I have lived in Istanbul since 2011, in three different neighborhoods, and I had previously vacationed in three other neighborhoods between 2002-2011. I have felt safe most of the time. I have walked home as late as 1:30 AM and had no fear (I am sure that there are others who have stayed out later with no problems, too).
Recently the number of beggars on the streets seems to have increased. Mostly these people are harmless, and sadly, there are many Syrians (children and whole families) begging on the streets. But I think that as the number of beggars grows, so does the competition. I and many of my friends have noticed several different beggars acting in aggressive ways (I was pushed, twice, by a beggar who followed me across a cross-walk).
I find that the best way to deal with this is to remain firm, and not engage them in conversation. When the one beggar pushed into me, I yelled at him, and eventually, he went away.
Recently the number of beggars on the streets seems to have increased. Mostly these people are harmless, and sadly, there are many Syrians (children and whole families) begging on the streets. But I think that as the number of beggars grows, so does the competition. I and many of my friends have noticed several different beggars acting in aggressive ways (I was pushed, twice, by a beggar who followed me across a cross-walk).
I find that the best way to deal with this is to remain firm, and not engage them in conversation. When the one beggar pushed into me, I yelled at him, and eventually, he went away.
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