In many countries, locals try to make money off of tourists, and Turkey is a prime example. Scammers and con artists are everywhere, using every opportunity to deceive gullible foreigners. Here are the most common tricks.
4. Food bill
If you decide to diversify your all-inclusive diet or go out to explore the local cuisine outside the hotel, be careful. The amount of the bill in public catering establishments is almost always overestimated – the cost may differ from the one stated on the menu or the numbers are simply incorrectly summed up if you ordered several dishes. Even after drinking a cup of tea, there is a chance to be deceived: it cost 3 TRY, and you are asked to pay 5 TRY. It turns out that the menu indicated the price per glass, and you were brought a large mug.
3. The change
Unlike the bill, Turks tend to round the change down. Or give the wrong bills or coins, of course, of a smaller denomination. Tourists who do not count their change often fall victim to such a simple deception – it is easy to get confused with foreign money out of habit. Such situations usually occur in markets where vendors are particularly prone to cheat, even on trifles. And they can make a scandal out of it, accusing you of cheating. So it’s better to go shopping not alone and check the change in front of witnesses. In stores, such cases are also not uncommon – pay with a card wherever possible.
Taxi drivers also like to create confusion with the change, deliberately placing the car for dropping off so that everyone around them honks their horns and there is no way to stand for a long time. In the hustle and bustle, they shove bills 10 times smaller than the face value and wave their hands asking you to get out as soon as possible so as not to interfere with traffic. Do not be fooled, count the money and only then leave the car.
2. Try the product
When a seller offers to try their edible goods for free, don’t agree. If you do not buy anything, it is highly likely that you will be charged for everything you eat. By the way, merchants often give you a taste of something other than the product they are selling, so you may find a completely unexpected product at home.
1. Helpers.
Turks like to impose a service, for example, grabbing a suitcase, helping to carry it, and then demanding a fee for it. The same thing can happen if you ask them to show you the way or for any other service.
