Restaurants Closed

[reesy1959]

Its just a shame that the Police dont ask the tourist before they swoop on the innocent waiter who is just catching up with old friends. Lets hope it doesn't go TOO far.

[Katiehutchinson_1991]

yeah i agree
they should ask the tourists if they were actually being bothered before pouncing on the restautants because if its an innocent mistake then these restaurants are losing out on a lot of business
xxxx

[Not the weakest link]

Totally agree Katie. they should ask us first are they bothering you and if they were really being pains then you would say yes or no we're friends just arrived catching up etc.

I remember having to cross over the road many a time at the Simpsons bar i think it was called, cos he used to stand on the corner and shout over at you that was a few years ago though.

Its no where near as bad as it was. if anything i had more hassle from trip sellers, the sunbed blokes, boat trip blokes and the hairdressers. At least we dont have PR's and those flippin timeshare scratch cards like in the balearics and canaries etc.

Bev

[diamond]

I remember the timeshare touts in Gran Canaria, they were horrendous.

[Katiehutchinson_1991]

i remember we went to spain when i was young
i was about 8 and my sister 5
and we got caught up in this stupid thing where we sat in an office all day while these salespeople talked to my parents
was the worst day of our holiday
me and my sister were so bored
xxxx

[Fanny]

Perhaps Rami could advise on whether or not it would help if we actually reported to the Police when we're catching up with people rather than them hassling us?? We certainly like to chat to staff we've met on previous hols without neccessarily eating in their establishments or god forbid being hassled!

Mind you, are the police closing places remotely using CCTV rather then catching the alleged hassle in person? whoever would have thought big brother would reach as far as Icmeler, even so long after 1984 !?!

[Katiehutchinson_1991]

yeah good idea Fanny im sure Rami will be along soon with the answers as usual
just to let everyone know the loveboat is back open as of this morning
for business as usual
xxxx

[polly]

We got back from Marmaris yesterday, but spent quite a bit of time in Icmeler. Aysima and Richards place have both been closed down for 3 days, and their the one's we saw, there could have been more. We were talking to the lad's in Richards place a few days before and they told us the staff are not allowed to dance now, only customers. They do still do it, but they are very wary of getting caught, and the music has to stop at 11.30pm.

Everwhere you went on a night, they had staff at the front watching for the police.

Polly

[Sue]

Richardswas closedfor 3 days, Turkish Delight and Love Boat were also closed for 3 days

[Not the weakest link]

Its getting a bit ridiculous now isnt it. So early on in the season for the closures to be happening. We went in Richards a lot last year. However, the hassle is just as bad during the day but the Police dont seem to patrol the same. Walking to Tansas or the beach how often do you get asked if you want breakfast.

oh well 7 weeks ish before we get there.

Bev

[john G]

I must be in the minority, there's a reason why they are getting closed - they know the score but yet keep on getting caught. There's loads of posts on this and other forums regarding hassle and the mayor, or police, are trying to crack down on this to help us, the tourists in their country, enjoy our holidays.

Keep up the good work I say

[Katiehutchinson_1991]

the loveboat only ended up losing 2 days business
dont know how but they opened again on friday
xxxxx

[Dannii_89]

I must be in the minority, there's a reason why they are getting closed - they know the score but yet keep on getting caught. There's loads of posts on this and other forums regarding hassle and the mayor, or police, are trying to crack down on this to help us, the tourists in their country, enjoy our holidays.

Keep up the good work I say

I'm with you on this one John. They all know the score, this is not a new rule it was in place last season too so they have no excuse in my opinion. As people have said they like to stop and talk to the people they know , but the % of front of house who actually want a chat compared to the % of people who just want you for your money is much smaller. So I say if you want a chat, go in the bar!!!

I usually stay in the old village and the amount of bars I have to walk past to get where I am going is vast. By the time I reach my destination I am in a foul mood and really not in the holiday spirit....a simple no thank you is just not enough sometimes!

[skilly]

Stopping the music at 11.30pm!!! The music went off at 12pm last year and everything goes silent and its like you're waiting for something to happen.... I don't know whats happening to Icmeler but I don't think its all good.

Ok, hassling where you get dragged into bars by the wrist is unacceptable and should never be allowed but just chatting to someone who you have known for years and then being the cause of the place shutting down and the lads losing their wages is totally unacceptable.

Part of the charm of Icmeler and probably Turkey is the friendliness & hospitality of the people, this in my opinion makes it unique to all of the other places I have been. It's the reason I keep returning. It seems to me that the Mayor is trying to clone Icmeler into what, I don't know but i for one don't think its getting better.

I work all year for my holiday to Icmeler ( as does everyone on this forum) and so look forward to it but it is being changed into a plastic, fit in a box type resort where everything is monitored and nothing is natural anymore. What on earth is wrong with having a laugh & a joke with the locals.

Sorry for the rant and I understand everyone has their own take on this but it really gets me down that i am losing the place I have loved for years and where we have some brilliant memories.

[john G]

Hi Skilly, I'm not saying not to have a laugh and joke with the locals, thats fun - i'm talking about the hassle where they don't seem to want to take NO for an answer. It was worse last year for us as we were a big party so attracted the attention of all the hassle guys and at times it became too much and spoilt our walks too
and from bars, restaurants etc.

If the same happened in the Church Square Shopping Centre i doubt you'd go shopping there.

[molly malone]

I have to agree with john and Danii on this. The restaurants know the score and surely it's not worth losing several days takings for when they only have a short time to make money. I think most people make up their own minds about where they eat and drink without needing someone trying to entice them in.

[skilly]

John, I think you misunderstood me, when I said 'whats wrong with having a laugh & a joke with the locals' it was aimed at the Mayor who thinks up these rules.
I agree entirely that you should be able to enjoy a hassle free holiday as you deserve it but still stick by everything i wrote. ( my opinion only)
As for being hassled on Church Square ( apart from people getting you to complete surveys & Sky tv etc) no i would not like to be hassled there but I don't go on holiday to Church Square.

[skilly]

Just had another thought, Is hassling part of Turkish way of life and if that is so, why don't people complain about bartering which is part of Turkish culture?

i apologize beforehand if hassle isn't Turkish culture if thats the correct word

[Dannii_89]

The only reason they hassle is to get you into their bar and to keep you there. After all they have 6 months to earn as much money as they can for the winter

[shieldfield]

I've come across "Hassling" in every country I've visited. The degree is different in each country but is always heaviest in a tourist area. Although I don't enjoy it I can understand it - it is just advertising. Anyone watching a TV programme or listening to the radio, or reading a newspaper etc., etc. is subject to hassle. Of course we have a choice and can always turn of the hassle.
It can be difficult persuading someone that we aren't interested, especially if there is a language barrier, so a degree of "give and take" on both sides is necessary. I'm sure that things will settle down eventually.