Safety in Turkey

SAFETY IN TURKEY

Spread your cash, credit cards, IDs, and other valuables between a deep front pocket, an inside jacket or vest pouch, and a hidden money pouch. Don't reach for the money bag once you're in public.

Violent crime against strangers in Turkey has increased in recent years but, when compared with Western Europe or North America, is still relatively rare. You should, nevertheless, watch your valuables, as professional pickpockets do operate in the major cities and tourist areas. Women should be careful of the prospect of bag snatching both when walking and when sitting at open-air cafés and restaurants. Bear in mind that organized gangs often use children to snatch bags.

Although the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) has waged an armed campaign in southeastern Turkey, municipalities, and major highways are relatively safe. You should be extremely cautious about visiting more out-of-the-way villages in the region and using unpaved roads or traveling after nightfall. Despite the country's proximity to Syria and Iraq, violence in these countries has had little noticeable impact on security inside Turkey, except in rural areas very close to the border. Many U.S. actions in the Middle East have been deeply unpopular in Turkey, and Turks will often have little hesitation in letting you know how they feel. However, they will invariably distinguish between the actions of the U.S. government and individual Americans. For an up-to-date report on the situation, check the State Department website.

GOVERNMENT ADVISORIES

As different countries have different worldviews, look at travel advisories from a range of governments to get more of a sense of what's going on out there. And be sure to parse the language carefully. For example, a warning to "avoid all travel" carries more weight than one urging you to "avoid nonessential travel," and both are much stronger than a plea to "exercise caution." A U.S. government travel warning is more permanent (though not necessarily more severe) than a so-called public message, which carries an end date.

The U.S. Department of State's website has more than just travel alerts and advisories. The consular knowledge sheets issued for every country have general safety tips, entry conditions (though be sure to check these with the country's consulate), and other useful details.

Consider registering online with the State Department (step.state.gov/step), so the government will know to look for you should a crisis happen in the country you're visiting.

GENERAL INFORMATION AND WARNINGS

Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (www.smartraveller.gov.au.)

Foreign Affairs, Trade, and Development Canada (travel.gc.ca.)

U.K. Foreign & Commonwealth Office (www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.)

U.S. Department of State (www.travel.state.gov.)

LOCAL SCAMS

You should keep your credit cards within view at all times to stop them from being copied. In many restaurants, servers will swipe your card at the table. If a server takes the card away, you should either guarantee that it continues within eyesight or ask to follow the waiter to the POS terminal.

There have been a few incidents of tourists traveling alone being given drugged drinks and then being robbed. The doctored drinks are usually non-alcoholic beverages such as sodas. Turks are naturally anxious to ply guests with food and beverages, and in the vast manhood of cases, there should be no cause for alarm. However, if, for case, you are traveling alone and someone is especially insistent on you having a cold soft drink and gets back with one already drained into a glass, treat it with utmost caution. If the drink is drugged, the person giving it to you will probably be skeptically insistent that you drink it. If you have any doubts, do not use it. Someone who is being genuinely hospitable will probably be confused and maybe a little hurt; but both are better than your being robbed.

In crowded areas be informed of a common scam in which two men stage a fight or similar distraction while an accomplice picks the tourist's pocket. Single male tourists, in particular, should also be aware of another popular scam that starts with an innocent-seeming conversation on the street (sometimes initiated by being asked the time: "Saat kaç?"). Remains with an invitation to go grab a beer, and ends with a preposterously large bill being presented to the unsuspecting foreigner. In extreme cases, the hapless visitor has been brought by force or threat to an ATM to withdraw enough money to pay the tab.

Less intimidating, but annoying, is the "shoeshine trick": An itinerant shoe shiner "accidentally" drops his brush as he walks past a foreigner, who helpfully calls out to him and picks up the brush. The shoeshine man feigns effusive gratitude, and insists on shining the shoes of the visitor—then overcharging, and sometimes refusing to clean the polish off until the price is paid.

Before taking a private taxi, it can be useful to ask the information desk at your hotel what route (i.e., past what landmarks) the driver will likely drive, how many minutes the ride usually is, and what the average cost is: this way you will avoid an unwanted, and often lengthy, tour of the city. Note that Turkish hospitality is such that if you need directions, someone will often insist on accompanying you part or all the way to your destination.

WOMEN IN TURKEY

Turkey is a safe address for women traveling alone, although, in heavily touristed areas such as Istanbul's Sultanahmet, Marmaris, and Antalya, women alone by men are likely to be approached and sometimes followed. In rural towns, where visits from foreigners are less frequent, men are more respectful toward women traveling on their own. In the far east of the country, though, you should be particularly careful; women traveling alone have been known to be harassed in this region. As in any other country in the world, the best course of action is simply to walk on if approached and avoid potentially troublesome situations, such as walking in deserted neighborhoods at night.

Some Turkish men are genuinely interested in women from other lands and do want only to "practice their English." Still, be forewarned that the willingness to converse can easily be misconstrued as something more meaningful. If you are uncomfortable, seek assistance from a Turkish woman or move to a place where other women are present; when it comes to harassment by males, there is safety in female solidarity. If a man is acting inappropriately toward you, it is acceptable to be forward and tell him to go away. The phrase çok ayıp ("shame on you") will come in handy as it will also attract attention from passersby. Another phrase, defol ("get lost") is more severe and should dispel any persistent men you may encounter. Women who are pregnant or have small children with them are treated with such respect as to be virtually immune from harassment.

Turkey, especially outside tourist areas and major cities, is not the place to sport clothing that is short, tight, or revealing. Longer skirts and shirts and blouses with sleeves are less likely to attract unwanted attention. Women are expected to cover their heads with scarves when entering mosques.

Many hotels, restaurants and other eating spots identify themselves as being for an aile (family) clientele, and many restaurants have special sections for women and children. How comfortable you are with being alone will affect whether you like these areas, which are away from the action—and you may prefer to take your chances in the main room (though some establishments will resist seating you there).

When traveling alone by intercity bus, you will almost certainly be seated next to another woman (and often refused a ticket if such a position is not available). If a man sees that you are traveling alone, he will probably offer his seat so that you may sit next to a woman.