Shopping Shopping here is so rewarding that many visitors return just for that reason. Among the most popular items are primitive rugs called kilims, antique copperware, meerschaum pipes, brass samovars and oriental carpets. Istanbul's fabulous Grand Bazaar is a maze of covered streets housing 4,000 shops, cafes and restaurants. Bargaining is the norm in bazaars and in some resort areas. Antiques over a hundred years old cannot be taken out of the country.
Most shops are closed during lunch periods.
Hospitality Hospitality is one of the cornerstones of the Turkish way of life. Following Ko ranic tenets and his naturally friendly instincts, the Turk is a most gracious and gener ous host. Hospitality is taken to such lengths that a foreigner often feels he is suffering from an overdose of it after being plied with food and drinks for hours and being unable to refuse anything, lest he hurt his host's feelings. In addition to en suring his guest's material well being, the Turk makes every effort to converse, no matter what linguistic barriers might exist.