Giving Tips and other Bodrum, Turkey Local Custom Tips

Many turkish bar staff earn minimal wage which can be very low indeed - for this they are expected to work punishing hours and still be nice to us the tourist. The tips we give them are so important in adding money to their small pay packets. Unfortunately the English have a reputation for being a bit stingy with the money! Round up the drinks order and let them keep what is actually a really smal sum to us but they are so grateful for these kindnesses.

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The art of shopping in Turkey involves haggling. It is briliant fun because if you come from Western Europe it is something we don't get to try! If you find something you want try not to be too enthusiastic about it - it will be harder to get the deal if they know you really want it. Offer half the asking price and never go higher than you are willing to pay (the shopkeeper will never sell at a loss so you will both win and have great fun doing it). Turkish shop keepers are charming and will try anything to convince you to buy. Don't be offended by their forward attitude - they do this to be friendly more than intimidating. If you say no thankyou there will be no offense taken and you will have had a nice chat.
Remember that a deal is sealed when you shake on it - it would be very rude to retract the offer once you have agreed the deal :-)

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The boncuk is a blue ornate glass symbol that is alleged to protect the wearer from the "evil eye" and while the Turks are not as superstitious as in days of old, the tradition to display and wear these glass jewels is still as strong as ever. You cannot go into a shop, bar or restaurant in the peninsula without seeing one displayed to pretect the premises - but Bodrum does a roaring trade in selling them to tourists. They come in all sizes from miniscule wallet size varieties up to large plate size for displaying in houses, they come as plates, dishes, cups, art work for walls, pens, necklaces and bracelets...they are a must have memory of your time in this part of the world.
Legend has it that the boncuk will trap the evil eye should it be in the vicinity - when you buy the nazar boncuk if it ever cracks or breaks then it has done what it was designed for and caught the evil before it gets to you!!! Turkish mothers are said to put one on their babies when they are born to prevent any bad luck but in shops in the resort you may find yourself offered one by a shop keeper, accept it graciously!

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Something that any newcomer to Turkey willhave to get ysed to very quickly is the methods used by shopkeepers, bar servers and restaurant waiting staff to convince you to come to their establishment.
It is common for the staff to be standing outside trying to entice you in with flattering comments, charm offensive and occassionally in your face tactics that can be quite unnerving to the tourist. It can be overwhelming and in busy parts of Bodrum, incessant.
Some of these people are only paid if they get people into these businesses but do not let this pressure you - if you want to read a menu, do and then either go in because you like what's on offer. If the staff are bothering you then be polite and firm in your insistence that you are only looking and actually intend to eat/drink/shop elsewhere. Often if you tell them you will try them later in the holiday this is enough to get them focussing on another customer. Try not to lose your temper :-)

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