Turkish Delight!!

Being an avid traveler and ensuring adventure on my travels I have come across some interesting things at the places I visit. One common feature of most of the big cities is the notorious crooks. The ones in Vegas and Atlanta are known world over but there are thousands of smaller scams running every where.

One of the interesting and common scams in Istanbul is related to men, women and drinks. The turks have interesting ways of striking a conversation with you. Mostly you are delighted as you generally do not meet a turk who is articulate in English. They invite you to some place where 'local' drinks are served. Its all so spontaneous and pleasant that you go to the bar with the guy (unless you have read this post!). After a few drinks a girl comes to accompany you on the table. Obviously you do not want to do anything but your friend suggests that she would be harmless. Your chivalry suggests that you buy drinks for the girl. You realise after some time that she is down 4 drinks already while your 1st one is going on. Thats ok. You are made to believe. Until the bill comes!

The uncovering of the scam starts now. The drinks that you had obliged the girl with cost 4-5 times the normal drink. And as she has had 4-5 drinks you end up paying for 20 drinks! The biggest loss would be that the effect of only one you had also would wear off while you are paying the bill!