When visiting Turkey did you take US dollars for tips ?
Mar 19th, 2004, 04:15 PM
#21
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This is one of those cases when I suspect many of those replying to this message have never been to Turkey. I agree that, in general, one uses the local currency. I would not try to use USD in the UK, France, Germany, etc.
HOWEVER, as several of those who HAVE been to Turkey have stated, my experience (albeit early 1990s) is that USD were definitely preferred for both tipping and actual purchases. Prices were often quoted (and in some places even posted) in USD.
I believe Nejat is the only poster on this message actually from Turkey and he says that people would prefer the tips in USD.
mrwunrflwas half right when he said "It is more of a matter of following the local customs, to tip the customary amount and in the local currency." Follow the local customs, in determining the amount of the tip but use the currency preferred by the LOCALS.
HOWEVER, as several of those who HAVE been to Turkey have stated, my experience (albeit early 1990s) is that USD were definitely preferred for both tipping and actual purchases. Prices were often quoted (and in some places even posted) in USD.
I believe Nejat is the only poster on this message actually from Turkey and he says that people would prefer the tips in USD.
mrwunrflwas half right when he said "It is more of a matter of following the local customs, to tip the customary amount and in the local currency." Follow the local customs, in determining the amount of the tip but use the currency preferred by the LOCALS.
Mar 19th, 2004, 09:12 PM
#22
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I finally managed to get the email address of the guide who is looking after us in Istanbul, and who is associated with the company supplying the guides and drivers for the rest of the trip. I asked her the question re tips and what currency and her email just said they would prefer USD or EUROs, she actually advised to bring plenty of $1 notes. So as the advice comes from a probable recipient of the largesse I will follow her advice.
Mar 20th, 2004, 06:56 PM
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In this case, I would go with the advice of those people who are Turkish or who have contacted local Turkish guides. When I visited Turkey many years ago, everyone wanted dollars. I didn't have any to give, as I had assumed that it was not appropriate, or was maybe even arrogant, to offer tips or payment in US dollars. But everywhere we went, people wanted dollars. The same was true in Eastern Europe before the fall of the Wall.
If the Turkish people want dollars or euros more than they want their own currency, in this case I would say it is appropriate. There clearly is some apparent benefit for them.
That does NOT mean that I think it's OK for Americans (in particular) to assume they can use dollars in the rest of Europe. I remember all too vividly a huge and loud American man yelling at a poor server at a fast-food establishment at Heathrow airport that his currency - US dollars - was the most respected in the world and why should he have to change money to pay for a cheeseburger - UGH!!!
If the Turkish people want dollars or euros more than they want their own currency, in this case I would say it is appropriate. There clearly is some apparent benefit for them.
That does NOT mean that I think it's OK for Americans (in particular) to assume they can use dollars in the rest of Europe. I remember all too vividly a huge and loud American man yelling at a poor server at a fast-food establishment at Heathrow airport that his currency - US dollars - was the most respected in the world and why should he have to change money to pay for a cheeseburger - UGH!!!
May 18th, 2004, 06:28 PM
#29
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I agree with Marko; the Turkish Lira is not a hard currency. (I believe it was around 1.3 million TL to $1 U.S. dollar when we were there in late March.) It's easy enough to ask people, but U.S. dollars were welcome in many circumstances and sometimes preferred.
May 19th, 2004, 07:29 PM
#30
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In Istanbul 10 years ago our hotel posted the prices in US dollars and that was all that they would accept. Dollars and Deutschemarks were the most welcome currencies throughout the city. That was also true in Hungary, Romania, and other eastern countries. Bring plenty of small bills with you and a batch of 10s and 20s for purchases.
Jun 1st, 2004, 09:11 PM
#31
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I was in Turkey last year 2003 and our Turkish guide told us to use dollars if we wished. The vendors including restaurants seemed to prefer it. I think the people here telling us it is insulting don't know what they are talking about. Money talks, as long as it is easily changed, I don't think people care what they get.
