16 Jul 2006 10:51
Hi everyone,
i am one of the minority on this topic as i think i agree with ann
we have been visiting icmeler for 10 years, and up to last year i didn't think it was too bad. one turkish man stopped us and asked us to go in for a drink, we politley said 'no thanks' and had a little chat with him and he was genuinley upset at the rudeness of some of the tourists, i think that is what makes turkey different and thru the hassle you can get to meet & talk to some of the friendliest ,kindest & funniest people in the world. we also go in 6 weeks and will wait till then to form my definite opinion.
also i like this forum and would hope people don't spoil it by getting too irate, i don't think people mean things to come across the way it does but communicating on line is difficult as you loose the personal touch and the debate sometimes sounds a little abrupt.
i am one of the minority on this topic as i think i agree with ann
we have been visiting icmeler for 10 years, and up to last year i didn't think it was too bad. one turkish man stopped us and asked us to go in for a drink, we politley said 'no thanks' and had a little chat with him and he was genuinley upset at the rudeness of some of the tourists, i think that is what makes turkey different and thru the hassle you can get to meet & talk to some of the friendliest ,kindest & funniest people in the world. we also go in 6 weeks and will wait till then to form my definite opinion.
also i like this forum and would hope people don't spoil it by getting too irate, i don't think people mean things to come across the way it does but communicating on line is difficult as you loose the personal touch and the debate sometimes sounds a little abrupt.
16 Jul 2006 12:20
I think the banter we used to have a few years back was constructive as you did talk and everyone had an interest in each other.
This at a lot of the bars has gone these last two years and a more aggressive attitude has been adopted to the point of rudeness on the part of the front man. I could name you specific bars but will refrain from doing so.
When walking down the streets now in Icmeler you are stopped at every bar and restaurent were the front man will hold out his hand for you to shake then will hold your hand and go through his speal.
If sometimes we show a little rudeness by just an abrupt no thank you its because if we did talk to everyone who wanted to speak to us we would never get to were we were going.
Gene
This at a lot of the bars has gone these last two years and a more aggressive attitude has been adopted to the point of rudeness on the part of the front man. I could name you specific bars but will refrain from doing so.
When walking down the streets now in Icmeler you are stopped at every bar and restaurent were the front man will hold out his hand for you to shake then will hold your hand and go through his speal.
If sometimes we show a little rudeness by just an abrupt no thank you its because if we did talk to everyone who wanted to speak to us we would never get to were we were going.
Gene
16 Jul 2006 12:55
This is a post I put on HT last June05
Note what I wrote about the "FrontMen"
Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2005 3:39 pm Post subject: Ramblings of a Romantic
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
After just returning from a fortnight in Icmeler I got to wondering what is happening to my Icmeler?
Gone are the shopkeepers with there wares and goods displayed on the pavement.
Gone are a lot of the stalls in the indoor market.
A feeling of despondancy can be seen on the shopkeepers faces as people now walk past the shops without a second glance.
A new breed of frontman has also appeared who seem to be a bit more agressive without the usual friendly banter.
Gone are the old dusty roads to be replaced with block paving oh so clinical.
Roadside verges seem to be a cascade of colour,probably all the flowers they are now planting.
Gone are the quaint lights that used to adorn the bridges over the canals these seemed to give the area a fairytale look of an evening.
Gone are some of my old bars,knocked down to be replaced by apartments and shops.
Gone are a lot of old friends who have moved to other bars in other resorts,in some cases even moved abroad with there new wifes.
Gone is the frontman at Harrys Steakhouse after 7 years but he is now working at the Elif Restaurent near the beach.
I found a new restaurent called the Romance situated just below the Babadan apartments, do try there Sunday Lunch.
Still some things are the same,the roadsweeper and dustcart coming round the square at 7am.
Music coming from the Majestic Boys restaurent at 5am.
A nice pint of ice cold Effes at the end of a busy day sunbathing.
The beautifull mountain scenery that surrounds my resort.
Am I trying to capture to many memories past instead of searching for memories new? only time will tell.
from a meloncholy reporter
Gene
Note what I wrote about the "FrontMen"
Posted: Fri Jun 03, 2005 3:39 pm Post subject: Ramblings of a Romantic
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
After just returning from a fortnight in Icmeler I got to wondering what is happening to my Icmeler?
Gone are the shopkeepers with there wares and goods displayed on the pavement.
Gone are a lot of the stalls in the indoor market.
A feeling of despondancy can be seen on the shopkeepers faces as people now walk past the shops without a second glance.
A new breed of frontman has also appeared who seem to be a bit more agressive without the usual friendly banter.
Gone are the old dusty roads to be replaced with block paving oh so clinical.
Roadside verges seem to be a cascade of colour,probably all the flowers they are now planting.
Gone are the quaint lights that used to adorn the bridges over the canals these seemed to give the area a fairytale look of an evening.
Gone are some of my old bars,knocked down to be replaced by apartments and shops.
Gone are a lot of old friends who have moved to other bars in other resorts,in some cases even moved abroad with there new wifes.
Gone is the frontman at Harrys Steakhouse after 7 years but he is now working at the Elif Restaurent near the beach.
I found a new restaurent called the Romance situated just below the Babadan apartments, do try there Sunday Lunch.
Still some things are the same,the roadsweeper and dustcart coming round the square at 7am.
Music coming from the Majestic Boys restaurent at 5am.
A nice pint of ice cold Effes at the end of a busy day sunbathing.
The beautifull mountain scenery that surrounds my resort.
Am I trying to capture to many memories past instead of searching for memories new? only time will tell.
from a meloncholy reporter
Gene
16 Jul 2006 13:54
I also agree with Ann and as some one also pointed out icmeler is very quiet this year so it is much more difficult for the restaurants and the staff working there. we were there in May and it was quieter than usual, from what I hear it hasn't picked up much even now. June was more like May usually is. Many of the staff in restaurants rely on working in summer to support themselves and thier families in the winter so I can understand if they are a little more persistant this year. I have only ever come across one who was rude and that place has been named on here before. I also agree with the comments about English food ..... we often get stopped to be told about english breakfast ... i usually point out that I dont even eat that at home so I certainly dont want it when in Icmeler! However I accept some do but I hope no more 'English' places open in Icmeler or it will be in danger of being a mini marmaris! It wouldnt do for us all to be the same the worls would be a very boring place!
16 Jul 2006 15:52
having just come back from icmeler and reading your comments on hassle i agree it was much worse this year but having been to kussadasi and fethie olue deniz and hisorunue i think all of turkey you get a degree of hassle we try and call the word hassle survival because thats what it is to the turkish people lets be honest its the only bad thing about turkey and there are a lot of good things about it or we all wouldnt keep going back the good far outweigh the bad i for one will keep going back and just put up with the SURVIVAL
16 Jul 2006 19:21
Just a note re the food I would love to eat the local cuisine however I am (wish i wasn't) a really fussy eater and the 'british' food is a welcome sign to me, which then allows me to go to all these lovely places whether it be Turkey or elsewhere to see the country, culture and meet the wonderful people of these countries esp Turkey where they are so friendly and so helpful.
However I do agree that most places whether it be Turkey, greece or wherever you always have people trying to hassle you as they do want your business, which is understandable, but you are more likely to avoid these places.
My holiday to icmeler though just isn't coming soon enough wish I was going tomorrow! Roll on Icmeler 10wks and I'll be there having a great time I'm sure!!!
Andrea
However I do agree that most places whether it be Turkey, greece or wherever you always have people trying to hassle you as they do want your business, which is understandable, but you are more likely to avoid these places.
My holiday to icmeler though just isn't coming soon enough wish I was going tomorrow! Roll on Icmeler 10wks and I'll be there having a great time I'm sure!!!
Andrea
17 Jul 2006 11:02
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Last edited by Tracy on 07 Aug 2006 11:10, edited 1 time in total.
18 Jul 2006 06:48
Hi thought i would add a little to this subject 
I will be going to Icmeler for the 3rd time 31st August with Happy Ann who has never been there before. Icmeler is a place where i can take a walk alone at 7am, visit friends who i met during my last visit, i can relax with people who treat everyone with the highest respect, aswell as sample Turkish food in Restaurants who are clean, welcoming and not over priced.
I have visited other parts of the world who i compare with Icmeler, i can truthfully say that for me to visit a place 3 times in a year it is everything i want in a holiday.
Like Ann i live in Weymouth, during the 'summer season' i find it difficult to understand why tourists visit and leave rubbish along the streets leave dirty nappies on the beach and are very rude to people who work in the local shops, pubs etc... 'They are on holiday' so they think its acceptable to act in this way. 
I suppose what i am trying to say is we ALL have choices where we visit, where we eat and who we talk to I was in Icmeler in June and yes i was approached to eat or drink in their restaurants, but i kindly said " no thank you" i certainly didnt eat English food advertised along the streets i was in Turkey 
it hasnt put me off visiting again i love the place and the people, my holidays there have given me the wonderful memories i want to keep always. So roll on August 31st when i am drawn back to a place that gives me everything i want and love
I will be going to Icmeler for the 3rd time 31st August with Happy Ann who has never been there before. Icmeler is a place where i can take a walk alone at 7am, visit friends who i met during my last visit, i can relax with people who treat everyone with the highest respect, aswell as sample Turkish food in Restaurants who are clean, welcoming and not over priced.
I have visited other parts of the world who i compare with Icmeler, i can truthfully say that for me to visit a place 3 times in a year it is everything i want in a holiday.
Like Ann i live in Weymouth, during the 'summer season' i find it difficult to understand why tourists visit and leave rubbish along the streets
leave dirty nappies on the beach and are very rude to people who work in the local shops, pubs etc... 'They are on holiday' so they think its acceptable to act in this way.
I suppose what i am trying to say is we ALL have choices where we visit, where we eat and who we talk to
I was in Icmeler in June and yes i was approached to eat or drink in their restaurants, but i kindly said " no thank you" i certainly didnt eat English food advertised along the streets i was in Turkey it hasnt put me off visiting again i love the place and the people, my holidays there have given me the wonderful memories i want to keep always. So roll on August 31st when i am drawn back to a place that gives me everything i want and love
24 Jul 2006 00:12
We've always found it's worse in the first few days while I'm still white instead of tomato-like!!
Even then, we've always "just eaten", "going somewhere else tonight", etc if "no thanks " hasn't worked the night before!
It's all part of the hol to us, but if Icmeler goes the way of Marmaris we'll either just eat at the Pizza/Kebab places, or ask our hotel to book us a taxi to wherever we fancy eating that night.
At the end of the day, I have enough hassle through the year with work, kids, hubby etc so I refuse to get worked up on my hols - deep breaths, head down and constant conversation with my companions should hopefully do the trick!
Even then, we've always "just eaten", "going somewhere else tonight", etc if "no thanks " hasn't worked the night before!
It's all part of the hol to us, but if Icmeler goes the way of Marmaris we'll either just eat at the Pizza/Kebab places, or ask our hotel to book us a taxi to wherever we fancy eating that night.
At the end of the day, I have enough hassle through the year with work, kids, hubby etc so I refuse to get worked up on my hols - deep breaths, head down and constant conversation with my companions should hopefully do the trick!
24 Jul 2006 19:21
sorry i have been away for a while i always thought the Turkish people imagined i was permanently hungry,with the constant requests to eat in their restaurants bit of good natured banter/hassle all adds to holiday experience.personally i am more worried about the number of building projects spoiling the character of icmeler.how long before it is all apartments between the old village and the sea
24 Jul 2006 19:55
David
Totally agree - there was a rumour that there was going to be a McDs built, now that would be my worst nightmare!!
Do you know if they've built anything yet on the spare land on the beachfront behind the Elif?
Totally agree - there was a rumour that there was going to be a McDs built, now that would be my worst nightmare!!
Do you know if they've built anything yet on the spare land on the beachfront behind the Elif?
24 Jul 2006 20:56
I hope not as i stay there with family from 11th August
24 Jul 2006 21:52
Im just back and have to say i didnt find the hassle too bad. If i did get hassled i used to say very politely " Thanks but i live here can i have my residents discount" and that used to work. In the market or other shops I would say again very Politely but firmly, "Im sorry but if you hassle me I will walk away" Again it usually worked, maybe because in my line of work I have to assert myself and be firm. My husband just says im a bossy cow!!
24 Jul 2006 21:55
Also my husband would stand outside and shout in "Shes serious mate Leave her alone or she will walk"
i agree
25 Jul 2006 13:07
I agree that the constant nagging can all get a bit too much! but you also have to understand that there is only really six months ina year in witch they are able to make money because there winter is dreadful and the get practically no business.
i am off to icmeler tomorrow will post how i fell when i return
john
i am off to icmeler tomorrow will post how i fell when i return
john
25 Jul 2006 14:05
At the end of the day how many people reading this have a job where it involves relying on your customers or clients? I know thats what my line of work involves and if it wasnt for the customers I would not have a job and I am sure its the same for most people reading this.
Now as much as I am a typical sales person in my work I would hate to have to speak to a potential client and for them to be rude to me-It is very disheartening and somewhat takes away the motivation you have to get on with your work-Correct me if I am wrong but are these guys not in exactly the same boat as me? We ALL rely on customers and people spending money at some point down the chain whether you work in a restaurant or you work in a sales office like me. Now maybe we should start and speak to these guys the way that WE would like our customers to speak to us. Obviously we all want to reach our targets etc but to do it with nice friendly customers is even better.
Please just give it a little thought to what I have said before you are rude to one of these guys or you ignore them and walk straight past without even looking their direction. We are all under pressure.
Now as much as I am a typical sales person in my work I would hate to have to speak to a potential client and for them to be rude to me-It is very disheartening and somewhat takes away the motivation you have to get on with your work-Correct me if I am wrong but are these guys not in exactly the same boat as me? We ALL rely on customers and people spending money at some point down the chain whether you work in a restaurant or you work in a sales office like me. Now maybe we should start and speak to these guys the way that WE would like our customers to speak to us. Obviously we all want to reach our targets etc but to do it with nice friendly customers is even better.
Please just give it a little thought to what I have said before you are rude to one of these guys or you ignore them and walk straight past without even looking their direction. We are all under pressure.
25 Jul 2006 16:44
Very well put Doz.... my sentiments exactly
25 Jul 2006 17:51
Some of the shopkeepers need to realise that people want to be left in peace to look round the shops, and if we need help we'll ask. I mean I manage to spend plenty money at home with no hassle involved. 
As for restaurants we stick to the ones we like and avoid the empty ones no matter how persuasive the frontman is.
As for restaurants we stick to the ones we like and avoid the empty ones no matter how persuasive the frontman is.
25 Jul 2006 18:24
Hi Doz your point of view was excellent !! as i had said previously " Treat people how you would like to be treated yourself !!! " i also work in Retail in Weymouth and often find ESPECIALLY in the summer season the holidaymakers can be so rude and ignorant towards our staff and to other staff in pubs and restaurants etc...what gives people the right to act like this just because they are on holiday ? then they wonder why their attitude doesn't get them anywhere!!!
How many times have you all been in shops lately without being asked "would you like to open an account with us? or the telephone rings asking " would you be interested in double glazing?" or being stopped in the street to give £2 pounds a month to a charity !!!!! so we are just the same over here in promotions etc... its because you are on holiday it is found to be annoying.
I was embarrassed when i heard how some English people spoke to staff in Icmeler, forgetting their please and thank you's, but thankfully we are not all like it and respect others no matter where we are!!
A polite "no thank you" is all it takes so lets think before you speak i have no problem with it at all, if being friendly and doing their job is wrong then Turkey is no place to spend your holiday.
Pauline
How many times have you all been in shops lately without being asked "would you like to open an account with us? or the telephone rings asking " would you be interested in double glazing?" or being stopped in the street to give £2 pounds a month to a charity !!!!! so we are just the same over here in promotions etc... its because you are on holiday it is found to be annoying.
I was embarrassed when i heard how some English people spoke to staff in Icmeler, forgetting their please and thank you's, but thankfully we are not all like it and respect others no matter where we are!!
A polite "no thank you" is all it takes so lets think before you speak i have no problem with it at all, if being friendly and doing their job is wrong then Turkey is no place to spend your holiday.
Pauline
26 Jul 2006 21:04
Some of the shopkeepers need to realise that people want to be left in peace to look round the shops, and if we need help we'll ask. I mean I manage to spend plenty money at home with no hassle involved.
True, but the competition at home may not be quite as tough - and these guys only have the season to earn their money??