The Hassle of Turkish Men
Trip Start
Sep 09, 2005
1
43
86
Trip End
Dec 23, 2005
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Istanbul,
Turkey
Wednesday, October 26, 2005
I woke up early to start sight seeing. I got as far as the Aya Sofia and the Egyptian Bazaar. By 11 in the morning I was so fed up with being followed - blocks at a time - and asked for tea, coffee, a quick bite - that I nearly started a sprint back to my hostel! "No" just doesn't register. "I just don't want to talk"- means that I still want company walking. "go away" - translates to "So, you don't like turkish people, are we not good enough people to talk to?" AHHH! Suggestion, do not be a single woman walking alone ANY where near a tourist spot in Istanbul! It will be the end of your happy holiday. So I ended up wasting most of the day, I was in such a mood - I couldn't handle much else. The only redeeming part of the day was the night festival around the Blue Mosque. To celebrate the breaking of the daily Ramadan fast, there was a large festival set-up in the Sultanahmet Square. Each night of Ramadan the square would fill with people, now able to eat, buying kabobs, gyros, cotton candy, turkish sweets, caramel apples, everything you can imagine. Families everywhere, kids running around, teenagers hanging around in groups...just like a hometown carnival. Except they were all dressed for Ramadan, celebrating a religious moment. Very cool actually. Anyway, I was walking around, I didn't have my cash with me. Only 3 lira, about 1.75, in my pocket. I walked past a restaurant and peeped in, just to see, when the owner asked me to come in, sit down...I said no, thank you - the whys ensued - I explained the 3 lira - he said no problem! I sat down, ate dinner, had 3 rounds of tea, 2 hours of conversation and redeemed my day for 3 lira!
Now on behalf of Istanbul, the following morning I just started walking (ended up going 6 hours in one direction - NOT kidding). I walked over the bridge to the Asian side where things were much different. This area of the city was very modern (so was the other side - but very conservative at the moment because of the close proximity of all the mosques and Ramadan.) I could have been wondering the streets of any major city. And for the most part, was left relatively alone (stressing relatively). I basically walked (and again unsuccessfully shopped) until I couldn't walk anymore.
Overall, I could have done without so much time in Istanbul. There seems to be endless great things to do in Turkey, which I'd like to come back for. But, a day in Istanbul is enough for me.
Comments
Turkish men
I live in Istanbul and yes in some parts of Turkey tourist women will get hassled by the men places like sultan ahmet in particular and some areas like bakirkoy you dont get hassled. The hassle is the same the world over in these kind of countries for a single woman. My advice to you dont look, smile or speak to them or they think you want them. You should not take what they say to you so literally just throw your head back and tut and walk on. There is no problem if you know what to do. Where you improperly dressed? Western half naked women come over here to a very religious area albeit tourist area improperly dressed and then wonder why they get stared at or their bottoms felt or hassled. Quite frankly european women have the reputation for coming over here only for sex and drinking and unfortunately that tars us all wıth the same brush and makes life here difficult for the ones that live and work here. This is a muslim country secular or not and according to their beliefs (the quoran) women behaving improperly or dressing improperly will be regarded as fair game and give no respect whatsoever. I love Istanbul its a lively exciting city there is something for everyone everywhere. Advice for single women visitors is keep your head down dress respectably and you will be treated with respect dont speak to anyone you think might be suspicious and if you want to know anything go and ask a Turkish woman for advice and not walk up to a man. Ignore the hassling. Dont even let on your a tourist or better still dont speak at all.
sorry
I really enjoyed reading your comments and sorry about the hassle in Turkey. Just a correction, the area you walked across is not Asian side of Istanbul. it is still European side and the bridge you waked is called Galata bridge. There is no pedestrian access to the bridge across to the Asian side, only motor vehicles are allowed. Many tourists make the same mistake. It is still ok though, next time you can take a boat to go across the Bosporus and see the Asian side.