shame on you

going to work is suddenly a challenge. they started this huge construction in the heart of the city, right in the middle  in Taksim square... i thought it would be okay, but then yesterday when i left office and headed to the metro, suddenly there was a wooden "berlin wall" at the end of the street. i turned left and started walking along but there seemed to be no end in sight. then i turned the other way and finally found my way out. it seemed like they are trying to separate this block from the rest of the center. damn. and its supposed to go on for 8 months. which means over a year, minimum. im kind of glad im leaving the job soon.

from X to X is tough, over about 15min walk.

Melisa came over and we talked about turkish men, foreign women, double standards and how in every culture its the women always who are the sluts. men are just bystanders, or those revealing the woman's 'sluttiness'. well, nothing new there. but we concluded that the best way to get rid of a turkish guy who approaches on the street (and they dont do that just to ask directions...) is to drag in their shame. saying "fuck you" is useless, because well, no is almost a yes, and at least gives attention, so shes definitely half-interested. 2nd best option is to ignore but that can be considered "a game" too and stalking guys are all too common in turkey. the right way is to snappily react in turkish by saying something like "cok ayip" (big shame!"), or if language skills allow "do you think im a cheap woman??!!" and then add the click click sound with a chin lift turkish women do when in disapproval...  men blush, apologise and suddenly they feel like they have almost raped their sister. tapping to a turkish mans shame of bad behavior in their own cultural code is that easy. i find it pleasing.