Job Discussion Forums

big3bc · Joined: 27 Oct 2007 Posts: 132 Location: Turkey

I have read here at Dave's the comments made recently about the dangers of Taksim. I am from the U.S., and have been, for the most part, amazed at the lack of violent crime here in Istanbul. I did not just arrive either- I have been here for almost 10 years.
The problem I have (up until yesterday I had been willing to ignore it) is the simple fact that a majority of the taxi drivers, store owners etc. are basically thieves. They will rip you off in any way they can.
Yesterday, I returned from a holiday. On the metro, the ticket man ripped me off for a million Turkish lira. Then, the taxi driver charged me 34 million for a ride from Aksaray to Taksim (an incredible overcharge). When I returned home, I discovered that my neighbors, whom I had given my key to take care of my cats, stole more than $300. These are people with good jobs who speak perfect English. The money is kept for emergencies, and I am sure it was there when I left. They also took half of the change inside a jar.
I hate to speak badly about Turks in general because many of them are honest, hard-working people. This, however, doesn't mean that you can trust everyone here. I won't make that mistake again.

scot47 · Joined: 10 Jan 2003 Posts: 15343

So Johnny Turk is out to get you ? Be careful - this can be the road to paranoid psychosis. Sometimes there is no road back. Do you want to end up in Bellevue ?

teacherdude · Joined: 13 Sep 2004 Posts: 260

You've been here for ten years, and you let a taxi driver rip you off like that.

Why?

When they try it with me, I just politely let them know (in Turkish) what the correct rate is.

TD

turkemy · Joined: 23 Jan 2008 Posts: 14

so strange..
i really wouldn't expect turkish people do that..
but there are bad people anywhere:(
be careful dude..

alexcase · Joined: 26 Jul 2007 Posts: 215 Location: Seoul

That's the main reason I left:

Step 1- You get ripped off so many times you get paranoid

Step 2 - You realise that you are distrusting some of the nicest people in the world and being generally unpleasant, so you relax a bit and start to trust people again

Step 3- You get ripped off

And repeat...

I'm sure there are better ways to deal with it, but for me leaving instantly removed that stress. For me, that's good enough reason to be in Japan.

TEFLtastic blog- www.tefl.net/alexcase

TeachEnglish · Joined: 09 Feb 2005 Posts: 239

I think it is just the Turk's nature to rip off foreigners. They think we are all rich. They are xenophobic (and too nationalistic). Of course some are not as bad as the rest. Some are quite honest and caring about foreigners. I have a friend that will eaves drop on a Simitci to see if he overcharges a tourist. Thank God I have never witnessed an overcharge. I am afraid to think what my friend might do.. He really hates the lowlife Turks that give the rest a bad name.. The newbies to Istanbul have to be aware of these things.. but if you have been here for 10 years and still get ripped off.. hmmm.. Rolling Eyes

tarte tatin · Joined: 02 Mar 2007 Posts: 247 Location: Istanbul

I have been ripped off once or twice by taxi drivers but on the other hand I have also had drivers round the fare down or waive the fare if I didn't have the right change.

I had a discussion about honesty with one of my classes and nearly all the students said they wouldn't hesitate to rip off someone they considered richer than themselves, so if this attitude is prevalent and foreigners are perceived as rich we are fair game here....

You will notice that Turks do not trust each other at all and practically have the vapours if they notice you are carrying an unzipped bag. Basically Turks think that every other Turk is a potential thief (or pervert!). When I first arrived here I couldn't get over all the barred windows.