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Theft And Robbery

Time

Tipping

Toilets

Theft and robbery

"I am honored to be a member of my country where no crimes recorded for more than 50 years in thousands of small towns and villages with no keys on front doors..."

That was what I had written on the top of the related links pages of Turkey in my site. These words are still true for most small towns and villages in Turkey. As a person who was born in a small town in the south part of Turkey, I am still missing such natural security conditions and the happiness of being in a secure atmosphere. I wish we could be able to save our culture and good features of us.

Although, theft is still not much of a problem, and robbery even less than most countries, please take these precautions.

WARNINGS:

•  Pay extra attention in the crowded  places of Istanbul.

• It is recommended for women to leave handbags in their hotels and put their wallets in a safe place of which they can keep track.

• It is also recommended women do not wander around empty and dark streets at night.

• Men  traveling alone also should be carefull at night clubs where they can be in a trap with fun girls.

Time

Local time: GMT : 2 hrs. (Summer).

                 GMT : 3 hrs. (Winter)
Turkish time is East European Time, two hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time.

Tipping

Tipping -addition of a service charge of 10 to 15% to your billis- expected:

• In restaurants

• In hotels

If the service charge is added to your bill an extra 5 % would be better handed directly to the waiter.

After your tour,

• Tour guides,

• Drivers,

• Tipping is not expected unless the driver spent an extra effort for carrying your luggage and suitcases. You do not have to pay a separate fee for the luggage but a tip is expected if you use the luggage section at the back of the taxi.

Toilets

The public toilets are usually not free. You have to pay a small fee to the person who is taking care of the toilet. There are two kinds of toilets one being the ala-turca style and the other is the one you are familiar with. Actually if you do not have problems with your knees, the previous one in a public toilet is more recommendable for hygienic reasons.

WARNINGS:

• Please ask for the toilet paper before you get  in. It is also recommended to carry a package of tissue in your pocket.

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