The boys with weighing scales; what do you think?

[nichola]

Six years ago when we opened Mozaik there were no boys with weighing scales doing the rounds of restaurants to see if diners wanted to have their weight guessed for a fee, or if they were around they just hadn't discovered us yet!

Then the following year there was one boy, and he was very sweet and polite and we used to make sure he had a drink of water, Ayran or whatever he wanted when he came by. We sat him down on several occasions and tried to find out about his situation but he was very evasive. I saw him one time in the park where the public square is now and he was sitting with an older gentleman but as soon as he saw me see him he distanced himself immediately from this man.

Last year, the whole business got out of hand with about ten boys passing through the restaurant one after the other so at any one sitting people could be asked several times if they want to be weighed.

We even had one person make a special trip over from Çaliş to complain and this wasn't the only complaint. We tried rationalising with them saying just one of them could come to the restaurant but this was largely ignored and it didn't help when they got into a fight with each other in the restaurant.

My belief is that these boys are "worked" or pimped not to put too fine a point on it! They are not local to Fethiye, they as I understand it come from Kars in north east Turkey.

I do not believe they are earning money for school books or their uniform, especially as many of them are actually "working" here during term time. I also am inclined to believe that they are possibly mistreated if they do not earn enough money and I dread to imagine what their living conditions here are like.

The final straw some weeks ago was when one of them told a customer to phuck off.

We had very strong words with the culprit and we didn't see any of them for a few weeks. But now they are back and once again on Thursday the same boy told another customer to phuck off when they declined to be weighed.

So my question is what should we do?

[KKOB]

Surely it's a matter for you and the Zabita ?

The restaurant is your business and you have the right to deny access to it. If you can't stop the boys from harassing your customers you have to report it to the local authority.

What do other businesses in the area think about it ?

[nick11]

The lad in Calis and his brother are great. Never been hassled by these lads and always have a chat. However, the ones in Fethiye are different. They all have the same lines and are quite persistent. Same story about schooling and me being a handsome man ( maybe they are working to get some glasses). We were in a shop the other day and one of the lads was behind us buying scales. He said the Zabita had taken his other ones the previous day. Strange how he still had enough money to buy some more. I am more and more convinced about them working for somebody., which is really sad.

[Scunner]

If they are abusing your customers I'd definitely put an end to their visits - you don't expect to make money from such people but there's a good chance their change of attitude might well start to cost you business.

On the subject of pimping I am absolutely certain you are correct. There used to be a terribly crippled/disabled guy who would make his way (slowly and painfully) along the prom in Calis with a tray of pens etc round his neck. It was awful to see how badly disabled this poor guy was - and he used to get a right wedge - 20s, 10s for a crappy old pen, such was the sympathy.

Then one night we walked round a corner and found him sitting on a step giving his earnings to a right dodgy looking git - who counted it and gave him around 10% of the wedge back.

[puma]

they could be gypsy lads sent out by their  families

[janmack]

I agree with Alan...it's sad you have to resort to calling the Zabita however if customers do get hassled and abused they will inevitably stop coming to your restaurant...and spread the word:(  One boy came to us last time we were in Mozaik but he wasn't pushy in any way, he just walked off when we said "No thanks".  They most likely are "pimped"...difficult situation Nichola...I know how much you hate to see that kind of thing. 

[kayakebab]

I'm sure that I heard that the 2 good looking boys that have been around calis s for a few years are related to Hagi the shoe shine guy.
We saw them a couple of years ago at 1am and offered them a lift home as was so worried about them out at that time.
They refused and said their uncle was on his way.
Might be worth asking  Hagi if he knows them or what life is like for these young lads. He knows most people and speaks good English.

[dycedon]

Got to agree about the brothers in Calis, one year we saw one of them hiding money in a secret stash, and yes they were working for family as we seen them getting picked up and handing money across, hence the secret stash. The brothers are great kids, always a word, nevcer pass you by without speaking.

[Jacqui Harvey]

We were told that the boys in Calis (one is called Mustafa ) are Curds and work for their Uncle. A restaurant owner told us this.  I remarked to him one night that is midnight and the one boy had been out for hours. The restaurant owner said to us, if the boys do not bring back enough money, the Uncle would beat them.   

[KKOB]

Is that Curds, as in Curds 'n Weigh your Maj ?