Comments on: Tips for Women Traveling in Turkey http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/adventure/2011/10/tips-for-women-traveling-in-turkey/ Just another blogs.smithsonianmag.com site Sun, 12 May 2013 14:12:36 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4 By: Steph http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/adventure/2011/10/tips-for-women-traveling-in-turkey/#comment-1014 Steph Wed, 28 Nov 2012 21:05:31 +0000 http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/adventure/?p=210#comment-1014 I just returned from a nine-day trip from Turkey that I did with two of my girl friends. We visited four places (Cappadocia, Pamukkale, Selcuk, and Istanbul) and I must admit, we left with a rather sour impression of the men of Turkey. Certainly there were some very kind and friendly people we met along the way. But for the most part, we couldn't walk a single block anywhere without having men constantly come up to us, trying to flirt, engage in conversation, sell us something, or just plain hustle us. It didn't feel threatening, but it became exhausting and just plain annoying. I suppose three petite Asian girls traveling together do stand out a bit, but we had no idea it would be that bad. We weren't dressed improperly or behaving in a conspicuous manner. I've spoken to other girls who traveled to Turkey either alone or in a mixed group and they seemed to be mostly left alone, so maybe it was just being with group of girls that made us such targets. Other than that, we enjoyed our trip and still think Turkey is an amazing place to visit. I just returned from a nine-day trip from Turkey that I did with two of my girl friends. We visited four places (Cappadocia, Pamukkale, Selcuk, and Istanbul) and I must admit, we left with a rather sour impression of the men of Turkey. Certainly there were some very kind and friendly people we met along the way. But for the most part, we couldn’t walk a single block anywhere without having men constantly come up to us, trying to flirt, engage in conversation, sell us something, or just plain hustle us. It didn’t feel threatening, but it became exhausting and just plain annoying. I suppose three petite Asian girls traveling together do stand out a bit, but we had no idea it would be that bad. We weren’t dressed improperly or behaving in a conspicuous manner. I’ve spoken to other girls who traveled to Turkey either alone or in a mixed group and they seemed to be mostly left alone, so maybe it was just being with group of girls that made us such targets. Other than that, we enjoyed our trip and still think Turkey is an amazing place to visit.

]]> By: ann tingley http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/adventure/2011/10/tips-for-women-traveling-in-turkey/#comment-945 ann tingley Mon, 12 Nov 2012 00:51:31 +0000 http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/adventure/?p=210#comment-945 I just returned from a week in istanbul by myself. I spent the week in an apt which was a wonderful way to experience the city. I had no problems, but i was also very careful. I didn't wear skimpy clothes and made sure i was in an area in which i was comfortable and felt safe in by nightfall. I am a senior woman. In both my trips to turkey i found the people warm, but like any city, you have to be aware of your surroundings and respectful of the culture you are in. I just returned from a week in istanbul by myself. I spent the week in an apt which was a wonderful way to experience the city. I had no problems, but i was also very careful. I didn’t wear skimpy clothes and made sure i was in an area in which i was comfortable and felt safe in by nightfall. I am a senior woman. In both my trips to turkey i found the people warm, but like any city, you have to be aware of your surroundings and respectful of the culture you are in.

]]> By: Natalie http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/adventure/2011/10/tips-for-women-traveling-in-turkey/#comment-94 Natalie Tue, 25 Oct 2011 04:53:37 +0000 http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/adventure/?p=210#comment-94 I have just completed a months tour of the South West coast on my own. I live in Turkey permanently so was quite prepared for the tour and took precautions like never showing my cleavage and wearing long shorts or trousers. The only hassle I got was in the tourist resort of Olu Deniz. Overall a good trip with next to no hassle. I have just completed a months tour of the South West coast on my own. I live in Turkey permanently so was quite prepared for the tour and took precautions like never showing my cleavage and wearing long shorts or trousers. The only hassle I got was in the tourist resort of Olu Deniz. Overall a good trip with next to no hassle.

]]> By: The Turkish Life http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/adventure/2011/10/tips-for-women-traveling-in-turkey/#comment-58 The Turkish Life Sat, 22 Oct 2011 13:33:58 +0000 http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/adventure/?p=210#comment-58 Turkish guys on the make are certainly a common hazard in touristy parts of Istanbul (i.e. Sultanahmet), Cappadocia, and the beach resorts, but generally easily avoided by not being overly friendly (and not wearing shorts such as those pictured, unfortunately). I am a very obviously foreign female living in Turkey for almost four years and have had very few problems with harassment anywhere in the country. Outside of the city, especially, most men are kind, helpful, and chivalrous, and women talk to me too -- you're just not going to see as many women working at hotels, restaurants, etc. as men. Turkish guys on the make are certainly a common hazard in touristy parts of Istanbul (i.e. Sultanahmet), Cappadocia, and the beach resorts, but generally easily avoided by not being overly friendly (and not wearing shorts such as those pictured, unfortunately). I am a very obviously foreign female living in Turkey for almost four years and have had very few problems with harassment anywhere in the country. Outside of the city, especially, most men are kind, helpful, and chivalrous, and women talk to me too — you’re just not going to see as many women working at hotels, restaurants, etc. as men.

]]> By: Duke Dillard http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/adventure/2011/10/tips-for-women-traveling-in-turkey/#comment-55 Duke Dillard Fri, 21 Oct 2011 22:11:35 +0000 http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/adventure/?p=210#comment-55 Sorry, I'm a guy but I can speak for my wife and 14 year-old daughter that they feel very safe. We have lived in Turkey for 4+ years (the last few months in Cappadocia). They have not had any bad encounters and generally everyone has been friendly. Living here is different from visiting as people get to know us and form deeper relationships. We have heard similar stories and worse regarding the Black Sea area, but my trip to Trabzon (with only guys, no gals) was ver nice. Sorry, I’m a guy but I can speak for my wife and 14 year-old daughter that they feel very safe. We have lived in Turkey for 4+ years (the last few months in Cappadocia). They have not had any bad encounters and generally everyone has been friendly. Living here is different from visiting as people get to know us and form deeper relationships. We have heard similar stories and worse regarding the Black Sea area, but my trip to Trabzon (with only guys, no gals) was ver nice.

]]> By: Rachel http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/adventure/2011/10/tips-for-women-traveling-in-turkey/#comment-51 Rachel Thu, 20 Oct 2011 19:31:12 +0000 http://blogs.smithsonianmag.com/adventure/?p=210#comment-51 I've heard from a number of women that it's far from easy to travel solo in Turkey. On Pink Pangea, the community for women travelers, one woman wrote about fending off males who seem too excited to meet an American woman (http://ow.ly/73SdO) and another woman suggested keeping things hospitable with the men and not to get too friendly (http://ow.ly/73ShU). Then again, another woman wrote about meeting the man of her dreams in Turkey and settling down to make a life for herself there (http://ow.ly/73Sno). Still, it seems like it's best to start out modest and a bit guarded. Thanks for the great article! Rachel rachel@pinkpangea.com I’ve heard from a number of women that it’s far from easy to travel solo in Turkey. On Pink Pangea, the community for women travelers, one woman wrote about fending off males who seem too excited to meet an American woman (http://ow.ly/73SdO) and another woman suggested keeping things hospitable with the men and not to get too friendly (http://ow.ly/73ShU). Then again, another woman wrote about meeting the man of her dreams in Turkey and settling down to make a life for herself there (http://ow.ly/73Sno). Still, it seems like it’s best to start out modest and a bit guarded.

Thanks for the great article!
Rachel
rachel@pinkpangea.com

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