Service is one thing that the Turks don’t take lightly. In fact, it seems as though hospitality is ingrained in their very being. I am being completely honest here when I say I have not once received anything but exceptional cordiality in every dining experience. Whether you dine at a a fine dining restaurant or a casual lokanta or cafe, you are sure to experience service that is unprecedented anywhere else in the world. That may sound like a blanket statement. I mean, of course, one would expect perfect service from a high-end fancy restaurant, but from a corner doner shop? or a kebab house in Istanbul? I kid you not, service is perfect and it has to be experienced to be believed.

I suppose this focus on service is a good part pride with a dose of tradition, generosity and graciousness mixed in. If you have ever been a guest in a Turkish home, you know that from the moment you walk in the door you are welcomed with open arms and you are offered the best food and drink, the best seat in the house and warm, genuine conversation.

This same hospitality holds true in shopping (alisveris, alis veris Istanbul Turkey). Take for example a trip to the Grand Bazaar, (Kapali carsi Istanbul) a destination that is on anyone’s list who visits Istanbul for the first time. There are hundreds of vendors, each one talking to you and trying to get you to enter their shop and sell you their wares. It honestly can seem like borderline harassment. I generally start out with polite rejections and lots of "no thank you"s but end up on the verge of annoyance and plain disregard for what they are saying to me. It can be overwhelming. I always think to myself that these men have plenty of competition and if one shopper in a hundred falls for their line they may have a chance of making a sale. (indirim, alisveris, pazarlik)

But let’s say there is something you have your eye on. The shop owner will approach you and invite you in. He will always offer you tea and and a seat and genuinely want to help you find whatever it is you are looking for. If he can not help you find what you are looking for, he no doubt can direct you to a friend who does. He will most likely escort you to his friend’s shop, make the introduction and genuinely bid you goodbye until next time. This is service at its best and I still have yet to come across an occasion that will tarnish this reputation.

This exceptional service has even made its way to the internet. One of Turkey’s best online wine & spirits shops, www.Kavist.com, has incredible customer support, both online and in their shop in Sapphire Shopping Mall in Levent. Every time I have placed an order online, I have received prompt and immediate attention. My questions are answered and suggestions are made according to my specific needs for pairing a wine with a particular meal or price range. They even follow up with a call to make sure I have received and am satisfied with my order. Now that’s service! (Sarap, Saraplar, Online Sarap, Sampanya, Votka, Viski)