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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not want to be harassed every day on holiday?

56 replies

SophieKaczynsky · 29/10/2021 16:00

Yes, before anyone says, I know it's a first world problem but it's also very annoying.

Currently abroad on holiday, in an all inclusive hotel that is not cheap. Beautiful hotel, lovely staff etc. Feel very lucky to be here.

Inside the hotel there is a photography shop and a beauty/hair salon amongst other shops, where the owners rent the shop from the hotel. So they are based at the hotel but don't work for the hotel.

Each day the owners and workers of the photography shop and the salon go round and round by the pool, drumming up custom. Which is fine, and they seem to get loads of customers. However they come up to families around the pool multiple times per day and literally talk and talk to you about their service and why you should sign up for it. We have said 'thanks but no thanks' to each of these on the first day. Happy to have a quick chat but sometimes they stand talking 'at' us for 15 minutes or more at a time, multiple times a day. No matter how many times we say 'no' they won't give up.

AIBU to not want this harassment in a hotel, on a holiday we've paid a lot of money for? The photography man has even come to talk 'at' us whilst we've been eating lunch and wouldn't leave us alone. I can understand harassment in the street but surely it's not right in the hotel?!

OP posts:
ginghamstarfish · 29/10/2021 19:20

I used to live in Turkey. You have to be very direct, don't smile, don't be polite. I used to go around rescuing politely declining English couples who were absolutely besieged by sellers in touristy areas. Watch how other Turks deal with this kind of thing, if it does happen to them. Most likely a raise of the eyebrows while making a 'tsk' sound.

traka · 29/10/2021 19:34

The mistake you're making is "having a quick chat"

Tell them very, very bluntly that you aren't interested and that you don't want to be asked again that day or any other days

Rosebel · 29/10/2021 20:31

At least they ask you. Many years ago I was in Turkey with my ex and this photographer literally dragged my ex up and made us pose by the pool.
He didn't speak much English either. We let him take the photos but funnily enough refused to buy them.

Zerrin13 · 29/10/2021 21:49

You could try a firm Defol (get away from me) or a rather more plain Siktir Git (fuck off)
I know this is very annoying but they have only had an extremely short season. They are desperately trying to make money.

shouldistop · 29/10/2021 21:54

God, I'd be absolutely furious. Especially about interrupting your meal!

exLtEveDallas · 29/10/2021 21:58

One of the best hotels I have stayed at in Egypt gave each family a red flag with their towels. If you didn’t want to be bothered by the sellers you displayed the flag. If you wanted to hear about diving/beauty/trips/massages etc you left it down. It meant that we did actually all book a massage, and treatment and a diving trip because we didn’t feel pressured and pissed off with the sellers.
(Sellers knew if they ignored the flags and a guest complained they could be kicked off the complex)

SweetBabyCheeses99 · 29/10/2021 22:08

The trick is just not to engage. Don’t take your earphones out, don’t open your eyes, don’t look up from your book, don’t break your existing conversation or attention. It feels rude at first but just remind yourself that disturbing you is unwarranted.

Myusernameisnotmyusernameno · 29/10/2021 22:11

Headphones and a book. Whenever I've encountered this on holiday I've had a polite quick chat then gone back to my book.

Longroadahead08 · 29/10/2021 22:21

Feel your pain OP. Knew it was Turkey! I was thinking about a few years ago our first experience of an all inclusive trip to Antalya.
They are relentless and try to break your resilience.

Hope it doesn’t ruin the whole of your holiday Wine

BrilliantBetty · 29/10/2021 22:37

Had a terrible time with this in Sharm, Egypt. On day 3 of this (constant interruption by the pool) the Barber tried to wake up my sleeping DH who had fallen asleep in the shade, a long over due relax. I said to the sales man 'Don't wake him, he is enjoying peace you shouldn't be coming over to sell'. He went ballistic and said how dare a woman tell him not to do his job.

I left it at that. But feedback forms came out two days later, I think someone else had complained or mentioned the incident to managers, and the Barber raced over to me, tried to apologise and be all buddy-buddy. I did note on the form how annoying it was being constantly interrupted by sales but didn't mention him directly as I guess they have their reasons and may not have the easiest life.

But hell yes it is very frustrating.

AntsDeck · 29/10/2021 22:45

We went to Turkey some years ago. DH went to look at something in a tiny little shop. I'm a wheelchair user and there wasn't room for me to go in too, as others were also in there. I stayed outside, right by the door and suddenly felt myself moving. A man from the next shop had decided that he was going to take me into his shop!! Shock
I screamed so loudly that DH came running out. He said to the man, so firmly (DH is usually so laid back) No! Do not EVER do that to someone again!
I was so shaken up that I cried and then felt pathetic for crying Sad

Franklyfrost · 29/10/2021 23:22

@AntsDeck
That is awful. I’m glad you screamed and your husband came.

BritinDelco · 29/10/2021 23:27

Hard in a hotel but for markets/shops in Turkey look up how to say I don't understand in another language. I find Ne Razumijem (Croatian) works well, alternatively Hayir is No in Turkish

amusedbush · 29/10/2021 23:29

Wow, we stayed at an AI resort in Lara Beach two years ago and there was none of this! I'd been thinking about booking a different resort for next summer as the one we visited before has gone up in price but after seeing these comments, I think I'll pay the extra to go back and not be bothered by sellers Shock

Monty27 · 29/10/2021 23:34

That would give me the pip
If they aren't understanding take it further

Cherrysoup · 29/10/2021 23:38

Hand in their face, very loud no, get the hell away from me, act massively offended, it works wonders.

BetsyBigNose · 30/10/2021 00:23

@AntsDeck - Similar happened to my friend when we had just landed at Tenerife Airport! We were only just 18 and it was our first holiday abroad without parents. My best friend is a wheelchair user and I was well versed in 'wheeling etiquette', but it appeared that the Airport Porters were not! I was waiting for our luggage on the carousel, when I heard her scream "What the FUCK do you think you're doing? Get off me!" I found she was being wheeled away by a Porter, as if she was someone's luggage - it was awful. She was upset afterwards as well (so was I - I felt terrible that I'd been so focused on the luggage, not her), so please don't feel bad for that, it's a perfectly normal reaction to almost being kidnapped!

EmeraldShamrock · 30/10/2021 00:27

Make a small placard wave it as they approach or complain to the management

cabingirl · 30/10/2021 00:56

After the first day you need to stop having 'quick chats'. As soon as they approach say No Thank you very firmly before they even get their first sentence out and do a combination of headphones, book reading, acting as if they are invisible, walking away.

No eye contact after the first 'No Thank You' - if you keep looking at them they think they are in a conversation with you.

DifficultBloodyWoman · 30/10/2021 01:14

No, thank you.

No.

For the THIRD TIME NO!

I’ve found that usually makes people realise they are being repetitive and getting nowhere.

But, yeah, complain to management and tell them you will put it on trip advisor. And then… actually put it on trip advisor!

knittingaddict · 30/10/2021 07:02

You're being too polite and not firm enough. If you need to be rude to get rid of them then so be it. No way would I allow them to ruin my holiday.

WTF475878237NC · 30/10/2021 07:13

This can happen in resorts all around the world it depends on what sort of establishment the manager wants to run. Please don't be put off Turkey. Just be put off this type of resort!

Lasair · 30/10/2021 08:06

Can you just put headphones in?

Silkieschickens · 30/10/2021 08:14

I would not want that, one time is OK, but not everyday. We holiday a lot including AI and never had this happen apart from a half board place in Martinique where it was bikinis on the beach.

Original poster
SophieKaczynsky · 30/10/2021 08:56

Thanks all! We've been to Turkey loads of times and usually stay in the Barut hotels but this time we've tried a different one.

We've been by the pool for an hour and already been approached twice. I just kept my head in my book and let DH deal with them as I'm so pissed off with them I'll end up making a real scene if I speak to them today and telling them to fuck off

OP posts: