Hi i live in Fethiye. Today as me and my husband were walking along we passed a wedding. There were two men playing drums and two playing flutes/whistle type instraments. As we approched one of the drumers walked upto us asking for money.
Is it custom to give money to them or were they just trying it on as we are English?
Thanks

If u had an invitation from the people getting married,yes u have to give just some money.I mean something like 1 New Turkish Lira.Its tradition...

But if u are just passing the road,no need to give money

Is it ok?

I went to a turkish wedding - it was great, we all lined up at the end and pinned our wedding gifts of money to the brides dress and then as we passed we got little gifts of biscuits and sweets all wrapped up like the 'favours' we have at English weddings. it was very nice. The girls all got together and did a special dance which involved dancing around with a jug of some description (as I recall)

Thanks x-man

hes it is tradition to give some money.

I disagree. They shouldnt ask for money from a stranger.

This certainly was rude by the musicians. I personally wouldnt give any money in this situation. After all I'm just passing by, right?

Many of the street musicians in Türkiye are Gypsies who neither know about traditions nor are very polite.

If they insist I would say "Allah versin" (God shall help you) or I would give the smallest money possinle, 5 Kuruş.

In general there is no Turkish tradion in which you give something when asked. In all tradions we got you can give something (including money) as a gift if it comes from your heart.

Erdinc,they ask about wedding not gypsies on the road...

Yes I know. I thought it was a wedding of local villagers of Fethiye. If thats the case it is possible that the gypsies (roman) were playing in the wedding.
But it is also possible it was only davul and zurna played by local farmers.

I was in Antalya last week and there was a wedding. A guy was trying to stop various cars. I asked my friend (turkish) what he wanted and he told me he was trying to get some money as it was a wedding. We drove on withut stopping!

Laura