polite and quite acceptable.
I would have been just as angry as you Menthol and also unable to keep my mouth shut!! >:(
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I think the worst are a hard core of the 'established' expats who sit at their usual table on their usual chair, telling everyone how the Turks haven't got an effin clue how to do this or that. In full earshot of everyone, including the Turkish staff. Repulsive.
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Eugh, I can just imagine them, Scunner.
To be fair though, I've seen less rude behaviour from the holidaymakers in Turkey than in other foreign resorts.
Worst ever was Albufeira a couple of years ago. A big shiny red brute of a British yob who threw his food at the waiter. Husband had to hold me back from decking him :-[
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If you go into anyone's home remove your shoes at the door.
If you buy from a shop (probably early in the day) and the shopkeeper throws your money on the floor in front of you, don't worry, it's a Turkish custom that it's lucky to throw the first money of the day down on the floor.
I've never seen that.
But I'm not normally awake until 10am lol
Quite often a customer will throw it on the ground as well when they know that they are the first to have bought anything.
It's called "siftah".
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I'm an advocate (a snow ball at Christmas :o) and do mediation and conflict resolution work. You would not believe how rude, uncooperative and selfish some people are. I have to be totally impartial and keep a poker face and not react, but need to grit my teeth through some meetings.
Holiday mentality is also a mystery to me. Unknown chemicals and hormones must flood the brain and if we dare to complain about their behavior we are usually told to "chill out, were on holiday".
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Ali, at the bike shop in Calis, always threw the money I gave him on the floor, whatever time of day. I always took it as a comment on the amount of tip ;) . No really, he's a great guy.
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Evening all :) thank you all for your replies, very enlightening! We will make sure we are nice to the front of house chaps, we had similar experiences in Bulgaria a few years ago. Manners cost nothing after all ;D
Mark has just reminded me to ask for some advice or any ideas on 'tipping'? Is it usual to tip everyone?! (some countries expect it I believe). Should we work on an average 10% tip for restaurant bills, and for others just round it up abit?!
Thanks again, Sam & Mark (he's home from work now!) :)
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We normally work on 10% in restaurants but it does depend on the mealbeing edible and the service reasonable.
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We decided that tipping for lunch or drinks was not necessary. Also I was told nobody tipped taxi drivers till us Brits turned up. We tip when service has been very good and tip well. If the service was just average/ok we don't tip.
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We always tip if the service is good; if it's not, then they don't get a tip! Simples! :)
Samandmark - one person to avoid (and you're allowed to be rude to him should he approach you :) ) is the change man in Fethiye, usually standing outside a clothes shop on the main road. I'm sure you've read about him on here; he's definitely best avoided, unless you like being ripped off :) .
You'll love Calis - everyone is very chilled, laid back and friendly! Enjoy your holiday :) .
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The Change guy does not have a clothes shop anymore. He has a small shop selling property. It's just along from where he was previous. For new members it opposite Migros and to the right. He is blonde with glasses and offers you a better exchange rate than the Banks and Change Shops... Avoid him like the plague. There have been many warnings about him on this Forum and even a photograph...
Maybe someone could post it again to help our new members?
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Here he is, you have been warned - he is exceptionally good at ripping people off, you may not even realise...
(http://www.calis-beach.co.uk/changemoney.jpg)
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The Change guy does not have a clothes shop anymore. He has a small shop selling property. It's just along from where he was previous. For new members it opposite Migros and to the right. He is blonde with glasses and offers you a better exchange rate than the Banks and Change Shops... Avoid him like the plague. There have been many warnings about him on this Forum and even a photograph...
Maybe someone could post it again to help our new members?
OMG! a Property Shop..........he's moving into big bucks now!!! I don't understand how he is still allowed to run any business! He must have some Very influential 'Friends' in the area >:(
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Blonde Jacqui? Is he trying out disguises now as definitely wasn't blonde when he approached us last year? :o
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Not black hair I think is the point :)
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Still "owns" the clothes shop . A totally disgustingly-open rip off merchant/thief of the 1st water !! >:(
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He certainly knows CBF has cottoned onto him anyway - the look of disgust on his face when we mentioned the forum was a delight. A disguise may be his only option if he wants to continue with his scam - and I wouldn't put it past him!
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Don't hold back Gordon, tell it how it is. ;)
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He was in his usual spot in June :(
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Yes, this guy is clever. It was a couple of hours after he'd ripped us off, several years ago now, that we realised what he'd done! >:(
Hadn't seen him for a while until we walked past him in his usual place in May this year, when he asked if we wanted to change any money!!!!
His face (and the face of my OH, who hadn't realised who it was) was a picture when I told him just what he could do with his change! ;D
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Definitely there in June. Laughed when we loudly said Calis Beach Forum.
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Yes, he is still there, just further along at his new premises. Incidentally, his name is "Colin" however, don't do we think this is his real name?
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For information,as he (colin) is always there outside his shop, is he short changing or offering a low rate. Just curious?
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The clothes shop he used to work from was called Colins
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I was told he also uses the name of Colin. Simon He short changes. If the rate is 2.80 He offers 2.8.90 which looks more but look closely. He also tries to confuse whilst he changes your money by asking if you have 10 lira.
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He also offers to 'round it up' which sounds like you're getting a good deal but when you've thought about it later it wasn't!! I'm not sure now how it worked but that's what he said to us.
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Ok, thanks - so like all other change offices work it out before you agree to exchange. I always check with their calculator!
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Just so we know, is this guy English?
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No, he is turkish and you will find him just past burger king
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I was told by a local Turkish person about 7 years ago that Colin was a German. However, perhaps this person did not want anyone to think Colin was actually Turkish?
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Colin is such a perfect name for him
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2
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Yes I was told that Jacqui many years ago, either german or dutch, but whatever he is, he,s a slimeball.
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Hi ladies and gents :)
Have just read through all the posts, will deffo be avoiding someone called 'colin' who may possibly be German, Dutch or blonde ;)
Thanks for the tips though, will be aware and careful!!
We are getting very excited now!!! In 5 days we will be on that plane ;D
Sam x
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Don't fall for the man outside the main mosque in Fethiye who will offer to show you around for a fee... There should be no charge for entry...
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Well I think Colin is a great name >:(
;)