General observations

[Will]

Yesterday at 6.30 p.m. I was in Yali Supermarket.  A middle aged woman in a pink bikini was doing her shopping. She was far from the first flush of youth and judging by how she looked in her two piece, should have thought twice about wearing a bikini on the beach, let alone in the local supermarket.

The supermarket staff were discussing her in Turkish and their comments expressed amazement and disgust in equal measures.  As she was leaving, one of them asked me in Turkish, if I thought she was a prostitute , why else, he asked,  would she be shopping in the evening, in a bikini?

This illustrates the huge cultural divide here. Obviously she had given no thought to the offence her appearance may cause, or perhaps she didn't care.  I  thought  her appearance was distasteful and disrespectful, the local people who saw her had a much more damning judgement.  This is a Muslim country with conservative values and traditions, semi-nudity, away from the beach is  simply not acceptable and shows a total lack of regard for the values of our hosts in Turkey.

Will

[ian]

And that for me is the crux of the matter, what might be acceptable in Brighton or Blackpool is certainly not acceptable to Turkish people in their home town. It is disrespectful and demonstrates a total disregard for the culture and values of a foreign country where we are visitors. I think the local people show a level of tolerance that is way beyond what you would see in other Muslim countries and that is to their credit.

[kalkanbelle]

I live in Brighton and you wouldn't be allowed in any shop or supermarket wearing a bikini (women) or topless (men) but I don't know what it's like elsewhere?
 
I know people behave differently on holiday but if you choose to visit a muslim country then you should show some respect for that culture and not behave in a way that could offend.

[misty]

This is correct it's how you behave that counts not who you are......I can remember a huge party of chinless wonders allowing their kids to run riot in a harbourside restaurant...the adults just didn't care and allowed it to continue......manners cost nothing whoever you are....  

[fidimax]

Its strange how some people keep banging on about "young " chavs ect in Kalkan without shirts,tattoos drinking beer and all the rest,for the last 9 days all the chavs I saw were in their 60s-70s walking around and in bars supermarkets and shops without shirts,including the missus forcing their 20 stone into shorts they bought 10 years ago,and one bloke in moonlight in the afternoon,no shirt,tattoos, drinking beer,shaved head and his sunglasses hanging on his nipple ring !
Are these people now the new super chavs of Kalkan ?
I will leave it to Kalkans elite to decide.      

[HoneyBunny]

IMHO, (and it is a very HO!), I really don't care what people look like, how old they are, what they weigh or what they wear. However on holiday -or in any other given situation, it does bother me if people are inconsiderate of others, are disrepectful or do not show good manners. This can range from being too loud for too long (especially loud bad language), not moderating their children's behaviour, being rude to waiters or drunken boorish actions. I would be genuinely mortified if anything I was doing was causing someone else to enjoy their holiday/experience less or making them feel uncomfortable/annoyed. I personally don't like swimwear or no shirts in shops/restaurants/bars - I had a nasty experience when I sat on a padded seat in a restaurant only to find the back was wet with the previous occupant's back sweat!! Eeeugh! If shops/restaurants/bars want to put up discreet signage stating that swimwear is not allowed and/or shirts must be worn, I would assume they can do that?
 
But hey ho, it would be a dull old world if we were all the same. Happy holidays everyone - will be there a week on Monday and thoroughly looking forward to it - whoever we may meet. xoxoxxo

[PACHSU]

Have a great holiday Honey Bunny and make sure you keep that tattoo covered up at all times. 

[HoneyBunny]

Thank v much! Don't worry, I'll keep my Kappa trackie top on all the time in public!
 
But I am bringing my England flag and ipod loaded with footie toons heeheehee!

[misty]

After tonight I would forget the England flag  :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'(

[PACHSU]

Thank v much! Don't worry, I'll keep my Kappa trackie top on all the time in public!
 
But I am bringing my England flag and ipod loaded with footie toons heeheehee!

Kappa is oh so last season darling - I've purchased my new summer wardrobe from Lonsdale - oh so lush

[Ares]

Thank v much! Don't worry, I'll keep my Kappa trackie top on all the time in public!
 
But I am bringing my England flag and ipod loaded with footie toons heeheehee!

Kappa is oh so last season darling - I've purchased my new summer wardrobe from Lonsdale - oh so lush

REPORT TO MODERATOR

i think a lot of people don't understand the cultural differences, and some of them will never make an effort to.

whilst i don't believe people should be forced to adhere to a dress code i think its only respect that you adopt some of the local cultures - something unfortunately the British aren't the best at. i remember many years ago visiting prague with school and half of them wanting to go to mcdonalds :/

[misty]

You can rely on Brits abroad     

[Blue Lizard]

What a terrible Heinous crime..........dickdastardly would be proud!!

[kevincat99]

Maybe the Spanish have the right idea
 
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1291458/Spanish-resort-cracks-young-Brits-excesses.html

[PACHSU]

Thank v much! Don't worry, I'll keep my Kappa trackie top on all the time in public!
 
But I am bringing my England flag and ipod loaded with footie toons heeheehee!

Kappa is oh so last season darling - I've purchased my new summer wardrobe from Lonsdale - oh so lush

REPORT TO MODERATOR

i think a lot of people don't understand the cultural differences, and some of them will never make an effort to.

whilst i don't believe people should be forced to adhere to a dress code i think its only respect that you adopt some of the local cultures - something unfortunately the British aren't the best at. i remember many years ago visiting prague with school and half of them wanting to go to mcdonalds :/

I take it then you're not a great fan of the Lonsdale summer 2010 collection?