is this just in Turkey?
i've bought several handbags recently, here in the uk, and they all have the zip facing forward. what really irritates me, though, is backpacks with the pocket on the front! why there isn't one on the back, which is hidden when wearing the b/pack, i can never understand.
the police here were recently giving cat bells to women (not sure if it was just pensioners) to put on the zips to deter thieves.