Hustle at the harbour.

fastclick


Joined: 12/07/2007
Posts: 19

Message Posted:
01/10/2008 20:00

although most of us avoid the tourist trap at the old harbour in Girne, i just felt like a walk down there last night.



MISTAKE !



The restaurant hustlers are not only ruder but threatening, i was followed along with a menu stuck under my nose. Muttering under thier breath when I ignorned them or simply shouting at me.



They shoot themselves in the foot because I just did'nt want to eat there and returned to one of my favorite restaurants in town.



I said a tourist spot, well it can't be very nice for the tourist's who see the picturesque shots of the harbour in the guide books only to run the gauntlet of these intimidating restaurant hustlers.



Doe's anyone know if this type of thing comes under the realms of the Belydesi, to take action on and give these touts a bit of a warning?

cyprusishome


Joined: 31/03/2007
Posts: 2381

Message Posted:
01/10/2008 20:16

The harbour again.



Been there today and the lads there are as pleasant and chatty as always. If you say no thank you politley they will accept that and move on. Yes, there are half a dozen restaurants and you may be asked at each one, but try Spain or Greece where there are dozens of the things and you get real hassle.



We often go to the harbour just to walk around and occasionally have a drink in one favourite bar and in 3 years have never felt any threat or intimidation.



I am not saying this of yourself but I have seen tourists down there being rude and aggressive towards these young men who are trying hard to make a living. Instead of ignoring them or worse being nasty as I say above a polite no thank you in English or Turkish will be accepted graciously.

NOBLE


Joined: 11/08/2008
Posts: 30

Message Posted:
01/10/2008 20:25

I was under the impression the government was clamping down on this. It would be such a shame if the harbour ever became like Marmaris or other resorts where you are constantly hassled. the government should do everything in its power to ensure North Cyprus is a quality tourist experience, similar to Italy.

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
01/10/2008 20:53

Needs a proper bit of undercover investigative jounalism to expose them...



Never a real journo around when you need one!

no1doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
01/10/2008 21:33

I normally just pat my stomach and say I've already eaten. None of them have ever been rude to me.

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
01/10/2008 21:52

We say "doyduk" ....

no1doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
01/10/2008 22:04

We say 'dorduk'...........for what Groucho?

no1doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
01/10/2008 22:37

We say 'dorduk'...........for what Groucho?

ces88


Joined: 23/10/2007
Posts: 170

Message Posted:
01/10/2008 22:45

We just say no thanks in english or turkish and they are fine... and then normally wish us a good evening! I admit it can become a bit annoying but at the end of the day, its their job to get customers at the table so im not complaining. Im so used to it now that it seems to have become the norm when walking round the harbour and anyway, its a chance for me to practice my Turkish!

cyprusishome


Joined: 31/03/2007
Posts: 2381

Message Posted:
01/10/2008 23:03

no1doyen.



Groucho may not reply because you have not asked the right question!!!!!!!!



Check what you wrote and what G wrote. LOL

rowan


Joined: 04/09/2008
Posts: 450

Message Posted:
01/10/2008 23:09

I walked round the harbour last week, I atually like it down there. I was a woman on my own and was approached just twice. One waiter said good morning and I replied good morning, the other said "yes, please" and I( said, "no, thankyou", no problem.



However, I have sat and observed some tourists who are, in my opinion, just plain ignorant, who just treat the "hustlers" as if they just were dredged in and do not even have the courtesy to reply to them. I live here now but have been coming here for ten years and have always found that a polite "no, thankyou," is quite acceptable and does not invoke hassle.



Now before anyone wants to pick a fight with me, this is my own personal experience, so please don't

brandy sour


Joined: 09/04/2008
Posts: 310

Message Posted:
02/10/2008 01:32

I agree if you say may be later or tell them you have already eaten they just say have a nice evening and you just walk away no problem.

w26kay



Joined: 14/10/2007
Posts: 479

Message Posted:
02/10/2008 01:41

Unfortunately this is not isolated to TRNC, I have seen this rudeness in many countries and sometimes felt ashamed of being British. I was brought up to be polite and courteous, this is a quality that all do not possess.

ilovemydogs



Joined: 20/04/2008
Posts: 514

Message Posted:
02/10/2008 08:05

when we went over in may , we were fully prepared for this, thinking it will be just like Turkey. I agree being polite is the way to go. there is no excuse for bad manners. and having sat at one sea front cafe discussing our options over a few efes, we witnessed quite a few ignorant people, (in my oppinion) who couldn't even be bothered just to say hello or no thankyou, and didn't see the young men react in any adverse way to any of this. and on saturday i am sure we will be sat having a few mor efes and witnessing the same thing all over again. chill they don't bite.

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
02/10/2008 09:54

Sorry, meant to say "doyduk" ....



What does this mean?

Notsoboredhw


Joined: 15/03/2007
Posts: 1254

Message Posted:
02/10/2008 09:57

They do hassle you but I agree if you are polite and say no thank you they do just walk away.

gottheyips


Joined: 28/12/2007
Posts: 444

Message Posted:
02/10/2008 11:00

We have lived in the TRNC for 3 years and rarely visit the harbour area.

A gentle stroll taking in the sights of the harbour is impossible when you have to BE NICE every 10 meters to the hustlers.

I agree they are only trying to get business but harrassing potential customers and not giving them a moments peace to check out their menus and tariffs is not on.

We to should be respected to have our stroll in peace, taking in the beautiful sights of the harbour.

Our own experiences prompted me to respond to this thread.

Wilts Girl


Joined: 16/07/2008
Posts: 159

Message Posted:
02/10/2008 12:02

We returned to TRNC in September and can say the restaurant hustlers are no worse than they were 3 years ago last time we came.



Most of them back off when you say “no thanks” but there are some very persistent ones who ask “why not?” which is a little over the top and more akin to some of the aforementioned popular tourist traps in the med.



Its all well and good saying be polite but being asked every 10 foot as you stroll round the harbour does take its toll. As previously mentioned by some it ends up having the opposite effect and people avoid the harbour altogether!



I don’t think its out of ignorance the Brits can ignore some of these people especially if they have been to countries with more aggressive touts where the only way to avoid them is to ignore them!



I just wish restaurants would understand that Brits like to stroll round the harbour looking at menus etc before they sit down and often resent being hassled into places.

Holly


Joined: 27/05/2008
Posts: 67

Message Posted:
02/10/2008 16:18

Was over a couple of weeks ago and wandered round mid afternoon and didn't find it a problem. Maybe it was the time of day. I had conversations with 2 or 3 people & when I said I wasn't thinking about eating as I had just had lunch, yes, they did try & entice me for the evening but I just said I would think about it. They were very pleasant.

AlsancakJack



Joined: 14/08/2008
Posts: 5762

Message Posted:
02/10/2008 17:04

Obviously a lot of you have not been to places like Egypt where the word hassle was invented.

AJ

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
02/10/2008 17:05

I'd still like to know what "doyduk" means. Please.

Wilts Girl


Joined: 16/07/2008
Posts: 159

Message Posted:
02/10/2008 17:08

My mum and dad went to Egypt last year and said never again. Touts even come into the hotels and hassle you while your sat round the pool!



In the grand scheme of things of course TRNC is nowhere near as bad as other places.

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
02/10/2008 17:32

It means 'we are full up' - doydum means 'I am full up', if you are on your own.

Groucho



Joined: 26/04/2008
Posts: 7993

Message Posted:
02/10/2008 17:36

'Belki sonra' - 'Maybe, later' usually works too. Doyduk usually gets a smile.

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
02/10/2008 17:49

Thanks Groucho.

MUSIN M


Joined: 26/06/2008
Posts: 1352

Message Posted:
02/10/2008 22:27

doyduk means we are full up

doydum means i am full up

the best thing to say is sag ol merci ,sag is pronounced sahg .



that normally does the trick

no1doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
02/10/2008 22:36

what does that mean musin?

MUSIN M


Joined: 26/06/2008
Posts: 1352

Message Posted:
02/10/2008 23:10

bill



its quite diffucult to translate into english ,the only way i can put it is,it translates sort of" thanks but no thanks in a very polite way."

sag ol means ,,live ..and merci means ,,thanks,which does not really translate .

but please use it and you will see it works well.

no1doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
02/10/2008 23:12

Many thanks Musin. I'll try it next time I'm down there. Enjoy your evening.

dy1259


Joined: 10/08/2007
Posts: 357

Message Posted:
03/10/2008 01:10

sah ol



'ah' as in the a in 'arm' . The 'h' is silent.

and the

'o' is a short vowel as in 'hot'.



Pronounce the 'l'



sahol

No1Doyen


Joined: 04/07/2008
Posts: 16617

Message Posted:
03/10/2008 09:27

dy1259.......sahol...means what?

dy1259


Joined: 10/08/2007
Posts: 357

Message Posted:
03/10/2008 22:17

'sag ol' means 'thank you'



literal translation: may you be healthy/live long

simbas



Joined: 16/07/2007
Posts: 5943

Message Posted:
04/10/2008 14:22

i must admit ,it has'nt been a problem the times i have been there either

simbas

stewy


Joined: 18/10/2008
Posts: 279

Message Posted:
29/10/2008 00:44

I never have a problem while in the harbour area.



however I am rather ugly/ very ugly.

Turtle


Joined: 28/05/2007
Posts: 2669

Message Posted:
29/10/2008 00:48

Always go down there when Im over, never have a problem.

Get to know them have the banter its great.

accadia


Joined: 27/06/2008
Posts: 8

Message Posted:
29/10/2008 01:00

In Istanbul the hassle you get from carpet sellers is worse than what I experienced at the harbour.

phylray



Joined: 21/09/2007
Posts: 1727

Message Posted:
29/10/2008 02:17

It isn't too bad. I go down alone sometimes but don't find it too hard

to manage. There are much worse places.

augusta



Joined: 10/06/2008
Posts: 173

Message Posted:
29/10/2008 14:20

my husband and I were lucky enough to be able to moor in the old harbour for a week when we first arrived in Girne in June on our sailing boat. It was one of the most fabulous weeks I have spent during our 10 years of world cruising. The people were smiling and friendly and genuinely made us feel at home without any hassle of having to eat in the restaurants. One friendly restaurant owner even gave me the code for the wireless internet without even asking me to buy a cup of coffee. The old harbour is one of the gems of Girne in my opinion!

Perhaps it would be a good idea if everyone actually sat down and had a drink there.....it may be more expensive ...but once in awhile makes a change.

I love the place......take an early moring hike along the harbour wall and through the harbour and the old streets..just after the sun has come up....it is magical

Coachie



Joined: 29/07/2008
Posts: 2135

Message Posted:
29/10/2008 14:46

wilts Girl..I am on my way next tuesday to Egypt for my third visit and have never experience any one coming into the hotel grounds yet.Mind you I dont go to Sharm where I imagine its just as bad as Girne but on abigger scale.Tend to go Taba and Taba Heights for Peace and quiet but then you end up doing battle with Russians cos they dont know what waiting in a queue means .Shall give Girne a go next June when I visit..

Wilts Girl


Joined: 16/07/2008
Posts: 159

Message Posted:
29/10/2008 15:33

Coachie, I am not sure where my mum stayed but they were really fed up by the time they got back.



I imagine its like any country, some places are more touristy and so you get more hassle!



She did mention the trouble with other nationalities not understanding the q word!

icklepix


Joined: 23/10/2008
Posts: 194

Message Posted:
29/10/2008 15:56

we have not as yet experienced any form of hussle/hassle down at the harbour. i think its rude that people ignore the guys that are simply trying to make a living,if you dont want to eat just say thanks i've just eaten (normally works) and move on. It doesnt take a lot to be polite but unfortunately some people can be ignorant.

dixie normus


Joined: 22/02/2008
Posts: 820

Message Posted:
29/10/2008 18:25

If you dont want hasstle, take your dog down there you just get a polite nod and a look of panic if you do decide to sit down for a beer. If you think the hasstle's bad now god help us next year as tourists will probably be non existent, you'll be getting handcuffed to the tables and beaten to death.



D.N

Wilts Girl


Joined: 16/07/2008
Posts: 159

Message Posted:
29/10/2008 18:29

Very funny Dixie.